Tuesday, December 8, 2009

ASK THE PHARMACIST ALL YOUR QUESTIONS

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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 8, 2009 at 10:24 PM

    I have just started an antidepressant a week ago, but I don't feel any different! Is it worth continuing my tablets?

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  2. LeanneDecember 8, 2009 at 10:25 PM

    Yes, most definately! Antidepressants can often take up to 4-6 weeks to work as they slowly correct the chemical imbalances that are responsible for depression. Unfortunately side effects can occur from day one! The good news is that any side effects are generally mild and very short lived and the long term effects are very positive!! Stick with them.

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  3. AnonymousDecember 8, 2009 at 10:45 PM

    My dr has prescribed valium 2mg for panic atttacks/ anxiety to be taken when needed and not to exceed 3 per day. about 2/3 hours ago i took 1 tablet, but it has had very little effect , is it ok to take another now? and waht would the consequences be?

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  4. LeanneDecember 8, 2009 at 10:45 PM

    Valium comes in two strengths in Australia - 2mg and 5mg. Your doctor has
    prescribed you the lowest strength and so there is certainly scope to
    increase your dose. However, everybody tolerates medications differently
    and potentially you can have quite significant side effects. A good Doctor
    recognises this and will start low and slow. So, the Doctor has been very
    wise in starting you on the smallest dose and giving you a limit. However,
    if you find over the next day or so that you are not getting any relief
    from your anxiety with the valium at the prescribed dose, it would be a
    good idea to revisit your Doctor and discuss increasing the dose. Generally
    you will feel valium working - in various ways including a noticeable
    decrease in your anxiety and some drowsiness. If you have not felt any
    different, you MAY need a higher dose. You have not disclosed your your
    personal situation, however a sometimes people do require higher doses to
    obtain a good therapeutic response.

    I do recommend taking extreme care with Valium. A few points I think are
    worth mentioning:
    1. Avoid alcohol and any other depressants such as sedating antihistamines
    and some cough suppressants and pain killers as these can make the side
    effects of valium more pronounced.
    2. Valium come from the family of drugs called Benzodiazepines.
    Benzodiazepines are also reknowned for causing tolerance - this is where
    people get "used to" a drug and will need higher doses after a short period
    of time to get the same desired effect.People can start needing
    increasingly higher doses to cope.
    3. Benzodiazepines are also reknowned for their ability to cause people to
    develop an addiction to them. Long term this can cause significant problems
    in some people.
    4. Benzodiazepines are ideally for short term use only. Their use in
    anxiety disorders is questionable and new antidepressants are much
    preferred nowadays to treat anxiety disorders, in conjunction with some
    good counselling. Benzo's should really be used as a VERY SHORT TERM crutch
    until a crisis has passed and the antidepressants and counselling is
    beginning to work.

    Good luck, and please feel free to email us with any other concerns.

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