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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SalArmy4me on August 3, 2001, at 8:55:14
Pierre, Joseph M. MD. Guze, Barry H. MD. Benztropine for Venlafaxine-Induced Night Sweats. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 20(2):269, April 2000:
"The mechanism of venlafaxine-induced sweating is unclear, but presumably involves increased norepinephrine, stimulating both the preganglionic sympathetic cholinergic fibers innervating the sweat glands and the subpopulation of [beta]-adrenergic receptors on the glands themselves.3 Ms. B.'s initial relief provided by benztropine is consistent with cholinergic blockade in the sweat glands, as suggested in a previously reported case of benztropine for venlafaxine-induced sweating.4 Ms. B.'s eventual development of tolerance to benz-tropine may represent inadequate cholinergic blockade to counter the noradrenergic effects of several weeks of venlafaxine dosed at 375 mg/day. One wonders whether an increase in her low dose of benztropine would have been helpful. Despite her sensitivity to the side effects of both benztropine (dry mouth) and venlafaxine (night sweats), which ultimately prompted a switch to another antidepressant altogether, benztropine seemed to have a temporizing benefit for Ms. B. that enabled her to tolerate several weeks of receiving a maximal dose of venlafaxine. The addition of benz-tropine for venlafaxine-induced night sweats may therefore facilitate administration of venlafaxine at potentially therapeutic doses for patients with this side effect..."
Posted by Cam W. on August 3, 2001, at 10:01:31
In reply to Benztropine for Effexor Night Sweats, posted by SalArmy4me on August 3, 2001, at 8:55:14
The only problem with benztropine is the cognitive problems that it can commonly cause. I find that for occasional night sweats wearing light cotton pyjamas (or t-shirt and sweat pants) help. Keep a dry set beside the bed, as well as a large towel. Also, one can sleep on a thick towel, so you are not constantly having to wash the sheets.
- Cam
Posted by kid_A on August 3, 2001, at 12:18:24
In reply to Re: Benztropine for Effexor Night Sweats, posted by Cam W. on August 3, 2001, at 10:01:31
> The only problem with benztropine is the cognitive problems that it can commonly cause. I find that for occasional night sweats wearing light cotton pyjamas (or t-shirt and sweat pants) help. Keep a dry set beside the bed, as well as a large towel. Also, one can sleep on a thick towel, so you are not constantly having to wash the sheets.
>
> - CamSo, night sweats can occur just as a side effect? It occured again for me the other night and I attributed it to missing a dose (I really need to get some sort of system down where I can tell if I've taken my medication or not)... at about 4:30 in the am I'll wake up drenched....
Posted by Simcha on August 3, 2001, at 14:22:33
In reply to Re: Benztropine for Effexor Night Sweats, posted by kid_A on August 3, 2001, at 12:18:24
Kid,
I'm terrified of missing a dose.. Then again, I'm slightly compulsive so take what you like and leave the rest. ;-)
I bought a pillbox that splits my dosages for every day of the week. I fill this box on Saturday afternoons. Once the meds from a day have disappeared from their proper portion of the box, I know I've taken my meds for that day.
They also have boxes that split the days of the week and am and pm slots. (I hope to never need one of those. ;-) )
I carry an extra day's dose around in a small pillbox in my pocket just in case I end up somewhere where I can't get home to my larger box for the next day's dosage.
Well, I let you into my little compulsively organized world.... Like I said.. Take what you like and leave the rest. ;-)
> > The only problem with benztropine is the cognitive problems that it can commonly cause. I find that for occasional night sweats wearing light cotton pyjamas (or t-shirt and sweat pants) help. Keep a dry set beside the bed, as well as a large towel. Also, one can sleep on a thick towel, so you are not constantly having to wash the sheets.
> >
> > - Cam
>
> So, night sweats can occur just as a side effect? It occured again for me the other night and I attributed it to missing a dose (I really need to get some sort of system down where I can tell if I've taken my medication or not)... at about 4:30 in the am I'll wake up drenched....
Posted by Elizabeth on August 3, 2001, at 19:02:21
In reply to Benztropine for Effexor Night Sweats, posted by SalArmy4me on August 3, 2001, at 8:55:14
Yeah, anticholinergic drugs are the only thing that seems to help with excessive sweating (other than botulin toxin, which seems to be overkill). Unfortunately, they often have a lot of nasty side effects.
Benadryl [diphenhydramine] might be helpful too, and it's over-the-counter (unlike Cogentin).
-elizabeth
This is the end of the thread.
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