Doctor prescribed my son Lexapro With Vicodin instead of Xanax??

Question

My son is allergic to benzo's. We tried every single one, and everytime he took it he would swell up bad. The doctor prescribed him Lexapro for his panic attacks but since he can't take the xanax to help him with the Lexapro for the 1st week, he prescribed him Vicodin. A low dose of Vicodin and only 1 bottle with NO refills. But still, will there be any interaction with these two? I know xanax or other benzo's would be best with the Lexapro but he can't take it.

Also, why do people need something with the SSRI when they just start? Usually xanax I know, but why?

Answer 1

Call your local pharmacy. They are usually really helpful and will tell you if there would be any interaction between the two and any other questions you might have. This of course for free. They are the most versed in medications.

Answer 2

No negative interaction that I know of unless he has one that's not common. I asked my pharmacist about Vicodin and Lexapro because I'm getting tons of dental work done and needed Vicodin after some extractions and root canals. The pharmacist told me it was OK for me to take my Lexapro, benzo AND Vicodin together.

I needed Ativan (at first) with my Lexapro because my panic attacks were so bad I was shaking and puking sometimes. The Lexapro took about 6 weeks to kick in and alone it doesn't do enough for my anxiety and panic attacks. The Lexapro is for my depression, the Klonopin (which I'm on now) is for my anxiety/panic attacks.

Answer 3

It takes several weeks for the Lexapro to take effect, that's why the Dr. prescribes the Vicoden to help until the Lexapro could kick in. When you fill the prescription, talk to the pharmacist. They are a wealth of information, they often have more updated info than the Dr does, and Lexapro can interact with cold medicines and such. Just go to the store and ask for a quick consult with the pharmacist, they can answer all of the questions and then some!

Answer 4

Lexapro takes 4-8 weeks to kick in and start working, Xanax, and Vicodin take effect immediately.

Answer 5

Ive taken Lexapro and they never gave me anything to start them other than the Lexapro...that doesnt make sense unless he's trying to calm the anxiety a bit until the lexapro kicks in. Vicodin can cause a mild form of Euphoria thus a sedating affect...that may be what the doctor is trying to accomplish.

Answer 6

Benzos are bad news anyway. Probably a good thing he is allergic to them. Wish I was when I first took them, would have saved me a lot of hell.
Not everyone needs to take something with an SSRI, it is just because sometimes people get anxiety, agitation or manic especially in the early stages of treatment with an SSRI. Infact the alternative to adding another drug in to counteract these side effects is simply to start at a very low test dose and titrate the dose up. This is the more preferred and more common way of dealing with such side effects and would be more preferable than adding in an opiate like vicodin. That idea sounds rediculous and is very off label use. I have never heard of a doctor prescribing an opiate to counteract the side effects of an SSRI.
Xanax and benzos are not the best for anxiety. Infact long term use can actually worsen anxiety and cause withdrawal issues. See this page http://www.benzo.org.uk/ashbzoc.htm
Also animal studies show developmental side effects if benzos are prescribed to young animals. It has never been investigated in humans though as benzos are not widely prescribed to children, and such a study would be unethical.
The best way of dealing with anxiety is to overcome it naturally drug free. Using psychotropic drugs blocks the ability of the brain and person to learn how to overcome problems naturally thus leaving a person dependent on medications often for life. Also it can be difficult to get people off these drugs as there are problems of withdrawal syndromes and it can take months to wean a person off antidepressants or other psychotropic drugs and sometimes a year to completely withdraw if it is long term use.
Your son probably would do well just simply utilising non drug methods, improved diet cutting out sugar, caffeine and aspartame and junk food, counselling, CBT maybe as well and understanding. Drugs aint the answer. There are far too many short and long term side effects.

Answer 7

If you need information on drug interactions webmd.com is fantastic. look up either drug and then look for the drug interaction tab and it should list the things you SHOULD NOT take with the certain drug. A low dose of vicoden is fine i think for anxiety.. if he's allergic to benzos. When first starting an SSRI it throws all your brain chemicals out of whack and can actually make your anxiety worse! been through it a few times. So a benzo is usually prescribed along with it just to get the person through the tough time. Once the SSRI kicks in in about 2-3 weeks depending on the drug, the xanax or vicoden in your case should not longer be needed.

Answer 8

If your son has problems with such medication why not go alternative?
I to have problems with many of those pills, why I went alternative much better for the health and side effects are very minimum.
Wow vicodin, I still have some of that around here too, locked up. Bad nasty stuff!! Depending on how old your child is, or his personality be careful of addiction!! Doctors seam to forget about addiction, then they are shocked when someone gets addicted and they are the ones who started it off, but will take no responsibility for it! The side effect to these drugs are as nasty as the original diagnoses! Then the side effects need another pill to pop. Gosh I need to take a day and flush all of my prescriptions I wont take anymore....
Going to alternative takes more work then popping a pill but I tell you it is better for your kid!!
Good luck!

Answer 9

It's not uncommon for an antidepressant to be prescribed with anti anxiety medications. Vicodin is certainly an odd choice though. You may want to discuss with the doctor using Buspar. Buspar is an anti anxiety medication that isn't chemically related to benzodiazepines.

Answer 10

yes, of course their are other med's out there. I have depression & social anxiety, and I have been on SO many. Everything from Prozac to Anafranil (Which is completely different). I am currently on Effexor for Depression, Klonopin for anxiety, and Seroquel for sleep. They are all great. But they might not be 4U. It all depends on your liver and the way the med's are metabolised. You can have a blood test if your doctor recommends it to see which ones would best meet your needs.Just be careful, and I wish you the best of luck finding the "miracle drug" that suits your needs. ; )

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