[JohnW26]

I am taking 90 MG Cymbalta, Xanax 0.5 MG every 4 hours as needed (max 6 per day) and Ambien CR 6.25 MG one to three for sleep as needed. I'm diagnosed with general anxiety disorder. The best way I can describe symptoms to my doc is; I am depressed and meet all the criteria for that; and I feel like I am drinking 10 cups of caffeinated coffee all the time, mind racing, scattered thoughts, lack of focus and concentration - (I only drink decaff) so we think that is anxiety related.
My questions are:
1) Is it best to take Cymbalta all at once; what time of day is best - or is it best to 30 MG three times a day? I wonder if Cymbalta helps or hurts my sleeping good.
2) Is Xanax only good for 4 hrs.; meaning it wares off in 4 hours? I am wondering why it says every 4 hrs. as needed.
3) I am assuming that taking a Xanax and the Ambien at bedtime is best to help me sleep. Correct?
Thank you.

Your pdoc should have explained all of this to you carefully when they were prescribed. Obviously they didnt, so I think you should ring them to find out when to take them. Or speak to the pharmacist who dispensed the drugs.

Personally I took my cymbalta (60mg as 1 tablet) in the morning as that's when pdoc said to take it. I've never taken the others so am not sure. Best to ask the experts I think.

*Willow*

[BETosca]

Not your exact situation but very similar- I asked my pdoc a similar question. I take Lexapro and Wellbutrin in the morning, tradozone at bedtime to help with sleep. I also take Ativan prn- my concern was taking the Ativan too late- would it be too much with the traz. He said as long as they are 3 or more hours apart it wouldn't be too much. Also, it's fine to take a benzo with your anti-d or close to it.

I would though call your doctor or a pharmacist to get your specific directions.

[JohnW26]

Thank you. I did ask my PDOC and he said it did not matter when I take the Cymbalta.

[scooterb]

I take a different anti-depressant than you but I find that taking it in the morning works best for me. Xanax does have a very short life in the body - so it works faster. Be careful with it though. It is very addictive and has side effects such as memory loss and can cause rebound anxiety. I went off of my anxiety medication a month ago with my doctor's OK. I was taking Ativan which is a benzodiazepine like Xanax, but with a longer body life. When I started researching the long term effects it scared me and I felt like I was definitely getting dependent on it!
I'm glad you asked your doctor about the medication. They should be able to answer your questions. But I find it helps when I can share with someone who has actually experienced taking the medication.
Lisa (scooterb)