... the daytime while I am at my work. Is it side effect of valdoxan? I also suffer insomnia. My doctor gives me lorazepam 2 mg but i know you can become dependant on benzos. Should I continue valdoxan or stop?
I am week 4 on valdoxan 25. My depression improved, but anxiety and panic can't control during...
Question posted by HZ 33 on 30 Aug 2019
Last updated on 2 September 2019
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Answers
Hi, HZ!
Both insomnia and increased anxiety are potential side effects that affect some people when first starting Valdoxan:
"Common (affect between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people)"
These usually resolve with continued treatment.
You may see noticeable improvement in the first weeks but it can take a couple of months for the drug to become fully effective.
Benzos can be habituating like you say but if you take them exactly as prescribed for the short term (4-6 weeks) you should be fine. You may need to taper off eventually but by then the Valdoxan should be working for you.
Try giving it a bit longer and you should see better control of your anxiety.
Thanks for ur reply Wildcat, but how long these side effects can occur, now already 1 month, but insomnia not improved, my first psychiatric give me xanax to control panic at daytime but 0.25 mg xanax gave me dizziness at work,so i don't take and first I sleep with 0.5 mg xanax for about 4 hrs but sometime i can't sleep so take another 0.5 at middle of night. My second psychiatric change to lorazepam 2 mg for insomnia. first I sleep about 7 hrs but later i sleep about 4 hrs may be due to stressful condition in daytime or these drug have no more effect on me, however, i think if i take valdoxan alone I sleep for 0 hrs at night...
may be my thought is wrong...
Is your psychiatrist aware that you're still having these side effects? What has she/he advised you to do, if anything, besides give it more time?
I already told you this side effect or may be disease related, she will think something for me...
I became a little more anxious at the beginning of using it. I would say give it a little longer to see if it calms down and use meditation, breathing exercises and grounding techniques to help with the anxiety problem. I find Valdoxan works more on my depression than for my anxiety, though it is supposed to work on both. Conversely, it can also cause anxiety as a side effect, so you may be one of the unlucky ones in what you are experiencing!
I use Lorazepam when the anxiety won't calm, but usually at bedtime to help me quiet unwanted thought patterns... I am only allowed to use Lorazepam up to 3 times a week to prevent 'dependance'. Our bodies can become used to it, so then you need more to get an effect etc... I'm sensitive to meds so a very small dose is all I use of Lorazepam, but I am on 50mg of Valdoxan (Agomelatine) at night.
I also have Promethazine (an antihistamine) to use when I can't sleep for its sleep inducing quality, but it can also be used to calm anxiety... but it sort of slows the thinking process so don't try driving if you use it and feel sleepy and slow minded.
I suggest giving Valdoxan a little longer, make sure you stimulate your body with good daylight exposure in the morning to help with the circadian rhythm, and if it is still causing anxiety levels to raise - speak with your Dr to find a solution.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for your reply. I also try to calm my anxiety and panic with breathing exercises and my work has so much stress. I want to know when you are treated with these drugs, do you still go to work or do you take a rest at home?
HZ 33 _ to reply to your question - Due to health reasons I do not work. Agomelatine (Valdoxan) allows me to do normal tasks and get out. Lorazepam makes me very sleepy and unsteady on my legs, and sometimes a little confused, so I only take it at bed time, up to 3 times a week maximum.
Thank u, i also take lorazepam at bed time for insomnia, but everyday. I want to reduce my lorazepam dose but i have no courage to reduce now.but i will try soon to reduce.
Related topics
depression, anxiety, insomnia, panic disorder, lorazepam, side effect, medicine, benzodiazepine, valdoxan, dependency
Further information
- Lorazepam uses and safety info
- Lorazepam prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lorazepam (detailed)
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