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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mrchuffy on April 4, 2005, at 21:59:19
Hi, I have been suffering depression/anxiety for many years now and have tried most of the typical anti-depressants available. In my travels I found Nefazodone (Serzone) to be most effective for me in terms of its reduced side effect profile and efficacy. However, this drug has been withdrawn from use here in The UK last year and as such i can no longer obtain it. Since then I have been trying to find an alternative which works in the same way as Nefazodone. Ie, a NARI or dual action type anti depressant rather than the SSRI's which I cant usually tolerate. Also if anyone else has had similar experiences trying to find an alternative? Thanks, Pete.
Posted by ed_uk on April 4, 2005, at 22:17:03
In reply to Nefazodone alternative, posted by mrchuffy on April 4, 2005, at 21:59:19
Hi!
Trazodone (Molipaxin) is available in the UK, it is quite similar to nefazodone. It's the closest thing available now that Dutonin has been withdrawn. Generic nefazodone is available in the US, I suppose you might be able to import it!!
Kind regards,
Ed.
Posted by HappyGirl on April 5, 2005, at 17:14:38
In reply to Nefazodone alternative, posted by mrchuffy on April 4, 2005, at 21:59:19
Hi:
Here, in the US, there is still a generic form of Serzone is available, called 'Nefadozone.' However, I've been taking Trazodone, started out on 50 mg. and gradually moved up to the dosage, 150 mg., even 200 mg. depends on my moods/anxiety level.In my personal experience, ... Trazodone is NOT like 'Serzone' in regard to 'efficacy,' and 'tolerance.' At the beginning of Trazodone, I had a bad reaction, such as 'drowsy,' 'dry mouth' and few more others. Then, during the first course on this, I stopped taking it. However, with a good A.D. effect, ... I went back, this time my system somehow tolerated this med., Trazodone.
In my 'personal' view on the Trazodone, ... unlike the Serzone, you do NOT need to take 'mass' dosage, like 450 mg.(in my case), ... rather a small amount of the Trazodone has almost double efficacy in comparison to Serzone efficacy. In this regard, I must be one of those who are happy with, ... but by reading others, the Trazodone is NOT for everyone, particuraly if you are easily get 'drowsy' feelings.
H.G.
Posted by mrchuffy on April 6, 2005, at 14:17:46
In reply to Nefazodone alternative, posted by mrchuffy on April 4, 2005, at 21:59:19
Hi, HG and ed_uk, thanks for your replies.
As an update, I have recently tried Mirtazapine/Remeron but it completely knocked me out for 2 days! A very bad 'anticholinergic?' reaction apparently. Nefazodone did not do this to me at all, which I find odd as these two drugs are supposed to belong to a similar category, (NARI's). If Trazodone does this to you as well HappyGirl, then I would be wary of starting on it. Although I am pretty desperate to find something which alleviates depression/anxiety like Nefazodone did for me. I cant help wondering why these drugs are considered similar when they have such different side effects?
Anyway thanks for your inputs, anyone elses experiences with these meds are always of value to me.
Posted by mrchuffy on April 6, 2005, at 14:28:15
In reply to Re: Nefazodone alternative, posted by mrchuffy on April 6, 2005, at 14:17:46
As an update I'd like to add that the dosage of Mirtazapine I was prescribed was 15mg at night.
Posted by HappyGirl on April 6, 2005, at 15:02:58
In reply to Re: Nefazodone alternative, posted by mrchuffy on April 6, 2005, at 14:17:46
Hi:
I, too agree with you in regard to 'same' group of A.D., however for some reason, there is a 'BIG' difference among those A.D.s. In my guess, ... probably the process of making any meds. has something to do with.Some saying, Serzone and Trazodone is a 'sister' A.D. that has a VERY similar efficacy along with their S.E.s, however as I said, ... those 'two' are quite different. Serzone is a new type of A.D, then it seems to me more 'refined' A.D. which in turn makes 'less' S.E., while the Trazodone is somehow 'crude' type of A.D. which causing more 'distinct' S.E. For that reason, some of depressive folks do NOT tolerate the Trazodone. However, on the good side, there is 'money' wise/economical while the Nefadozone is much higher price to cosider.
Also, there was a 'hot' discussion in the past when the Serzone-discontinuation and some of people, here on this board provided a good 'alternative' A.D. for a replacement of the Serzone/Nefadozone.
Here is a listif you'd like to look at:
AD's that have potent 5ht2 antagonism apart from Nefazodone :
Amitriptyline
Trimipramine
Clomipramine
Nortriptyline
Dothiepin
Trazodone
Mianserin
MirtazapineH.G.
Posted by ed_uk on April 6, 2005, at 15:46:53
In reply to Re: Nefazodone alternative, posted by mrchuffy on April 6, 2005, at 14:17:46
Hi!
>Although I am pretty desperate to find something which alleviates depression/anxiety like Nefazodone did for me.
I'd recommend starting trazodone at a low dose in the evening. You could start by taking one 50mg capsule in the evening. If necessary, you could gradually increase the dose.
Mirtazapine is a potent antihistamine whereas trazodone is not. Although trazodone may be more sedating than nefazodone, I doubt you'd find it as sedating as mirtazapine. You could take your first dose of trazodone on a Friday evening- you may need a lie in on Saturday!
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by mrchuffy on April 19, 2005, at 19:50:42
In reply to Re: Nefazodone alternative » mrchuffy, posted by ed_uk on April 6, 2005, at 15:46:53
Thanks to you both for your comments. after my experience with mirtazapine ill try trazodone then start looking at the newer MAOIs on the advice of my doctor as ive not been down that road yet. Regards Pete
Posted by ed_uk on April 20, 2005, at 7:15:16
In reply to Re: Nefazodone alternative, posted by mrchuffy on April 19, 2005, at 19:50:42
Hi Pete,
I hope trazodone works well for you. Be sure to start with a nice low dose in the evening!
Ed.
This is the end of the thread.
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