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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by z on May 31, 2000, at 19:54:06
A PHARMACIST JUST TOLD ME THAT YOU SHOULDN'T TAKE TWO
ANTIDEPRESSANTS TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY WILL COUNTERACT
EACH OTHER AND RENDER EACH OTHER NON-EFFECTIVE!! IS
THIS TRUE????!!! PLEASE, PLEASE RESPOND ASAP IF YOU
KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS!!! I THOUGHT PEOPLE OFTEN
TAKE VARIOUS COMBOS, PRODUCING GREAT EFFECTS!!
Posted by bob on May 31, 2000, at 23:32:36
In reply to PLEASE READ THIS!!!!!!!!!!, posted by z on May 31, 2000, at 19:54:06
> A PHARMACIST JUST TOLD ME THAT YOU SHOULDN'T TAKE TWO
> ANTIDEPRESSANTS TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY WILL COUNTERACT
> EACH OTHER AND RENDER EACH OTHER NON-EFFECTIVE!!Yep, a negative plus a negative is a positive--or, an antidepressant plus an antidepressant equals a depressant.
Seriously tho, Z, the real answer depends on what medications you're taking (or concerned about). I doubt anything really "cancels" out another med -- I take a stimulant and a sedative at the same time each day but they both do their jobs quite well for me. There are some meds that should NOT be mixed with other meds ... but that doesn't sound like what this pharmacist was trying to say.
So, write back and tell us what meds and the resident experts will be able to give you much more information than you'd ever think you'd need.
cheers,
bobhmmm ... but is "anti"-"depressant" a double negative itself? Then, you'd get a positive from it ... and a positive plus a positive equals a positive.... hmmmmm....
Posted by JohnL on June 1, 2000, at 5:44:20
In reply to PLEASE READ THIS!!!!!!!!!!, posted by z on May 31, 2000, at 19:54:06
> A PHARMACIST JUST TOLD ME THAT YOU SHOULDN'T TAKE TWO
> ANTIDEPRESSANTS TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY WILL COUNTERACT
> EACH OTHER AND RENDER EACH OTHER NON-EFFECTIVE!! IS
> THIS TRUE????!!! PLEASE, PLEASE RESPOND ASAP IF YOU
> KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS!!! I THOUGHT PEOPLE OFTEN
> TAKE VARIOUS COMBOS, PRODUCING GREAT EFFECTS!!
>Nobody can make such a blanket statement. That pharmacist seems pretty naive, and pretty remote from the real world. It all depends on which drugs are being combined. Sure, some can counteract each other, and some can enhance each other. It all depends on the drugs in question. The pharmacist's claim is completely and undisputably wrong.
If I were you, I would rely on three sources of input...Your physician; your experienced crew at Psychobabble; and your own research. I would suggest totally ignoring that particular pharmacist. Either what he/she said was misinterpreted, or he/she is so completely off base it's beyond chuckling at.
JohnL
Posted by ChrisK on June 1, 2000, at 7:10:12
In reply to PLEASE READ THIS!!!!!!!!!!, posted by z on May 31, 2000, at 19:54:06
Depending on what the meds are, nothing could be farter from the truth. The best success I have had so far is in taking Nortriptyline (TCA) and Wellbutrin together with Zyprexa. I know that there are many, many people here that take multiple AD's succesfully. Your Pharmacist is definitely misinformed.
Hopefully Cam W. will respond to this soon as he is our resident expert in this area. Don't get too upset unless he refused to fill a prescription. If your doctor prescribed two AD's for you then give it a try and see what your personal response is. We all react differently.
Posted by Noa on June 1, 2000, at 8:22:35
In reply to Re: PLEASE READ THIS!!!!!!!!!!, posted by ChrisK on June 1, 2000, at 7:10:12
In fact, it is common practice to combine certain ADs for greater effect with fewer side effects. That being said, certain combos are probably unsafe. It is generally thought that MAOIs should not be combined with other ADs. However, I have even seen discussions here on this board about pdocs who have done this safely.
So, I agree, a blanket statement like that is innappropriate.
Posted by Cindy W on June 1, 2000, at 10:19:30
In reply to Re: PLEASE READ THIS!!!!!!!!!!, posted by Noa on June 1, 2000, at 8:22:35
> In fact, it is common practice to combine certain ADs for greater effect with fewer side effects. That being said, certain combos are probably unsafe. It is generally thought that MAOIs should not be combined with other ADs. However, I have even seen discussions here on this board about pdocs who have done this safely.
>
> So, I agree, a blanket statement like that is innappropriate.z, the above posters are right (sometimes it's even OK and appropriate to combine two antidepressants) and making blanket statement is unwise. Talk to your pdoc. I take both Effexor-XR and Serzone. From what I've read, combining certain AD's and MAOI's is not wise, however.--Cindy W
Posted by Janice on June 1, 2000, at 21:42:18
In reply to Re: PLEASE READ THIS!!!!!!!!!!, posted by Cindy W on June 1, 2000, at 10:19:30
hello z,
I wsa on low doses of 4 different ADs at one time, and always on more than one (when I was doing ADs).
I'm sure by now you're feeling better though,
Janice
This is the end of the thread.
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