Hi. It’s Jenny at AnxietyBoss.com. Our question today is from Steve in Buffalo, New York. Can switching from one anxiety/depression medication to another cause serious mood swings, irritability or anger? I recently changed from Lexapro to Wellbutrin and I’m feeling weird.
Yes, it can happen and this is something to really talk to your physician about. All medications have side effects and many medications have withdrawal effects; that is, your body responds when they’re discontinued because your body has adapted to their presence. When the medication is discontinued, that equilibrium may be disturbed and you can have uncomfortable symptoms. This can be complicated when a new medication is started soon after an old one is discontinued.
Physicians are well aware of this and sometimes have to type trade a medication. This means they gradually lower the dose over time to minimize or prevent withdrawal symptoms. One medication may have to be gradually type traded before a new one can start. Sometimes it’s not necessary and it’s okay to abruptly discontinue one and start another; however, some people are more sensitive to these effects than others and they could feel discomfort when medications are changed.
The bottom line, any concerns about symptoms associated with changing medications, you should talk to your physician or your pharmacist promptly.
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I Think My doctor may not know what she is doing she is a nurse practitioner working in the mental health field.
She recently had me on adderall and it did nothing for my deppresive anxiety disorder in fact probably made it worse. i had been taking vyvance with on and off positive results she took me off that slowly and began the adderall now she decided to get me off the adderall and back on the vyvance at my request she said no need to taper off adderal and just switch medications. can this be causing majoy sleeplessness and hallucinations and not knowing where i am nor who people around me are and my house doesnt feel like my home and im lost. this has been going on the last 2 nights vivid dreams and the problem not going awat when i wake up. i need help so this doctor doesnt kill me. i have been depressed all my life and it is getting worse and worse as i get older im 61 years old. i also take sleep medication both over the counter and prescribed for sleeplessness i am prescribed ambien which i need to take with otc sleep aids like melatonin and some eastern erbs that are supposed to promote sleep. during the day i also take venlafaxine and buprion are these drugs actually making me crazier than i think i am. most shrinks see me and write me off as untreatable others want to do infusions of ketamine . all my medications help very little after ive been on them for a while. they almost become like sugar pills and do nothing over time. im very scared and frustrated. someone please help me thank you in advance
Please get a referral to a psychiatrist soon, from your family doctor.