Posted by Tony P on May 30, 2003, at 10:07:32
In reply to Anyone having problems sleeping?, posted by chasesmomma on May 28, 2003, at 23:20:52
I've used all of the following for A/D induced insomnia:
Imovane/Zopiclone (Rx) is fast, short acting, and less likely to develop tolerance/addiction than benzos (but can happen in long term use - I've gone from 7.5 to 15 mg over about 1.5 years).
Desyrel/Trazadone (Rx) works very well for most people and is safe in most combos, also has some additional A/D effect. It is longer acting than Zopiclone and feels more like just getting naturally sleepy. I find I develop some tolerance with regular use, but it is generally considered non-addictive (unlike benzos).
Serzone/Nefazodone (Rx) is a "daughter" of Trazodone - less long-acting, milder sleepiness, more A/D effect. I've seen some people post that it works OK with Effexor - haven't yet tried that combo myself.
Caution - if you have liver problems or history of such, both Trazodone and Serzone have recently been slated with a warning for causing liver damage. Moreover, they both are metabolized by the same liver pathway as Tylenol, DXM and many other common drugs, so there can be an additive effect, and that pathway has a ceiling on its total capacity above which serious damage can develop quite quickly. Some other meds can also adversely affect the control of the pathway. I was OK on Trazodone 100 mg. until I started Celexa as well, when I immediately began having liver symptoms - when I took the Traz, not the Celexa. Stopped the Celexa, the liver problem went away.
poster:Tony P
thread:229870
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030530/msgs/230194.html