Do Escitalopram and Sertraline combo treat mental illness?

Question

Hi doctor,

Last year I suffered from mental illness, and I went to a psychiatrist and told them about my symptoms. At first, he diagnosed me with an anxiety disorder and told me to take Escitalopram 10 mg. I took that medicine for the next 56 days but got no relief. Then again, I went to him and told him about my symptoms and I was trying to motivate myself, but the same doubts and thoughts started coming into my mind. Then he told me that you have some symptoms of OCD and told me to take Sertraline 50 mg alongside Escitalopram 10 mg. I have to increase the dose of Sertraline from 25 mg to 100 mg in a few days. As I started taking Sertraline 25 mg alongside Escitalopram from the first day, I started feeling the change. For the past four months, I have not been taking any medicines, but again I am getting symptoms of that, so I went to the doctor and he suggested I take Sertraline 50 mg of and gradually increase its dose to 100 mg over the weeks. For the last 11 days, I have been taking Sertraline 50 mg, and currently, I am on 75 mg. But I am not noticing any improvement in my symptoms. So I am getting that doubt in my mind that last time I got better when I took both medications together. So does it mean a combination of Escitalopram and Sertraline works for me?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

You need to wait for four weeks for the full effect of your Sertraline. Sometimes it takes time when you have relapsed, and you start medication a second time. Even you may need a higher dose for it. So it would help if you waited at least four to six weeks before adding the tablet Escitalopram. It would help if you also do exercise and meditation. It will help you. You must do the following blood reports and follow up after one week. I also suggest you get the following investigations done such as complete blood count, thyroid profile, vitamin B12, and vitamin D3.

I hope this information will help.

Thank you.