Posted by ed_uk on November 8, 2004, at 11:23:54
In reply to Re: The Forbidden Combination, posted by Squiggles on November 8, 2004, at 10:50:59
Hello squiggles!!!
No, I'm not a doctor I'm a pharmacy student!
You are absolutely right, Imipramine(Tofranil) is not an SSRI (*selective* serotonin reuptake inhibitor) but that's not what I said. Imipramine is, however, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It is not *selective* because it inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine as well: it is metabolised to desipramine. Imipramine can therefore be described as an inhibitor of serotonin *and* norepinephrine reuptake. As a result, the serotonin syndrome can occur if a person takes imipramine at the same time as an MAOI. I decided to mention imipramine(Tofranil), clomipramine(Anafranil) and venlafaxine(Effexor) because all of these drugs can inhibit the reuptake of serotonin.I have never taken this combination myself and I doubt that I ever will. My anxiety and depression are quite well controlled at the moment. I am interested in this combination because of the large number of people who suffer from treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. I would be very interested to hear whether anyone on psycho-babble has actually benefitted from this combination. The much feared SS does not occur in everone who dares to take it...
Here is some info from the textbook Stockley's drug interactions.....
........A very high incidence (25 to 50%) of adverse effects occurred in 12 patients taking fluoxetine/Prozac (10 to 100 mg daily) with either phenelzine/Nardil (30 to 60 mg daily) or tranylcypromine/Parnate (10 to 140 mg daily), and in 6 other patients started on either of these MAOIs 10 days or more after stopping the fluoxetine. There were mental changes such as hypomania, racing thoughts, agitation, restlessness and confusion. The physical symptoms included myoclonus, hypertension, tremor, teeth chattering and diarrhoea......I would like to work in the field of psychopharmacology in the future. I am particularly interested in depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety.
I am sure that someone will have an interesting experience to share... ace?
Please do not think that I am suggesting that anyone should take this combination of drugs. It is clearly very dangerous. I am simply interested to hear whether anyone has received this treatment in the past.
Squiggles, if you'd like me to get you any information about psychopharmacology I'll try my best. We have access most of the major medical journals in the university library.
All the best...
Ed
poster:ed_uk
thread:413243
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041108/msgs/413273.html