Posted by tensor on March 26, 2013, at 15:21:31
In reply to Switching from Venlafaxine(not XR) to Imipramine, posted by Magevro on March 25, 2013, at 20:35:31
> Its difficult to find not only an exact answer to this particular question, but the question being asked(atleast recently) as well.
>
> I have Panic Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, and..mild depression(although the Panic Disorder seems to feed into it and vice versa).
>
> I have been taking Effexor for 7 years, but recently I talked to my doctor and told him I wanted to get off of it and switch to a trycyclic. Mainly, most SSRIs give me insomnia and also increase my addictive tendencies(I.E. smoking). My dad has been on Imipramine for 30 years and doesn't have these problems.
>
> My doctor..approved it but didn't really give me any exact instructions(usually that's fine because I have about 16 years of on hand experience with psychiatric drugs), but in this case I don't know what to do. I've asked two pharmacists, none can give me a straight answer, and told me to call him, which I will, if I can get through..but in the mean time..
>
> The question:
> Can I cross medicate while tapering off of the Venlafaxine, or do I need a buffer period between my last dose and first of Imipramine? I am down to about 15 mgs a day from 75 mgs in two weeks of weaning, but the withdrawal is now constantly present and all of my symptoms have rebounded, to the point where I am losing the ability to function. I need to make the switch like..tomorrow.. If I can, but noone can tell me whether or not it is dangerous with any authority. Is it or isn't it? Thank you.With authority? No. But I have switched meds alot and your plan to initiate imipramine tomorrow sounds rational. You're on a low dose of venlafaxine and it has a short halflife, you will also start on a low dose of imipramine. If it was me I would allow a 24hr window between the two.
/tensor
poster:tensor
thread:1041067
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130322/msgs/1041134.html