system
Can Cipralex safely be used for mental health problems?
human
my mother age 76 is suffering from parkisons disease since 5 years, and high blood pressure since 10 years, had an stroke 5 years back after angiography, which was negative. She has an infarct in cerebellar region, she has hallucinations and delusions disturbing her life, she is taking reguib 1mg tds diovan 80mg and sinenet 1/2 bd. Can she take cipralex for her mental health?
gpt
Hi, thanks for the question. Cipralex (escitalopram) is an antidepressant used to specifically treat symptoms of depression like low mood, lack of pleasure in pleasurable activities, irritability, crying spells, helplessness, hopelessness, fatigue, low self esteem, suicidal ideation, death wishes etc. As your has had stroke; she definitely is having a risk of suffering from depressive illness. Is she having any or some of these symptoms? Parkinsons disease & use of antiparkinsonian drugs also increase the risk of depression. But you have described that your mother is having delusions & hallucinations which are suggestive of Psychosis. Psychosis can be secondary to stroke she recently suffered, or due to side effects of antiparkinsonian medications or it may be even a hidden manifestation of delirium which tends to occur in post stroke patient or even dementia which is common in this age group. Hence, I need further information in form of detailed description of your mothers symptoms, medications, problems faced by you (caregiver) before arriving at a diagnosis & starting medications. Depending upon her problem, T. Quetiapine to control delusions, hallucinations or T. Cipralex to take care of depressive symptoms can be used. Do get back to me with further information. Hope this helps, good Luck