Posted by Else on July 25, 2001, at 20:33:18
In reply to do benzos' (librium) interact with or augment SSRI, posted by zarathustra on July 25, 2001, at 18:50:07
> My paxil pooped, and I asked my physician for lithium. He said side effects are to troublesome, and prescribed Librium.
>
> I know it is a Benzodiazapene for anxiety, but will it activate or augment my useless Paxil?Not as far as depression goes. Librium is about the weakest benzo there is which makes me wonder why he picked that one. Drugs like Klonopin and Xanax are far more potent (and Xanax is thought to have some mild antidepressant activity). Did he pick Librium because it sounds like lithium or what? Doctors don't tend to prescribe lithium unless it is absolutely necessary these days because its a relatively complicated drug to take (controling blood levels and salt intake and so on). It is usually very good for Bipolar I patients with euphoric mania but it can also be quite toxic and doctors prefer to avoid it when they can, especially when its not likely to be effective like in unipolar depression.
Benzos are not likely to augment Paxil as far as depression goes, especially if it has pooped out. You might try another AD (Effexor, Wellbutrin, Remeron, Elavil, Nardil, etc...)or anti-convulsants like Neurontin or Depakote who are also (somewhat) effective for anxiety.Good nickname by the way. Very hmm... humble.
poster:Else
thread:71823
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010725/msgs/71837.html