![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by john berk on March 6, 2006, at 17:09:04
http://www.biopsychiatry.com/dosage.htm
Hi, i was curious if anyone on the board as had a beneficial effect with sub-theraputic doses of AD's or other psych drugs. i wanted to share this link...john
Posted by Squiggles on March 6, 2006, at 17:34:44
John,
As far as lithium is concerned, definitely
not - but the drug is notorious for its
"NTI". As far as benzos are concerned, it
depends on the condition it is used for,
the benzo itself, interactions with other
drugs, and whether tolerance has
developed. Regarding other ADs, i have
witnessed very bad results with sub-therapeutic
doses in two individuals.It's the kind of question that requires
unusual conditions for a positive reply,
i would guess.Squiggles
Posted by linkadge on March 6, 2006, at 18:23:37
In reply to sub-theraputic doses, posted by john berk on March 6, 2006, at 17:09:04
I've really only responded to sub theraputic doses. Theraputic doses often cause too many detrimental side effects.
celexa 5-10mg, zoloft 25mg etc.
Linkadge
Posted by john berk on March 6, 2006, at 18:25:26
In reply to sub-therapeutic doses, posted by Squiggles on March 6, 2006, at 17:34:44
Thanks Squiggles,
i think you are right, under certain conditions, [i.e. slow metabolizers or in conjuction with other meds] i just thought the thread was something to inquire about. i'm sorry your friends ran into problems with low dose AD.s,
i suppose just wishful thinking on my part, thanks again...john
Posted by john berk on March 6, 2006, at 18:35:24
In reply to Re: sub-theraputic doses, posted by linkadge on March 6, 2006, at 18:23:37
That is very interesting Linkadge,
i would like to try a lower dose of my AD,I'm not on a very high dose to begin with, 20 mgs. prozac, but after 4 years it seems to make me more depressed and tired when i take it. i was interested in everyone's expeirence, because i had read that Dr. Burns mentioned in a book once that after several weeks of theraputic dosage with prozac, 5 milligrams a day would suffice.this is all very intriguing, thanks for your feedback...john
Posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2006, at 20:13:40
In reply to Re: sub-theraputic doses » linkadge, posted by john berk on March 6, 2006, at 18:35:24
Hi John I thought you wanted to raise your prozac dose? I think for me since it was stimulating that five mg might work for me. Love Jan
Posted by john berk on March 6, 2006, at 20:18:48
In reply to Re: sub-theraputic doses » john berk, posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2006, at 20:13:40
Hi Jan, i actually did raise it to 40, that lasted all of 3 days, fatigue set in so quickly, one day i actually took 2 naps, and barely got through my 3 hours of part-time work at night, lol.
i think raising serotonin in the long run produces fatigue and apathy, that is why i would like to try 5 or 10 mgs. hey, 5 might be a good fit for you, give it some thought, your friend....john
Posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2006, at 21:38:46
In reply to Re: sub-theraputic doses » Phillipa, posted by john berk on March 6, 2006, at 20:18:48
Thanks John actually I've been thinking of trying prozac again for a long while but not the high dose I was on of 20mg too stimulating for me. Hey we are all different. Love Jan
Posted by wireless on March 7, 2006, at 0:17:26
In reply to Re: sub-theraputic doses » john berk, posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2006, at 21:38:46
First time adding to a discussion on here, but have been a reader for some time.
I HAVE in fact responded well to "sub-therapeutic" doses of Prozac. I was taking 20 mg for two years but dropped to 10 mgs during the summers (as a college student, away from stress and anxiety of courses). I am sensitive to medicines (does this have to do with slow metabolism? I was unaware of this). On 20 mgs, I was very tired and spacy, experienced 25 lbs. weight gain, etc. The summers went so well in fact that my pdoc suggested going to only 15 for the school year (10 mgs day 1, two 10mgs day two, alternating). This worked extremely well. Some of the terrible side effects subsided, yet I still enjoyed many of the positive effects. So this was an effective adjustment for me. In fact, I don't think I would go back to 20 mg again, (now I am in the process of slowly withdrawing, which is a story for another thread).
Posted by john berk on March 7, 2006, at 14:53:01
In reply to Re: sub-theraputic doses, posted by wireless on March 7, 2006, at 0:17:26
thanks for your input, that is my goal, to go to 10 mgs. in the summer, the time of year i usually feel my best, good luck with thr weaning process off prozac, please post about it when you do if you have time, i'm extremly interested in your progress...john
Posted by linkadge on March 8, 2006, at 18:49:42
In reply to Re: sub-theraputic doses » linkadge, posted by john berk on March 6, 2006, at 18:35:24
I read a clinical study that showed something allong the lines of:
50% of people responded to 20mg of prozac
55% of people responded to 40mg
45% of people responded to 5mgThe study's conclusion was that as far as tollerability, and side effects, people should probably be on less, but then again, thats an easier to get off of, and costs less.
Linkadge
Posted by Cairo on March 8, 2006, at 21:07:15
In reply to Re: sub-theraputic doses » linkadge, posted by john berk on March 6, 2006, at 18:35:24
Is it considered "sub-therapeutic" if you need only small doses because you are are a slow metabolizer? Your blood levels might be in the therapeutic range after all.
Cairo
Posted by cecilia on March 9, 2006, at 17:52:10
In reply to Re: sub-theraputic doses, posted by linkadge on March 8, 2006, at 18:49:42
I've read the same study in regard to Prozac, and the interesting thing was that the manufacturer was well aware of this before it was released, but still chose to release it only in 20 mg. capsules. A pretty clear example of drug companies priorities-MONEY. Like Phillippa, I've thought of trying it again at a 5 mg dose, the 20 mg dose I tried when it 1st came out was way too anxiety and insomnia producing. But I'm just so sick of drugs that don't work and have awful side effects... Cecilia
Posted by ed_uk on March 9, 2006, at 18:16:11
In reply to Re: sub-theraputic doses, posted by cecilia on March 9, 2006, at 17:52:10
Hi Cecilia
In the US, fluoxetine (Prozac) is available as scored 10mg tablets. The tablet can be broken in half to give a 5mg dose.
Ed
Posted by cecilia on March 10, 2006, at 2:20:24
In reply to Re: sub-theraputic doses, posted by cecilia on March 9, 2006, at 17:52:10
Yes, Prozac has been available quite a while now in smaller generic tablets and liquid formulations. But when it 1st came out around 1989, 20 mg capsules were all there were; the manufacturer, I heard, deliberately did that so that primary care docs would be more eager to prescribe it-one size fits all, no decisions required. And the doctor I had then was too stupid to tell me to dump out part of the capsule contents, instead he had me double the dose! Cecilia
Posted by wireless on March 10, 2006, at 16:25:05
In reply to Re: sub-theraputic doses, posted by Cairo on March 8, 2006, at 21:07:15
For the past month, I have been experimenting with 7.5 mg prozac (3 days of 10 mg, 4th day, nothing), in an attempt to ultimately taper off of this medication - from a 15 mg daily dose. I have augmented this small dose with omega 3's (roughly 1000 mg epa) and the Alive! multi-vitamin, and so far I am feeling great at this smaller dose. Less depression and anxiety, believe it or not. Let's hope it continues.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.