Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 15475

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Serzone and Busbar?

Posted by Dee on November 18, 1999, at 13:14:17

I have been on Serzone since August, currently taking 450 mg/day. I have days when I notice clear improvement, others when I think I don't respond at all. I can live with that. What troubles me is that the initial intense anxiety that can hit me at any time doesn't seem to subseed much (although the duration is shorter -- usually <24 hrs, as opposed to days and week in the past.)

I am considering change of meds, but I want to make sure that I am giving Serzone the chance to take effect (on current dose since Oct. 15) And there are some beneficial effects I'd like to hold on to.

Would it be good idea to augment serzone with a non-addictive medicen that would target the anxiety (Buspar?) anyone have experience/ ideas about that?

Thanx
Dee

 

Re: Think twice Dee!

Posted by CraigF on November 18, 1999, at 18:25:59

In reply to Serzone and Busbar?, posted by Dee on November 18, 1999, at 13:14:17

I would definitely think twice about bagging the Serzone altogether!!!

I say this just because almost anything you switch to will have dramatically more side effects. Many drugs that seem better at keeping anxiety/panic away are still susceptible to ebbs, depending on your particular chemistry. They will also bring on much heavier side effects. The SSRIs are a good example. I found them a more potent anxiety blocker, but a drink or two would toss that out of whack days later. And I need not mention the side effects.

What kind of anxiety are we talking about here? Social phobia, panic attacks?

different adjuncts may by able to address the anxiety. I added Buspar to my Prozac years ago to help dissipate sexual dysfunction. I also tried it before Sserzone just to address anxiety issues, but I never went higher than 10-15mgs per day. It didn't work at that dose, but from what I'm reading in Babble, the theraputic dose is much higher.

I'm also reading in Babble that some people have found success with Klonopin at theraputic doses w/out becoming a zombie or a 1950s housewife. That is awfully subjective, I imagine.

Bottom line, adding the Buspar can't hurt, but you may regret kicking Serzone to the curb (I really like its passive effectiveness myself. It doesn't completely cure me of all my emotional downsides, but it leaves me feeling human and more functional.)

 

Re: Serzone and Busbar?

Posted by jamie on November 19, 1999, at 2:17:03

In reply to Serzone and Busbar?, posted by Dee on November 18, 1999, at 13:14:17

Buspar is contraindicated for use with Serzone. There is a drug-drug interaction caused by inhibited liver enzymes when these two drugs in particular are mixed.

That doesn't mean they can't be combined. It just means there may be significant side effects such as headache or flu-like symptoms or other. Not a very good combination. I do remember a few months back someone here was taking the two together with no problem though. Just wanted to forewarn you that serzone and buspar is a contraindicated combination.

 

I like the idea of SSRI or NARI augmentation

Posted by JohnB on November 19, 1999, at 8:26:34

In reply to Re: Think twice Dee!, posted by CraigF on November 18, 1999, at 18:25:59

Hi. The notion of SSRI or SNRI augmentation with Pindolol has demonstrated efficacy. SSRI and SNRI augmentation with Buspar also has demonstrated efficacy. Pindolol, as a postsynaptic and presynaptic 5HT1A antagonist has demonstrated ability to shorten the time of onset of action of SSRI's, SNRI's, and MAOI's. Buspar, a presynaptic and postsynaptic 5HT1A partial agonist can only be combined with SSRI's and SNRI's, not MAOI's. Being psychdocs prescribed to improve cognitive function, frequently an issue with ANY CNS depressant.

So, keep the two effects separate, as you discuss with your psychiatrist, who should be a psychopharmacologist. Pindolol will most likely increase onset of therapeutic action. Buspar may minimize cognitive side effects as well as help with sexual dysfunction, if that is an issue.

As far as contraindications, take that somewhat with a grain of salt. Many experienced pscyhopharmacologists will carefully manage drug combinations which are contraindicated, such as Bupropion and MAOI's.

Definitely, never self-medicate. Discuss with your psychdoc all medications you're taking, whether synthetic pharmaceuticals, or alternative OTC medications.

JohnB


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