Recently Answered Questions
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I have been taking Escitalopram 20 mg for a year. How to stop it?
Query: Hello doctor, I was on the following combination of prescribed medications for one year. Escitalopram 20 mg, Flupenthixol 5 mg, Dosulepin 50 mg This combination was tapered as follows: Phase 1 For 30 Days (Escitalopram 20 mg, Flupenthixol 0.5 MG on alternate days, Dosulepin 50 mg) Phase 2 for 30 da... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com.I can understand your concern.You have gradually tapered off your all above medications, I expect you have done it under the observation of your doctor. I need more details about the duration and severity of your illness.Why were you on all the above medications? Do you... Read Full »
How can I wean from Veniz XR safely without withdrawal symptoms?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 23 year old male. Currently, I am taking 225 mg Veniz XR for depression. I am taking it for the past 6 years. My problem is ED. For the past one year, I am suffering from erectile dysfunction. Please suggest me some medicine. I am unmarried. Can I use Sildenafil for one night stan... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, drugs like Sildenafil or Tadalafil can be used on SOS basis (as and when required). These drugs if used about half to one hour before intercourse can help to improve the erection and will make hard erection.Veniz XR (Venlafaxine) can increase adrenergic output and... Read Full »
How do I stop my medications for seizures?
Query: Hello doctor,I am a 23 year old male. I want to quit my medicines permanently. I am taking Valkem OD 500, Soltus 100 mg, Flunil 20, and Ativan 2 mg. How to reduce the doses and completely stop taking these medications without any side effects? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your post. You are on Divalproex (Valkem) which is used for epilepsy; in addition, you are on antidepressants and antipsychotic meds. Firstly, if you have a seizure disorder, for which you are taking Valkem, then your EEG (electroencephalogram) shoul... Read Full »
Does taking Stalopam affect the sound sleep of my mother?
Query: Hi doctor, My mother is 51 years old. Over 9 years she is unable to sleep properly either in the day as well as night. She started to feel irritated and we consulted one of our family doctor and he suggested to start Stalopam plus. But now a days even after taking the same medicine she is not gettin... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through the prescription attached (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Diagnosis was anxiety with insomnia for which Stalopam plus (Escitalopram) was prescribed. It seems she has developed tolerance to this drug. So, either dose should be in... Read Full »
Can liver problem be caused by reducing the dose of Dexamethasone?
Query: Hi doctor, Almost 5 years back, my father had an operation for a brain tumor in the left tempero-parietal region. He had Dexamethasone injections 12 mg and radiation on a linear accelerator 51 and 45. After two years, he had a CT and everything was fine. He even walked. But, when we started lowering... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I would like to know a few things very clear here. From your history, I gather that he had surgery on the brain and was on steroids post-op. And also he received radiotherapy. For what condition the brain surgery was done? He might be having what is called as steroid-i... Read Full »
Can steroid be stopped abruptly after taking a short course for food allergy?
Query: Hello doctor, My father had an allergic reaction yesterday evening where he had reddish patches all over his tummy and back with a lot of itching, and also, his lips were swollen. Not sure if it was due to food or something else. We took him to the doctor, and the doctor gave him an Avil injection a... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Most commonly, this happens due to food allergies only. He should try to recall all things he had consumed, including medicines, allergic exposure, etc. Yes, certainly, he can stop if his symptoms are better. Steroid tapering is advisable if taken for a long time, say m... Read Full »
Query: Hi doctor,I have been on Seroquel for four years, and my mental health and quality of life have deteriorated. When I was taking Risperidone, everything was great. But now, I experience severe side effects with Seroquel, and I cannot stop taking it since I experience withdrawal symptoms. I currently ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query and understood your concern. Why are you on such a high dose of Seroquel (Quetiapine)? Kindly give me the details about your mental illness. You can taper the dosage gradually, but it takes time. In addition, you can take Benzodiazepine (antip... Read Full »
How to taper the dose of medication taken for secondary adrenal insufficiency?
Query: Hi doctor, I recently had surgery which led to a four-day hospitalization and a diagnosis of secondary adrenal insufficiency. Oddly, I cannot get in to see an endocrinologist at the same hospital. I was put on Hydrocortisone (Cortef 20 mg) in the morning and 10 mg in the night. How do I taper this? ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Let me explain a few things. You got diagnosed with secondary adrenal insufficiency. That means your adrenal gland is not able to produce cortisol, the hormone which the adrenal gland is producing naturally. Now, as you got insufficiency, it means that perhaps this b... Read Full »
Could I take a tablet Prozac temporarily to relieve my withdrawal symptoms of tablet Seroxat?
Query: Hi doctor, I am tapering the dosage of tablet Seroxat from 10 mg to 9 mg. But the intensity of my headache is overwhelming. I cannot deal with the pain. I am experiencing sharp pain in the head along with on and off pain in my legs. Could I temporarily take a tablet Prozac? Kindly help. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query. Tablet Seroxat has a concise half life and hence tapering it will cause withdrawal symptoms. I suggest you two alternative options as follows; 1) Take a long-acting SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) like Fluoxetine (Prozac 20 ... Read Full »
I have taken Levothyroxine sodium for a year. Should I continue?
Query: Hello doctor, I am 71 years old, five feet tall, and weigh 118 pounds. I take Levothyroxine sodium 100 mcg daily, five times a week. I felt good about this for about a year. Now I am exhausted, and have an achy body, brain fog, and constipation. A year ago, my thyroid levels were in the normal range... Read Full »
Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You have hypothyroidism as per history and taking Thyroxine for that. The dose of Levothyroxine is changed according to the serum TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) level. Therefore, the level of TSH should be maintained within range by changing the dose of Levothyrox... Read Full »