Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 7989

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Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort

Posted by Mary Murphy on June 29, 1999, at 11:04:25

I have been on 100mg of Zoloft for a year, previous to that I was on Prozac
for 4 years. I have gained 50 lbs. during this period of time. I received
information that St. John's Wort and pantothenic acid
would help me to lose the weight that I gained. My
doctor doesn't want me to take these drugs in combination
because he says that I might suffer from something
called serotonin syndrome.
I am really anxious to lose weight, so I am considering
stopping the Zoloft and only taking the other medicine.
Any advice?

 

Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort

Posted by saintjames on June 29, 1999, at 13:15:49

In reply to Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort, posted by Mary Murphy on June 29, 1999, at 11:04:25

> I have been on 100mg of Zoloft for a year, previous to that I was on Prozac
> for 4 years. I have gained 50 lbs. during this period of time. I received
> information that St. John's Wort and pantothenic acid
> would help me to lose the weight that I gained. My
> doctor doesn't want me to take these drugs in combination
> because he says that I might suffer from something
> called serotonin syndrome.
> I am really anxious to lose weight, so I am considering
> stopping the Zoloft and only taking the other medicine.
> Any advice?

James here....

Listen to your doc, he is right. You are risking
serious problems if you mix the 2.

james

 

Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort

Posted by JohnL on June 29, 1999, at 16:21:25

In reply to Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort, posted by Mary Murphy on June 29, 1999, at 11:04:25


I've heard reports of this combo being OK. Personally I found it to be not OK. Very uncomfortable as it caused a VERY panicky butterflies-in-the-stomach kind of feeling. It is best to keep your doc in the decision-making process. Besides, StJohns probably won't cause much weight loss.

Wellbutrin goes well with Zoloft, is a very common add-on, and is known for appetite suppression and weight loss. If the Zoloft isn't working at all, Wellbutrin by itself might do the trick. But the combo works well, maybe better than either alone. You might try slowly adding in Wellbutrin, then slowly decreasing Zoloft after a while, and with a little luck find your sweet spot (no pun intended) where you feel good and lose weight both. Same strategy is often done with stimulants like Ritalin. Very common. Just food (again, no pun intended) for thought. Best to you. JohnL.

 

Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort

Posted by Mary M on June 30, 1999, at 7:20:52

In reply to Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort, posted by JohnL on June 29, 1999, at 16:21:25

John L,thanks for the advice,the weight thing for me is a very heavy problem(no pun intended). Yesterday I stopped the Zoloft and now I'm taking 2 300mg tablets of Seritol (St. John's Wort) and pantothenic acid (a vitamin B-type product). I know all this sounds foolish, particularly since my doctor is against it. But I think I've got to do something. My reaction so far has been dry mouth and dizziness, I'm hoping for a drop in my weight in the next few days. I feel good (not depressed) Thanks, for your input.
>

 

Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort

Posted by nancy on June 30, 1999, at 13:09:01

In reply to Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort, posted by Mary Murphy on June 29, 1999, at 11:04:25

i can't say from personal experience how well you may do going from an antidepressant to the sole use of st. john's wort. but, i did try this interesting herb for a few months, as recommended in literature covering its use, before relenting to the knowledge that my depression was continuing to worsen.

have you, also, read that this herb is only effective in the mild to moderate forms of depression? i thought that was what i later discovered with reading more information. Also, i've read that taking an ssri and st. john's wort conconcurrently, has resulted in episodes of seritonin syndrome.

let us know what more you find out,
nancy


> I have been on 100mg of Zoloft for a year, previous to that I was on Prozac
> for 4 years. I have gained 50 lbs. during this period of time. I received
> information that St. John's Wort and pantothenic acid
> would help me to lose the weight that I gained. My
> doctor doesn't want me to take these drugs in combination
> because he says that I might suffer from something
> called serotonin syndrome.
> I am really anxious to lose weight, so I am considering
> stopping the Zoloft and only taking the other medicine.
> Any advice?

 

Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort

Posted by Alison on July 1, 1999, at 2:21:18

In reply to Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort, posted by Mary M on June 30, 1999, at 7:20:52

Mary,
I have been taking both Zoloft and SJW together for a while. I find it to be excellent. It gives me that extra boost that I need. I have had no problems at all. I can really tell if I miss one, I feel lousy. Try looking at www.hypericum.com and the other links that are there, I found these to be helpful. What you are feeling now sounds like Zoloft withdrawl.
Please let me know how you are doing.
Alison

 

Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort

Posted by Mary on July 1, 1999, at 6:15:24

In reply to Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort, posted by Alison on July 1, 1999, at 2:21:18

> Mary,
> I have been taking both Zoloft and SJW together for a while. I find it to be excellent. It gives me that extra boost that I need. I have had no problems at all. I can really tell if I miss one, I feel lousy. Try looking at www.hypericum.com and the other links that are there, I found these to be helpful. What you are feeling now sounds like Zoloft withdrawl.
> Please let me know how you are doing.
> Alison
Alison
Thanks for letting me know you are taking them together. Because of your personal info, I'll go back on the Zoloft today and continue with the SJW. Your message was the only positive response so far. I'll keep you posted. By the way, how long have you been taking them together? Mary

 

Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort

Posted by JD on July 2, 1999, at 14:36:35

In reply to Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort, posted by Mary on July 1, 1999, at 6:15:24

If you are absolutely intent on mixing the two, at least be very careful. While it's certainly possible that some people don't have a problem, a serotonin-syndrome reaction is always a possibility. In particular, be aware that SJW leaves your system very slowly, so a bad reaction might take a while (even up to a few weeks) to develop. I would recommend sticking to very small doses until you can be sure how you're handling this generally unencouraged mixture!
--JD

> > Mary,
> > I have been taking both Zoloft and SJW together for a while. I find it to be excellent. It gives me that extra boost that I need. I have had no problems at all. I can really tell if I miss one, I feel lousy. Try looking at www.hypericum.com and the other links that are there, I found these to be helpful. What you are feeling now sounds like Zoloft withdrawl.
> > Please let me know how you are doing.
> > Alison
> Alison
> Thanks for letting me know you are taking them together. Because of your personal info, I'll go back on the Zoloft today and continue with the SJW. Your message was the only positive response so far. I'll keep you posted. By the way, how long have you been taking them together? Mary

 

Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort

Posted by Mary on July 2, 1999, at 18:56:21

In reply to Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort, posted by Mary Murphy on June 29, 1999, at 11:04:25

The herbal medication that I was mixing with Zoloft was called "seritol" (this had a hidden kick - nicotine) I purchased this through the mail. It promised great things including weight loss and a sense of well-being "like you've never experienced before". After ten days taking 600mg and a tablet of pantothenic acid. I now have an increased heart beat, a sense of dizziness, slight nausea and a few bouts of crying. During the passed few days I went off my 100mg of Zoloft because I feared a possible medication interaction "serotonin syndrome". To make a long story short between discussing this with my therapist and then taking to my psychiatrist I'm now stopping the seritol and resuming the Zoloft. My dr. wants me to increase the zoloft to 150mg. I'm afraid to increase because I fear I'll never get off the drugs.My futile experiment of trying to lose weight and at the same time maintain my sanity didn't work. And I've made a fool of myself in front of both my therapist and my doctor.

 

Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort

Posted by JohnL on July 3, 1999, at 5:06:11

In reply to Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort, posted by Mary on July 2, 1999, at 18:56:21

> The herbal medication that I was mixing with Zoloft was called "seritol" (this had a hidden kick - nicotine) I purchased this through the mail. It promised great things including weight loss and a sense of well-being "like you've never experienced before". After ten days taking 600mg and a tablet of pantothenic acid. I now have an increased heart beat, a sense of dizziness, slight nausea and a few bouts of crying. During the passed few days I went off my 100mg of Zoloft because I feared a possible medication interaction "serotonin syndrome". To make a long story short between discussing this with my therapist and then taking to my psychiatrist I'm now stopping the seritol and resuming the Zoloft. My dr. wants me to increase the zoloft to 150mg. I'm afraid to increase because I fear I'll never get off the drugs.My futile experiment of trying to lose weight and at the same time maintain my sanity didn't work. And I've made a fool of myself in front of both my therapist and my doctor.

Mary, you are no fool. So sorry the outcome made you feel that way. When we feel bad we sometimes try anything to help. That's survival instinct taking over. No cause for feeling foolish. You are actually much wiser because of it, and luckily no harm done. With the benefit of hindsight, it might have been better to slowly ween off the Zoloft before switching. Coming down from 100mg Zoloft in a few days is way too fast. It's hard to tell whether the unfortunate reactions were due to Zoloft withdrawal, new side effects, reaction to new drugs, or all mixed. Anyway, if weight loss and increased response are the issues, it does make a lot of sense to add Wellbutrin to your Zoloft. This is the kind of approach where you can add it in gradually, and if there is a good response, try slowly removing the Zoloft to see if you can do well on Wellbutrin alone. The trick is to go slow. Regardless of response, Wellbutrin causes significant weight loss in a majority of people using it. JohnL.

 

Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort

Posted by Mary on July 3, 1999, at 6:48:25

In reply to Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort, posted by JohnL on July 3, 1999, at 5:06:11

John
Thanks for the words of advice - I off for vacation and when I return in mid-July I'll suggest what you say to my dr. Thanks for helping me to feel less foolish. Mary

 

Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort

Posted by Alison on July 13, 1999, at 1:22:38

In reply to Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort, posted by Mary on July 1, 1999, at 6:15:24

Mary,
Just wondering how you are doing. I haven't had access to the net, so I couldn't write back. I have been taking both zoloft and SJW together for about 5 months now and I think that if something was going to happen it would have done by now, don't you think? It all depends on the potency and quality of the tablets. Mine also has other ingredients which aid in nervous system function eg. ginseng, kelp, B-vitamins, and many more. It is called Elezac, but I think that it is only available here in Australia (yes I'm writing all that way !!) I'm not sure if you can get the brand Blackmores in the US but they make a product called Hyperiforte which would be good quality. Check with someone who is up to date with SJW and can advise you how much to take, eg. my pharmacist recommended it to me and he knows my situation and all meds with I take, as I buy them all from him.
My dosage of Zoloft has dropped from 200mg to 150mg also. I am a Nursing student and am trying to keep up to date with what's happening in the research of these products and others. So if you find anything let me know. Feel free to e-mail me at my address www.alclarke73@hotmail.com and I'll get back to you.
Alison.

 

SSRI's: Zoloft to Celexa without tapering?

Posted by Chloe on October 22, 2000, at 18:39:32

In reply to Re: Interaction of Zoloft and St. John's Wort, posted by Alison on July 13, 1999, at 1:22:38

I wonder if I can switch my zoloft dose for Celexa with out tapering the zoloft. When I tried 5 mg Celexa with my 75 of Zoloft I think I got "serotonin syndrome." I was so dizzy, nauseated, diarrhea, stomach cramps, tremors. I felt horrible for the two days I tried the Celexa. So I went back to just zoloft. But I stayed "sick" for a while. I would wake up in the night all wet from sweat. I think this may have been withdrawal...
My question is, can I just switch to Celexa and stop my Zoloft with out any consequence? I can't take them together. I am so sensitive to the ssri's! But would like some of the anti anxiety properties taughted about Celexa. Can anyone help me?
TIA
Chloe

 

Re: SSRI's: Zoloft to Celexa without tapering?

Posted by Shirley on October 22, 2000, at 19:40:48

In reply to SSRI's: Zoloft to Celexa without tapering?, posted by Chloe on October 22, 2000, at 18:39:32

Chloe,

I am going through a similar situation in transitioning from Zoloft to Prozac. Everything was fine until I got up to 10mg Prozac and down to 50mg Zoloft.

When I went down to 37.5mg Zoloft while staying at 50mg prozac, I had major problems. Other options such as increasing the prozac while staying at 37.5 mg Zoloft or increasing the prozac with 50mg Zoloft also failed.

Since my body doesn't seem to want any more Prozac than 10mg while the Zoloft is in my system, I have decided to do an every other day tapering with the Zoloft and go very slowly. If I have trouble, I am going to use Benedryl or Dimetapp that was mentioned on the Tips Section.
Also, I am going to try to increase my exercise on the days that I have to decrease the Zoloft.

Regarding your situation, I know it wouldn't be good for me to cut out Zoloft suddenly and go to Prozac. What has your doctor suggested?

Maybe I shouldn't have experimented with different methods but at least now I have a clue as to what I think will be the best option. Therefore, I'll be more motivated to tough it out because I know I have explored every choice. I know it will all be worthwhile as the small amount of Prozac already has done alot of good things.

Good luck and let us know how you're doing.

Shirley

 

Re: SSRI's: Zoloft to Celexa without tapering?

Posted by Chloe on October 23, 2000, at 12:02:44

In reply to Re: SSRI's: Zoloft to Celexa without tapering?, posted by Shirley on October 22, 2000, at 19:40:48

Shirley,
My doc says I will have to get down as low as possible on the Zoloft, like 12.5 mg, then add in the smallest amount of Celexa.
Unfortunately, I just can't do it now. It has taken two weeks just to get back to "myself" since the adding Celexa experiment.
Since I am so sensitive to the ssri's, my doc said to add back in a little Depakote (I have taken it successfully in the past) for the agitation. I have only taken it for two nights, but I do feel a bit less tense and anxious, sleeping better, too.
I guess if I have an ssri that is working ok, I am not going to mess with success. I will wait until it stops working, or I have a real problem with it.
I admire your stamina with your tapering regime. I took prozac for years when it first came out. I think it saved my life! But after about 5 years, I was taking 100+ mgs to get the AD effect, but also getting loads of side effects (insomnia, tremor, sweats, racing thoughts). I would say it is one of the more "energizing" ssri's in my experience! Zoloft in small doses has been good to me as a replacement. I just wished it worked a little better on anxiety and phobias...But I'm sticking with it for now.
Thanks for your quick response, and best of luck with your transition.
Best regards,
Chloe


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