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While anxiety is just normal and can be an advantage for people by keeping them alert and focused, anxiety disorders refer to excessive worries and fears that can prevent a person from living his life. SSRIs or selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors are usually the first line of medications prescribed for anxiety symptoms. SSRIs that includes escitalopram (Lexapro), citalopram (Celexa), flouxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil) etc. work by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin which is linked to most forms of depression. However, these drugs have side-effects that can be serious for some people that they look up to herbal alternatives.
Seredyn is a anti-anxiety herbal dietary supplement. It is cited as safer than a prescribed antidepressant as Lexapro, but can Seredyn be as efficient as Lexapro which is a popular SSRIs for anxiety symptoms?
Lexapro facts
Lexapro with the generic name escitalopram oxalate is manufactured by Lundbeck. It is a prescription medicine available in a film-tablet type with the strength of 5, 10 and 20 mg.
Lexapro is indicated for MDD or major depressive disorder in adults and in adolescents (12-17 years old); and for anxiety disorders as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and obsessive compulsive disorder.
It can be given with or without food but Lexapro’s dose depends on the diagnosis of the doctor. In major depressive episodes, the usual dose is 10mg once a day and can be increase to 20 mg depending on the patient’s response.
5 mg of Lexapro a day is given for panic disorder. This is doubled to 10mg after a week then to 20mg a day depending on the patient’s response. This treatment can last for several months.
SAD, GAD and obsessive compulsive disorder are chronic diseases. These are treated for long periods of time to prevent relapse. 10 mg a day is the usual dose for these anxiety disorders and can be increased to 20mg a day.
Lexapro is contraindicated to individuals with hypersensitivity to the drug and to those under MAO inhibitor (other class of antidepressant drugs) treatment.
As much as possible, Lexapro should not be taken while pregnant. It is excreted in milk, therefore breastfeeding is not suggested while under treatment.
Patients should be monitored for suicide risks during the first week of treatment. Some patients particularly those with panic disorder may experience greater anxiety symptoms during the initial treatment. However, suicide attempts can be natural while in depression and this can persist until improvement take place.
SSRIs like Lexapro should be avoided in people with unstable epilepsy since this drug can develop seizure. Lexapro can affect glycemic levels, therefore, if the patient is taking a hypoglycemic drug, its dose may need adjustment.
Lexapro may influence activities that needs complete attention as operating a machine or driving. It is to be used with precaution in people with severe renal problems and if a patient develops serotonin syndrome, this drug use should be terminated.
Finally, Lexapro may have withdrawal reactions such as irritability, anxiety, dizziness, headaches, tiredness and insomnia. It is essential to stop it by gradually. The dose should be reduced slowly over a period of 1 or 2 weeks.
The common side effects of Lexapro includes headache, sweating nausea, somnolence or sleepiness, fatigue, insomnia, diarrhea, constipation, decreased appetite, decreased libido, sinusitis and fever.
Lexapro can have a serious reaction with MAOI and can have an enhanced effect with lithium and tryptophan.
Lexapro should not be used in combination with a MAO- A inhibitor (eg. Moclobemide) and medications with serotonergic effects such as tramadol and the triptans for risk of serotonin syndrome that can be life threathening.
Grapefruit, st. John’s wort, omeprazole and cimetidine can increase incidence of adverse reactions by increasing the concentration of Lexapro in the blood.
More to this, anticoagulants and other drugs (eg. aspirin, dipyridamole, NSAID drugs) that can affect the platelet function may cause bleeding tendencies with Lexapro.
Seredyn facts
Seredyn is manufactured by BioNeurix. Since it is classified as a dietary supplement, it can be bought without a prescription. Seredyn consists of L-theanine, valerian extract and passion flower extract. While L-theanine is an amino acid (found in green tea) which promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety, passion flower and valerian are two popular herbs known for anxiety cure.
Seredyn is available in capsule form. It should be taken with food. Seredyn's usual dose is one to two capsules three times a day for daily use. Maximum dose is six capsules a day. For occasional use, one to two capsules as needed. And for extreme stress, three capsules of Seredyn can be taken at once.
Seredyn is contraindicated for children under 12 years old. Pregnant and lactating mothers are not recommended to take Seredyn. Seredyn contains Valerian and passion flower. Although in smaller amounts, valerian have some mild toxic compounds that can pass via placenta. In a theory, noted by the National Institute of Health, a mother who drinks a cup of valerian tea daily can give birth to an infant with addiction symptoms. Passion flower, on the other hand, have chemicals that could result to uterus contraction.
Seredyn can be be stopped anytime and can be taken as necessary. However, if somebody has been using Seredyn for more than a month, the dose of this supplement should be tapered down slowly over 7-21 days to prevent anxiety-related symptoms relapse.
Headache, fatigue, stomach upsets and drowsiness are the common side effects of Seredyn.
Seredyn should not be taken with MAO inhibitors. It may increase the effect of sedative drugs.
Seredyn for Lexapro
Considering the facts above, Seredyn seems to be safer than Lexapro. It has almost the same side effects as Lexapro, but as claimed, these side effects are only mild and often do not last. Seredyn may have withdrawal symptoms too, but these are uncommon and not as severe as Lexapro’s.
While Lexapro has many drug interactions, Seredyn seems to have only problems with MAO inhibitors. Interestingly, Seradyn can be used with SSRIs like Lexapro and with benzodiazepines such as diazepam, alprazolam and lorazepam.
The drawback here, Seredyn has different effect on people. While there are satisfied individuals, there are also those that claim Seredyn as a waste of money.
The bottom line
Seredyn is a herbal dietary supplement formulated to relieve occasional and mild anxiety. If a person is suffering from chronic anxiety or anxiety with depression, Seredyn may not work for him. An SSRI like Lexapro may still be better if prescribed by a registered physician.
© Phoenix Montoya @ December 12, 2011
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Excellent information on the advantages and disadvantages of using the two drugs, kabayan.
Great information on this topic. Voted up!
Great learning for me. I haven't heard of this drug before. Well written! :-)
Excellent comparison.
Nice comparison and hadn't heard of this drug.
You reached to your conclusion in a coherent way, supported by a detailed analysis of the pros and cons of the use of both drugs. As you mentioned, it is better for physicians to decide on whether it is better to prescribe one drug or the other, depending on each individual case.
glad to learn new things today, keep it up kabayan
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Well done educational lesson with lots to learn here.thank you.
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Another truly valuable information for users of this drug, kabayan.
Excellent, informative and insightful read. Thanks
A well written comparison.
Much to learn from this valuable feature on anti-anxiety herb supplements.