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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Arianne P. on January 29, 2002, at 22:48:39
Hello everyone,
I'd just like a bit of information if possible on the drug Serzone. Any experiences whether bad or good will be greatly appreciated. I'm 23 and took my first dose of Serzone tonight. My doc (first ever experience with a psychiatrist) prescribed this drug for my bouts of depression. I became a bit nervous about the effects of the drug when at about one hour after I took the pill (50mg to start, then I'm to gradually increase dosage per week) my heart started to race, I started feeling hot and cold flashes and sweat broke out on my neck. These sensations were immediately followed by my being light headed and nauseous. It almost felt like it was hard to breathe though that may have been my hyperventilating and natural panic reaction to the drug itself. Is this the normal reaction and/or will the effects dissipate over time? I have had no prior experience with any other antidepressant. In your opinions, is this a good drug to start on? I really appreciate any comments you all can give to me, because it's a little scary. My family doesn't approve of my being on any type of mood stabilizing drug in the first place, so I feel alone. Thanks again.
-Ari
Posted by MB on January 30, 2002, at 4:10:29
In reply to Serzone info, posted by Arianne P. on January 29, 2002, at 22:48:39
I thought Serzone was weird the first time I tried it. Trust me, it gets better. After a while I actually kinda grew to miss the weirdness.
Keep in touch with the group and your doctor....you'll get it sorted out.
Posted by Noa on January 30, 2002, at 18:26:19
In reply to Serzone info, posted by Arianne P. on January 29, 2002, at 22:48:39
My pdoc started me out at 25--just had me cut the pill in half. Perhaps you should ask your doctor about this--some people need to go slower than others.
Also, I had difficult initial reactions to Serzone that wore off after the first few weeks---balance/coordination problems, grogginess, and irritability.
Now, the main "side" effect for me is drowsiness, but that is a desired effect--I take it at night and it helps me sleep.
I recently read here on PB a participant's suggestion that Serzone could cause memory problems. I don't know if that is happening for me. I have organizational problems that include forgetting stuff, but I don't know if I can pin the blame on the Serzone or not. Also, it was just posted here recently that the FDA issued a warning about liver enzyme problems, so you should discuss this with your doctor. I think all it means is that we should have our liver enzymes checked regularly to see if this one particular enzyme is elevated, and if it is, consider discontinuation.
Don't mean to scare you--just wanted to lay out what I know. Serzone has helped me a LOT, and I am glad to have stuck out the initial negative effects.
Good luck.
Posted by Rick on January 30, 2002, at 19:49:45
In reply to Re: Serzone info » Arianne P., posted by Noa on January 30, 2002, at 18:26:19
> I recently read here on PB a participant's suggestion that Serzone could cause memory problems. I don't know if that is happening for me.How much Serzone are you taking, Noa?
> Don't mean to scare you--just wanted to lay out what I know. Serzone has helped me a LOT, and I am glad to have stuck out the initial negative effects.
I didn't have any adverse effects from Serzone as high as 450 mg except some possible memory lapses and a little dry mouth. If I hadn't been taking it with Provigil, it might have caused some tiredness...but as you say that can be a desirable effect. I had blood tests, including liver function, every six-eight months while on Serzone (would have done so even w/o the Serzone), and everything looked fine. In fact, one elevated enzyme came back into the normal range, and that's while I was taking Serzone with two meds it interacts with. If you read the warning you'll see that the chances of Serzone-induced liver failure are only about 1 in 200,000, but it's obviously wise to monitor.
I have a friend who has been taking 400 mg Serzone daily for quite some time, with great benefit for her GAD and NO side effects. Her evening dose helps her sleep, but her morning dose doesn't make her tired.
Rick
Posted by Noa on January 31, 2002, at 19:53:52
In reply to Re: Serzone info , posted by Rick on January 30, 2002, at 19:49:45
I take 500 mg.
Posted by MB on January 31, 2002, at 23:54:02
In reply to Re: Serzone info , posted by Noa on January 31, 2002, at 19:53:52
> I take 500 mg.
Did the sedation ever subside? What is your schedule? All at night, some during the day? How long have you been on it?
MB
Posted by Noa on February 4, 2002, at 16:58:37
In reply to Re: Serzone info » Noa, posted by MB on January 31, 2002, at 23:54:02
It is still sedating, so I take it all at night, a couple of hours before I go to sleep. I do not find any sedation effects in the morning or daytime.
Posted by petters on February 5, 2002, at 0:43:21
In reply to Re: Serzone info, posted by Noa on February 4, 2002, at 16:58:37
> It is still sedating, so I take it all at night, a couple of hours before I go to sleep. I do not find any sedation effects in the morning or daytime.
Hi...
I have recently started nefazedone to my current regim. Venlafaxine + Lamotrigin + Litium for depression and what I think bipolar II.
It´s quite sedating, and also pretty good antidepressant effect (anyhow in combo with other meds). I think it´s has weak properties in monoterapi, for depression. I will check my lever enzym soon. Are you awere of how often raised lever enzym occure.
Sincerely...//Petters
Posted by Rick on February 7, 2002, at 23:18:02
In reply to Re: Serzone info, posted by petters on February 5, 2002, at 0:43:21
I will check my lever enzym soon. Are you awere of how often raised lever enzym occure.
>Here is a link to the U.S Food and Drug Administrations warning page on Serzone. They don't speak specifically of enzyme elevation, but they say that serious cases of liver failure are rare. This is not what I would call alarming, although if you search the internet for Serzone info you'll find lots of business-seeking law firms giving exaggerated warnings. I even saw it on a "recalled drugs" list, which is completely irresponsible and misleading.
I would certainly monitor liver enzymes once or twice a year while on Serzone. For me, a few slightly elevated enzymes fell back into the normal range while I was taking Serzone 450 mg. And I was taking two drugs that interact with itat the same time. I started taking Serzone again a few weeks ago. (BTW, many doctors, even psychs, are shockingly unaware of Serzone's many drug interactions.)
It's always wise to have periodic liver tests when you are taking ANY drug that is eliminated through the liver.
Rick
Posted by Tony P on February 16, 2003, at 14:05:10
In reply to Re: Serzone info » petters, posted by Rick on February 7, 2002, at 23:18:02
Agree 100% with Rick about having periodic liver function tests.
Serzone and the closely related Trazodone (Desyrel) have serious liver action conflicts with many other drugs. They also act additively with each other: I had liver pains and 1 seriously elevated liver enzyme when I boosted my Trazadone to 150mg while also taking Serzone - returned to normal within a week of stopping the Trazadone. An added factor was that I had been drinking heavily for a month about weeks before.
Some incompatibilities I know about:
DX/DXM in cough mixture, not usally a problem with normal doses of DM, but with DM above about 300 mg a day there is a strong possibilty of permanent liver damage.
Celexa - not mentioned in the literature, but I consistently experienced liver pains with Trazadone 100mg after taking Celexa 10 mg earlier in the day. The symptoms went away within 2 days of stopping the Celexa.
Tylenol (acetaminophen) - should be used as little as possible with Serzone/Trazadone. In any case, anyone with pre-existing liver damage or who drinks (alcohol) regularly should limit themselves to 2g total per day - i.e. two extra strength twice a day!
The most important thing to know is that most of these liver interactions are addtive, with a threshold where liver damage is immediate and can be drastic.
Tony P
--------------------------
> I will check my lever enzym soon. Are you awere of how often raised lever enzym occure.
> >
>
> Here is a link to the U.S Food and Drug Administrations warning page on Serzone. They don't speak specifically of enzyme elevation, but they say that serious cases of liver failure are rare. This is not what I would call alarming, although if you search the internet for Serzone info you'll find lots of business-seeking law firms giving exaggerated warnings. I even saw it on a "recalled drugs" list, which is completely irresponsible and misleading.
>
> I would certainly monitor liver enzymes once or twice a year while on Serzone. For me, a few slightly elevated enzymes fell back into the normal range while I was taking Serzone 450 mg. And I was taking two drugs that interact with itat the same time. I started taking Serzone again a few weeks ago. (BTW, many doctors, even psychs, are shockingly unaware of Serzone's many drug interactions.)
>
> It's always wise to have periodic liver tests when you are taking ANY drug that is eliminated through the liver.
>
> Rick
>
> http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2002/safety02.htm#serzon
This is the end of the thread.
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