Posted by zeugma on February 7, 2004, at 18:33:27
In reply to Re: Point -Counter Point: Effexor, posted by linkadge on February 7, 2004, at 18:22:11
Effexor is the only one of the newer meds that can rival the TCA's for efficacy. In a study of severely depressed geriatric patients using fixed-dose Effexor and nortriptyline dosages determined by plasma level, they came out exactly even. The advantages of Effexor are less anti-muscarinic side effects and no suicide risk. The advantages of TCA's include sleep improvement for depressives unable to sleep, which is probably most if not all melancholic depressives, and fewer serotonergetic side effects, which are often hard to tolerate in the long run, including serious sexual dysfunction. I have yet to come across an experience on the internet that implicates nortriptyline in sexual dysfunction (other TCA's, yes).
poster:zeugma
thread:310638
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040204/msgs/310677.html