I have been prescribed Toprol XL 50 mg, Lexapro 10mg, and Ativan 0.5 mg for my Anxiety, High Blood Pressure?

Question

and depression. What kind of differences will these medications have on me compared to when I was taking Atenlol 25mg and Prozac 100mg. The later combination was only increasing my depression which is why my doctor changed my meds. Thnx.

Answer 1

I don't know anything about Toprol other than I believe it's for things like hypertension. I was started off on 10mg of Lexapro for depression and 0.5mg of Ativan for my panic attacks/anxiety. I'll be honest and say I got addicted to the Ativan very quickly. The Lexapro did nothing for me until I was raised up to 20mg. I'm on 30mg now. There's nothing wrong with being on Lexapro and Ativan at the same time. The Lexapro did nothing for my panic attacks and the Ativan was a 'take as needed' pill. If I felt a panic attack or extra anxiety coming on, I took a pill. I was not to exceed 2 pills a day but I started popping 6 or 7 (the addiction...) I now take Klonopin instead for the anxiety because it's longer lasting and less addictive for me.

As for comparing these meds to the ones you were on before, that's hard to answer. All meds work differently for everyone. I had been on 200mg of Zoloft and it did NOTHING for me. The 30mg of Lexapro I take works 100 times better than the Zoloft ever did.

Answer 2

I don't understand why your physician put you on Ativan AND Lexapro. Ativan should be used for acute episodes, short term. Are you seeing a psychiatrist or just your family doctor? Sometimes family docs aren't up on the latest treatments for mental health issues.

No one can really tell you what to expect from your medication combinations. Everyone reacts differently to meds, so you'll need to see how you're feeling after a few weeks on that regimen. I have known some people to do poorly on Prozac but tolerate Lexapro much better. Some people don't do well with Ativan, others do. Atenolol can cause depression in some people. Toprol is a more "modern" drug and has shown good results. From what I've read, there is less negative reaction with Toprol and Lexapro than there is wtih Toprol and Prozac.

Hopefully your doctor will be monitoring you closely for any side effects and to make sure the Toprol is doing the job for your HTN. Hopefully he/she has also given you diet counseling as far as helping control your high BP. Exercize is also imperative for you, to help reduce your BP and to help relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression. Even walking 20 minutes a day can make a difference. Good luck.