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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jujube on November 9, 2004, at 12:33:48
In the reading I have been doing on Anafranil, I came across something that said that Anafranil interacts with Vitamin C and tobacco. It stated that tobacco could reduce TCA blood levels. Does this mean that a smoker would need a higher dose in order for it to be effective? Also, does anyone know what the problem with Vitamin C is? Does it have something to do with histamine? Finally, asprin seems to be a potential problem, but would Tylenol be ok?
Sorry I am being a bit neurotic about this one, but I just want to make sure I have all my facts straight before I start taking it.
Thanks.
Tamara
Posted by dove on November 10, 2004, at 9:50:47
In reply to Anafranil - Interactions, posted by jujube on November 9, 2004, at 12:33:48
Vit C in the stomach and digestive system at the same time as a TCA will reduce its effectiveness. So, don't down your pill with a big glass of orange juice.
Tylenol is just fine to take with it.
And lastly, as I have asked my G-doc and my P-doc about the TCA/tobacco interaction, two different opinions. One is yes, it takes more to be effective and the other is no, it takes less because the active metabolites circulate longer, and are not processed as quickly or as efficiently.
Either way, the interaction is supposedly *very* mild (both doc's opinions).
Hopefully, someone else can answer that last more definitively.
dove
Posted by jujube on November 10, 2004, at 9:59:48
In reply to Re: Anafranil - Interactions, posted by dove on November 10, 2004, at 9:50:47
Thanks Dove. I take between 2000 mg - 3000 mg of Vitamin C during the day. I don't want to have to stop taking it, particularly since the winter will soon be upon us. I will be taking the Anafanil at night, so it will be away from my Vitamin C intake. I do smoke, but perhaps taking the Anafranil will be incentive for me to quit (which I have been planning to do for a few months now).
Can I ask if you have ever used Anafranil? If so, what was your experience? Were the side effects really bad? Was there any cognitive impairment? As you can probably tell, I am a bit nervous about starting it. I have had the prescription for over a week, and still have not got up the nerve to start. I have heard that it is considered one of the best ADs of all time, but the side effects can be a bear.
Tamara
> Vit C in the stomach and digestive system at the same time as a TCA will reduce its effectiveness. So, don't down your pill with a big glass of orange juice.
>
> Tylenol is just fine to take with it.
>
> And lastly, as I have asked my G-doc and my P-doc about the TCA/tobacco interaction, two different opinions. One is yes, it takes more to be effective and the other is no, it takes less because the active metabolites circulate longer, and are not processed as quickly or as efficiently.
>
> Either way, the interaction is supposedly *very* mild (both doc's opinions).
>
> Hopefully, someone else can answer that last more definitively.
>
> dove
Posted by dove on November 11, 2004, at 8:23:03
In reply to Re: Anafranil - Interactions » dove, posted by jujube on November 10, 2004, at 9:59:48
> Can I ask if you have ever used Anafranil? If so, what was your experience? Were the side effects really bad? Was there any cognitive impairment? As you can probably tell, I am a bit nervous about starting it. I have had the prescription for over a week, and still have not got up the nerve to start. I have heard that it is considered one of the best ADs of all time, but the side effects can be a bear.
>
> Tamara
>
Hi there Tamara!Unfortunately, no, I have never taken Anafranil, but I have taken other TCAs, which is why I knew about the interactions. I have read a lot of good stuff about it, and it is suppose to be better than the sedating TCAs like Amitriptyline for obsessive compulsive disorders.
Maybe you should start another thread asking about cognitive impairment and what to expect during the first few weeks of initiation.
Good luck and sorry I couldn't be of more help!
dove
Posted by jujube on November 11, 2004, at 13:50:11
In reply to Re: Anafranil - Interactions » jujube, posted by dove on November 11, 2004, at 8:23:03
>
> > Can I ask if you have ever used Anafranil? If so, what was your experience? Were the side effects really bad? Was there any cognitive impairment? As you can probably tell, I am a bit nervous about starting it. I have had the prescription for over a week, and still have not got up the nerve to start. I have heard that it is considered one of the best ADs of all time, but the side effects can be a bear.
> >
> > Tamara
> >
>
>
> Hi there Tamara!
>
> Unfortunately, no, I have never taken Anafranil, but I have taken other TCAs, which is why I knew about the interactions. I have read a lot of good stuff about it, and it is suppose to be better than the sedating TCAs like Amitriptyline for obsessive compulsive disorders.
>
> Maybe you should start another thread asking about cognitive impairment and what to expect during the first few weeks of initiation.
>
> Good luck and sorry I couldn't be of more help!
>
> dove
>Thanks Dove. You were a tremendous help. If I can bother you with one more questions, could you tell me if you were told that Ginkgo interacted with TCAs? Thanks.
Tamara
Posted by KaraS on November 11, 2004, at 14:40:43
In reply to Anafranil - Interactions, posted by jujube on November 9, 2004, at 12:33:48
I believe that Anafranil is more serotonergic than most TCAs so I'm wondering if it is wise to generalize about the TCAs and apply that to Anafranil?
(really a question rather than a statement)
Posted by jujube on November 11, 2004, at 15:24:11
In reply to Re: Anafranil - don't compare to other TCAs???? » jujube, posted by KaraS on November 11, 2004, at 14:40:43
Thanks Kara. You are right. I think I was generalizing because I found a chart that listed interactions for TCAs as a category of ADs, not individually. Then again, I am just sooooo weary now that it just doesn't matter anymore. I'll just start the darn thing and stop obsessing about the stupid side effects. I just want to stop worrying so much about it and stop feeling so numb. Geez, I'm so pathetic. Sitting here with tears steaming down my face, yet too afraid to start a med that may help me feel better.
Tamara
> I believe that Anafranil is more serotonergic than most TCAs so I'm wondering if it is wise to generalize about the TCAs and apply that to Anafranil?
>
> (really a question rather than a statement)
Posted by KaraS on November 11, 2004, at 21:32:55
In reply to Re: Anafranil - don't compare to other TCAs???? » KaraS, posted by jujube on November 11, 2004, at 15:24:11
Tamara,
I am exactly the same way so I understand completely. These medications are scary. If you need to do all of this research before you feel comfortable enough to start on them, then you do it! It's better than popping pills indiscriminately. It may make the therapeutic response come later but that's the tradeoff.Kara
> Thanks Kara. You are right. I think I was generalizing because I found a chart that listed interactions for TCAs as a category of ADs, not individually. Then again, I am just sooooo weary now that it just doesn't matter anymore. I'll just start the darn thing and stop obsessing about the stupid side effects. I just want to stop worrying so much about it and stop feeling so numb. Geez, I'm so pathetic. Sitting here with tears steaming down my face, yet too afraid to start a med that may help me feel better.
>
>
> Tamara
>
>
> > I believe that Anafranil is more serotonergic than most TCAs so I'm wondering if it is wise to generalize about the TCAs and apply that to Anafranil?
> >
> > (really a question rather than a statement)
>
>
Posted by dove on November 12, 2004, at 8:39:34
In reply to Re: Anafranil - don't compare to other TCAs???? » jujube, posted by KaraS on November 11, 2004, at 21:32:55
Anafranil is definitely more serotonergic than most other TCAs, which is why it theoretically works better for OCDs.
And Gingko should be fine with it. Although, Gingko makes me feel nervous, so, if you are feeling that way during the first couple weeks of starting the Anafranil, maybe lessen the Gingko just for a bit.
dove
Posted by jujube on November 12, 2004, at 16:50:13
In reply to Re: Anafranil - don't compare to other TCAs????, posted by dove on November 12, 2004, at 8:39:34
Thanks Dove.
> Anafranil is definitely more serotonergic than most other TCAs, which is why it theoretically works better for OCDs.
>
> And Gingko should be fine with it. Although, Gingko makes me feel nervous, so, if you are feeling that way during the first couple weeks of starting the Anafranil, maybe lessen the Gingko just for a bit.
>
> dove
Posted by francesco on November 23, 2004, at 17:18:47
In reply to Re: Anafranil - don't compare to other TCAs???? » dove, posted by jujube on November 12, 2004, at 16:50:13
Ok, I don't know anything about tobacco and anafranil or vit c and anafranil but I have taken anafranil for several years for adhd-like problems. It worked very well for these issues, so, I don't think it generally causes cognitive impairment, it's considered a 'stimulant' AD for the brain part, even if can be sedating for the body part.
On the other side I found that SSRI do cause cognitive impairment (I tried five different SSRI and, with the exception of Prozac, they all worsened my adhd-like syntoms). By the way, Anafranil is the only thing I've ever tried that really works in improving my concentration and motivation.
Side effects: weight gain, diminishing of libido, delayed ejaculation and some loss of sensations in the genital zone, ... sedation usually fades with time even if the first days you can sleep like a rock for 12 hours, some nervousness it's possible, dry mouth ... I didn't find anyway that the physical side effects were unbearable, I barely noticed them the first time I was on it.
On the other side *I* had also psychological side effects: worsening of anxiety in the first weeks, depression (I'm not anxious and not depressed without meds), social isolation and lessening of emphathy and interest in others, sensation of distance toward the world. It changed completely my way of life, now I'm thinking about re-taking it because it made wonders for my adhd issue.
I'll likely to start again in a couple of weeks, feel free to ask and to share, pardon me for my weird english, I'm italian (and weird too ;-)
Posted by francesco on November 23, 2004, at 17:19:06
In reply to Re: Anafranil - don't compare to other TCAs???? » dove, posted by jujube on November 12, 2004, at 16:50:13
Ok, I don't know anything about tobacco and anafranil or vit c and anafranil but I have taken anafranil for several years for adhd-like problems. It worked very well for these issues, so, I don't think it generally causes cognitive impairment, it's considered a 'stimulant' AD for the brain part, even if can be sedating for the body part.
On the other side I found that SSRI do cause cognitive impairment (I tried five different SSRI and, with the exception of Prozac, they all worsened my adhd-like syntoms). By the way, Anafranil is the only thing I've ever tried that really works in improving my concentration and motivation.
Side effects: weight gain, diminishing of libido, delayed ejaculation and some loss of sensations in the genital zone, ... sedation usually fades with time even if the first days you can sleep like a rock for 12 hours, some nervousness it's possible, dry mouth ... I didn't find anyway that the physical side effects were unbearable, I barely noticed them the first time I was on it.
On the other side *I* had also psychological side effects: worsening of anxiety in the first weeks, depression (I'm not anxious and not depressed without meds), social isolation and lessening of emphathy and interest in others, sensation of distance toward the world. It changed completely my way of life, now I'm thinking about re-taking it because it made wonders for my adhd issue.
I'll likely to start again in a couple of weeks, feel free to ask and to share, pardon me for my weird english, I'm italian (and weird too ;-)
Posted by jujube on November 24, 2004, at 10:26:44
In reply to I had taken anafranil in the past and » jujube, posted by francesco on November 23, 2004, at 17:19:06
Thanks so much for the information. I started taking the Anafranil a little over a week ago, and am now up to 50 mg with no real adverse effects other than a little dizziness when standing up too quickly and a little dry mouth. I will probably see if I can increase the dose to 75 mg next week. I am glad to hear it works for ADD/ADHD, since I do have some ADHD problems although they are not too severe (mostly distractability, mild hyperactivity and poor concentration at times).
By the way, your written english is very, very good - not weird at all. I wish I wrote as well in my second language - French. I continue to improve in that area, but still have a way to go.
Take care, and good luck when you re-start Anafranil.
Tamara
Posted by francesco on November 26, 2004, at 18:20:49
In reply to Re: I had taken anafranil in the past and » francesco, posted by jujube on November 24, 2004, at 10:26:44
Thanks for keep posting about Anafranil's side effects Jujube. It seems that you tolerate Anafranil fair well. Of course my previous post was not specifically intentend for you, but, you know, distractability ;-)
This is the end of the thread.
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