Anxiety. I had anxiety and illogical fears and worries. Initially my doctor prescribed anxit plus .5 mg then another doctor prescribed anxit .25 mg. I am ok. I took these medicines for many years .no side effects. Can I continue these medicines? If I discontinue I am getting anxiety heavily.
Ask Free Question
Benzodiazepines shouldn't be taken beyond 3 weeks sir. They have a high addictive potential. When their action ends, it will mimic the symptoms of anxiety. You are taking alprazolam which is a moderately acting benzodiazepine. You will need to consult a psychiatrist who will replace this with a long acting benzodiazepine like clonazepam along with a ssri class of antidepressant. This will have to betaken for 2-4 months and then slowly tapered off over the course of 4 weeks. You will probably given a combination of escitalopram 10 mg with clonazepam 0.5 mg and after 3 weeks, reduced to 0.25 and then after 3 weeks, only plain escitalopram 10 mg for 2 months and then taper it off.
Ask Free Question
Plain anxit tablet is very harmful on a longer run as it contains only alprazolam which is a benzodiazepine and causes long term side effects like dependence, cognitive decline, personality changes, withdrawal seizure and dementia. Ideally for anxiety ssri or snri group of medications are given for long term, that too with regular periodic psychiatrist review for monitoring the same. Good luck.
Ask Free Question
Dear Raja, There is a risk of becoming dependent on medication like anxit. If you have taken it for several years there is good chance that you may develop some withdrawal symptoms when you come off it. Please talk to your doctor about an alternative. Discontinuing suddenly is not a good idea, your doctor will help you manage your tapering schedule. Take care.
Take help from the best doctors
Ask a free question
Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors