I started having bad anxiety several weeks ago and went to a pscyiatrist (spelling?) and she diagnosed me with generalized anxiety disorder. My primary dr had already given me sertaline and told me to start at 50 mgs. It was then that the anxiety got worse. The pschyatrist told me to start at 25 mg for a week and then go up to 50 for a week and eventually 100 mg. it's been 3 weeks i've been on 25mg, been scared to up the dosage because im still having nervous feelings. Im scared if I up the dosage anxiety will be even worse. Any help or suggestions?
Unfortunately increased anxiety is a well known side effect when these medicines are first taken, which is why your psychiatrist was right to recommend starting low and building up to the recommended dosage. Rest assured these feelings will pass once you reach the therapeutic dose.
Tarun (hospital pharmacist)
Thanks Tarun for the reply : ) May I ask, do you know anything about Cymbalta? I know that is advertised for anxiety. Again, thanks for the reply.
Melatonin is also a "drug" (or licensed medicine) but is licensed only for insomnia, not for treatment of anxiety.
I am aware that Cymbalta (duloxetine) is licensed as an anti-anxiety medicine but its use is not recommended by NICE except for those patients who do not benefit from sertraline or who do not tolerate it. I would also recommend non-drug therapies. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and relaxation techniques are also endorsed by NICE.
Tarun