PROZAC AND OTHER ANTIDEPRESSANTS, MEDICAMENTS
What are the main advantages of Prozac over the other antidepressants? The main advantages of Prozac, compared to both the tricyclics and the MAOIs, are that it has minimal side effects, is not lethal in overdose, and has much milder effects on the cardiovascular system. Specifically, it does not lower blood pressure, and it causes a far lower incidence of dry mouth, dizziness, constination, or blurred vision than do most of the TCAs and MAOIs.
CAN Prozac be used simultaneously with the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)? Although this has not been studied sufficiently, Prozac it frequently given in clincial practice with small dotes of TCAs. Adding Prozac to a TCA has occasionally led to an increase – even a doubling—of the previously stable blood level of the TCA. This requires more study.
Can Prozac be used with second generation antidepressants such as Desyrel (trazodone), Ludiomil (maprotiline), and Asendin (amoxapine)? Caution should be used if any of these drugs is taken with Prozac, and small doses should be given until further scientific evidence is forthcoming as the combined safety. Enough research just hasn’t been done, but to date I have used the combination and it appears safe.
Can Prozac be used safely in combination with Tegretol (carbamazepine) or Depakote (valproic acid) and under what conditions is it called for? Bipolar and schizoaffective patients often have psychotic features that lithium alone has failed to control. In these cases, Tegretol or Depakote may be substituted for lithium or added to it. An antipsychotic may also be needed. If the depression is still moderate to severe, an antidepressant such as Prozac must be added to stabilize the illness. Patients receiving Tegretol or Depakote may have Prozac added in combination with the usual concerns for idiosyncratic reactions.
Can Prozac be used in combination with major tranquilizers such as Thorazine, Mellaril, Trilafon, Steiazme, Haldol, Loxapine, Navane, and Prolixin? To date, there are no contraindications for using these major tranquilizers in combination with Prozac. However, doses of these drugs, when used in combination, should be started low and escalated slowly and cautiously. Usually an anti-Parkinson drug such as cogentin, artane, benadryl, or kemadrine should be added to counteract the side effects of these major tranquilizers.
Can Prozac be used in conjunction with habit-forming minor tranquilizers such as Valium
(diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Ativan (lorazepam) or Klonopin (clonazepam)? What about tranquilizers that are not habit-forming, such as Buspar (buspirone)? There are no known contraindications to using Prozac with these minor tranquilizers, both habit-forming and nonhabit-forming. However, all the data is not in. Habit-forming medications should be used sparingly. Caution is warranted in combining buspirone, a non-habit forming antianxiety drug, with Prozac due to a few reports of hypomanic reactions.
Can Prozac be used safely with hypnotics (sleeping pills) including Restorii, Dalmane, Halcion, chloral hydrate, and barbiturates? There are no known contraindications for using Prozac in combination with any of these sleeping pills. Remember, however, that all of them have habit-forming properties and cross-addictive tolerance with alcohol. Alcoholics should not be given these hypnotics, and nonalcoholics should be given low doses for short periods of time to avoid doctor-induced addicions to these substances.
What antidepressants are available for depressed patients in the United States and abroad?
The most important antidepressants can be divided into several main categories:
• tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOis)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhil
• lithium
• structurally unrelated compounds
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Categories: Anti Depressants-Sleeping Aid
