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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What is the strongest dose of Avanza - 15mg or 7.5mg ?

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    Depression Mental Health
    I recently commenced taking Avanza 7.5mg this made me sedated. My doctor has since advised me to take the 15mg dose, won't this make more even more sedated as it is a stronger dose?
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    Jennifer Grant

    Psychologist

    New practice opened Feb 2018. Seewebsite www.coffspsychneuro.com.au I'm passionate about working with people from all walks of life to help them create a more vital, … View Profile

    Yes, 15mg is a stronger dose than 7.5mg. Side effects of medication vary from individual to individual and are best explained by your medical practitioner. A stronger dose may increase your level of sedation, or it may have a paradoxical effect and not increase your level of sedation.
    You don’t say what Avanza is being prescribed for. If it’s being prescribed to alleviate depression, you might want to think about seeking psychological therapy. Psychological therapy – both alone and in combination with medication – is an effective treatment for depression. Your General Practitioner may consider you qualify for a Mental Health Treatment Plan. If so, Medicare will subsidise up to 10 sessions with a psychologist. Psychological therapy is not sedating!
    I wish you well on your journey to recovery.

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    adenlittle

    HealthShare Member

    Hello, sedative effects are reduced with higher doses. They are also extrememly strong for the first couple of weeks of taking the medication. This is because the drug is a very strong H1 receptor inverse agonist ie. antihistamine. After a short period of chronic treatment, however, the H1 receptor tends to desensitize and the antihistamine effects become more tolerable. I currently take 75mg for Major depression and GAD.

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    Dr Simon Easterbrook-Smith

    Health Professional

    My research interests include immunology and the mechanisms of amyloid formation. The latter has implications for people who are dealing with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease … View Profile

    Avanza (Mirtazapine - it is sold under various trade-names) is indicated for management of Major Depressive Disorder and Generalised Anxiety Disorder. Feeling "sedated" is a common side-effect of it.

    Apart from that, I agree with what Jennifer has suggested - getting your GP to draw up a Mental Health Treatment Plan (sometimes called a Mental Health Care Plan) with you is a good idea.

    That will give you a number of Medicare-subsidised sessions with mental health professionals (clinical psychologists and/or psychiatrists).

    Depending on the results of those, your needs might best be met from non-pharmaceutical therapy (from a clinical psychologist) or from a combination of that and medication (prescribed by a psychiatrist).

    All the best.

     

     

     

     

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