Posted by SalArmy4me on August 29, 2001, at 1:25:44
In reply to MAOIs and safety, posted by IanSFO on August 29, 2001, at 0:22:34
--I took Tranylcypromine for three months last year.
Dangerous?
Yes, there is a chance of a hypertensive crisis in which blood pressure increases so rapidly that a huge headache occurs. The chance of a hypertensive crisis from eating foods with tyramine is 6% from the last study done on it; modified to only 3% with the application of a special diet. These are pretty low percentages. But even if such a hypertensive crisis occurs, a simple dose of oral nifedipine will stop it immediately... The truth is that most hypertensive crises are mild, if they even occur.
Actually, there is more of a chance of _low_ blood pressure (orthostatic) with MAOIs than with the opposite. This may sound like a terrible illness, but it is merely annoying and does not cause any damage to the body. It may make you dizzy when you go from lying down to standing upright. It is easily remedied with a high sodium diet.
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Orthostatic-hypotension-on.html
If a first or second-line antidepressant fails for you, you should consider an MAOI (Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, or the now available isocarboxazid. MAOIs are the only medications that work on three chemicals in the brain at once: maximizing chances of relief.)A disadvantage of MAOIs is that they can have severe interactions with other medications. Sometimes a Serotonin Syndrome or Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome occurs. But to avoid such reactions, all you have to do is remember to ask your doctor before taking any medication with an MAOI. Or, you can use Dr. Koop's Drug Checker at www.drkoop.com.
MAOIs are perfectly safe, that is why they are still used after 40 years of existence. They just require that you get used to the idea of taking them and not erroneously think that they will kill you. Point in case: Nobody ever sees an article about someone dying from an MAOI in the paper.
Other stuff: http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Orthostatic-hypotension-on.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/MAOI-diet-update.htmlBlood & Fire: The Salvation Army USA West
poster:SalArmy4me
thread:76778
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010828/msgs/76783.html