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Re: Allergy meds, antibiotics = depression??

Posted by Cindylou on May 11, 2001, at 22:06:59

In reply to Re: Allergy meds, antibiotics = depression?? » Sunnely, posted by SalArmy4me on May 11, 2001, at 21:40:59

Thank you all for your responses.

I think it may be even MORE than 10% -- in talking with my nutritionist (who's medically trained, not a "quack") she told me that she has had several people tell her of depression and anxiety during the use of Claritin and Allegra, including her own brother.

There may not be any rhyme or reason to it, but I don't believe it's all in my head, or all in the heads of my N's clients. Also, she said these reactions aren't noted by the drug companies for several reasons -- the reactions have to be recorded in psychiatrists' notes, for one ... Also, many people may not report the depression as a reaction because they, too, can't "fathom" that the two could be related.

I know there must be others out there reading this post who have experienced this.

Thanks again, and thank you Sunnely for your support on this.

-cindy

> 10%? I have it listed as "the following adverse events have been reported in at least _one_ patient in loratadine clinical trials in adult and pediatric patients...Psychiatric: anxiety, depression." So that would make it less than 1%. http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/lorat_ad.htm
>
> > Hi Cindy,
> >
> > The possibility exists. During clinical trials, up to 10% of loratadine (Claritin) users reported anxiety and depression. Theoretically, the combination of Claritin and certain antibiotics may further increase the risk of anxiety and depression.
> >
> > Claritin is metabolized by the liver enzyme CYP3A4. Some of the antibiotics are marked inhibitors of this enzyme and if combined with Claritin, may decrease the clearance of Claritin from the system, leading to increase in blood level and subsequent increase in side effects. These antibiotics include erythromycin, clarithromycin (Biaxin), and azithromycin (Zithromax). Other drugs that are potent inhibitors of CYP3A4 include nefazodone (Serzone), the antifungal drugs such as ketoconazole (Nizoral) and itraconazole (Sporanox); ritonavir (Norvir), a protease inhibitor for HIV/AIDS treatment; some of the calcium channel blockers (e.g., Cardizem). Grapefruit juice is also a potent inhibitor of this liver enzyme, so might as well avoid it.
> >
> > Fortunately, above-mentioned drug-drug interactions do not lead to life-threatening reaction unlike the now-banned antihistamines such as terfenadine (Seldane) and astemizole (Hismanal). There were over 100 sudden deaths reported due to interactions between Seldane or Hismanal and drugs that potently inhibit CYP3A4. On a related note, due to similar deadly interaction (about 80 deaths reported), cisapride (Propulsid), a one-time popular drug for GERD, was voluntary removed from the market by its manufacturer.
> >
> > ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> >
> > > Hi,
> > > I know this may sound crazy, but has anyone experienced depressive episodes while taking a prescription allergy medication such as Claritin or Allegra? This has happened to me on a few occasions; the depression seems to be directly linked to the allergy med. ????? Any other experiences like this? Or information?
> > >
> > > ALSO, do antibiotics cause depression, or override antidepressant meds?
> > >
> > > Thanks for your help!
> > > -cindy


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poster:Cindylou thread:62390
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010507/msgs/62560.html