Sometimes the stress, sadness, or anxiety we feel can be overwhelming. At times like these, your doctor may prescribe a medication to help you. Today we are going to talk about one such medication. It is a combination of two drugs called Chlordiazepoxide and Amitriptyline. It is commonly used to treat both depression and the associated anxiety disorders.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, this is a combination of two medications that work like a team to help calm your mind.
1. Amitriptyline: This belongs to the group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). It works by balancing the levels of two mood-regulating chemicals in our brain, serotonin and norepinephrine. Imagine that this will help reduce your feelings of sadness and frustration and bring you a sense of happiness and relaxation.
2. Chlordiazepoxide: This is a drug in the benzodiazepine class. It works by calming your nervous system. It reduces unnecessary anxiety, restlessness, and restlessness, bringing great relaxation to the mind and body.
When these two are combined, they can be a great help in controlling both depression and the anxiety that comes with it at the same time.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
It is very important that your doctor has a complete picture of your health. Only then can he/she give you the most suitable and safest treatment. Therefore, before starting this medicine, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions below.
| Situation you need to report | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Mental illnesses such as bipolar or schizophrenia | This medicine may aggravate some mental conditions. |
| Glaucoma disease | There is a possibility of increasing eye pressure. |
| If you have heart disease or a previous heart attack | It can affect the rhythm of the heartbeat. |
| Difficulty urinating or prostate problems | These problems are likely to increase. |
| Kidney or liver disease | The dosage may need to be changed as it affects the elimination of the medication from the body. |
| Overactive thyroid | Symptoms may vary. |
| A medical condition that causes seizures | The risk of having a fit can vary. |
| If you or someone in your family has had suicidal thoughts | This is very important. Special attention needs to be paid to mood after starting the medication. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | This medicine can harm an unborn baby and can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How should I use the medicine?
Take this medicine with a glass of water. Take only the dose prescribed by your doctor, at the time prescribed. Never take more than prescribed.
The most important thing is, do not stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's advice. This is like stopping a speeding car suddenly. Doing so can worsen your symptoms and cause other dangerous side effects. If you do stop, do so gradually, as your doctor tells you to, by reducing the dose gradually.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice. This is not a joke.
Can this interact with other medications?
Yes, absolutely. This medicine can react with some other medications and cause dangerous conditions.
So, tell your doctor about all the medications you take, not just the ones prescribed by your doctor, but also over-the-counter Panadol, cold medicine, vitamin pills, Ayurvedic medicine, anything you use. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Below are just a few examples. This list is not exhaustive.
| Absolutely DO NOT take with these medications. | |
|---|---|
| MAOI antidepressants (e.g. Marplan, Nardil) | Linezolid (an antibiotic) |
| Methylene blue | Medications for some mental illnesses, such as Pimozide and Thioridazine |
| Be very careful with these. | |
| Alcohol | Sleeping pills, other medications for anxiety |
| Some medicines for colds and allergies (Antihistamines) | Painkillers (especially opioids) |
| Medications for fits (e.g. Carbamazepine) | Thyroid hormones |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
Serotonin Syndrome
This can be a dangerous condition. Simply put, it's a condition where your body has too much of a chemical called serotonin. This can happen if you take another medication that increases serotonin along with this medication. If you experience symptoms like irritability, feeling unmotivated, rapid heartbeat, muscle cramps, sweating, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, seek medical attention immediately.
Mood changes
Some people may experience mood swings when they first start taking this medicine, or when the dose is changed. If you feel increasingly anxious, irritable, or sad, especially if you feel like harming yourself, never ignore it. Tell a family member or friend right away and see your doctor.
Drowsiness and driving
This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy . Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Drinking alcohol can make this condition worse.
Other common effects
- Dry mouth: Chewing sugar-free gum and drinking more water can help.
- Constipation: If you have difficulty passing stool for 2-3 days, tell your doctor. Eat foods high in fiber and drink plenty of water.
- Dry eyes and blurred vision: Lubricating eye drops may help. If it persists, see an eye doctor.
- Sun sensitivity: Your skin may become sensitive to sunlight while taking this medication. Therefore, use sunscreen and cover up when going out in the sun.
Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately
If you experience any of the following symptoms, see a doctor immediately without delay.
| Side Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Decreased activity of the central nervous system (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, excessive sleepiness, feeling faint, confusion. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Sudden eye pain or vision changes | Blurred vision, seeing rings around lights, loss of vision. |
| Suicidal thoughts | Mood swings, thoughts of harming yourself. |
Take-Home Message
- This medicine is for you only. Never give your medicine to anyone else.
- Take the dose exactly as your doctor tells you, at the exact time. Don't take more or less.
- Tell your doctor about any other medications or vitamins you are taking. Avoid alcohol completely.
- Never stop taking medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- If you experience a significant change in your mood or behavior, especially if you feel like harming yourself, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid dangerous activities such as driving as drowsiness may occur while taking the medication.
- Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children and pets.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න