Posted by Eric on February 29, 2000, at 17:07:18
In reply to Re: Note on Zyprexa and Risperdal, posted by Cam W. on February 29, 2000, at 15:42:18
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> Eric - Risperdal is a serotonin-2 receptor (5-HT2) blocker and the antidepressants (for simplicity sake) are serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The two drugs are acting on two different parts of the serotonin system. Actually, Serzone is an SSRI antidepressant with 5-HT2 receptor antagonism (blockade). This is supposed to decrease the side effects of the SSRI antidepressants and improve sleep. Many people successfully use Risperdal with antidepressants. Also, Risperdal is not an irreversible 5-HT2 binder, so some serotonin signal is being transmitted onto 5-HT2 receptor-containing nerve cells. The older 1st generation antipsychotics sometimes caused what looked like a depression, but these new atypical antipsychotics do not seem to cause them, as much. I am not sure of the mechanism of the relapse to depression after adding Risperdal, but it probably could happen for a number of reasons (eg were starting to relapse and adding the Risperdal didn't stop the relapse from happening). You may have a different set of serotonin receptors (maybe genetic) that react differently when exposed to serotonin or serotonin blockade (eg fewer 5-HT2 receptors than the 'average' person). It is really hard to say why you went into a depression after starting Risperdal. Sorry I cannot help more. - Cam W.Yes, that is exactly what happened. The Risperdal worsened my depression when I added it to the antidepressant Remeron. However, when I just took Risperdal by itself with no antidepressant, the Risperdal improved my depression a little. Not nearly as much as Remeron did all by itself but Risperdal by itself helped a little. But add it to Remeron or another antidepressant and almost immediately the antidepressant effect was blocked and Id be plunged back into depression. This was not oversedation or anything either, but a complete blockage of the antidepressant.
Id just really know what causes it for me. I hear about others combining these meds routinely with great results and I just never saw it for myself.
Eric
poster:Eric
thread:24675
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000220/msgs/24948.html