Posted by zeugma on May 30, 2004, at 10:20:34
In reply to Re: So, are SSRI's and benzo's safe? King Vultan, posted by BRC on May 29, 2004, at 20:59:03
SSRI's are not liver-damaging, what many of them do is block the liver 's capacity to process other drugs. For example, if you are taking the SSRI Paxil, you need to be closely monitored if you add nortriptyline ( a tricyclic antidepressant) because the Paxil slows down the body's ability to eliminate the nortriptyline and toxic levels can accumulate. That is why polypharmacy can be dangerous.
Benzos are quite safe except when combined with alcohol. That has nothing to do with the liver, but is a CNS depressant interaction.
Remeron can raise cholesterol levels. I assume you are getting your cholesterol levels monitored and the Remeron has not elevated them? Then the Remeron is probably safe. What I would do is notify the family doc about the other meds, and if the raised cholesterol is a new condition, then you should tell your pdoc about the Remeron's possible effect.
poster:zeugma
thread:351559
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040527/msgs/352121.html