Escitalopram belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) group of drugs. It is an antidepressant medicine and is used to treat the symptoms caused due to depression and anxiety disorders. It works by restoring the balance of serotonin, which is a natural substance found in the brain.
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Do vitamin supplements cure mental illness?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 20-year-old male diagnosed with SAD. My Psychiatrist prescribed me Tablets Clonazepam 0.5 mg, Escitalopram 5 mg at night, and Modafinil 50 mg in the morning. He also recommended some tests (Vitamin D and B12, thyroid profile, LFT, KFT). I started taking the medicines before my test... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for taking help from a Psychiatrist. You may have SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Vitamin deficiency can be one of the factors for mental illness, but that does not mean that vitamins will correct your mental illness and get cured. Mental illness is due to th... Read Full »
I want to quit certain psychiatric medicines. Kindly help.
Query: Hello doctor. I have been using certain medicines for the past 20 years. However, I want to quit some of them to heal my body from chemical abuse. I use tablet Valproate EG 500, tablet Wellbutrin XR 150 mg, tablet Escitalopram 15 mg, tablet Emconcor 2.5 mg, tablet Xanax Retard 0.5 mg, tablet Pantopr... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. It is advised to taper the dosage only when you feel completely fine. Also, the medicines that were started last should be tapered off first and over four to six weeks for each reduced dosage. Initially, I suggest you continue with the tabl... Read Full »
I take Nexito forte, and I need an alternative for it.
Query: Hello doctor, I have severe anxiety, depression, a fast heartbeat, sweating, IBS, and diarrhea. I have had a nervous weakness for the last 15 years. I have consulted many psychiatrists, but none of the medications suited me. I am currently taking tablets Nexito forte and tablet Pronol, and tablet Pr... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand the kind of distress you are currently going through. Since you mentioned that it had been such a long time, almost fifteen years, you finally got the medication that you are quite comfortable with and adjusted to it. So your anxiety and IBS (irritable b... Read Full »
Can I take Arjunarishta instead of Escitalopram for anxiety?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 62-year-old female. I am having high blood pressure since I was 37. I also have sickle cell trait and hypothyroidism and take medication for all these problems regularly. For the last three years, I am suffering from cardiac arrhythmia without any significant ECG or Echo finding... Read Full »
Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Hassan Shoukat
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. As the medication given above is some kind of herbal or homeopathic, which is not well studied, and its side effects not well know. Also, anyone on this forum is not expected to know that drug. So I suggest that the medication you suggested is not suitable. But there... Read Full »
I woke up with side effects after taking Escitalopram. Why?
Query: Hello doctor, Last night I took tablet Escitalopram 30 mg. I am not pregnant or breastfeeding a child. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling nauseous, dizzy, and tensed maybe it was muscle cramping but I am not sure. I cannot even move. I also experienced a burning and tingling sensation star... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query and understood your concern. However, I have few questions. Are you taking the tablet Escitalopram (antidepressant) 30 mg for a long time, or have you just started? What was the indication for Escitalopram? Avoid consuming spicy and fa... Read Full »
I have persistent mental issues despite taking medicines. Why?
Query: 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 tol... Read Full »
Answer: 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 fo... Read Full »
I had an episode of psychosis. How long should I stay on the treatment?
Query: Hello doctor,I am a 35 years old male. I had an episode of psychosis for the first time four months ago and is treated with Risperidone and Escitalopram. For how long should I stay on the treatment? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. For psychosis, Risperidone is considered the right drug. However, Escitalopram is given for depression. So if at present you do not have any depressive symptoms you can discontinue Escitalopram. However, Risperidone should be continued at least for a year in the first ... Read Full »
How can generalized anxiety with DPDR and muscle stiffness be cured completely?
Query: Hello doctor, I have severe generalized anxiety that started 10 years ago and it has become very severe now. I have anxiety attacks, DPDR everyday, muscle stiffness, shaking hands and legs. I had changed four medicines, first on Sertraline no effect, then on Fluoxetine, it works only on specific... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your problem. Anxiety in day to day situations, even without any cause is seen in generalised anxiety disorder. Nexito, Sertraline and Fluoxetine all are SSRI drugs and have great efficacy in anxiety. I personally prefer Escitalopram or Nexito for my... Read Full »
Query: Hi doctor, I have an anxiety disorder. Neuropsychiatrist prescribed me Cipralex 10 mg and Petril MD 0.5 1/2 tablet. I took Cipralex for a month and Petril for 22 days when I went to review with my doctor he said to continue Cipralex and Petril 0.5 mg. I have been taking 1/2 tablet but he said to tak... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Cipralex (Escitalopram) 10 mg is good medicine for anxiety disorder. You may need to continue for at least six months to a year. Petril (Clonazepam) 0.5 mg is fine to be taken short term for upto a month, then your doctor will gradually taper it off. Also, try to get... Read Full »
How long should Nexito Forte be used for anxiety and panic attack?
Query: Hello doctor, I have been suffering from anxiety for the last 10 years. I was able to live a normal life and working happily. I was on Nexitoplus (do not know if I had depression). Two months back because of family problems (father health issue), financial stress, work pressure, and continuous thou... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. It is quite common for anxiety to get elevated when faced with stressful situations in life. The good thing is with appropriate support your anxiety will come down eventually and you can function normally. Nexito (Escitalopram) is a good medication for your condition. It ... Read Full »