Does Cymbalta Make You Sleepy
Its possible that youll feel sleepy while taking Cymbalta. This was one of the more common side effects of the drug in clinical studies. In the studies:
- 10% of people who took Cymbalta reported feeling sleepy
- 3% of people who took a placebo reported feeling sleepy
Because Cymbalta can cause sleepiness, its important to use caution or avoid driving or and operating machinery until you know how the drug will affect you.
If you have questions about side effects from Cymbalta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also learn more in the Cymbalta side effects section above.
You may wonder how Cymbalta compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how Cymbalta and Lexapro are alike and different.
Treatment Considerations For Comorbid Anxiety And Depression
Resolving anxiety quickly should be the first goal of treatment in patients with anxiety and depression.61 Once this objective is accomplished, patients are much more likely to remain compliant with their antidepressant regimen and to continue their therapy for the full duration necessary to achieve complete remission of their depression.
One choice for pharmacotherapy in patients with comorbid anxiety and depression is the combination of a BZD or buspirone with an antidepressant. Alternatively, some patients may respond to antidepressant therapy alone, provided a drug that is effective in treating both disorders is used. Because the traditional anxiolytics will have little if any effect on depression, an adequate course of therapy with an antidepressant is imperative.62 On the other hand, in patients treated with an antidepressant plus an anxiolytic, the clinician may consider tapering the anxiolytic slowly, then discontinuing it when the symptoms of acute anxiety have resolved.61 Because of their well-documented withdrawal effects, the BZDs should be tapered gradually over the course of at least several weeks, depending on the dosage and duration of BZD therapy.
Anxiolytics And Other Medications
Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Research has found that anxiety is common in people with bipolar disorder, with more than half of people experiencing one or more anxiety disorders. Other people may not have enough anxiety symptoms to be formally diagnosed with an anxiety disorder but still need medication to manage their symptoms. Anxiousness, worry, agitation, and insomnia, for example, are often experienced during bipolar depression and mixed episodes. Anxiety symptoms such as restlessness, worry and irritability may occur during mania and hypomania. Thus, itâs common for bipolar people to have anti-anxiety medications prescribed.
Anxiety medications, also called anti-anxiety medications or anxiolytics, are prescribed for anxiety disorders as well as for people who have anxiety along with bipolar disorder or major depression. Anxiety medications help to make people less anxious and also help to ease restlessness and worrying. Many of these medications also help people to sleep better. Letâs take a look at the different categories of medications which are used to treat anxiety and how they may be used for people with bipolar disorder.
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Important Information About Anxiety Medication
Medication often takes longer to treat anxiety than it does to treat depression. It might take several weeks for the medication to take effect. Studies show that anxiety medication works better if someone also has therapy.
Anxiety medication can cause side effects in some people. These may include:
- difficulty with sexual drive or arousal
These side effects normally fade away, but if you are experiencing side effects from anxiety, always tell your doctor as they may be able to help.
Some antidepressants can cause a harmful reaction when taken with certain other medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you take any other medications, including sleeping pills and painkillers.
Take your anxiety medication as prescribed. Do not adjust doses on your own without consulting your doctor. Dont drink alcohol while taking anti-anxiety medication.
If you are not sure about taking medications to treat anxiety, ask your doctor about the following:
- What are the benefits of the particular medication for anxiety?
- What are the risks of the medication?
- What are the possible side effects?
Can Antidepressants Give You Suicidal Thoughts
In 2004, the FDA issued a black box label warning for suicidal ideation among 18- to 24-year-olds for common antidepressant drugs. This warning is the FDAs strictest warning for labeling prescription drugs.
The effect of suicidal thoughts is most common with SSRIs, occurring in about 4% of people who take them. However, untreated depression is considered to be much more of a suicide risk than taking antidepressants.
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How To Take Sertraline
Sertraline is available as either an oral tablet or a liquid.
Typically, a person takes a dose in the morning or evening, once a day. People using it to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder may take it every day or only on select days of the month.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, sertraline comes in the following doses:
- 25 milligram tablets
- 20 milligrams per liter of liquid
A person taking sertraline should follow these general guidelines:
- Take it at about the same time every day.
- Take with or without food.
- Follow all instructions on the prescription packaging and from the doctor.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember to, but do not double the dose the next day.
- Take only the amount that the healthcare provider has prescribed.
When using the liquid, dilute it in a drink. According to the National Library of Medicine, a person should mix 4 ounces of medication with one of the following beverages, then drink it immediately:
However, the right dosage will vary, based on a persons age and weight.
Typically, a healthcare provider will prescribe a low dose and increase the amount over time, but no more than once per week. It can take several weeks before a person feels any effects of sertraline.
People should not stop taking the drug without speaking to a doctor, even if they are feeling better. This may mean that the drug is working, and missing a dose can result in a return of symptoms.
Common side effects of sertraline include:
How To Know Which Antidepressant Is Best For You
When your doctor prescribes any medication, be it an antidepressant or another type of medicine, there are several considerations behind the decision.
The selection criteria are extensively diverse, given that antidepressants can have varying effects on different patients.
Below are some of the factors that can help shape the decision of your physician.
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a type of antidepressant, doctors can prescribe them to people with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder .
According to one article, doctors consider SSRIs to be the first-line drug treatment for anxiety.
SSRIs work by stopping nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin, which is a chemical that plays a vital role in mood regulation.
Examples of SSRIs for anxiety include:
, but they may not work for everyone. People usually take SSRIs for 612 months to treat anxiety and then gradually reduce the dosage.
These drugs are not habit-forming, meaning that they do not usually lead to dependence.
People should consult a doctor or physician before they start reducing or stopping their medication.
Celexa For Other Conditions
In addition to the use listed above, Celexa may be used off-label. Off-label drug use is when a drug thats approved for one use is used for a different one thats not approved. And you may wonder if Celexa is used for certain other conditions.
Celexa for anxiety
Celexa doesnt have FDA approval to treat anxiety. However, some studies suggest selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Celexa may be good treatment options for anxiety. These medications may be an option for people with anxiety who may benefit from taking medication.
Celexa for OCD
SSRIs, including Celexa, are sometimes used off-label for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder . This is a behavioral health condition in which unwanted thoughts or behaviors keep coming back or repeat over and over.
A review of studies has looked at people with OCD who were treated with Celexa, other SSRIs, or a placebo. People who took Celexa or another SSRI had their symptoms ease more than people who took a placebo.
Treatment of OCD usually requires doses of Celexa that are higher than those used for depression. And it can take longer for people with OCD to notice that Celexa is working.
Although the maximum recommended dose of Celexa for depression is 40 mg, doses of 60 mg have been used to treat OCD. Taking 60 mg of Celexa may increase your risk for heart-related side effects such as dizziness and heart palpitations .
Celexa for bipolar depression
Celexa for PMDD
Celexa for menopausal symptoms
Celexa for IBS
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Management Of Anxiety In The Primary Care Setting
Benzodiazepines and buspirone.
The use of the benzodiazepines in the treatment of anxiety disorders has a long history. For many years, diazepam was the most widely prescribed BZD, but alprazolam is currently the most commonly used drug of this class because of its lower incidence of sedation.8 Alprazolam often significantly reduces panic attacks within a few days at the recommended daily dosage of 1.5 to 10 mg, although dosages as low as 0.25 mg 3 times daily may be effective in some patients.811 In more chronic forms of anxiety, such as GAD, typical maintenance dosages of alprazolam are generally lower than those used in panic disorder.
Unlike BZDs, buspirone, a member of the azapirone class of nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytics, does not cause sedation or psychomotor and cognitive impairment and, in general, has a more favorable adverse effect profile. Adverse effects of treatment include headache, light-headedness, nausea, and restlessness.8 Buspirone also has a low abuse potential, so it may be a suitable alternative to BZDs in addictive patients.
At dosages of 20 mg/day, buspirone is effective in GAD but not in panic disorder or OCD, for which it has shown little effect as a sole agent.12 However, buspirone has a slow onset of action, and it can take 3 to 4 weeks to provide substantial relief of symptoms.9
Newer antidepressants for treatment of anxiety.
Selecting The Best Antidepressant For Depression And Anxiety
Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems affecting people today. Half of the people who have depression are also diagnosed with having an anxiety disorder.
People with either depression or anxiety go to great lengths to relieve their distress, whether using medication or trying different natural remedies.
For depression and anxiety, antidepressants are among the most commonly prescribed medications.
In general, this class of drug is considered to be effective in treating depression and anxiety.
People must seek the best options for medications, especially if they suffer from depression or anxiety.
Using antidepressants for relieving these conditions can empower you to achieve your goals and dreams minus the pain and frustrations.
This is a comprehensive guide to arm you with knowledge about the best antidepressants for treating depression and anxiety.
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Are There Treatments For Depression Or Anxiety During Pregnancy Or After Birth
Yes, there are treatments, and they can help you feel better. Treatment can reduce your symptoms or make them go away completely. Depression and anxiety will not go away on their own. With treatment, there is hope.
Many treatment options are available for depression or anxiety during pregnancy or after birth. Some women may participate in counseling others may need medication. There is no single treatment that works for everyone.
Your provider may ask you a set of questions, called a screening, to learn more about what you are feeling. Together, you can find the treatment that is right for you. Some treatments for depression and anxiety that occur during or after pregnancy are listed below.
Do I Need This Treatment
If you are distressed for more than two weeks by feelings of sadness, despair and hopelessness, or by excessive worry that is hard to control, see a doctor for an assessment of your symptoms and situation and to discuss treatment and support options. Early treatment can help to ensure treatment success.
Be sure your doctor knows if you have had times where you felt a reduced need for sleep in combination with an unusual amount of energy, or where your mood changed from feeling depressed to feeling unusually happy or irritable. Mood stabilizer medications may be more suited to your needs, either on their own or in combination with antidepressants. Antidepressants alone can cause some people to switch from depression into mania.
Medications are only one way of treating depression and anxiety. Talk therapies, such as interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy, can be just as effective. Peer support, school and job counselling, and housing and employment supports can also help to deal with problems that may trigger or worsen depression or anxiety.
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What Is Clinical Depression
Depression exists on a continuum of severity, ranging from relatively mild, transient states of low mood to severe, long term symptoms that have a major impact on a persons quality of life. When a persons symptoms have reached the chronic end of the spectrum and require professional treatment, itâs typically referred to as clinical depression.
Although depression can take on many forms and may be categorized in several different ways, there are two primary types of clinical depression as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: major depressive disorder and the depressive phase of bipolar disorder.
Medications That Dont Play Nice With Antidepressants
The most common medication prescribed for the treatment of depression is antidepressants. In particular, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the most popular choice, but these dont get along with all drugs.
In particular, you never want to mix SSRIs with other drugs that increase brain serotonin levels, like St. Johns Wort, linezolid, or amphetamines. This can cause a problem called serotonin syndrome that has serious side effects like diarrhea, fever, and seizures.
SSRIs also arent safe to take with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen. Thats because they can increase the chances of gastrointestinal bleeding.
If you have another mental health condition, youll need to be especially careful. SSRIs should not be mixed with lithium or clozapine .
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What To Do In Case Of Overdose
If you think youve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
When you get Celexa from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.
The expiration date helps guarantee the effectiveness of the medication during this time. The of the Food and Drug Administration is to avoid using expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk with your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it.
Can I Have Depression And Anxiety At The Same Time
Depression and anxiety are two different mental health disorders that are often comorbid. Meaning, they occur at the same time.
Depression is a mental disorder that is commonly identified with intense feelings of hopelessness, despair, worthlessness, and overwhelming sadness. More than 16% of Americans will experience depression at some point during their lifetime, according to theCleveland Clinic. While most people will experience feelings of sadness at some point, with depression, these feelings are prolongedlasting two weeks or moreand severe enough to impact daily life.
Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive worry, nervousness, or fear that impacts everyday functioning. Without treatment, anxiety can get worse over time. There are a number of anxiety disorders, with their own set of unique symptoms.
About 2% of people in the U.S. have generalized anxiety disorder . According to Richard Shelton, MD, a psychiatrist and the vice chair of research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, GAD symptoms include persistent fear and worry that is often difficult to control. Other anxiety disorders include:
Depression and anxiety may share some of the same signs and symptoms, such as avoiding activities that were once previously enjoyed, headaches or changes in appetite, and exhaustion.
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How Should This Medicine Be Used
Escitalopram comes as a tablet and a solution to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. To help you remember to take escitalopram, take it at around the same time every day, in the morning or in the evening. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take escitalopram exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of escitalopram and increase your dose after 1 week.
It may take 1 to 4 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of escitalopram. Continue to take escitalopram even if you feel well. Do not stop taking escitalopram without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking escitalopram, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as mood changes, irritability, agitation, nausea, dizziness, burning, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet, anxiety, confusion, headache, sweating, shaking, frenzied or abnormally excited mood, tiredness, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Tell your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms while you are decreasing your dose of escitalopram or soon after you stop taking escitalopram.