Respected doctor. I am taking antidepressant paxidep CR 37.5 once a day and prestiq 50 once a day. I have heard that folic acid tablets can help in depression. please guide.

Question

Dear Lybrate user. I can understand. Depressive disorder or depression is a neuro chemical disorder. You must be able to distinguish between mental disease and mental disorder. Your problem is a mental disorder. Not a mental disease. These mental disorders are usually treated with a combination of medicines and other means like awareness, meditation, Psychotherapy techniques, life style changes etc. Recent studies do indicate the efficacy of folate in depression treatment. But do consult your psychiatrist before taking such a step. Take care.

K V Anand · Accepted Answer

Dear Lybrate user. I can understand. Depressive disorder or depression is a neuro chemical disorder. You must be able to distinguish between mental disease and mental disorder. Your problem is a mental disorder. Not a mental disease. These mental disorders are usually treated with a combination of medicines and other means like awareness, meditation, Psychotherapy techniques, life style changes etc. Recent studies do indicate the efficacy of folate in depression treatment. But do consult your psychiatrist before taking such a step. Take care.

Ashish Sakpal · Answer

Yes you can take folic acid or for that matter multivitamin tablets along with the current medications. To explain. Certain vitamins help in nerve conduction and are usually prescribed along with antidepressants for augmenting the effect of chemical neurotransmission.

Jagadeesan M.S. · Answer

The 2 medicines r good ones. Folic acid is not a primary or secondary antidepressant. Instead you can try tetrafol, which is nowadays given as adjuvant. All the best.