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Pharmacy - Anxiety in 84 year old mother
Expert: Mary E Scott, RPh, CGP - 11/2/2009
Question
My 84 year old mother has recently plunged into a state of anxiety and depression upon her having give up driving. She was prescribed Zoloft and Ativan. She took 25 mg. Zoloft once a day and 25 mg Ativan 2-3 times a day. After two weeks she was no better, so her doctor upped the Zoloft to 50 mg and the Ativan to 50. Since then her anxiety has increased and she is very weak and lethargic. The doctor cut her back to 25 mg Ativan. She is still very weak and lethargic. How long before the Zoloft begins to take effect? We think she should discontinue the Ativan, but she insists it is the only thing that helps her sleep (only for a few hour). If she does discontinue the Ativan, does she have to taper off? She has been taking it for about 3 weeks.
Answer
Hi,Paula,
As far as the Ativan dosage is concerned,I hope you meant 0.25mg,not 25mg!
It usually takes up to a month for the Zoloft to be fully effective,so she may be seeing results pretty soon. It is better to take the Zoloft at night if it seems to make her lethargic.
She can try taking the Ativan at night also, about an hour before going to bed. I would not recommend a sleeping pill; the Ativan should relax her enough to get to sleep. Hope this helps, Mary
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