Posted by susan C on July 12, 2001, at 20:42:59
In reply to Re: Antihistamines and suicidal ideation » susan C, posted by Elizabeth on July 12, 2001, at 20:11:03
> > I would like to know if others share my experience. I have found no dr to confirm it, other than it is listed as a very small% in the side effects list. Whenever I take an antihistamine, whether it is OTC or Allegra (or Clariton), the new ones, with in 48 hours I am suicidal.
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> A number of people experience dysphoria on "drowsy" antihistamines, but it's unlikely that Allegra, Claritin, Zyrtec, Seldane, etc. would cause it, because they do not cross the blood-brain barrier very well (that's why they're nondrowsy).
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> Have other drugs caused this side effect too?
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> -elizabethHi, I hope writing this here makes sense. What you said, is what the doc said. Maybe I just had an unusual depressive experience, but it was SO specific and clear. No, I have not found that any other medication did that to me. When the suicidal thoughts came on so suddenly, I thought, what have I changed? The only thing I had changed was the addition of Allegra. I stopped it and within 48 hours I could literally feel the mood lift. I don't recall being drowsy. I just know I can't take meds that have that side effect. It was so odd.
I have specific strong suicidal ideas four times I can remember right now. The first time was long enough ago I don't remember it being connected to a drug. The second was on Dimeatap, I was trying to dry up my nose, and I was very depressed anyway, that is when I discovered the connection. the third was Allegra, As far as I can remember,at that time, I was not on any other drug other than asthma inhalers and accolate. The last time was when I was going off of Serzone and on med trials. I was very depressed. Each time I dropped the dose (the pdoc was very concerned that I go off of it slowly...)I got even more depressed. Then it would kind of even out. The last bit I had suicidal thoughts. In there somewhere are high bits, by the time I got to Depakote, I was cycling every hour during the day.
I am getting to the point now where it is hard for me to remember the hard parts, I am starting to go up....The depakote has helped even things out some. If the dx of Bipolar II is correct it is supported by family history. Does this give you any ideas? Thanks,
Sue
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> When I stop, it is out of my system in about the same length of time and I could feel my mood 'lift'. When the allergy doc prescribed allegra, I said 'I can't take antihistamines they make me depressed' he said, 'oh, no, this is a NEW one, it does not pass the blood brain barrier.' A friend of mine also had a similar experience, couldn't beleive it and tried a second time...he was braver than me. Anyone else out there?
poster:susan C
thread:69881
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010708/msgs/69911.html