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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by good4u on August 23, 2001, at 18:44:00
Anyone have any experience or knowledge regarding the use of benzos (ativan, valium, zanax, clonopin, etc.) while taking zoloft? And, Anyone have any experience or know anything about possible adverse interactions using valerian root or hopps or chamomille or catnip, or any combination thereof, while taking zoloft and depakote for OCD/ schizo/affective disorder? Any info is GREATLY appreciated...
Posted by SalArmy4me on August 23, 2001, at 19:03:41
In reply to BENZOS and OCD/Zoloft - For CAM W. and anyone else, posted by good4u on August 23, 2001, at 18:44:00
dude, you gotta leave your e-mail address and I'll send you info straight from JAMA
Posted by good4u on August 23, 2001, at 19:23:11
In reply to Re: BENZOS and OCD/Zoloft - For CAM W. and anyone else » good4u, posted by SalArmy4me on August 23, 2001, at 19:03:41
> dude, you gotta leave your e-mail address and I'll send you info straight from JAMA
ok..there..thanks.
Posted by Cam W. on August 23, 2001, at 23:33:11
In reply to BENZOS and OCD/Zoloft - For CAM W. and anyone else, posted by good4u on August 23, 2001, at 18:44:00
Good - Benzodiazepines usually don't have the same propensity to interact with Zoloft, as it would with Prozac or Luvox. The combination is used quite often in OCD or panic disorder. The valproic acid is also reasonably safe to take with benzodiazepines.
As for the herbs, they are "probably" safe to take, but you have to keep in mind the limitations of uncontrolled substances used as medications. Questions about proper potency, adulteration and unknown herb-drug interactions (both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic) must be kept in mind, and watched for. I would be hesistant to mix benzodiazepines with hops or kava, as they may have a synergistic effect.
I hope that this is of some help. - Cam
Posted by good4u on August 23, 2001, at 23:42:46
In reply to Re: BENZOS and OCD/Zoloft - For CAM W. and anyone else » good4u, posted by Cam W. on August 23, 2001, at 23:33:11
> Good - Benzodiazepines usually don't have the same propensity to interact with Zoloft, as it would with Prozac or Luvox. The combination is used quite often in OCD or panic disorder. The valproic acid is also reasonably safe to take with benzodiazepines.
>
> As for the herbs, they are "probably" safe to take, but you have to keep in mind the limitations of uncontrolled substances used as medications. Questions about proper potency, adulteration and unknown herb-drug interactions (both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic) must be kept in mind, and watched for. I would be hesistant to mix benzodiazepines with hops or kava, as they may have a synergistic effect.
>
> I hope that this is of some help. - CamIt was Cam, Thank you.
Posted by Bob on August 24, 2001, at 14:49:05
In reply to Re: BENZOS and OCD/Zoloft - For CAM W. and anyone else » good4u, posted by Cam W. on August 23, 2001, at 23:33:11
> Good - Benzodiazepines usually don't have the same propensity to interact with Zoloft, as it would with Prozac or Luvox. The combination is used quite often in OCD or panic disorder. The valproic acid is also reasonably safe to take with benzodiazepines.
>
> As for the herbs, they are "probably" safe to take, but you have to keep in mind the limitations of uncontrolled substances used as medications. Questions about proper potency, adulteration and unknown herb-drug interactions (both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic) must be kept in mind, and watched for. I would be hesistant to mix benzodiazepines with hops or kava, as they may have a synergistic effect.
>
> I hope that this is of some help. - CamCam:
What kind of interactions are there between benzos and Luvox???
Bob
Posted by Cam W. on August 24, 2001, at 17:15:14
In reply to Re: BENZOS and OCD/Zoloft - For CAM W. and anyone else, posted by Bob on August 24, 2001, at 14:49:05
> What kind of interactions are there between benzos and Luvox???
Bob - Certain benzodiazepines, like Xanax™ (alprazolam), Lectopam™ (bromazepam), Klonopin™/Rivotril™, and Restoril™ (temazepam), Soma™ (midazolam), and Halcion™ (triazolam) are metabolized in the liver by the cytochrome-P450 enzyme system (CYP-3A4, to be exact; also, this list is off the top of my head, and may not be complete). Luvox™ (fluvoxamine) inhibits this enzyme system.What this means is that Luvox decreases the amount of enzyme that is normally available to metabolize the above benzodiazepines; as well as metabolizing the Luvox itself. The benzos aren't metabolized as readily; thus they "may" build up in the body more than they normally would.
Clinically, this means that someone taking Luvox (or Prozac™ - fluoxetine) and one of the above benzos will possibly require a smaller dosage of the benzo, for the same effect without the inibitor.
This is not usually a problem when adding the above benzos to Luvox, but may result in increased sedation, etc., when Luvox is added to the above benzos.
Therefore, some people can reduce their Klonopin dose (for example) when starting on Luvox or Prozac.
I hope that this is clear. - Cam
This is the end of the thread.
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