Posted by bleauberry on March 19, 2009, at 16:40:12
In reply to Urine retention on maoi?, posted by Cseagraves on March 19, 2009, at 12:35:31
Easier to get bladder infections from urinary retention? Yes.
What causes it? Norepinephrine/adrenaline overstimulation of the alpha-1 receptors in the bladder, urinary tract, and prostate. MAOI will increase those hormones.
In Stahl's psychopharmacology book he suggests Tamsulosin (Flomax) to prevent that side effect. Flomax is an alpha-1 blocker with affinity mostly for the alpha-1 receptors in the urinary system more than the rest of the body or nervous system.
I had urinary retention real bad on Milnacipran. I had already decided for other reasons to stop Milnacipran, at least for the time being, but before I did I tried the lowest dose of Flomax. Indeed the urinary retention was completely cured within 24 hours.
I saw a pubmed study where the lowest dose was given to Reboxetine patients (NE reuptake inhibitor) for the urinary retention side effects, and it was 90% successful.
There are other alpha blockers as well.
Basically urinary retention is too much norepinephrine/adrenaline squeezing the muscles down there. Alpha blockers relax those muscles.
> What causes urine retention while on maoi's and what can you do to help it? Wouldn't urine retention cause you to get bladder infections easier?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Courtney
poster:bleauberry
thread:886076
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090313/msgs/886120.html