Posted by hildi on July 4, 2002, at 14:19:21
In reply to Re: Repeated short-term use of buspirone?, posted by Fuscia on July 1, 2002, at 12:22:07
> Hi Flopka,
>
> More than likely not. In my thinking, this just might be a better way to take one of the SSRI's, Tricyclics, Effexor, Wellbutrin, BuSpar, Remeron, or Serzone. This would avoid drug poop out. The brain sees any foreign substance that affects it as a toxin and tries as hard as it might to counteract the effects of a drug's action. Eventually poop-out often results as the brain readjusts. Other factors are involved, but mainly what is called "down-regulation". All the transmitters must be in balance. You manipulate this fine balance through brain chemical altering drugs, and as a result, increases in one brain chemical through selectivety can cause a decrease of another, which can increase another. For instance, by increasing serotonin, dopamine usually decreases, which in turn can increase prolactin, which can decrease testosterone. It's the domino effect.
>
> Firstly, drug manufacturers know a patient will continue to take a medicine more regularly if they take it daily - easy to remember to take your med, whereas once every other month or so has the chance that many will not go back on the med, or not take it regularly. The pharmaceutical companies wouldn't make as much money, for certain!
>
> A good example of the pluses of off and on dosing concerns amino acid supplements and ginseng. These may be available over the counter, but they are powerful substances and should be taken seriously. Researchers advise one not take singular amino acid supplements for long periods of time. A good rule to follow is to alternate between the individual amino acids that fit ones needs and back them up with an amino acid complex, taking the supplements for two months and then discontinuing them for two months. Moderation is the key with these substances. Some amino acids have potentially toxic effects when taken in high doses and may cause neurological damage. In Russia the approach to using ginseng is to take it for fifteen to twenty days, followed by a rest period for two weeks. These precautions are taken so as to keep the body from becoming desensitised, as it were, from long term use. Long term use can result in the body having a difficult time remembering how to synthesise and manufacturer chemicals and other bodily actions on its own, as these substances effect all sorts of bodily functions.
>
> I've read that for a bi-polar patient taking lithium for mania, that if the lithium is discontinued too soon as happens quite often due to annoying side effects, that the patient doesn't respond to lithium when it is restarted for a manic episode, and can actually result in a more difficult to treat manic episodes. It is not fully understood why this occurs.
>
> It is an interesting thought, and should be taken on by researchers to find the answers. I have heard of PreMenstrual Syndrome patients taking a SSRI for two weeks prior to the start of their period. I don't know if this is more effective than daily dosing. Also, monthly or weekly alternating of a drug can depend on the drugs half life. Prozac for instance has a secondary metabolite that can last in the body for roughly 5 weeks. That's a long time! Even this secondary metabolite can have antidepressant/antianxiety effects. I for one take Prozac by E.L. 20mg capsule twice a week and it works very well for me (I may have borderline personality disorder or bi-polar, doc still diagnosing me - Zoloft, Celexa, and Wellbutrin didn't work well for me). Anyway, Prozac's major metabolite can last in the body for 100 hours. Who needs Weekly Prozac!
>
> Thanks for the interesting question.
>
> Take care, Fuscia
Hi Fuscia. What do you mean you take prozac by E.L.? What is EL? Also, you mentioned taking it only twice a week- you do not feel any strange effects like the med leaving your system? If you take more often than this do you feel side effects of the prozac? Just wondering . . . trying to figure out correct dosage of meds for me and since discovering PB I am learning that a lot of people, besides me, seem to do better on less, rather than more (which is what my pdoc alway recommends-more)
Hildi
poster:hildi
thread:111095
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020628/msgs/111394.html