Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 15954

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Effexor & Tricyclics?

Posted by Dave on November 29, 1999, at 20:49:13

Hello everybody. Due to the fact that Effexor is causing some insomnia, i was wondering if I could take a sedative tricyclic at night to help me sleep. I know doctors prescribe a clearance period of at least four days when changing from tricyclics to effexor, but does that necessarily mean there is an adverse interaction?- especially with low doses (25 or 50mg)of the tricyclic (in this case amineptine)?
If anyone knows anything about the use or contraindication of these two meds I would greatly apreciate it *p.s in Australia we dont have Mirtazepine or trazodone so I can not use them for Effexor related insomnia)- thanks again *DAVE*.

 

Re: Effexor & Tricyclics?

Posted by saint james on November 29, 1999, at 21:06:43

In reply to Effexor & Tricyclics?, posted by Dave on November 29, 1999, at 20:49:13

> Hello everybody. Due to the fact that Effexor is causing some insomnia, i was wondering if I could take a sedative tricyclic at night to help me sleep. I know doctors prescribe a clearance period of at least four days when changing from tricyclics to effexor, but does that necessarily mean there is an adverse interaction?- especially with low doses (25 or 50mg)of the tricyclic (in this case amineptine)?
> If anyone knows anything about the use or contraindication of these two meds I would greatly apreciate it *p.s in Australia we dont have Mirtazepine or trazodone so I can not use them for Effexor related insomnia)- thanks again *DAVE*.

James here...

actually you can take them both at the same time,
using just anough TCA to get good sleep (25-75 mgs) at nite. I have taken Effexor + TCA (1995-1998) and now Remeron (15 mgs) for sleep.

j

 

Re: Effexor & Tricyclics?

Posted by jamie on November 30, 1999, at 2:50:51

In reply to Re: Effexor & Tricyclics?, posted by saint james on November 29, 1999, at 21:06:43

No prob mixing the two. BUT...amineptine? That's not sedating. It is in the TCA family, but it is a dopamine reuptake blocker and is rather activating. Not a good one for sleep.

 

Re: Effexor & Tricyclics?

Posted by Cindy on November 30, 1999, at 8:41:41

In reply to Re: Effexor & Tricyclics?, posted by jamie on November 30, 1999, at 2:50:51

> No prob mixing the two. BUT...amineptine? That's not sedating. It is in the TCA family, but it is a dopamine reuptake blocker and is rather activating. Not a good one for sleep.

What time of day do you take your Effexor? I've been taking 75 mg/day in the AM but don't know whether to take the other 75mg (increases today) at noon or at night. Does it cause bad insomnia? Thanks!--Cindy

 

Re: Effexor & Tricyclics?

Posted by Teresa on November 30, 1999, at 14:29:26

In reply to Re: Effexor & Tricyclics?, posted by Cindy on November 30, 1999, at 8:41:41

> > No prob mixing the two. BUT...amineptine? That's not sedating. It is in the TCA family, but it is a dopamine reuptake blocker and is rather activating. Not a good one for sleep.
>
> What time of day do you take your Effexor? I've been taking 75 mg/day in the AM but don't know whether to take the other 75mg (increases today) at noon or at night. Does it cause bad insomnia? Thanks!--Cindy
>I take 225 mg. of Effexor in the a.m. The first couple of months I was on it I had trouble sleeping. I tried 10 mg of elavil and it helped but I also started gaining weight. I stopped the elavil and sleep well most of the time. Teresa

 

Re: Effexor & insomnia - for Cindy

Posted by dave on November 30, 1999, at 22:29:29

In reply to Re: Effexor & Tricyclics?, posted by Cindy on November 30, 1999, at 8:41:41

> What time of day do you take your Effexor? I've been taking 75 mg/day in the AM but don't know whether to take the other 75mg (increases today) at noon or at night. Does it cause bad insomnia? Thanks!--Cindy

Ive been taking 225mg in the pm because if i take it in the a.m i become sleepy during the day. The insomnia i experience may not have been effexor induced. You may not experience any insomnia at all from the effexor- in fact it makes many people tired and seepy- just depends on your system. But if it does cause insomnia the best time to take it may be in the morning- as this will ensure that there are as low levels in your blood system at night as is possible, hopefully preventing insomnia. If you are taking 2*75mg pills at the moment, your doc is likely to change you over to the 150mg tablet anyway, so you might try to find the best time of day to take the 2*75 mg tablets at the same time- i hope this helps.-bye *dave*.

 

Re: Effexor Replies - thanks

Posted by Dave on November 30, 1999, at 22:33:28

In reply to Re: Effexor & Tricyclics?, posted by saint james on November 29, 1999, at 21:06:43

>I just wanted to thank all those who replied to my question. *Dave*

 

Re: Effexor Replies - thanks

Posted by Cindy on December 1, 1999, at 8:29:09

In reply to Re: Effexor Replies - thanks, posted by Dave on November 30, 1999, at 22:33:28

> >I just wanted to thank all those who replied to my question. *Dave*
Dave, thanks for your reply! So far, the Effexor keeps me awake rather than making me sleepy, so will try your suggestion of taking it in the AM. Am supposed to increase it again next week to 225. Hope it helps with OCD as welll as depression. So far, I haven't noticed any bad side effects. Coudl this finally be "the one" (the right medication)??? I hope so!!!--Cindy

 

Re: Effexor Replies - to Cindy

Posted by david on December 10, 1999, at 19:56:14

In reply to Re: Effexor Replies - thanks, posted by Cindy on December 1, 1999, at 8:29:09

> > >I just wanted to thank all those who replied to my question. *Dave*
> Dave, thanks for your reply! So far, the Effexor keeps me awake rather than making me sleepy, so will try your suggestion of taking it in the AM. Am supposed to increase it again next week to 225. Hope it helps with OCD as welll as depression. So far, I haven't noticed any bad side effects. Coudl this finally be "the one" (the right medication)??? I hope so!!!--Cindy

Hi Cindy- i hope everything is going well and the side effects are manageable. You mentioned OCD- I have heard some favourable reports about effexor and OCD. You probably know that effexor is mostly serotonergic- and ocd is supposed to be a problem caused by a dysfunction in this area, as well being a dopamine problem as well. Effexor is only slightly dopaminergic- but becomes more dopaminergic at increasingly high doses. The ssris are supposed to be effective for ocd as well. Anafranil (clomipramine) is also good for ocd- it is highly serotonergic- and moderately dopaminergic- but it is a tricyclic and has anticholinergic properties which causes typical tricyclic side effects. You might also suffer from some sexual dysfunction from the higher doses of effexor. I have experimented with Periactin, and found that it works to reverse these side effects, but Periactin does make you tired so it has side effects as well, but is worth keeping in mind.
I hope you get in control of your depression/OCD and that the side effects of the effexor are tolerable. All the best-david.


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