Category Archives: Drugs FAQ

Has anyone used Lexapro for anxiety and gained weight?

Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) which increases extracellular levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter. This process works effectively in the treatment of anxiety and depression. Despite its success in the treatment of anxiety, many users of the medication have expressed concern over an increase in their weight.

Weight gain is a common side effect of Lexapro. Various theories have emerged as to why this happens. However, none of these have been scientifically proven. Here are a few theories:

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  • Changes in appetite: Many people have reported changes in appetite while taking Lexapro. Their appetite seems to increase as their anxiety or depression reduces causing them to eat more regularly. Not everyone experiences an increase in appetite, but a number of users do.
  • Drug interactions: If you are using any other medicines while taking Lexapro, interactions could explain the weight gain. Ensure that the medications you are taking do not react to cause weight gain.
  • Fat storage: Taking this medication may alter how fat is stored in your body. This means that fat may be stored in unwanted places such as the stomach, hips, and chest.

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Even though these have not been scientifically proven, they could explain why some people experience weight gain. This situation is not common to all. There are people who do not experience weight gain while taking Lexapro.

Does Wellbutrin help with anxiety?

Originally, Wellbutrin was designed to be an antidepressant. As the medication has continued to be used, it has been noted that it does possess some anti-depressant characteristics. This has been arrived at through trial and error. However, when it comes to treating anxiety, Wellbutrin has had mixed success. In some cases, it is effective while in others, it has proven ineffective.

If you are shopping for anxiety medication, it is worth considering Wellbutrin. However, it is recommended to use this medication together with another to ensure total effectiveness. If you are taking the medication and it seems not to be working, consult your doctor so as to receive another medication to be taken together with Wellbutrin.

Before taking Wellbutrin for anxiety, make sure you consult your doctor as there may be other medications better suited for your condition. Also, if you have used Wellbutrin in the past with no success, it is highly unlikely that your doctor will prescribe it to you again. If it has proven successful in the past, there is a high chance that your doctor will prescribe it to you.

So, before taking Wellbutrin for your anxiety, consider other medications in the market or arrive at the best solution with your doctor.

How Many Men With ED Seek Treatment?

For those dealing with erectile dysfunction, you are not alone. According to an article by the U.S. News World Report, a huge number of men with ED do not seem to seek treatment. In a study of about 6 million men above the age of 30, 75% of those who received a diagnosis of ED did not receive or fill their prescriptions.

Low ranking patients in the probability of getting treatment

According to the lead researcher of the study Dr. Brian Helfand, the least likely patients to get treatment for the condition were older men. According to the study, only a meager 18% of the men aged 65 and above got treated. For men with prostate cancer, the number fell to only 15% who got treated.

Why do men avoid ED treatment?

According to Dr. Helfand, there are several theories that explain why men fail to seek treatment for impotence. If a doctor fails to issue a prescription to a patient, then the main reason would be that the doctor has come to the judgment that the patient does not need the ED medication or ED drugs failed to bring about the required change in the past.

Helfand continues to explain that if a man did receive a prescription from his doctor but failed to get it filled at a pharmacy, the main culprit in the whole situation would be fear. Many men shy away from letting others know that they suffer from ED, making it near impossible to approach a pharmacy to purchase their medication.

Another reason would be the high cost of ED drugs. ED medication is very expensive, and most men cannot afford it. Some pills could sell for as high as $50 per pill, placing it out of the reach of most men.

Additional explanations

According to Dr. Jacob Rajfer, Los Angeles refuses to come to the conclusion that three-quarters of the men who are diagnosed with ED do not end up getting treatment. Dr. Rajfer is a professor of Urology at the University of California’s David Geffen School of Medicine.

In the article by the U.S. News World Report, he argues that the suggested numbers do not clearly reflect what he sees in clinical practice. He points out that accurate data on those that got treated and those that didn’t would require interviewing the patients. He also argues that due to the prohibitive costs of ED drugs in the U.S., most men may choose to get their medication from outside the country where it is much cheaper.

Xanax Bars – What’s the difference between green and others?

Xanax is a drug that is used in the treatment of mental disorders, the greatest being anxiety, depression, and panic. Xanax comes in different types depending on their dosages. The dosages can be distinguished by their appearance, including color and shape. Xanax bars have the highest dose in comparison with other forms.

So, which are the common colors used by the various manufacturers of Xanax bars?

  1. Green Xanax bars: These represent 2mg of Xanax. These pills are quite similar to white and yellow bars.
  2. Blue Xanax bars: These represent a 1mg dose of Xanax. Blue pills are mainly found in an oval or elliptical shape. Most of these pills have a score line, meaning they can be split in half. However, follow the necessary instructions in taking this medication as it could prove addictive.
  3. Yellow Xanax bars: These represent generic Xanax, usually in a 2mg dose.
  4. Peach Xanax bars: These represent a much lower dose of 0.5mg. This dose is prescribed in the less severe cases of mental disorders. These pills are oval in shape.
  5. Pink Xanax bars: These represent a 0.5mg dose suitable for treating panic and anxiety disorders.

What is drug abuse and drug addiction?

Some factors play important impact towards drug abuse and addiction, ignorance being the key factor that contributes towards the abuse of drugs. According to health experts, drug abuse refers to an excessive and compulsive use of luxurious drugs, a scenario that leads to dependence of drugs and physiological injuries that include memory loss and hallucinations.

Drug abuse is also commonly referred to as substance abuse. At some instance, substance abuse leads to adverse effects or death. On the other hand, drug addiction refers to the compulsive use of medications despite facing difficulties when attempting to control the drugs intake. Addiction of drugs leads to harmful and adverse consequences such as dizziness and drowsiness.

Different dimensions of drug addiction and abuse

The act of taking medication of the first changes is voluntary. However, the continuous intake of drugs without control leads to brain changes and damage. In the health sector, drug addiction is commonly referred as a relapsing disease, as the brain changes tend to be persistent depending on the individual behaviors.

Conclusion

In the health sector, cases of drug abuse and addiction have been increasing now and then. According to medical practitioners, patients recovering from drug dependence and abuse are at the risk of getting back to the earlier conditions. Relapsing is a common condition in the health sector. Getting a relapse does not imply that medication and drugs administered do not work.