cipralex / escitalopram

[tillykins]

Dr has prescribed cipralex for me, 5mg once a day which I understand is a low dose, for "panic disorder"
I don't know much about it - can anyone give me any info pls beyond that which is on the leaflet
And more importantly, can I still chug back some wine / beer? It says its not recommended so I assume that means I won't drop dead if I have a couple of beers???
thanks

Try googling it for more info.
I believe it takes from 2~6 weeks to take effect. For me it was after a week or so.
Makes me very tired and had headaches and felt dizzy for the first couple of days but im on 20mgs a day.
Dont know about the drinking but im sure google will give you some answers.
Sorry am not much help am i.

I'm on 20mg and still drink in moderation. You may feel a bit weird for a couple of weeks, make sure you take them after you've eaten and I still take them before I go to bed because in the beginning I was able to sleep through any side effects (thirst, nausea)

• I've been on it for over a year for anxiety/panic and it's been fine for me, no side effects aside from those first few weeks. I hope they work for you, It takes time though, I'm still not 100% but I really think I would have been housebound by now if I hadn't started taking them.

Let us know how you get on!

pmsl - What's in the water up here Donbean?

it's probably best to take it very carefully at first with alcohol and ads - as the combination may make you a lot more drunk than you are used to! also a good idea not to overindulge on a regular basis as alcohol is a depressant so will counteract the good effect of the ads.

thanks for this
I've not got it for depression but for "panic disorder" - had a bad experience at work a fortnight ago and my gp signed me off sick, but am not any better so he has given me this, he said to bring down my anxiety
Though at the moment, my anxiety is centred around Christmas and alcohol

I've taken the 5mg for the last two nights and am feeling a bit groggy, heavy headed and a little bit not with it
is that normal? And will it wear off soon?
thanks

dh is on these and where he was drinking 6-8 cans of lager at a time can only manage 3 at most
he quickly goes drunk

I've not had any alcohol though!

think it probably is normal, Tilly. You can have side effects like this for up to 2 weeks on starting SSRIs. If you are really finding side effects intolerable, speak to your GP again.

Hi, I'm after advice again!
My GP has increased my dosage to 10mg and as I am struggling to get to sleep, he said to take it an hour or two before bed as it will help me sleep
But the pharmacist told me to take it in the mornings as it can cause difficulty in sleeping...!
So, as I was taking the 5mg at night and not sleeping, I am now taking this 10mg dose in the mornings
And so far, I am still tired all day and can't sleep at night!
Any advice or experience?

I'd give it a go taking it at night for a night or two, just to see if it works. I would move from a morning to a night dose straight away, I would do day 1, morning, day 2, mid afternoon, day 3, evening.

I mean I wouldn't go straight, not would.

bumping for the evening takers!