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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shar on October 15, 2000, at 21:16:45
Brad's A.S.D. FAQ ...Alt.Support.Depression FAQ
Put into HTML form by me, Brad Judy.Note from Shar: I do not have copyright info on these data, so please do not use for quoting, etc.
Introduction
Alt.support.depression is a newsgroup for people who suffer from all forms of depression as well as others who may want to learn more about these disorders.
Much the information shared in this newsgroup comes from posters' experience as well as contributions by professionals in many fields.Below is a list of some of the more frequently prescribed antidepressants, and their most common side effects. The figure following each side effect is the
percentage of people taking the medication who experience that side effect.Aventyl... (nortriptyline): Dry mouth (15); Constipation (15); Weakness-fatigue (10); Tremor (10).
Effexor... (venlafaxine) Nausea (35); Headache (25); Sleepiness (25); Dry mouth (20); Insomnia (20); Constipation (15).Elavil... (amitriptyline): Dry mouth (40); Drowsiness (30); Weight gain (30); Constipation (25); Sweating (20).
Nardil... (phenelzine): dry mouth (30); insomnia (25); Increased heart rate (25); Lowered blood pressure (20); Sedation (15); Over stimulation (10)
Norpramin... (desipramine): dry mouth (15); increased pulse (15); constipation (10); reduced blood pressure (10).
Pamelor - see Aventyl
Parnate (tranylcypromine)... Dry mouth (20); Insomnia (20); Increased pulse rate (20); Lowered blood pressure (15); Over stimulation (15); Sedation (15).
Paxil (paroxetine)... Decreased sexual interest and/or problems achieving orgasm (30); Nausea (25); Sedation (25); Dizziness (15) Insomnia (15)
Prozac (fluoxetine)... Decreased sexual interest and/or problems achieving orgasm (30); Nausea (20); Headache (20); Nervousness (15); Insomnia (15); Diarrhea (15).
Sinequan (doxepin)... Dry mouth (40); Sedation (40); Weight gain (30); Lowered blood pressure (25); Constipation (25); Sweating (20).
Tofranil (imipramine)... Dry mouth (30), Reduced blood pressure (30), Constipation (20), Difficulty with urination (15).
Wellbutrin (bupropion): Agitation (30); Weight loss (25), Dizziness (20); Decreased appetite (20);
Zoloft (sertraline): Decreased sexual interest and/or problems achieving orgasm (30);Nausea (25); Headache (20); Diarrhea (20); Insomnia 15); Dry mouth (15);
Sedation (15).
Posted by shar on October 15, 2000, at 21:29:13
In reply to Some Specific Meds and their Side Effects , posted by shar on October 15, 2000, at 21:16:45
> Brad's A.S.D. FAQ...Alt.Support.Depression FAQ
> Put into HTML form by me, Brad Judy.
>
> Note from Shar: I do not have copyright info on these data, so please do not use for quoting, etc. Also, I have not personally researched these recommendations.
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Listed below are some frequent side effects of antidepressants, and some techniques to reduce their severity:Dry mouth: Drink lots of water, chew sugarless gum, clean teeth daily, ask the dentist to suggest a fluoride rinse to prevent cavities, visit the dentist more often than usual for tooth and gum hygiene
Constipation: Drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of water every day, eat bran cereals, eat salads twice a day, exercise daily (walk for at least 30 minutes a day), ask your doctor about taking a bulk producing agent such as Metamucil,
also ask about taking a stool softener such as Colace, be sure to avoid laxatives such as Ex-Lax.
Bladder problems: The effects of some antidepressants, especially the tricyclic
medications may make it difficult for you to start the stream of urine. There may be some hesitation between the time you try to urinate and the time your urine starts to flow. If it takes you over 5-minutes to start the stream, call your doctor.
Blurred vision: The tricyclic antidepressants may make it difficult for you to read. Distant vision is usually unaffected. If reading is important to you the effects of the antidepressant can be compensated for by a change in glasses. As
you may compensate for the change in your vision, try to postpone getting new glasses as long as possible.
Dizziness: Dizziness when getting out of bed or when standing up from a chair, or when climbing stairs may be a problem when taking tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Changing posture slowly may help prevent this
kind of dizziness. Drinking adequate amounts of liquid and eating enough salt each day is important. Be sure to speak to your doctor if this side-effect is severe.
Drowsiness: This side effect often passes as you get used to taking the antidepressant that has been prescribed for you. Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to increase your intake of caffeine, and if so, by how much. If you are drowsy be sure not to drive or operate dangerous machinery.Sexual side effects.
Both lowered sexual desire and difficulties having an orgasm, in both men and women, are particularly a problem with the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Luvox), and the monoamine oxidase
inhibitors (Nardil and Parnate).There is no treatment for decreased sexual
interest except lowering the dose or switching to a drug that does not have sexual side effects such as bupropion (Wellbutrin).Difficulty having orgasms may be treated by a number of medications. Among those medications are: Periactin, Urecholine, and Symmetrel. None of these are over-the-counter drugs and they must be prescribed by a physician. Unfortunately, many psychiatrists are not familiar with using these medications to treat the sexual side-effects of antidepressants.
Posted by JohnL on October 16, 2000, at 4:22:35
In reply to Some suggested solutions for Side Effects , posted by shar on October 15, 2000, at 21:29:13
Other solutions not listed that are sometimes helpful (gathered from Dr Bob's Tips, my own doc, personal experience, and other medical resources on the net)Sexual side effects: (as needed)
Gingko biloba herb (high dose, at least a month)
Yohimbe herb
Ritalin
Bromocriptine
Serzone, either as monotherapy or as an add-on
Remeron, either as monotherapy or as an add-on
Buspar, clinically shown to be most helpful to women, not so much with men
Prozac is the least sexual offender in its class, and is worth comparing if it hasn't been triedAnticholinergic side effects (dry mouth, blurred vision, slow urination, etc):
My doc prescribed me a cholinergic enhancing medication to counter these side effects when I was on Nortriptyline. I can't remember the drug's name. ??? It isn't common, but it sure works.Drowsiness that doesn't go away: (small dose add-ons)
Small dose Protriptyline
Small dose Desipramine
Small dose Wellbutrin
Ritalin
Adderall
Dexedrine
Adrafinil
If on SSRIs, try switching to ProzacInsomnia: (small dose add-ons)
Serzone
Remeron
Clomipramine
Nortriptyline
Xanax
Ambien
Zyprexa
StelazineAs with all possible lists of remedies, mileage will vary. (Darn! I hate that part!)
It's also worth mentioning that sometimes side effects are completely eliminated by just switching to another med within the same class. Prozac for example in a review of clinical studies shows the least amount of sexual side effects in its class, and actually has shown a significant amount of sexual enhancing benefits instead. Or for example if someone is too sedated on Paxil or Effexor, a switch to Prozac or Zoloft might be better, as these are usually more activating.
John
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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