Posted by mtdewcmu on May 7, 2011, at 10:02:42
In reply to Re: Pseudoephedrine (sudafed) » mtdewcmu, posted by deepreason on May 7, 2011, at 9:31:41
> > > Id look into desipramine. The NRI effects did wonders for my chronic sinus congestion. The antihistamine effects helped with allergies too.
> > > Not usually a strong antidepressant, but a good pain reliever with some added bonuses if you have allergies.
> >
> > That's an interesting way to use desipramine. Maybe it should be the new gold standard for chronic allergies.
>
> My mother suffers from chronic sinus pain, back pain and allergies. Her doctor previously tried her on Amitryptaline but no luck.
>
> As far as I can see Desipramine / Norpramin / Pertofane don't exist in the UK. I can't find them in the BNF (British national formulary) prescribing guide. Can anyone recommend what would be the next closest relation drug wise that might work on sinus pain, back pain and allergies?
>I haven't heard of doctors deliberately prescribing antidepressants for their side benefits on allergies and sinus problems. I have heard of doxepin seeing some use as an antihistamine, but that's it. For sinus problems, topical drugs are typically the most potent. Nasal steroids like Flonase (or equivalent generics) are worth a try, and oxymetazoline nose spray (Afrin) is a very strong decongestant. There is also NasalCrom, which is ok if she can't tolerate steroids, and Astelin and Patanase, which are antihistamines. If she has itchy eyes, I use Opticrom, which I actually have to order from the UK, or there are other effective eye drops by prescription.
As far as systemic drugs, as far as I know, there is nothing stronger than pseudoephedrine as a decongestant. For antihistamines, there are the non-drowsy ones, Zyrtec, Allegra, and Claritin, and if those fail, I think most doctors would recommend diphenhydramine (Benadryl) next if she can tolerate it. There are a bunch of prescription antihistamines, but I don't know that they work any better. I guess doxepin may make the list, as I think it's one of the most potent antihistamines known.
Has your mother seen an allergy specialist?
Not a doctor. Contact a doctor for medical advice.
20mg citalopram, 40mg d-amphetamine, 15mg mirtazapine, 300mg bupropion
dx: chronic MDD, probable ADHD (inattentive)
poster:mtdewcmu
thread:942830
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110502/msgs/984781.html