UK-based GP Dr Ahmed Abd Elbary has publicly voiced his concerns about prescribing certain medications to his patients, including the popular antidepressant citalopram. He shared his views with his 291,000 TikTok followers, highlighting that some drugs have too many side effects or are simply not as effective as their alternatives. This revelation has already attracted over 4.5 million views.
Dr Ahmed has specifically drawn attention to citalopram, an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. While the drug is known to cause side effects such as tiredness, nervousness, and dry mouth, Dr Ahmed’s main concern lies elsewhere. His reluctance to prescribe citalopram is not due to its side effects, but rather because he believes there are better alternatives available.
@dra_says These are 3 medications I avoid prescribing as there are better alternatives or they cause too many side effects. #migraines #headaches #depressionanxiety #depression #anxiety #stress #pain #chronicpain #fibromyalgia #nervepain #chronicfatigue #backpainrelief #doctor #privatedoctor #gabapentin #painkiller #bloodtest #medicationsideeffects #herbalpainrelief #herbalmedication #doxtor #miltonkeynes #miltonkeynesbloggers ♬ original sound – Dr Ahmed
He stated, ‘I don’t particularly have a huge issue with citalopram. The only thing is there’s a far better alternative called escitalopram which studies have shown works far better to treat depression and I found this in my own clinical practice.’ Escitalopram is also proven to be effective for treating social anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Another drug on Dr Ahmed’s avoid list is gabapentin, often used for nerve pain and epilepsy. He said, ‘The issue I have with gabapentin is that there’s no real evidence that it actually works that well for pain.’ He added that even when it does work, the required doses are so high that they often lead to uncomfortable side-effects like sleepiness, confusion and memory reduction.
The third medication Dr Ahmed recommends avoiding is sumatriptan, used for migraines and cluster headaches. Instead, he prefers zolmitriptan, another type of drug known as a triptan that works in a slightly different way. ‘You need a lower dose and it’s far more effective,’ he said. A study from 2000 supports this claim, showing that 2.5 mg and 5 mg of zolmitriptan was as effective as ten times the dose of sumatriptan at treating migraines.
Social media has increasingly become a platform for medical professionals like Dr Ahmed to share their medical insights and concerns. However, this also raises questions about patient self-advocacy and how individuals can navigate their treatments. While Dr Ahmed does not suggest patients stop taking their current medications without consultation, his comments may encourage individuals to have more informed conversations with their doctors about potential alternative treatments.
This increased transparency around medication efficacy and side-effects empowers patients in their healthcare journey. Nevertheless, it’s essential to remember that while these insights are beneficial, medication choices should always be made in consultation with a healthcare professional, considering individual health histories and needs.
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