How to get proper sleep with medicine during depression?

Question

Hi doctor,

I began taking Valium 5 mg for the past 40 years for the depression. It gradually went up to Valium 10 mg taking three to five tablets every night. Later on, I took a psychiatric advice. The doctor told me to quit the tablet but I was not able to do it. Now, the present doctor says, it is impossible for you to quit Benzodiazepine medicine. He has advised me two tablets of Etilaam 0.5 mg every night. I am taking four tablets of Etilaam but still, I am not getting proper sleep due to depression.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern. Etizolam is a mild Benzodiazepine and the drug cannot help in sleep on considering the long-term use of Diazepam. To get sleep, you can think of taking Clonazepam for some time. Since you are on Etizolam 2 mg now, so in this state, an equivalent dose will be around 1 mg of Clonazepam. You can take 1 mg of Clonazepam for sleep for around six weeks and then reduce to 0.75 mg of Clonazepam for the next six weeks followed by 0.5 mg of Clonazepam for around 12 weeks and if needed, the dose can be reduced further to 0.25 mg of Clonazepam. Such slow dose reduction can help you in reducing the dose of Benzodiazepine. Hope this helps. Thank you and take care.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern. Since your main issue is sleep, it is better to take 1 mg of the tablet Clonazepam in the evening after dinner. This will help in a sound sleep, and you will feel better. For depressive symptoms associated with sleep, I usually suggest taking the tablets Amitriptyline, Trazodone, or Mirtazapine. The drugs are safe to use and have great efficacy. These drugs help in sound sleep, too, which will provide added benefits. I suggest a 10 to 25 mg dosage of the tablet Amitriptyline. The drug is relatively well tolerated if used in prescribed doses. However, please consult a physician, discuss with them, and start taking the medications with their consent. Hope this helps. Thank you and take care.