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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Alli on February 27, 2001, at 14:44:32
After realizing that I DO need to be on an AD (I weaned myself off of 75 mg. Effexor 7 weeks ago after being on it for 2 years), I called my GP. He called in an Rx for me for 150 mg. Serzone at night for one week, then twice a day from then on. I'm then to see him in three weeks.
Needless to say, I'm nervous about taking it. Effexor worked great for me, but I couldn't handle the weight gain. I won't be able to pick up my Rx until tomorrow, so any responses I get in the next 24 hours are greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance...and please tell it like it is! Alli
Posted by Crystal on February 27, 2001, at 15:20:54
In reply to URGENT - Need info on Serzone, posted by Alli on February 27, 2001, at 14:44:32
I was very grumpy and mean on Serzone which is not like me at all. It sounds like a wonderful AD but it didn't work for me.
Good Luck to you!
crystal> After realizing that I DO need to be on an AD (I weaned myself off of 75 mg. Effexor 7 weeks ago after being on it for 2 years), I called my GP. He called in an Rx for me for 150 mg. Serzone at night for one week, then twice a day from then on. I'm then to see him in three weeks.
> Needless to say, I'm nervous about taking it. Effexor worked great for me, but I couldn't handle the weight gain. I won't be able to pick up my Rx until tomorrow, so any responses I get in the next 24 hours are greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance...and please tell it like it is! Alli
Posted by Lorraine on February 27, 2001, at 15:57:56
In reply to URGENT - Need info on Serzone, posted by Alli on February 27, 2001, at 14:44:32
I was on Serzone for about 4 months. I found it sedating and could only take it at night. The good news is no weight gain and no sexual dysfunction with it. So if it works for you--celebrate hard!
Posted by pat123 on February 27, 2001, at 16:23:31
In reply to URGENT - Need info on Serzone, posted by Alli on February 27, 2001, at 14:44:32
Since time is an issue, try searching the archives. Top of the page, right before the
posts start.Pat
Posted by Mary Ann on February 28, 2001, at 0:24:18
In reply to URGENT - Need info on Serzone, posted by Alli on February 27, 2001, at 14:44:32
I am taking Serzone now...my ultimate dose will be 300 mg/daily. The first evening I took it I had raging insomnia all night and a migraine headache. My husband had to take me to the emergency room because I began vomiting. I was given a shot for the headache and the nausea and was told to take only 50 mg/evening for 4 evenings, then increase the dosage to 100 mg/evening for 4 evenings, then increae to 200 mg for the same duration, and ultimately take one in the morning and 2 before I go to bed. I begin the 100 mg/evening tomorrow. I'll let you know what happens. I haven't had any headaches with the smaller dosage, and hope it won't repeat when I increase it. Good luck to you.
Posted by Noa on February 28, 2001, at 9:36:01
In reply to Re: URGENT - Need info on Serzone, posted by Mary Ann on February 28, 2001, at 0:24:18
I've written about this before--initially, I experienced extreme emotionality, as well as grogginess and some balance/coordination problems, but all of these went away after 3-4 weeks. Now, the only side effect of note is that it is somewhat sedating, but that is a desired effect for me because it helps me sleep--helps counter the insomnia caused by the effexor I take.
I think there is a folder at PB tips on serzone, with old posts.
Posted by dove on February 28, 2001, at 9:47:28
In reply to URGENT - Need info on Serzone, posted by Alli on February 27, 2001, at 14:44:32
I take a total of 400 mgs. of Serzone throughout the day (x3 100 mgs morning, noon, evening and 100 mgs at bedtime), and initially it was a little sedating. I can't remember if I started with 150 mgs per day for a week or if I split the tablet in half, taking half in the morning and the other half at night.
You can easily split the dosage and start at your own pace if your nervous about what effects it's going to have. Some people do very well on this med, others find it merely helpful, while others find it intolerable.
I've been taking Serzone for quite a while now, but I take it with five other meds, so it's hard to say what definitive good effects it's given me. I know it has given me back my libido (even while still taking Prozac, Amitriptyline, Wellbutrin, and Neurontin), and it has given me the most excellent quality of sleep, even though I'm only taking 100 mgs at bedtime. It does tend to mellow my rough edges during the day, which is also a very positive outcome.
Mood swings during the initial start-up seem to be the most widely experienced negative effects, but for most, these quickly fade and the other good effects start to come into play. Best of luck to you!!!
dove
Posted by Alli on February 28, 2001, at 14:57:02
In reply to Re: URGENT - Need info on Serzone, posted by dove on February 28, 2001, at 9:47:28
Thanks for your responses, everyone. I still haven't picked up the Rx yet... and won't until I research this drug more. Do any of you think that 150 mg. is too much too start off on? It seems to be a lot to me. On Prozac I took 10 mg. ("Ididn't mind going for the ride, but never got where I was going"), Zoloft was 50 mg. (up all night freaking out), and Effexor was 37.5 mg. (for a year then up to 75 mg., but quit because of weight gain - sole reason).
Should I discuss with my GP starting out lower and easing my way into it? I read in the archives (I believe) that one should gradually up their dosage and decide when it's working the best for them. Also that jumping right into a high dosage from the get-go can cause a lot of side effects, as opposed to "wading" in.
One last question... What is a pdoc?
Posted by Mary Ann on February 28, 2001, at 15:39:29
In reply to Re: URGENT - Need info on Serzone, posted by Alli on February 28, 2001, at 14:57:02
Personally, I find it better to "wade in" rather than jump in. My body couldn't handle 100 mg for the first dose, I ended up in the ER. A pdoc is a psychiatric physician, pdoc for short. I am doing much better "wading in." When I was on Prozac, I was taking 20 mg/daily, but my doctor wanted to up my meds to 40/mg daily Prozac and add Wellbutrin to compensate for the sexual side effects. He also said I could try Serzone, which I opted to do. I will let you know how it goes for me with my optimal dose (300 mg/daily). The dosage amount of the drug is different with each drug. 300 mg of Serzone could equal 20 mg of Prozac...it's all in the formulation of the drug and its properties, half life, etc.
If I were you, I would try the Serzone, because if you try it and it didn't work for you, at least you know for sure. It might be exactly what you need. I would rather rule out 10 drugs in the hopes of hitting the right one (or combination) rather than pass on the right one because I was apprehensive about it. Good luck and let us know how it works out for you.
Posted by Sunny on February 28, 2001, at 16:21:18
In reply to Re: URGENT - Need info on Serzone, posted by Mary Ann on February 28, 2001, at 15:39:29
Alli,
I moved from Paxil to Serzone as the sexual side-effects of Paxil were intolerable (anorgasmic).
My psychiatrist "waded" me into Serzone; I started with only 25mg a day for 5 days (split dose). I continued this pattern for 50mg, 75mg & 100mg. I leveled out at 150mg - a very low dose. It was great in the beginning: sex drive returned, lost 10 lbs, not only did depression lift, I was exstatically happy! After about a month on Serzone, the sedating efffect really kicked in. Somedays I would be at work & have to FORCE myself not to close my office door & take a nap. Around that time, I went on vacation (cruise) and left my serzone @ home (7-days cold-turley!). I went through a miserable withdrawal that left me more depressed than when I started, the weight came back (despite a workout regime & diet) and sex drive disappeared again. After remaining in a pit of dispair & sedation for over three weeks, my psychiatrist put me on Wellbutrin SR (200mg a day). It helped motivate me, and gave me more energy, but the depression is still there. I've since added Serzone again (for the depression), and I'm hoping the Wellbutrin will counter-effect the sedation from the Serzone.Bottom line: Serzone worked great for me, although very sedating. From my experience, a slow start and a slow taper off (instead of cold-turkey) will give you the best shot. If you start to feel too sedated, definitely talk to your psychiatrists about options.
Good luck. And don't be afraid of Serzone. =)
Keep us posted on your decision.Sunny
> Personally, I find it better to "wade in" rather than jump in. My body couldn't handle 100 mg for the first dose, I ended up in the ER. A pdoc is a psychiatric physician, pdoc for short. I am doing much better "wading in." When I was on Prozac, I was taking 20 mg/daily, but my doctor wanted to up my meds to 40/mg daily Prozac and add Wellbutrin to compensate for the sexual side effects. He also said I could try Serzone, which I opted to do. I will let you know how it goes for me with my optimal dose (300 mg/daily). The dosage amount of the drug is different with each drug. 300 mg of Serzone could equal 20 mg of Prozac...it's all in the formulation of the drug and its properties, half life, etc.
>
> If I were you, I would try the Serzone, because if you try it and it didn't work for you, at least you know for sure. It might be exactly what you need. I would rather rule out 10 drugs in the hopes of hitting the right one (or combination) rather than pass on the right one because I was apprehensive about it. Good luck and let us know how it works out for you.
Posted by Chloe on February 28, 2001, at 18:27:48
In reply to Re: URGENT - Need info on Serzone, posted by Sunny on February 28, 2001, at 16:21:18
Does anyone get very hot and sweaty with Serzone? Every time I try to get up to near therapeutic dose, I get these awful hot flashes and sweating in my pelvic area.
I really like Serzone, esp. over Zoloft. I can sleep and enjoy sex. But I am not getting enough antidepressant effect, because I can't increase my dose beyond 125mgs.
I am also taking Tegretol 300 mgs. I am wondering if there is some interaction between the two meds. There was some reference to it on the pharmacy literature. But my pdoc is not aware of a connection or problem with the two.
Any thoughts on why I feel so hot all the time? Anyone?
Thanx Chloe
Posted by Noa on March 1, 2001, at 12:11:10
In reply to Re: URGENT - Need info on Serzone, posted by Alli on February 28, 2001, at 14:57:02
My pdoc started me on it very low--I think 50 mg. He gave me a "starter packet"---I think it is a free sample from the company. I think I started at 50, but perhaps even as low as 25 (split the 50 in half). I, personally, wouldn't want to start at 150.
Posted by Bipolady on April 10, 2001, at 12:35:49
In reply to Re: URGENT - Need info on Serzone » Sunny, posted by Chloe on February 28, 2001, at 18:27:48
> Does anyone get very hot and sweaty with Serzone? Every time I try to get up to near therapeutic dose, I get these awful hot flashes and sweating in my pelvic area.
>
> I really like Serzone, esp. over Zoloft. I can sleep and enjoy sex. But I am not getting enough antidepressant effect, because I can't increase my dose beyond 125mgs.
>
> I am also taking Tegretol 300 mgs. I am wondering if there is some interaction between the two meds. There was some reference to it on the pharmacy literature. But my pdoc is not aware of a connection or problem with the two.
>
> Any thoughts on why I feel so hot all the time? Anyone?
> Thanx Chloe
CHLOE, PLEASE CHECK OUT AND EVEN PRINT UP THIS INFO FOR YOUR DOC. IT CLEARLY STATES THE TWO SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN TOGETHER. THIS IS A SERZONE SPONSORED SITE!! HE SHOULD NOT IGNORE THE COMPANY'S OWN WARNINGS.http://www.depressionauthority.com/2_1.cfm#2.3.4
WORD FOR WORD ON THEIR PRESCRIBING INFORMATION:
Interaction with Carbamazepine (TEGRETOL)
The coadministration of carbamazepine 200 mg BID with nefazodone 200 mg BID, at a steady state for both drugs, resulted in almost 95% reductions of AUCs for nefazodone and hydroxynefazodone, likely reslulting in insufficient plasma nefazodone and hydroxynefazodone concentrations for achieving an antidepessant effect for SERZONE. Consequently, it is recommended that SERZONE not be used in combination with carbamazepine (see CONTRAINDICTIONS and PRECAUTIONS sections).GOOD LUCK, CHLOE!
Posted by chloe on April 10, 2001, at 18:30:32
In reply to Re: URGENT - Need info on Serzone, posted by Bipolady on April 10, 2001, at 12:35:49
> > Does anyone get very hot and sweaty with Serzone? Every time I try to get up to near therapeutic dose, I get these awful hot flashes and sweating in my pelvic area.
> >
> > I really like Serzone, esp. over Zoloft. I can sleep and enjoy sex. But I am not getting enough antidepressant effect, because I can't increase my dose beyond 125mgs.
> >
> > I am also taking Tegretol 300 mgs. I am wondering if there is some interaction between the two meds. There was some reference to it on the pharmacy literature. But my pdoc is not aware of a connection or problem with the two.
> >
> > Any thoughts on why I feel so hot all the time? Anyone?
> > Thanx Chloe
>
>
> CHLOE, PLEASE CHECK OUT AND EVEN PRINT UP THIS INFO FOR YOUR DOC. IT CLEARLY STATES THE TWO SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN TOGETHER. THIS IS A SERZONE SPONSORED SITE!! HE SHOULD NOT IGNORE THE COMPANY'S OWN WARNINGS.
>
> http://www.depressionauthority.com/2_1.cfm#2.3.4
>
> WORD FOR WORD ON THEIR PRESCRIBING INFORMATION:
> Interaction with Carbamazepine (TEGRETOL)
> The coadministration of carbamazepine 200 mg BID with nefazodone 200 mg BID, at a steady state for both drugs, resulted in almost 95% reductions of AUCs for nefazodone and hydroxynefazodone, likely reslulting in insufficient plasma nefazodone and hydroxynefazodone concentrations for achieving an antidepessant effect for SERZONE. Consequently, it is recommended that SERZONE not be used in combination with carbamazepine (see CONTRAINDICTIONS and PRECAUTIONS sections).
>
> GOOD LUCK, CHLOE!Thank you ever so much for the info! I had to go off the serzone R/T side effects. I will tell my pdoc asap. So appreciative of your reply!
Chloe
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