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What Causes Sudden Asthma Attack While Treating Depression?
Hi i have been taking Pristiq since last July, 200mg for depression associated with Bipolar 2. Recently I was admitted to hospital with severe depression and my psychiatrist increased the Pristiq to 250mg for a week then 300mg because there was no change. Within 48 hours my Menieres symptoms went crazy so back I went to 250mg and that was 4 weeks ago. I have a history of asthma but no attack for 25yrs so I was surprised 2 weeks ago to experience all the signs of asthma and it s still here! I have also been taking lithium and lamortigine for the last 4 yrs with no problem. My psych is away until 30 July. Pam
Tue, 28 Jul 2020
Hi,
I understand that there has been a recent change in dosage of medication which you were taking for bipolar illness. Usually Pristiq is quiet a good choice for bipolar illness. If you were my patient, I would certainly be giving you the same medication. But apart from Pristiq you are also on Lithium and Lamotrigene which are also given in bipolar and major depression. Since you had severe depression an increased dosage of Pristiq was suggested by your psychiatrist which is the accepted norm given your circumstance but please be advised that this in itself or as an interaction with other medicines you are using may bring about or aggravate a pre-existing hypersensitivity condition like asthma.
The immediate course of action which I would recommend my patients would be to stop the medication but in your case, since you have been using Pristiq since a year now, it would be best to go back to 200 mg till you can visit your psychiatrist once he is back. In my clinic, I have seen patients who experience hypersensitivity to such medications on a common basis and there is no need to worry as its only a matter of dose adjustment which is required.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Tejas, General & Family Physician
I understand that there has been a recent change in dosage of medication which you were taking for bipolar illness. Usually Pristiq is quiet a good choice for bipolar illness. If you were my patient, I would certainly be giving you the same medication. But apart from Pristiq you are also on Lithium and Lamotrigene which are also given in bipolar and major depression. Since you had severe depression an increased dosage of Pristiq was suggested by your psychiatrist which is the accepted norm given your circumstance but please be advised that this in itself or as an interaction with other medicines you are using may bring about or aggravate a pre-existing hypersensitivity condition like asthma.
The immediate course of action which I would recommend my patients would be to stop the medication but in your case, since you have been using Pristiq since a year now, it would be best to go back to 200 mg till you can visit your psychiatrist once he is back. In my clinic, I have seen patients who experience hypersensitivity to such medications on a common basis and there is no need to worry as its only a matter of dose adjustment which is required.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Tejas, General & Family Physician
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