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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Preps on June 18, 2011, at 16:33:47
Hi,
Just wondered if anyone could help. I have been on Zoloft (sertraline in the UK) for a while and although it works really well for my OCD I am on 150mg's and at this dose I find it really hard to loose weight and have a massively reduced libido. I tried to reduce to 100mgs a while ago and noticed a significant reduction in those side effects at the lower dose, but my OCD was really bad, so I had to increase the dose.
Does anyone know of any thing that could be combined with Sertraline, so that I could take it at 100mgs with the addition of another medication and it would have the same effect. I have taken loads of anti-depp and they all seem to have the same effects for me at high doses.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 18, 2011, at 18:24:33
In reply to Anyone know of a combo taken with Zoloft/Sertralin, posted by Preps on June 18, 2011, at 16:33:47
Sertraline can be easily combined with reboxetine (edronax), a noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor.
It doosts the antidepressant effect, and doesnt cause weight gain (it can actualy case weight loss). It is activating can help improve social functioning.
I take Zoloft 100mg each morning, and Edronax 4mg twice a day.
I'd say it would be well worth asking your doctor for a trial.
Posted by Christ_empowered on June 18, 2011, at 18:43:41
In reply to Re: Anyone know of a combo taken with Zoloft/Sertralin, posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 18, 2011, at 18:24:33
BuSpar (buspirone), maybe? Not a good anti-anxiety drug in its own right, but its sometimes used to boost antidepressants. I think that was a more common strategy before docs starting putting everybody and their mother on "atypical" antipsychotics.
I would say bupropion, but I don't think docs are supposed to Rx that for psychiatric issues in the UK. I could be wrong though.
There's always a low dose neuroleptic. Aripiprazole, for instance. I think they use low-dose flupenthixol in the UK, but I don't know if that's supposed to be used alone or if it can be used to boost other treatments.
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on June 19, 2011, at 0:41:42
In reply to Re: Anyone know of a combo taken with Zoloft/Sertralin, posted by Christ_empowered on June 18, 2011, at 18:43:41
CE didn't know that about buspar thought antianxiety? Phillipa
Posted by Preps on June 19, 2011, at 3:30:33
In reply to Re: Anyone know of a combo taken with Zoloft/Sertralin, posted by Christ_empowered on June 18, 2011, at 18:43:41
Thanks for your suggestions. I will mention them to the doctor. I have taken Buspar before, but in the UK they will only perscribe it four up to four weeks, which is annoying as it works well.
Unfortunately bupropion isn't licensed in the UK, which is annoying as it seems to be really good for not putting on weight and not reducing libido.
Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic, it says it can be used to augment antidepressants, I will mention this to the doctor.
Thanks for your suggestions.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 19, 2011, at 5:32:41
In reply to Re: Anyone know of a combo taken with Zoloft/Sertralin, posted by Preps on June 19, 2011, at 3:30:33
Preps - ask your doctor about Edronax, it serves a similar purpose in the UK (and Australia) an bupropion does in the US, an activating adjunct to SSRI's
Usual dose is 4mg twice a day, no weight gain, and often weight loss
I take 100mg sertraline in the morning, and edronax twice a day, for treatment resistant depression and panic disorder.
Posted by Preps on June 19, 2011, at 16:15:20
In reply to Re: Anyone know of a combo taken with Zoloft/Sertralin, posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 19, 2011, at 5:32:41
Thanks Jono, I will mention that. It is called Roboxetine in the UK I think. Do you find it works well together?
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 20, 2011, at 18:18:07
In reply to Re: Anyone know of a combo taken with Zoloft/Sertralin, posted by Preps on June 19, 2011, at 16:15:20
I do - I found it extremely helpful for both depression and panic disorder.
Hitting both neurotransmitters at once seems to be the "one two " knockout punch for depression.
The only side effect I have noticed with reboxetine is a bit of a dry mouth, and in the early days, it took me longer to start peeing.
Both side effects got better over a few weeks.
Posted by Preps on June 22, 2011, at 16:41:53
In reply to Re: Anyone know of a combo taken with Zoloft/Sertralin, posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 20, 2011, at 18:18:07
Thanks for your advice. I know Luvox and Clompramine are good for OCD, but I have always been put off using Tricyclic Antidepressants, they seem a bit more scary in terms of side effects.
I have got on well with Buspar before, but in England it's only perscribed for a maximum of a month.
Posted by creepy on June 28, 2011, at 23:02:58
In reply to Anyone know of a combo taken with Zoloft/Sertralin, posted by Preps on June 18, 2011, at 16:33:47
Im on 150mg of sertaline too. Supposed to be taking 150mg wellbutrin too but the stuff does a number on my anxiety levels so I havent refilled it. I dont miss it much, honestly.
You could ask about adding wellbutrin and see if it helps. It goes have a slight conflict at CYP2d6 I think, but the effective dose isnt much higher.The drugs that usually seem to work best with regards to weight loss are simulant types like amphetamine or wellbutrin. some folks get a big reduction in appetite on topamax but it isnt a fun drug to take. I might resort to it if my health was in jeopardy due to obesity though.
Posted by preps on June 29, 2011, at 6:27:43
In reply to Re: Anyone know of a combo taken with Zoloft/Sertralin, posted by creepy on June 28, 2011, at 23:02:58
Hi,
I really like Sertraline, it has worked really well for my OCD. When I tried to reduce the dose to 100mgs I noticed I started to lose weight, but felt really ill, so had to increase it. It's really annoying that Welbrutrin isn't perscribed in England, as it seems a really good drug. Might be able to combine a small dose of Clompramine with Sertraline, not sure though. I will speak to my doctor on the 7th July when I have an appointment with him.
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