What do you think of the following drug cocktail?

Hi, my sister is prescribed the following drugs:

Adderall: for her ADD
Wellbutrin XR: for depression
Buspar: for her anxiety, which isn't helped at all by Wellbutrin
Trazadone: to help her sleep

Do you guys think that taking, in combination, the above list of drugs, as directed, is safe? I am concerned b/c I feel like my sister's psychiatrist always prescribes her something at the drop of a hat. She's tried SSRIs before, but they do nothing for her, but Wellbutrin has proven to be effective -- however, she also has anxiety -- GAD -- and WB does nothing for that. Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

I basically took all of those at the same time except prozac versus buspar. Wellbutrin took my anxiety to a whole new level...

I still take Trazadone once in awhile but with adderall and wellbutrin, you almost need trazadone to come back down which is in insane if you ask me...that is why I am laying off of it for awhile.

I take a similar cocktail and find it to be very beneficial with few side effects. I take the wellbutrin. Dexedrine instead of the adderall. For sleep I sometimes take trazadone or rozerem. Oh, yeah I also take lamictal as a mood stabilizer. I am not really concerned that I am on too many drugs. Each of them are prescribed for a different reason. I have been on this cocktail or similar ones for several years. I am much better off being on the medications!!!

Thank you for your replies. My sister's on the same drugs and she feels that Buspar has made a bit of difference for her anxiety but she still has really high levels of anxiety -- and I guess school is not helping.

Hi Mave,

I think that your sister's pdoc has prescribed her a rather conservative cocktail. Here is what I think after having been on your sister's meds plus numerous other psych drugs.

Wellbutrin: I think the her pdoc should not have rxed her this anti-depressant as it can make anxiety much worse.

Buspar: In my opinion, this drug is almost worthless in controlling anxiety, especially given that she has been dxed with GAD. She should be given a Rx such as a benzodiazepene.... maybe Klonopin as it's half-life is long. I have been on iit for over 2 years and just had to have the dosage increased.

Trazedone (Deseryl): this is a t;ri-cyclic anti-depressant that works wonders to help induce sleep in many people. Unfortunately, I does nothing to help me sleep. If this med helps her sleep, the the pdoc rxed a safe and effective drug.

Adderall: This stimulant works quite well with many people with ADD if prescribed the proper dosage. I did take it myself. Unfortunately, it did not work, but I think I was prescribed too low of a dose. I find that Concerta with Ritalin is much more effective.

Overall, I really feel like your sister's pdoc needs to revamp her combo of meds. She needs to take Klonopin as it is a good choice for anxiety as it has a long half-life. In addition, it is less addictive, in my opinion, in comparison to a benzodiazepene such as Ativan. He should also change her anti-depressant to another such as, Effexor, as it is often effective for anxiety. Although, it is hell to discontinue the use of it. Also, there are other anti-depressants that are not SSRIs that she may find effective if she has already tried Effexor. If the Adderal is working for her ADD, then great.

I have GAD and ADD and have been on a variety of meds. Luckily, I have a fabulous pdoc who listens to me and responds appropriately.

I hope that you have found the above helpful. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I would be very happy to help in any way I can.

Be Blessed,
Peacemaker

Buspar is a very conservative choice for anxiety. If it is helping her, then great. But if she still has anxiety on this mixture of meds, then it would probably be good to try alternatives for helping with the anxiety. Best of luck to your sister!

If your sister's anxiety is severe, you might suggest that she ask her doc about taking something like Klonopin for it.

Greg

I take a similar combo of stuff for bipolar 1 & anxiety & ADD --Abilify, Lamictal, Trazodone, klonopin, Concerta, Provigil (for excessive daytime sleepiness). Sometimes you have to have just the right mix of stuff to work.

My husband is appalled at all the drugs I take. He basically will take an aspirin every 6 mos.! But it works pretty well for me--not cured or symptom--free all the time--but much better.--Suzy