Is it ok (and/or safe) to take Xanax along with Cymbalta for axioty/stress?

Question

I was prescibed the two pills to take together by my doctor, but I just wanted to know if there was anyone out there taking the same presciptions and what they thought. How long does it take to start feeling better, and are there any side effects?

Answer 1

Find a 24 hour pharmacy like Wal-greens or CVS and call now and ask the pharmacist.

I mix alot of stuff but that doesn't sound right.



Also - I was on Cymbalta for awhile and that stuff made me CRAZY when I drank 3-4 alcoholic beverages.

Answer 2

I'm not too familiar with Cymbalta and its effects, but I do take Paxil on an everyday basis, and have also been prescribed Xanax for situational anxiety (such as travel days, etc.). So, there are times when I take both meds together. This was approved and prescribed by my doctor, whom I trust, and it seems to work wonderfully for me.

The difference between a drug like Paxil or Cymbalta, and a drug like Xanax, is that Paxil/Cymbalta is made to work over a period of time to relieve anxiety or depression. Xanax, on the other hand, is often used for "quick relief" - I personally feel the effects of Xanax after only 20 or 30 minutes.

Side effects will depend on the individual - one person may have every side effect in the book, while another many never have a single side effect.

It seems normal to me that a doctor would prescribe both meds at once.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I've never taken the two together but I used to work as a R.N. on psychiatric units for many years. There is nothing unsafe about taking the 2 medications together.

The Xanax has an addiction potential if you take a high dose for to long a period of time but there is nothing harmful about taking it on a short term basis.

I suspect that your doctor diagnosed you has having depression with anxiety. When a doctor prescribes an antidepressant (the Cymbalta), they have to start you on a low dose and then gradually increase the dose until they get to an effective level.

Also it takes some time before you get the maximum antidepressant effect from any dose. It makes sense for your doctor to prescribe Cymbalta for your depression and add a low dose of Xanax to help you be less anxious until you get the full effect of the Cymbalta.

If you have to be on an antianxiety medication long term a better one is buspirone. It reduses anxiety and has no addiction potential.

This is really not the place to ask questions about psych. medication. Lay people have all kinds of goofy ideas about them and give terrible advice. I see it all the time on Yahoo Answers in the mental health section.

Just because someone has taken a medication doesn't mean that they know anything. If you don't trust your doctor who prescribed the medication, then you need to get a 2nd opinion from another doctor, preferably from a psychiatrist.

Answer 4

It's fairly common for them to prescribe an anti-anxiety (Xanax)medication with an antidepressant (Cymbalta). Xanax would within a short time of taking it, so it will give you much more immediate relief. The Cymbalta will take longer to take effect. It is a safe and common combination of meds.

Answer 5

If every medicine fails, try the Almighty God, the Great Healer.

In the Beginning God created heavens and earth.
God gives you air to breathe and sunshine to enjoy.
God gives you water to drink and food to eat.
God gives you a wonderful body and sound mind, to live.
God loves you, and you are precious to Him.
Son of God died on the Cross to save us from condemnation.
Jesus’ love is boundless and everlasting.
We have the hope of Heaven through Jesus.
Life therefore has fantastic and glorious future!
(Digestion of above can even prevent depression and suicidal thoughts.)

Answer 6

you could call like walgreen drugs and ask the pharmacy and they could answer that better, i took paxil and another pill and had to go to the hospital;so please call a drug store and ask them...good-luck