Dr. Seikhoo Bishnui
Psychiatry
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I had recently had several hospital stays for spikes in blood pressure due to years of stress with a sick child. Nothing organically was found. Anxiety might be the key. I was put on 5 mg of Lexapro at night, which made me anxious and gave me insomnia. Then, another doctor gave me Buspar. But, I did not like it. I feel a lot of head pressure and weakness. I am trying to decide what to do. Please give some suggestion about the best medicine. Which one shall I take?
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
If Lexapro (Escitalopram) caused insomnia, then it is better to take the drug in the morning after breakfast. This drug is an SSRI drug (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and helps to reduce depressive symptoms when taken regularly. Buspirone is an anti-anxiety drug that helps to reduce the symptoms. In my opinion Lexapro is the better choice for mixed anxiety and depressive symptoms. Thank you.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Does Lexapro take a long time to begin to work? Should I take low dose Benzo with it till it does? I am supersensitive to medicines and tend to have reactions of some sort or another. I tend to have a lot of problems at night that wake me up such as chills, shakes and weakness. This is the reason I hope for something that would work at night.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Lexapro is an SSRI drug and it takes about 4 to 6 weeks to show its full effect. 5 mg dose is a low dose and this dose would not cause any significant side effects in you. So, you can continue to take 5 mg dose for at least four weeks. If needed, then the dose can be increased to 10 mg after four weeks. Weakness, chills and shakiness will decrease when the drug start showing its effects. Till then for control of anxiety symptoms you can take low dose benzodiazepines on the SOS basis (as and when required). Thank you.
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