Resolved question:
I had been in 20mg of Lexapro for 3months and it wasn't working well, so my Dr. switched me back to 200mg Zoloft. I abruptly stopped taking the Lexapro and began taking 200mg of Zoloft. I am having severe panic attacks and feel so sick. I am suppose to start a new job and I can't even leave the house Is this normal
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Psychiatrist
Hello.
Thanks for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
What you are experiencing is a withdrawal effect of lexapro leading to exacerbation of panic attacks. Even though both zoloft and lexapro belong to the same group of drugs, they can still have withdrawal symptoms. The best option would be to get back to lexapro 10mg along with zoloft 100mg and then after a week reducing lexapro to 5mg nd increasing zoloft to 150 mg and then taking only zoloft after 1 week. this procedure is called cross tapering and is most effective in controlling withdrawal side effects. For your cute panic attacks, the best immediate relief would be to take some benzodiazepines like clonazepam or alprazolam or etizolam which will reduce the panic attacks immediately.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Is this just a reaction to the medicine and not me getting panic attacks on a regular basis again? I have been rid of these for 25 years old patientand dont want to live with them again. Will they go away for good? I am living in a new city and was suppose to start a new job and I feel incapacitated. How long withh i take for these to stop?