Psychotropic medication discussion thread

Robert Richardson28 said:Hi there,
I’ve been taking 20mg of fluoxetine twice a day (one dose in the morning and one at night) for about seven months now to help manage some OCD issues and an eating disorder...
To be honest, it hasn't really done much for me, other than keeping my temper in check so I don't have those sudden outbursts of anger or get as easily irritated...
Since it hasn't actually addressed the core issues I was hoping to fix, I'm looking to taper off. I was wondering if anyone could suggest a safe way to stop taking it.
Thanks in advance!

Please don't try to handle this on your own; you really need to talk to your psychiatrist first.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Oh, wait... I just realized...🙂

Exactly the same thing. A quick, straightforward answer.☕
It seems to me that Lorsilan contains lactose, but when we are talking about emotional and physical dependency, all anxiolytics pose a danger, don't they?
One shouldn't take them for longer than 6 to 8 months; you have to gradually taper down to the lowest possible dose before eventually spacing out the doses over time.
In practical terms, it is advised to use anxiolytics for a shorter duration, just to lift your mood while the Apple takes over its role.
Recently, there have been attempts to combine an anxiolytic with other properties—for instance, combining an anxiolytic and an antiepileptic into a single pill, though much of that is still in the clinical trial phase.

An Apple might spike your anxiety at first, but once it really kicks in, it works as an anti-anxiety tool too, helping smooth out social phobia...

It’s absolutely true—it's such a total lifesaver. Depression is this nasty, slippery mess, so when you finally stumble upon a medication that makes you feel like a real human being AGAIN, it doesn't feel like a burden. It feels like a miracle! :-)

One more thing—has anyone else dealt with digestive issues while taking Zyprex? Specifically, does it mess with your bathroom habits?
I’ve been on Zyprex for a while now, and honestly, the medication itself seems to be doing its job just fine—but back in February, things took a turn for the worse. I started dealing with this constant, urgent need to run to the restroom. It was brutal; I couldn't even step foot outside my house for at least three or four hours after waking up without worrying I'd have an accident. Just a total nightmare, frankly.
I’ve been taking probiotics for quite some time, which has actually helped a lot, but the doctors are giving me the runaround. My primary care physician insists it’s definitely a side effect of the Zyprex—she mentioned she had another patient deal with the exact same thing—but then my psychiatrist claims she’s never heard of such a thing. It’s maddening when the experts can't agree.
I feel better now thanks to the probiotics, but let's be real: those supplements aren't exactly cheap. And don't even get me started on our healthcare system here in the States. Even though I requested a referral way back in June, the earliest I can see a specialist is mid-October. It’s a complete disaster.
Does anyone have any insight on this?

Larry Lewis said:One more thing—has anyone else dealt with digestive issues while taking Zyprex? Specifically, does it mess with your bathroom habits?
I’ve been on Zyprex for a while now, and honestly, the medication itself seems to be doing its job just fine—but back in February, things took a turn for the worse. I started dealing with this constant, urgent need to run to the restroom. It was brutal; I couldn't even step foot outside my house for at least three or four hours after waking up without worrying I'd have an accident. Just a total nightmare, frankly.
I’ve been taking probiotics for quite some time, which has actually helped a lot, but the doctors are giving me the runaround. My primary care physician insists it’s definitely a side effect of the Zyprex—she mentioned she had another patient deal with the exact same thing—but then my psychiatrist claims she’s never heard of such a thing. It’s maddening when the experts can't agree.
I feel better now thanks to the probiotics, but let's be real: those supplements aren't exactly cheap. And don't even get me started on our healthcare system here in the States. Even though I requested a referral way back in June, the earliest I can see a specialist is mid-October. It’s a complete disaster.
Does anyone have any insight on this?

Zyprex is a pretty specific medication. Honestly, one of the tougher ones I've ever tried.
One of the potential side effects can be slowed intestinal motility (ileus).
Also, you shouldn't take it if you have a history of seizures, as it can make them worse.
Generally speaking, Zyprex carries a lot of side effects, including several severe ones.
I suspect the psychiatrist isn't being entirely truthful; she likely has seen plenty of these cases, but since they often occur when combined with other medications, she might be hesitant to pin the blame solely on Zyprex.
I didn't experience digestive problems myself, but I did break out in a rash and had unbearable itching, especially on my legs.
I'm not sure what dosage you're on. Are you taking any other medications alongside it?
Sch?

Larry Lewis said:One more thing—has anyone else dealt with digestive issues while taking Zyprex? Specifically, does it mess with your bathroom habits?
I’ve been on Zyprex for a while now, and honestly, the medication itself seems to be doing its job just fine—but back in February, things took a turn for the worse. I started dealing with this constant, urgent need to run to the restroom. It was brutal; I couldn't even step foot outside my house for at least three or four hours after waking up without worrying I'd have an accident. Just a total nightmare, frankly.
I’ve been taking probiotics for quite some time, which has actually helped a lot, but the doctors are giving me the runaround. My primary care physician insists it’s definitely a side effect of the Zyprex—she mentioned she had another patient deal with the exact same thing—but then my psychiatrist claims she’s never heard of such a thing. It’s maddening when the experts can't agree.
I feel better now thanks to the probiotics, but let's be real: those supplements aren't exactly cheap. And don't even get me started on our healthcare system here in the States. Even though I requested a referral way back in June, the earliest I can see a specialist is mid-October. It’s a complete disaster.
Does anyone have any insight on this?

I take Vaira for insomnia and depression. Honestly, I haven't experienced a single side effect from it; it works perfectly for me. In contrast, when I was on Q-pin, I had terrible reactions—heart palpitations, difficulty swallowing, and that terrifying restlessness in my legs. There really is no predictable rule to these things.

For the frequent bowel movements, I would suggest black seed oil. Beyond being excellent for overall health, it should help stabilize your digestion. Take three small teaspoons a day, and you can eventually scale down to two.

redranger2 said:I take Vaira for insomnia and depression. Honestly, I haven't experienced a single side effect from it; it works perfectly for me. In contrast, when I was on Q-pin, I had terrible reactions—heart palpitations, difficulty swallowing, and that terrifying restlessness in my legs. There really is no predictable rule to these things.

For the frequent bowel movements, I would suggest black seed oil. Beyond being excellent for overall health, it should help stabilize your digestion. Take three small teaspoons a day, and you can eventually scale down to two.

Ugh, Vaira actually contains aspartame (sort of like an artificial sweetener).
That is some bad AP.🙄
As for me, Q-pin worked just fine. Isn't it strange how differently things work? No rules at all.
For my stomach issues, an old-timer once suggested a mix of dried ivy, sage, and wormwood. You just take a tiny pinch of each, put them in hot water, let it cool down, and then drink it all at once.
A friend brought me some stuff from California too, and it really helps the stomach.
Everyone has such different experiences, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, right? It means you get to hear advice from all sorts of different sources.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Ugh, Vaira actually contains aspartame (sort of like an artificial sweetener).
That is some bad AP.🙄
As for me, Q-pin worked just fine. Isn't it strange how differently things work? No rules at all.
For my stomach issues, an old-timer once suggested a mix of dried ivy, sage, and wormwood. You just take a tiny pinch of each, put them in hot water, let it cool down, and then drink it all at once.
A friend brought me some stuff from California too, and it really helps the stomach.
Everyone has such different experiences, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, right? It means you get to hear advice from all sorts of different sources.

Honestly, I don't care what it contains—I couldn't care less about the aspartame as long as it lets me function. When you're hitting rock bottom, you'd probably swallow hydrochloric acid if someone promised it would make you feel better. I learned a long time ago that you can't have your cake and eat it too.🙂

I have this nagging suspicion my psychiatrist is actually terrified of switching me off Zyprexa and onto something else—probably because I’ve been in remission for such a long stretch now.

It looks like I'm stuck playing the waiting game for another ten months until my specialist appointment finally rolls around.

If we do end up pivoting my antipsychotic regimen, I’m going to make a hell of a case for Risperdal—honestly, out of all the different medications I've cycled through, that was the only one that actually felt right.

Thanks for the input, everyone.

redranger2 said:Honestly, I don't care what it contains—I couldn't care less about the aspartame as long as it lets me function. When you're hitting rock bottom, you'd probably swallow hydrochloric acid if someone promised it would make you feel better. I learned a long time ago that you can't have your cake and eat it too.🙂

On one hand, you're absolutely right—addressing the primary issue is paramount, but...
What happens when, after we finally manage to stabilize the main illness (regardless of what it actually is), all those tiny, subtle, previously ignored ailments suddenly resurface? They were always there, lurking in the background while we dealt with much larger crises.
Suddenly, those minor issues become the very challenges we feel compelled to solve.
At some point, the depression or the OCD or whatever else fades away... and then, suddenly, you notice your stomach hurts. Or you have digestive issues. Or a headache won't quit. We didn't even register these symptoms before, but now we realize we have to deal with them too.
And isn't that one of the most critical pieces of the puzzle? It’s how we prevent physical ailments from taking root—ailments we couldn't even address while our mental health was the sole priority.🙂

Kevin Nguyen3 said:On one hand, you're absolutely right—addressing the primary issue is paramount, but...
What happens when, after we finally manage to stabilize the main illness (regardless of what it actually is), all those tiny, subtle, previously ignored ailments suddenly resurface? They were always there, lurking in the background while we dealt with much larger crises.
Suddenly, those minor issues become the very challenges we feel compelled to solve.
At some point, the depression or the OCD or whatever else fades away... and then, suddenly, you notice your stomach hurts. Or you have digestive issues. Or a headache won't quit. We didn't even register these symptoms before, but now we realize we have to deal with them too.
And isn't that one of the most critical pieces of the puzzle? It’s how we prevent physical ailments from taking root—ailments we couldn't even address while our mental health was the sole priority.🙂

I honestly find myself questioning whether these physical ailments ever truly get resolved. You mentioned treating yourself for twenty years, riding the waves of better and worse phases while remaining tethered to a pill regimen... let's be honest, these medications aren't exactly "health food" for the liver, the heart, or any other vital organ. I recently read that Sanval could potentially lead to cancer or even a stroke. My doctor tried to put me on Valdoxan, but I shut that idea down immediately when she mentioned I’d need to monitor my liver enzymes every three weeks; frankly, the fear regarding my liver health is exactly what triggered this current bout of anxiety in the first place. I took Mirzaten for a year and it did absolutely nothing for me, until I realized it contained aspartame—so I started looking for Calixta instead. Not because it fixes my anxiety, mind you, but because it helps me sleep; I take half of a 15 mg dose alongside 10 mg of Sanval and I'm out. At the end of the day, we are all essentially addicts here, varying only in our dosage, if we accept the premise that these drugs function like narcotics, as someone pointed out the other day. I've been relying on Xanax and Sanval for years now because my doctor is constantly presenting me with a revolving door of new, experimental options—first it was Lyrica, then Mirzaten, then Solian. I haven't touched any of those except for Mirzaten, which at least allowed me to sleep well without side effects, though I did put on a little weight. So, I continue my routine with Xanax—never exceeding 1.5 mg, usually hovering around 1.25 mg—and 10 mg of Sanval; that has been my steady therapy for the last four years. My diagnosis is Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but in reality, my entire existence is fueled by health anxiety and the paralyzing fear of falling ill.

Jason Vaughn482 said:I honestly find myself questioning whether these physical ailments ever truly get resolved. You mentioned treating yourself for twenty years, riding the waves of better and worse phases while remaining tethered to a pill regimen... let's be honest, these medications aren't exactly "health food" for the liver, the heart, or any other vital organ. I recently read that Sanval could potentially lead to cancer or even a stroke. My doctor tried to put me on Valdoxan, but I shut that idea down immediately when she mentioned I’d need to monitor my liver enzymes every three weeks; frankly, the fear regarding my liver health is exactly what triggered this current bout of anxiety in the first place. I took Mirzaten for a year and it did absolutely nothing for me, until I realized it contained aspartame—so I started looking for Calixta instead. Not because it fixes my anxiety, mind you, but because it helps me sleep; I take half of a 15 mg dose alongside 10 mg of Sanval and I'm out. At the end of the day, we are all essentially addicts here, varying only in our dosage, if we accept the premise that these drugs function like narcotics, as someone pointed out the other day. I've been relying on Xanax and Sanval for years now because my doctor is constantly presenting me with a revolving door of new, experimental options—first it was Lyrica, then Mirzaten, then Solian. I haven't touched any of those except for Mirzaten, which at least allowed me to sleep well without side effects, though I did put on a little weight. So, I continue my routine with Xanax—never exceeding 1.5 mg, usually hovering around 1.25 mg—and 10 mg of Sanval; that has been my steady therapy for the last four years. My diagnosis is Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but in reality, my entire existence is fueled by health anxiety and the paralyzing fear of falling ill.

"Addicts" is such a hyperbolic term. You have no idea how many people I know who stopped their medication only to end up back in a psychiatric ward within a week or two. I don't take these pills because I'm chasing a high; I take them because I have to.

Jason Vaughn482 said:I honestly find myself questioning whether these physical ailments ever truly get resolved. You mentioned treating yourself for twenty years, riding the waves of better and worse phases while remaining tethered to a pill regimen... let's be honest, these medications aren't exactly "health food" for the liver, the heart, or any other vital organ. I recently read that Sanval could potentially lead to cancer or even a stroke. My doctor tried to put me on Valdoxan, but I shut that idea down immediately when she mentioned I’d need to monitor my liver enzymes every three weeks; frankly, the fear regarding my liver health is exactly what triggered this current bout of anxiety in the first place. I took Mirzaten for a year and it did absolutely nothing for me, until I realized it contained aspartame—so I started looking for Calixta instead. Not because it fixes my anxiety, mind you, but because it helps me sleep; I take half of a 15 mg dose alongside 10 mg of Sanval and I'm out. At the end of the day, we are all essentially addicts here, varying only in our dosage, if we accept the premise that these drugs function like narcotics, as someone pointed out the other day. I've been relying on Xanax and Sanval for years now because my doctor is constantly presenting me with a revolving door of new, experimental options—first it was Lyrica, then Mirzaten, then Solian. I haven't touched any of those except for Mirzaten, which at least allowed me to sleep well without side effects, though I did put on a little weight. So, I continue my routine with Xanax—never exceeding 1.5 mg, usually hovering around 1.25 mg—and 10 mg of Sanval; that has been my steady therapy for the last four years. My diagnosis is Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but in reality, my entire existence is fueled by health anxiety and the paralyzing fear of falling ill.

Yes, I understand exactly what you are trying to convey. And look, the liver will eventually give out; my gallbladder hurts sometimes, I haven't caught a cold in years, my vision has weakened... I view all of this as an inherent part of life, but who knows? Perhaps the medications are to blame. In my case, they certainly are.
It is clear to me that the drugs must be causing certain side effects, but in this specific instance, I know the culprit.
I have spent years wondering, what should I do?!
I don't know; I watch how to remain mentally stable, how to function within society, to stay interested in my surroundings while still sleeping, and not feeling utterly exhausted by the therapy—to be able to wake up in the morning feeling somewhat normal.
How does one compose all of that together?
I have to let something go and make peace with it. That is exactly what I have done. A clear head, more or less, and I pray to God that nothing physical catches up to me, some lasting consequence of it all.
Nothing hurts, and I am content with that; I am not gaining weight, nor am I losing it, I can work normally for part of the day, read with comprehension, remember things, drive, climb five flights of stairs... damn it, I am just happy that I can even do that.
As long as things remain this way, I will take my therapy and stick to the prescribed regimen.
When it is no longer possible to continue like this... I will try again to find some middle ground.
How?
With the help of my physician and sheer patience; there is no other way.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:On one hand, you're absolutely right—addressing the primary issue is paramount, but...
What happens when, after we finally manage to stabilize the main illness (regardless of what it actually is), all those tiny, subtle, previously ignored ailments suddenly resurface? They were always there, lurking in the background while we dealt with much larger crises.
Suddenly, those minor issues become the very challenges we feel compelled to solve.
At some point, the depression or the OCD or whatever else fades away... and then, suddenly, you notice your stomach hurts. Or you have digestive issues. Or a headache won't quit. We didn't even register these symptoms before, but now we realize we have to deal with them too.
And isn't that one of the most critical pieces of the puzzle? It’s how we prevent physical ailments from taking root—ailments we couldn't even address while our mental health was the sole priority.🙂

In my case, it is pure genetics. Even at ten years old, I realized I wasn't like the other kids and likely never would be. I came to understand that I was "fragile." Not in terms of character—I am actually a very resilient person—but my nervous system and my tolerance for even the slightest hint of stress were practically non-existent.

As a young girl, I experienced the raw sensation of fear and heart palpitations, which eventually spiraled into bouts of panic attacks so severe that I barely managed to graduate high school. It was a struggle. Every single morning before heading to class, I would end up vomiting in the bathroom. School was an indescribable source of stress for me. And so it went. On my father's side of the family, everyone carries this same burden. Unfortunately, I do too. I started treatment far too late, mainly because back when I was growing up, the internet didn't exist to provide resources, and psychotherapy alone wasn't doing much for me. Fortunately, I am now on medication for the rest of my life. All I can say now is that I am surviving.🙂

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Yes, I understand exactly what you are trying to convey. And look, the liver will eventually give out; my gallbladder hurts sometimes, I haven't caught a cold in years, my vision has weakened... I view all of this as an inherent part of life, but who knows? Perhaps the medications are to blame. In my case, they certainly are.
It is clear to me that the drugs must be causing certain side effects, but in this specific instance, I know the culprit.
I have spent years wondering, what should I do?!
I don't know; I watch how to remain mentally stable, how to function within society, to stay interested in my surroundings while still sleeping, and not feeling utterly exhausted by the therapy—to be able to wake up in the morning feeling somewhat normal.
How does one compose all of that together?
I have to let something go and make peace with it. That is exactly what I have done. A clear head, more or less, and I pray to God that nothing physical catches up to me, some lasting consequence of it all.
Nothing hurts, and I am content with that; I am not gaining weight, nor am I losing it, I can work normally for part of the day, read with comprehension, remember things, drive, climb five flights of stairs... damn it, I am just happy that I can even do that.
As long as things remain this way, I will take my therapy and stick to the prescribed regimen.
When it is no longer possible to continue like this... I will try again to find some middle ground.
How?
With the help of my physician and sheer patience; there is no other way.

Well, there's the thing—I don't feel like I'm functioning normally at all. I feel exhausted the moment I pull myself out of bed in the morning, and that fatigue lingers throughout the entire day. I've lost interest in being social, and naturally, none of this is satisfying, yet I am at a loss as to what might actually help... I am far from content with my mental state... so, tell me, what kind of medications are you taking?

Jason Vaughn482 said:Well, there's the thing—I don't feel like I'm functioning normally at all. I feel exhausted the moment I pull myself out of bed in the morning, and that fatigue lingers throughout the entire day. I've lost interest in being social, and naturally, none of this is satisfying, yet I am at a loss as to what might actually help... I am far from content with my mental state... so, tell me, what kind of medications are you taking?

I believe I mentioned this somewhere else already—Normabell 5 mg twice a day, Lamal 25 mg, Q-pin 200 mg, Calixta 45 mg, Zonadin 10 mg, and Velafax 75 mg.
Since I deal with recurring PTSD, these specific drugs seem to be doing the job for now.
What does tomorrow hold? Who knows? I sleep normally (no nightmares), though it takes about half an hour in the morning for me to truly feel awake. I haven't noticed any other issues, like digestive problems or anything similar.
I also keep some Nexium on hand just in case for my stomach, though I don't take it regularly. I also take one dose of Plibex once a week.
As for side effects—here is what I've gathered😳sun sensitivity; it only takes about ten minutes for me to literally burn. Occasionally, I get restless legs, and sometimes I deal with headaches (in which case I take Lexapro).
This combination of medications is quite dangerous, really. Would it kill a healthy person? I don't know, but it would certainly cause heart arrhythmias. Therefore, I cannot recommend that anyone takes any medication on their own whim unless a doctor explicitly says otherwise.
My body has somewhat adjusted to them, or rather, I don't feel the impact as intensely because they are performing exactly as they should.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:I believe I mentioned this somewhere else already—Normabell 5 mg twice a day, Lamal 25 mg, Q-pin 200 mg, Calixta 45 mg, Zonadin 10 mg, and Velafax 75 mg.
Since I deal with recurring PTSD, these specific drugs seem to be doing the job for now.
What does tomorrow hold? Who knows? I sleep normally (no nightmares), though it takes about half an hour in the morning for me to truly feel awake. I haven't noticed any other issues, like digestive problems or anything similar.
I also keep some Nexium on hand just in case for my stomach, though I don't take it regularly. I also take one dose of Plibex once a week.
As for side effects—here is what I've gathered😳sun sensitivity; it only takes about ten minutes for me to literally burn. Occasionally, I get restless legs, and sometimes I deal with headaches (in which case I take Lexapro).
This combination of medications is quite dangerous, really. Would it kill a healthy person? I don't know, but it would certainly cause heart arrhythmias. Therefore, I cannot recommend that anyone takes any medication on their own whim unless a doctor explicitly says otherwise.
My body has somewhat adjusted to them, or rather, I don't feel the impact as intensely because they are performing exactly as they should.

That is an overwhelming amount of medication; honestly, it sounds terrifying to me. You are actually taking Calixta at 45 mg? I can barely fathom that, as I spent an entire year on a mere 15 mg dose and would wake up feeling completely intoxicated every single morning, yet it provided absolutely zero relief for my anxiety. Now, I’ve resorted to cutting that 15 mg pill in half, and when paired with Sanval, it helps me sleep reasonably well. However, I dread the thought of stepping up to 30 mg as my doctor suggested; I simply don't dare. Ideally, I would prefer to settle on 7.5 mg and perhaps take 20 mg of Portal-Prozac in the morning, but I am uncertain if they are compatible. Also, what is your take on Seroquel regarding sleep? I have some sitting here at home; she prescribed 25 mg once, but it did nothing to help me drift off, forcing me back to Sanval, which makes the whole exercise feel utterly pointless.

Jason Vaughn482 said:That is an overwhelming amount of medication; honestly, it sounds terrifying to me. You are actually taking Calixta at 45 mg? I can barely fathom that, as I spent an entire year on a mere 15 mg dose and would wake up feeling completely intoxicated every single morning, yet it provided absolutely zero relief for my anxiety. Now, I’ve resorted to cutting that 15 mg pill in half, and when paired with Sanval, it helps me sleep reasonably well. However, I dread the thought of stepping up to 30 mg as my doctor suggested; I simply don't dare. Ideally, I would prefer to settle on 7.5 mg and perhaps take 20 mg of Portal-Prozac in the morning, but I am uncertain if they are compatible. Also, what is your take on Seroquel regarding sleep? I have some sitting here at home; she prescribed 25 mg once, but it did nothing to help me drift off, forcing me back to Sanval, which makes the whole exercise feel utterly pointless.

Calixta isn't meant for anxiety. It's strictly for depression. And you really shouldn't—well, it isn't recommended—to take it alongside Normabell, though I haven't run into any issues with that so far.
It also intensifies the effects of Sanval, though in a slightly different way.
And I'm not quite sure what "Portal" refers to.😕

I see you've added more details since your last post...
Seroquel comes with so many side effects; why on earth would you consider taking that?
At the end of the day, you really must consult with your doctor.
Starting Sanval up again doesn't make any sense, nor does it actually help with sleepiness. It acts as a sort of "gateway" to sleep. It only works right when you intend to pass out; it won't work otherwise.

Kevin Nguyen3 said:Calixta isn't meant for anxiety. It's strictly for depression. And you really shouldn't—well, it isn't recommended—to take it alongside Normabell, though I haven't run into any issues with that so far.
It also intensifies the effects of Sanval, though in a slightly different way.
And I'm not quite sure what "Portal" refers to.😕

I see you've added more details since your last post...
Seroquel comes with so many side effects; why on earth would you consider taking that?
At the end of the day, you really must consult with your doctor.
Starting Sanval up again doesn't make any sense, nor does it actually help with sleepiness. It acts as a sort of "gateway" to sleep. It only works right when you intend to pass out; it won't work otherwise.

Portal is just another way of saying Prozac 🙂. And what do you mean by restarting Sanval? It's hardly a "gateway" to sleep. Personally, I spend ages tossing and turning, which is why I end up taking half a dose of Calixta, but it feels foolish to take it if it isn't even indicated for anxiety. If that's not the case, then what exactly is its purpose? And what on earth is my doctor thinking, pushing this on me?

Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a rush so I'm looking for some info regarding Mirzaten Q Tab (I assume that's the same as Calixta).

Basically, I've been dealing with insomnia for years now, and I've cycled through several ADs like Prozac and Amyzol... right now I'm on Valdoxan, but honestly, it doesn't feel like it's doing much anymore :-( Along with that, I take Clonazepam 1 mg, and I often find myself needing Sanvale (sometimes even twice a night), because things have just gotten so much worse lately... I've tried everything from Dormicum and Normabell to Xanax—basically the whole pharmacy cabinet—but I still end up waking up after just a few hours.

My psychiatrist suggested that if things don't improve, I should try Mirzaten Q Tab 15 mg (Calixta). What I really need to know about this AD is:

1. how soon can I expect it to actually help with the insomnia

2. what kind of side effects am I looking at (switching between ADs has always been rough for me: insomnia, restlessness, nausea, irritability, all that stuff)

3. how long do those side effects usually last

4. does it cause weight gain if I keep my diet the same?

I know everyone reacts differently, but if anyone has personal experience, I would be soooo grateful for some answers...

My doctor is on vacation right now so I can't ask her these specific questions, though she did give me a private prescription in case I decide to switch my AD...

Chris Kim7 said:Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a rush so I'm looking for some info regarding Mirzaten Q Tab (I assume that's the same as Calixta).

Basically, I've been dealing with insomnia for years now, and I've cycled through several ADs like Prozac and Amyzol... right now I'm on Valdoxan, but honestly, it doesn't feel like it's doing much anymore :-( Along with that, I take Clonazepam 1 mg, and I often find myself needing Sanvale (sometimes even twice a night), because things have just gotten so much worse lately... I've tried everything from Dormicum and Normabell to Xanax—basically the whole pharmacy cabinet—but I still end up waking up after just a few hours.

My psychiatrist suggested that if things don't improve, I should try Mirzaten Q Tab 15 mg (Calixta). What I really need to know about this AD is:

1. how soon can I expect it to actually help with the insomnia

2. what kind of side effects am I looking at (switching between ADs has always been rough for me: insomnia, restlessness, nausea, irritability, all that stuff)

3. how long do those side effects usually last

4. does it cause weight gain if I keep my diet the same?

I know everyone reacts differently, but if anyone has personal experience, I would be soooo grateful for some answers...

My doctor is on vacation right now so I can't ask her these specific questions, though she did give me a private prescription in case I decide to switch my AD...

Yes, Mirzaten Q Tab and Calixta are just different names for the same thing. 15 mg is the lowest dose available.

1. Usually between 2 to 4 weeks.
2. Those are quite common side effects. When transitioning to a new AD, you're supposed to taper down the first one while gradually introducing the second. You shouldn't do it abruptly! If you do, you experience exactly what you described. Even with a gradual introduction, sometimes those same side effects pop up. But, they pass relatively quickly.
3. Side effects typically disappear within 4 weeks at most. It varies from person to person, though. Some people don't experience any side effects at all.
4. No. Weight gain is tied to your lifestyle and eating habits. It is true that certain ADs increase appetite, but if you control your diet, there shouldn't be an issue. Often, it is the depression itself that causes fluctuations in appetite—either making you crave food or losing interest entirely.
Valdoxan has its own specific side effects, such as insomnia, headaches (even migraines), fatigue...
You must definitely mention every single side effect to your doctor.
Valdoxan helps, and the body cannot build a tolerance to this AD; meaning, there isn't a need to increase the dose just to achieve the same effect.
People often take it for as long as 6 months just to ensure the depression doesn't return.
Clonazepam 1 mg is essentially an anticonvulsant, but it also acts as an anxiolytic.
Are you taking 2 tablets a day?
Increasing your dosage of Sanval only provides a short-term effect, and sometimes it doesn't work at all.
It falls under the category of so-called hypnotics, and treatment with it shouldn't last longer than a month maximum (even shorter, maybe just 2 weeks)
After that, there is no further benefit.
Sanval does have some side effects, which are more common in women.
The things you mentioned in parentheses are completely different medications, and they require time to work.
Calixta generally enhances the effect of certain anxiolytics, so in relation to that, sleep might be longer and "more peaceful."
But, ultimately, the doctor is the one who advises on what the smartest course of action is.