![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 former poster on February 4, 2011, at 0:42:24
I have tried this antihistamine in combination with other antidepressants and found it to be beneficial to depression as well as my allergies. The serotonin, norepinephrine enhancement has been documented but never any clinical trial on its efficacy for depression.
Posted by Hombre on February 5, 2011, at 2:51:50
In reply to Chlorpheniramine (antihistimine) for depression, posted by former poster on February 4, 2011, at 0:42:24
Very interesting.
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=17579022
Titre du document / Document title
Chlorpheniramine, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and over-the-counter (OTC) treatment
Auteur(s) / Author(s)
HELLBOM Einar ;
Résumé / Abstract
Some old antihistamines were selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the SSRI effect was discovered by Nobel Laureate Professor Arvid Carlsson as early as 1969. Chlorpheniramine was the most active of the tested drugs, and it compares favourably with amitriptyline and imipramine with respect to actions on both serotonergic and noradrenergic neurons. Chlorpheniramine can be called a SSRI, since the blocking of 5HT is stronger than the effect on noradrenaline neurons; however it might also be called a selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI) and be compared with new drugs, such as venlafaxine. Carlsson suggested the potential value of clinical studies of the antidepressant properties of this and related antihistamine drugs. But, in the event, no such trials were ever performed at the time. However, later clinical observations of the benefits of dexchlorpheniramine treatment in panic disorder have been published. Clinical experience suggests that patients using chlorpheniramine, and having also a concomitant depression or panic disorder, may experience a return of symptoms when their old drug is changed to a new antihistamine lacking SSRI effects. Yet this phenomenon is not known to many doctors, and even less known to the large number of patients buying chlorpheniramine under various trade names over-the-counter (OTC) at a low price for self-treatment of hay fewer or as a cold remedy. Chlorpheniramine was introduced in USA under the name Chlor-Trimeton as long ago as July 1950, and is still on the market. Therefore, this SSRI is now over 50 years old. If chlorpheniramine had been tested in depression in the nineteen seventies, it is probable that a safe, inexpensive SSRI drug could have been used some 15 years earlier than fluoxetine - which became available in 1987. Chlorpheniramine might have been the first safe, non-cardiotoxic and well-tolerated antidepressant. Billions of dollars in the development and marketing costs would have been saved, and the suffering of millions of patients alleviated.
Revue / Journal Title
Medical hypotheses ISSN 0306-9877
Source / Source
2006, vol. 66, no4, pp. 689-690 [2 page(s) (article)]
Langue / Language
Anglais
Editeur / Publisher
Elsevier, Kidlington, ROYAUME-UNI (1975) (Revue)
Localisation / Location
INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 18253, 35400013308169.0010Have you ever tried Mirtazapine/Remeron or Quetiapine/Seroquel? I used to have crazy allergies, and I find these meds help a lot with my depression.
Posted by former poster on February 5, 2011, at 11:20:05
In reply to Re: Chlorpheniramine (antihistimine) for depression, posted by Hombre on February 5, 2011, at 2:51:50
I tried Remeron several times. I can never get used to the sedation and the long elimination. If I took a 15mg tablet I would be incapacitated for 2 days. Problem is, I'm on a Beta blocker for a bad heart valve that causes sedation and fatigue. Also on Klonopin. I can't handle any more sedation. I never tried Seroquel for those same reasons. I wish Remeron had a shorter half life. It would make an awesome sleeping pill.
Posted by sigismund on February 5, 2011, at 13:17:30
In reply to Re: Chlorpheniramine (antihistimine) for depression » Hombre, posted by former poster on February 5, 2011, at 11:20:05
I was a wreck until after lunch with it, and that was on 7.5mg.
Posted by Hombre on February 6, 2011, at 4:02:00
In reply to Re: Chlorpheniramine (antihistimine) for depression, posted by sigismund on February 5, 2011, at 13:17:30
That's understandable. The first week on Remeron was pretty trippy. I guess I'm used to it now, at 30mg a night for about a year now. I also take Effexor, which adds some zip. I do take at least one or more caffeinated drinks per day, which may also cut through some of the fog. I still get zonked on the combo of Remeron and Seroquel at night, which I am grateful for.
It's tough trying to balance measures that help with anxiety and insomnia with the need to be awake and alert.
Posted by former poster on February 6, 2011, at 14:31:24
In reply to Re: Chlorpheniramine (antihistimine) for depression, posted by Hombre on February 6, 2011, at 4:02:00
Glad to hear its working for you! How would you rate Remeron on effectiveness? Do you think it is better for anxiety or depression? How about social anxiety?
I need to take Sam-e for my inflamed knees as well as for the antidepressant effect. That leaves me with few choices for a AD combo due to serotonin sickness.
Posted by sigismund on February 6, 2011, at 14:55:52
In reply to Re: Chlorpheniramine (antihistimine) for depression » Hombre, posted by former poster on February 6, 2011, at 14:31:24
>I need to take Sam-e for my inflamed knees as well as for the antidepressant effect. That leaves me with few choices for a AD combo due to serotonin sickness.
SAMe seems to work OK with agomelatine (when I have tried it), so it might work with Remeron.
Posted by former poster on February 6, 2011, at 23:03:21
In reply to Re: Chlorpheniramine (antihistimine) for depression, posted by sigismund on February 6, 2011, at 14:55:52
Something I read about Remeron suggested that it is unlikely to cause serotonin syndrome with any other SSRI. I can't remember the details. But its another reason that it appealed to me. The first reason is its one of the few AD's that may enhance libido and sexual function.
Posted by Hombre on February 6, 2011, at 23:08:39
In reply to Re: Chlorpheniramine (antihistimine) for depression » Hombre, posted by former poster on February 6, 2011, at 14:31:24
Remeron was the first thing that brought me out of a deep, deep depression and anxiety-filled state. I tried Luvox and Prozac with negative consequences. It felt like someone was sitting on my chest, and I had GI issues. On Remeron I obviously felt very chilled out, and I had more energy to to be able to go out and do social things and to exercise. But it pooped out after a short time. I went up to 30mg and then even 45mg, but after a short "norepinephrine" lift I'd feel tired and moody again.
I think my brain adapts really quickly to things, downregulating receptors and whatnot. But Remeron in combination with Effexor is the ticket for me. I think the Remeron helps to increase neutrotransmitter release, and Effexor extends the amount of time those neurotransmitters stick around. Since I'm prone to agitation, racing thoughts and chronic insomnia, I take Seroquel to put a hard cap on all that. I take moderate to low doses of all these medications, basically twice the starting dosage of each: remeron 30mg, effexor 150mg, seroquel 100mg. Three pills a day, ~$1/day on generics. Not bad if I don't think too hard about what a colorful cocktail this is.
The inflammation in your knees might be a sign of something, especially if it is chronic. I only wish I knew more about these things. If that limits your AD choices, perhaps you might want to take another look at some alternative therapies, as in alternative to whatever the docs have recommended. Not to say you haven't looked or tried, but if your knees were better, maybe you'd have more options in terms of an AD.
Just thought of this - inflammation could be an autoimmune type reaction. If an antihistamine helps you, perhaps it is also because it is limiting how your immune system (over)reacts. I'd look into some herbs with steroid-like properties, licorice root comes to mind. Perhaps hitting the allergy/immune reaction could lead to some insights into your depression as well.
Best of luck!
Posted by rogerk on February 7, 2011, at 22:47:51
In reply to Re: Chlorpheniramine (antihistimine) for depression » former poster, posted by Hombre on February 6, 2011, at 23:08:39
taking into account that you have bad kness and you have a heart valve problem which you need to take a beta blocker for.
maybe you should look around for the mood stabilizers, in general they seem to be good for pain(mostly neuropathic) and help sleep, and they don't happen to knock the sh*t out of you like seroquel or remeron can. or even weight gain isnt much of an issue.
i also found antihistamines to be helpful to me, specifically claritin(loratidine) I can function very well on them. as for your heart valve problems, im sure a doctor is monitoring you on your beta blocker. but if there's any way you could take instead a calcium-channel blocker i would advise it. it causes less fatigue.
especially if you have trouble breathing or inflammation, beta blockers just lower your blood pressure as do calcium channel blockers. but the ccbs don't lower your blood pressure so much that you can't function, move around or take other medicines. when your blood pressure is too low, inflammation increases. that's why exercise decreases inflammation as well as taking fish oil.
Posted by former poster on February 17, 2011, at 22:56:59
In reply to Re: Chlorpheniramine (antihistimine) for depression, posted by rogerk on February 7, 2011, at 22:47:51
>beta blockers just lower your blood pressure as do calcium channel blockers. but the ccbs don't lower your blood pressure so much that you can't function, move around or take other medicines. when your blood pressure is too low, inflammation increases. that's why exercise decreases inflammation as well as taking fish oil.<
Thats some great info there!! Thanks!
Posted by linkadge on February 20, 2011, at 18:25:25
In reply to Re: Chlorpheniramine (antihistimine) for depression » rogerk, posted by former poster on February 17, 2011, at 22:56:59
I have had sucess with chlorpheniramine as an antidepressant (as much as any other antidepressant).
Usually, 1-2mg works. I do detect some anticholinergic effect, which can somtimes produce a bit of cycling I think though.
Linkadge
Posted by former poster on February 20, 2011, at 22:59:55
In reply to Re: Chlorpheniramine (antihistimine) for depression, posted by linkadge on February 20, 2011, at 18:25:25
I've had depression, OCD all my life and seem to recall some relief whenever I had a cold and my parents gave me Coricidin. In the pre-SSRI years I told my Psychiatrist about this and asked if it was possible for a antihistamine to actually improve depression.. He instantly said "NO".
We had something as good as Prozac and nobody knew.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Alternative | 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.