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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jan on March 25, 1999, at 7:28:31
Hi all. My Dr wants to put me on Tegretol for major depression. Anyone taking it for depression? I've read all I can about the drug, but it doesn't mention anything about that drug being prescribed for depression only. I do not respond at all to anti-depressant meds, so he is trying this as an alternative. Any feedback ( good or bad ) will be greatly appriciated.Thanks ( in advance )
Jan
Posted by HooWha on March 25, 1999, at 15:03:05
In reply to Tegretol (Carbamazepine) for depression??, posted by Jan on March 25, 1999, at 7:28:31
>
> Hi all. My Dr wants to put me on Tegretol for major depression. Anyone taking it for depression? I've read all I can about the drug, but it doesn't mention anything about that drug being prescribed for depression only. I do not respond at all to anti-depressant meds, so he is trying this as an alternative. Any feedback ( good or bad ) will be greatly appriciated.
>
> Thanks ( in advance )
>
> JanHi Jan,
I'm not a doctor, or professional of any sort,
and this is just what I'd guessing from what I've
read around the 'net. So, with a big lump of
salt --There could be two reasons (or more); tegretol
is a mood stabilizer with some anti-depressant
effect also. So your doc might think
you're "slightly" bipolar (which could, I think,
cause the anti-d's not to work). The other
reason could be that just in his or her
accumulated wisdom he or she knows that sometimes
it works when people are treatment resistant.
I'm dysthymic, with major spells, and my doc
has me on lamictal, which also is a stabilizer
with anti-depressant effects, because
anti-depresssants haven't worked for me, either.
So maybe that's how they usually do it?? (I have
no idea)Anyway, I know the med merry-go-round can be
tough -- good luck.-HooWha
Posted by Elizabeth on March 26, 1999, at 3:22:46
In reply to Re: Tegretol (Carbamazepine) for depression??, posted by HooWha on March 25, 1999, at 15:03:05
> > Hi all. My Dr wants to put me on Tegretol for major depression. Anyone taking it for depression? I've read all I can about the drug, but it doesn't mention anything about that drug being prescribed for depression only. I do not respond at all to anti-depressant meds, so he is trying this as an alternative. Any feedback ( good or bad ) will be greatly appriciated.
Hi Jan. Some speculations....
It's certainly a possible alternative to standard antidepressants, but it's pretty far down on the list usually. (It seems to work about 50% of the time instead of the 70-80% for traditional antidepressants. Still pretty good though.)
Do you know if you have any other diagnoses besides depression? (There are other disorders that can look like depression for which Tegretol is sometimes used, as well as manic-depression.) If not, maybe since you haven't responded to treatments that normally work for depression, other diagnoses have been considered? (Often happens with "refractory" depression.)
Why not just ask your doctor why Tegretol? I'm sure people here would be interested to know as well, since we can only speculate.
Posted by Carol on March 31, 1999, at 16:20:42
In reply to Re: Tegretol (Carbamazepine) for depression??, posted by Elizabeth on March 26, 1999, at 3:22:46
> > > Hi all. My Dr wants to put me on Tegretol for major depression. Anyone taking it for depression? I've read all I can about the drug, but it doesn't mention anything about that drug being prescribed for depression only. I do not respond at all to anti-depressant meds, so he is trying this as an alternative. Any feedback ( good or bad ) will be greatly appriciated.
>
Jan,
At my last job, the woman who worked for me was epileptic, but also had a history of depression, and I think some manic periods. She was controlling her seizures with the Tegretol, but she said that it was also very useful in controlling her mood swings. Anecdotal evidence, but SHE said it worked, and I never experienced her without Tegretol.Carol
Posted by cindy on April 24, 2000, at 23:20:52
In reply to Re: Tegretol (Carbamazepine) for depression??, posted by cindy on April 24, 2000, at 22:38:36
Jan,
Obviously Tegratol can be used as an antidepressant because research noted that metabolyte carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide does have
antidepressant activities,is chemically related
and patients can show cross sensitivity.
Pharmacology: It is an iminostilbene derivative
chemically related to the tricylic antidepressants.
Cross sensitivity and/or related problems: patients who are sensitive to tricylic antidepressants may be sensitive to Tegratol.
RE: Laboratory test handbook 3rd edition
http://www.pharmaceuticals.tm/carbamazepine.htm
I share this info with you due to some unpleasant
experiences while being treated in ER. I do not nor have I ever taken antidepressants, however my
lab work showed this chemical. I was treated as if I were a lier and humiliated by hospital personnel. I have to prove this by researching the
internet and seeking help from various resources.
The physicians I have been dealing with must not
be aware of this and needs to be so others will not have to go through what I have. My Doc wants to change my meds and is requiring me to have labs
performed to see if tricylics are still presant, in other words...there is still a doubt?
Your doctor seems to be educated and this info is for you to research and answer your question.
Good Luck and I hope you have excellant results
Posted by Seth on June 27, 2000, at 20:01:46
In reply to Re: Tegretol (Carbamazepine) for depression??, posted by cindy on April 24, 2000, at 23:20:52
All, I've got something of an inside out situation. My doctor has prescribed tegretol for seizures, and she believes that the tricyclic antidepressent I am taking (Doxepin) may be a contributing factor (to the seizures; all tricyclics list this as a possible effect, to wit, reduction of the seizure threshhold). There is apparently some evidence that Tegretol can be effective for depression. However Tegretol *reduces* the effectiveness of Doxepin and other tricyclics. I don't know exactly what to make of all this. Just to make the discussion even more confusing.
This is the end of the thread.
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