New medication confusion

[Matthew1233]

Hello all

So I decided to talk to a GP today about my anxiety and medication I am on (Fluoxetine 20mg). The doctor did talk me through my anxiety and sent me a self help guide which I will start he also gave prescribed me new medication, this is where things confusing. I am also most certain he said on the phone he was going to give me citalopram (up to 3 a day) in combination with the fluoxetine, although when I picked up the meds form the chemist and opened them when I got home (there were in a bag) I saw propranolol 40mg which confused me, as this is a bet a blocker to treat heart problems. I do know it can be used for anxiety and thats what it does say on the pack (one to be taken up to 3 a day). Maybe I picked the doctor up wrong (was a phone call) but I do not feel comfortable using this or should I just use it. I am very certain he said citalopram.

Thanks

Edit: maybe the doctor was right as it says this on the NHS website (as well as the sticker on the back of my tablets):

anxiety – 40mg taken once a day which can be increased to 40mg taken 3 times a day

[nomorepanic]

I would call the doctor and check.

[nomorepanic]

Hi

This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your post was moved from its original place to a sub-forum that is more relevant to your issue.

This is nothing personal - it just enables us to keep posts about the same problems in the relevant forums so other members with any experience with the issues can find them more easily.

Please also read this post:

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=213239

[panic_down_under]

I am on (Fluoxetine 20mg). The doctor did talk me through my anxiety and sent me a self help guide which I will start he also gave prescribed me new medication, this is where things confusing. I am also most certain he said on the phone he was going to give me citalopram (up to 3 a day) in combination with the fluoxetine

It almost certainly wasn't citalopram because it is a SSRI just like fluoxetine and taking two is potentially risky and probably wouldn't make make much difference anyway. Citalopram is usually only take once a day.

Was there any discussion about increasing the fluoxetine dose?


I saw propranolol 40mg which confused me, as this is a bet a blocker to treat heart problems.

It is also sometimes prescribed for anxiety as it blocks adrenaline, aka epinephrine, receptors thus easing/blocking the adrenaline surge of the flight-or-fight response.

[Matthew1233]

It almost certainly wasn't citalopram because it is a SSRI just like fluoxetine and taking two is potentially risky and probably wouldn't make make much difference anyway. Citalopram is usually only take once a day.

Was there any discussion about increasing the fluoxetine dose?



It is also sometimes prescribed for anxiety as it blocks adrenaline, aka epinephrine, receptors thus easing/blocking the adrenaline surge of the flight-or-fight response.

The doctor said he didnt want to increase dose, but does propranolol actually stop anxiety itself?

[panic_down_under]

The doctor said he didnt want to increase dose,

I can't see the point of taking a med at an ineffective dose and then adding another med. The recommended fluoxetine dose range for reasonably healthy adults is 20-60mg (https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/fluoxetine-prozac/how-and-when-to-take-fluoxetine/).

If you have other medical issues which limit the dose you can take such as impaired liver function, or interactions with other medications, etc, then maybe switching to another AD would be a better option.


but does propranolol actually stop anxiety itself?

No. It isn't like say diazepam (Valium) which does have a direct effect on how anxiety is generated in the brain. Propranolol only blocks one of the main anxiety symptoms, the adrenaline surge and associated accelerated heart and respiration rates. For some that is enough and it may be for you too, but you'll need to try it to find out.