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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shadowmon on July 19, 2004, at 21:31:35
Does anyone know if taking 2 ssri's together (paxil and lexapro) in small dosage amounts 5 mg each is a bad thing? This is in regard to a medication change from lexapro to paxil to"overlap" each other when switching
Posted by King Vultan on July 20, 2004, at 7:51:35
In reply to taking 2 ssri's together, posted by shadowmon on July 19, 2004, at 21:31:35
> Does anyone know if taking 2 ssri's together (paxil and lexapro) in small dosage amounts 5 mg each is a bad thing? This is in regard to a medication change from lexapro to paxil to"overlap" each other when switching
With these two drugs in those tiny amounts, my opinion is that it would not be a problem. However, my pdocs have usually had me totally drop one SSRI for at least a day or two before going on to the next one. On tricyclics, my pdoc has had me do combined tapers, in which I'm going down on one tricyclic as I'm going up on another. How you wind up going about these transitions really depends on your doctor's philosophy more than anything else.Todd
Posted by holymama on July 20, 2004, at 9:03:03
In reply to taking 2 ssri's together, posted by shadowmon on July 19, 2004, at 21:31:35
I'm doing the same thing -- overlapping lexapro and paxil as I make the switchover from lexapro to paxil. I've gone from 12.5 mg lexapro to 10 mg lexapro with 5 mg paxil. This small change brought my anxiety level back to normal within 48 hours and for the past 3 weeks I have been functioning REALLY well with these dosages. My doctor's and my goal was to get off the lexapro while going up on the paxil, but this combo is working so well for me at the moment that I'm going to ask her at my appointment today if I can keep things as they are at least for a while. My husband asked me to do the same thing. He likes how well I'm feeling and functioning right now!!! I'll let you know what my doctor says, but I have a feeling she'll say it's fine. ~~Autumn~~
Posted by AuntieMel on July 20, 2004, at 12:23:19
In reply to taking 2 ssri's together, posted by shadowmon on July 19, 2004, at 21:31:35
My doc had me working up on effexor dosing while tapering off paxil. It worked fine with no side effects, and no withdrawal.
Posted by holymama on July 20, 2004, at 14:56:37
In reply to Re: taking 2 ssri's together, posted by AuntieMel on July 20, 2004, at 12:23:19
I just saw my pdoc and asked her if I could stay on low doses of paxil and lexapro...she said for another month it was fine, but that I should get off the lexapro soon. She indicated it was more for insurance reasons than health reasons (the insurance company would soon complain about having to cover 2 SSRIs). But theoretically I think it would be fine. And surely overlapping two SSRIs while making a switch must be safe -- many people do it and many doctors perscribe for it. ~~Autumn~~
This is the end of the thread.
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