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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Else on July 1, 2001, at 10:48:54
Sorry, this might have been covered in the past but I'm curious as to how Neurontin compares in terms of efficacy to other more traditional SP drugs : Paxil, Nardil, Klonopin/Rivotril, Xanax, etc... Has anyone read any good studies on the subject or perhaps tried many of these?
Posted by Rick on July 1, 2001, at 12:37:19
In reply to Neurontin for Social Phobia, posted by Else on July 1, 2001, at 10:48:54
The placebo-controlled response rate for Neurontin was lower than for any of the meds you listed. While not really directly comarable to placebo-controlled tests, open studies have generally shown greater response rates for all of the SSRI's, Effexor, and Serzone. (Actually, some of the SSRI studies may have been placebo-controlled as well.)
That said, in some individuals Neurontin seems to help a lot in SP.
The following link has some facts that I pulled from the full article (not just the abstract) on Neurontin for SP.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010625/msgs/68522.html> Sorry, this might have been covered in the past but I'm curious as to how Neurontin compares in terms of efficacy to other more traditional SP drugs : Paxil, Nardil, Klonopin/Rivotril, Xanax, etc... Has anyone read any good studies on the subject or perhaps tried many of these?
Posted by Neal on July 4, 2001, at 2:34:29
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Social Phobia, posted by Rick on July 1, 2001, at 12:37:19
Nuerontin can be of help to some individuals. I am currently experimenting with taking large doses (around 4800mg/day). It has been shown in some studies to help SP.
Posted by Else on July 4, 2001, at 12:05:12
In reply to Neurontin for Social Phobia, posted by Else on July 1, 2001, at 10:48:54
I'm beginning to think Neurontin has the same sexual side-effects as SSRI's although being a girl, I can't be entirely certain. As far as efficacy, Clonazepam is better, no question about it. But then I only take 900mg.
Posted by Rick on July 4, 2001, at 22:25:06
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Social Phobia, posted by Else on July 4, 2001, at 12:05:12
> I'm beginning to think Neurontin has the same sexual side-effects as SSRI's although being a girl, I can't be entirely certain. As far as efficacy, Clonazepam is better, no question about it. But then I only take 900mg.
Else -
*Finally* I see someone else talking about sexual dysfunction from Neurontin! I'd seen some people post that it can *help*, but hadn't seen anything on the reverse side. Now I can show my pdoc that I'm not the "only" one who has encountered that effect. I was at about 3200 mg/day when it started and I was really surprised. That's one of the reasons I cut short my trial of Neurontin + Klonopin (kept the Klonopin). I wasn't expecting to have to deal with that kind of side effect at all, as I had to with Nardil and later Celexa.
That said, unless people just aren't talking about it or I've missed it, my guess is that sexual dysfunction with even high-dose Neurontin is more the exception than the rule.
Rick
Posted by Roo on July 5, 2001, at 7:37:38
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Social Phobia/Sexual Dysfuntion » Else, posted by Rick on July 4, 2001, at 22:25:06
I noticed a definite decline in sex drive and some
function with neurotin. I thought I was the only
one too. I also experienced weight gain, which seems
to be a rare side effect. I had sexual dysfuntion
with the prozac I take, but I definitely felt it
get worse when I added the neurotin. I didn't notice
it until I got to a higher dose. I started noticing
it at 1200 mg's. I'm up to 2100 mg's now, but I'm
soon switching to lamictal, and hopefully won't have
the weight gain or sexual dysfunction. I'm not extremely
hopeful, however, b/c I just get a gut sense (not an
educated sense) that all mood stabilizers have weight
gain. With the exception of topomax, which dosen't seem
to have as much of the antianxiety effects of the others.
But what do I know?
Posted by Else on July 5, 2001, at 7:59:31
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Social Phobia/Sexual Dysfuntion, posted by Roo on July 5, 2001, at 7:37:38
> I noticed a definite decline in sex drive and some
> function with neurotin. I thought I was the only
> one too. I also experienced weight gain, which seems
> to be a rare side effect. I had sexual dysfuntion
> with the prozac I take, but I definitely felt it
> get worse when I added the neurotin. I didn't notice
> it until I got to a higher dose. I started noticing
> it at 1200 mg's. I'm up to 2100 mg's now, but I'm
> soon switching to lamictal, and hopefully won't have
> the weight gain or sexual dysfunction. I'm not extremely
> hopeful, however, b/c I just get a gut sense (not an
> educated sense) that all mood stabilizers have weight
> gain. With the exception of topomax, which dosen't seem
> to have as much of the antianxiety effects of the others.
> But what do I know?To be fair, I don't think the sexual side-effects are as bad as with SSRIs. Neurontin seems to delay orgasm, but Zoloft completely killed my libido altoghether in addition to causing anorgasmia. But I'm also beginning to realise that this is probably the best anti-depressant I've been on. I've had dysthymia forever and nothing I've tried has worked even a little except this. It does pretty much everything Zoloft and Effexor were supposed to do . I actually feel quite good these days. However, I still think I would feel quite as good on clonazepam alone, as I felt quite good on lorazepam alone. With no sexual side effects. So I would still go for that.
Posted by sar on July 5, 2001, at 8:46:07
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Social Phobia/Sexual Dysfuntion, posted by Else on July 5, 2001, at 7:59:31
am i totally weird?
i love that meds have lowered my sex drive.
i feel much less distracted.
:)
tackily yours,
sar
Posted by Roo on July 5, 2001, at 9:28:40
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Social Phobia/Sexual Dysfuntion, posted by sar on July 5, 2001, at 8:46:07
No, you're not weird. I like it when I'm not
in a romantic relationship. But when you're
in a committed relationship, and having sex on
a daily basis, it's rather a drag. It's nice
when single, b/c you're not being driven crazy
by horniness.
Posted by Neal on July 5, 2001, at 12:21:11
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Social Phobia/Sexual Dysfuntion, posted by sar on July 5, 2001, at 8:46:07
Klonopin can cause sexual disfunction too. It caused it for me on doses above 1.5mg. As I take Neurontin too, it could have added to the problem, I'm not sure. They both work on GABA, don't they?
Posted by Else on July 5, 2001, at 18:43:54
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Social Phobia/Sexual Dysfuntion, posted by sar on July 5, 2001, at 8:46:07
> am i totally weird?
>
> i love that meds have lowered my sex drive.
>
> i feel much less distracted.
>
> :)
>
> tackily yours,
> sarNot that weird. I must admit there are advantages to this. On Zoloft I wouldn't get these idiotic crushes on guys that were very wrong for me, I could be more objective. But after two years I want that feeling back. It's a nuisance, but a pleasant one.
Posted by Else on July 5, 2001, at 18:48:42
In reply to Re: Klonopin/Sexual Dysfuntion, posted by Neal on July 5, 2001, at 12:21:11
> Klonopin can cause sexual disfunction too. It caused it for me on doses above 1.5mg. As I take Neurontin too, it could have added to the problem, I'm not sure. They both work on GABA, don't they?
Yes they both do. But Neurontin has no affinity for so-called benzodiazepine receptors. In any event, benzos have never cause this problem for me, even at high doses. Maybe it's because their effect is similar to that of alcohol. They are, after all, in the "Sedative-Hypnotic" category. I don't know.
Posted by Rick on July 5, 2001, at 22:13:55
In reply to Re: Klonopin/Sexual Dysfuntion, posted by Else on July 5, 2001, at 18:48:42
> > Klonopin can cause sexual disfunction too. It caused it for me on doses above 1.5mg. As I take Neurontin too, it could have added to the problem, I'm not sure. They both work on GABA, don't they?
>
> Yes they both do. But Neurontin has no affinity for so-called benzodiazepine receptors. In any event, benzos have never cause this problem for me, even at high doses. Maybe it's because their effect is similar to that of alcohol. They are, after all, in the "Sedative-Hypnotic" category. I don't know.Klonopin actually increased my libido, which is a documented but less common side effect than sexual dysfunction (not that the latter is all that common). But it definitely does not help me in the, um, sexual stamina department.
This is the end of the thread.
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