How dangerous is it to use someone else's perscription for antidepressants?

Question

Here's the situation. My boyfriend and I have both been diagnosed with severe depression. I have a perscription for Lexapro (20mg) that is covered by my college's health plan. My boyfriend is taking a semester off, so he isn't covered at the moment, and he can't afford to get his own perscription without it. The perscription I have is current, and I'd be able to get it refilled, but I'm not taking it. How dangerous would it be for him to take my perscription? There is only about a 40-50lb weight difference between the two of us, and we're both diagnosed with the same disorder. Is it safe for him to take it? His depression is too bad to wait until he's back in school and can get his own. Would there be a difference in the dosage? Thanks!

Answer 1

Relying on a bad answer here could kill your boyfriend. Get professional advice if at all possible.

Answer 2

You shouldn't share prescriptions. Antidepressants work differently for different people. What works for you may not work for him. While Lexapro might work for you, he may need to be on Paxil or a different antidepressant.

When he was diagnosed, was he given a prescription? If he was prescribed Lexapro, have him call his doctor to see if he can get a prescription for Celexa instead. He may not even need to go back in to see his doctor. Lexapro is actually an updated version of Celexa, they work the same way, but for those who experience side effects, they are often lower with Lexapro. I personally have taken both and had no side effects on either of them. The patent for Celexa has expired, so a generic version is available which would be cheaper. Also, it is on WalMart's $4.00 prescription list if you are in a state that they are offering the program in (I am not sure if they have rolled it out nationwide or not.)

Answer 3

You know, it's not the smartest, safest thing to do, but I know you're just trying to help someone you love. Where I live, there are plenty of general practitioners (regular old family doctors) that will prescribe antidepressants, especially if you tell them that you've taken it before and it worked. If you need meds, and it's not for pain, it shouldn't be too hard to find someone to at least write you a script, maybe even give you some samples. When I say "you", of course I mean your boyfriend, because he's the one that needs it, right? If you get a script for him, then you can translate your meds into his dosage, as long as the doctor will prescribe the same one. Be careful, and do see a doctor,huh? If you trust doctors, that's who will help you,right? I hope you both live long, peaceful, happy, and healthy lives.

Answer 4

Yes mate it is dangerous to take anyone else prescription, that is why it expressly says it in the bottle or on the prescription. You just don't know what the drug interactions and side effects with each drug what works for you may be entirely different for another. Lepaxro is an SSRI which is not good to mix or take without an MD or Psych prescribing it, weight makes all the difference

Just look at Anna Nicole Smith

Kind regards,

~angelbite~

Answer 5

It is dangerous. What would you do if he had an allergic reaction to it and died? How would you feel? What if it was toxic to his body and caused more harm than good? Do you want that on your shoulders? There are mental health clinics who will work with him financially. You mentioned college? The college I attended had a Psych department and offered assistance... Maybe you could look into that. Just because the medication is good for you does not mean it wont harm him! There is a reason its prescribed by a doctor and not over the counter....

Answer 6

Anti-depressants should never be taken lightly. They are extremely powerful drugs. I would advise not taking them at all , but if he really wants to try them, he needs to scrape together a few bucks and get a doctor to prescribe them. I don't want to sound like a jerk, but if his own mental well-being isn't worth springing for a visit to the doctor's office, I'm not surprised that he's depressed. Also, doctors like to start at the lowest dosage first, and in your case, your scrip is not the lowest <10 mg is available>. Your B/F could possibly suggest to the doctor that he'd like to try Lexapro, and if the doc. agrees, then you could do all the "don't ask, don't tell" stuff......that's completely up to you.

Answer 7

I'd like to ask why you arn't still on your medication because though you may think things are going ok my mom is depressed and got off her medication and the situation only worsened. that put aside.. there is a dosage difference because he is a guy and it is just different because of the body type. though men tolerate more because you said he also weighs more but you must be more careful with the dosage because over dosages are obivously not only damaging they are quite likely in your situation. leave this up to the doctors! also i'd like to inform you that my mom has joint problems now due to her previous medication so please check into any problems with lexapro i'm unsure as to if it was lexapro that caused it! good luck with your sitution!

Answer 8

you know, they make such activity against the law for a reason. and make no mistake it is illegal, and if you are caught you can do jail time for dispensing and or prescribing without a professional license to do so. you can also be convicted of manslaughter if your boyfriend should have a bad reaction and die....it does happen. At the very least he needs to see a doctor for a prescription, if he cannot afford it and you can afford to share and you have the same prescription it would be a bit safter all the way around. although, still illegal and I would not recommend it under any circumstances.

Answer 9

Extremely dangerous!
Everyone's body chemistry is different, and even when the med is prescribed for the original patient there are often undesired side-effects.
You are playing Russian Roulette!
DO NOT DO IT

Answer 10

All I know is that it is against the law. If he has complications and has to go to the hospital with reactions he and you are going to have some explaining to do and they could charge you with giving out prescribed medication.