Posted by linkadge on August 15, 2004, at 15:44:52
In reply to Questions about long term TCA (esp desipramine), posted by Racer on August 15, 2004, at 15:22:37
I think there is definately more long term experience with TCA's than there is with the newer AD's ie SSri's etc.
Generally, I believe that TCA's arguably are the gold standard of AD medication. It is true that you generally hear less about AD poop out.
I think that because of their broad spectrum activity they tend to induce less apathy. I knew of a few people who had been on TCA's for 20+ years and were urged to change to a newer AD by their docotors in hopes of reducing some of the potential hazards that TCA's can impose. After a full trial of several of the newer AD's the patients confess that the newer AD's have specific limitations and seem to work only 'half as well' as their older medication.
one thing that I believe owes to the increased effectivness of the older TCA's is the fact that they are generally better at activating the prefrontal cortex. The SSRi's can lead to prefrontal hypofunction over the course of months.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:377967
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040811/msgs/377974.html