Posted by mand on March 21, 2001, at 9:47:18
In reply to Re: Managing the side effects of antidepressants, posted by MA on February 28, 1999, at 23:35:20
> > Dear All
> >
> > Help! I have recently been asked to prepare a presentation for fellow psychiatrists on 'Managing the Side Effects of the Newer Antidepressants' (i.e. not older MAOIs or TCAs). Unfortunately there is no single source of information available. I am putting out a plea to all, professionals and patients, to let me know practical tips they know/have used to manage the side effects of venlafaxine, mirtazapine, the SSRIs, moclobemide and reboxetine.
> >
> > Cheers, Nick.
>
> The biggest tip I can offer is to recommend starting at a low dose, i.e. 10mg for Prozac and increasing slowly if not improvement is noted at that dose. Increase to the next level only when no response has occurred after a suitable period of time. This will vary according to half life of the drug and the size of the patient.
>
> If any significant side effects occur, drop the dosage slightly and wait to see if the side effects subside. Only increase the dsage again if there is no response to the drug and no substantial side effcts.
>
> Most of my drug failures, in retrospect, I believe were the result of a too large a starting dose and too rapid an advancement in dosing.
>
> hope this helps.I've been looking stuff up myself having had
problems coming off paxil and started venlafaxine.
There's not much solid help around but general
advice I picked up includes - drink lots of water
to avoid dehydration, cut back on caffeine, take
the dose at a regular time as much as possible and
try not to skip it, and most surprisingly vitamin
B complex is supposed to help boost the nervous
system. I couldn't figure out exactly why this
should work but it did. suddenly no nausea,
headaches,diziness etc. Life got back to normal,
which was good because the meds worked even if
the side effects were bad. Still,m If I forget
to take it until late or miss the vit B it plays
havoc and I end up sick and dizzy etc all over
again with the shakes really badly. I know loads
of people would love to know how to overcome
this so if you find out please let us know!!!!!!!
poster:mand
thread:3285
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010319/msgs/57055.html