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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Angel1 on June 4, 2003, at 12:55:10
I am ready to start Parnate since being weaned down from desipramine. However, I am feeling very lethargic and take ephedra or ma huang for energy even though I realize it has been banned in the U.S. It has never been a problem for me, and now I have the Parnate in my hand and am ready to take one, but am afraid of negative interaction between the two. Please advise.
Posted by Jack Smith on June 4, 2003, at 13:14:29
In reply to Parnate and Ma Huang(ephedra) together??????, posted by Angel1 on June 4, 2003, at 12:55:10
MAOI's are counterindicated with sudafed (pseudoephedrine) so I am guessing they would be counterindicated with pure ephedrine.
JACK
P.S. By the way, ephedrine is not banned in the US, only in certain states.
Posted by TR on June 4, 2003, at 17:26:58
In reply to NOT a good idea » Angel1, posted by Jack Smith on June 4, 2003, at 13:14:29
I'm not sure if MAOIs are contraindicated with Ephedra, but my guess is any doctor would say, "Do not mix!" Ephedra is dangerous enough on its own without mixing it with an MAOI. Put the Ephedra aside and give the Parnate a chance to work. After two or three weeks, you might not even want it anymore.
> MAOI's are counterindicated with sudafed (pseudoephedrine) so I am guessing they would be counterindicated with pure ephedrine.
>
> JACK
>
> P.S. By the way, ephedrine is not banned in the US, only in certain states.
Posted by Larry Hoover on June 4, 2003, at 20:07:43
In reply to Parnate and Ma Huang(ephedra) together??????, posted by Angel1 on June 4, 2003, at 12:55:10
> I am ready to start Parnate since being weaned down from desipramine. However, I am feeling very lethargic and take ephedra or ma huang for energy even though I realize it has been banned in the U.S. It has never been a problem for me, and now I have the Parnate in my hand and am ready to take one, but am afraid of negative interaction between the two. Please advise.
A one day washout after ephedra should be enough, but once you've started on the Parnate, no more ephedra.
"Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarboxazid [e.g., Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline [e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate])—Taking ephedrine while you are taking or within 2 weeks of taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors may increase the effects of MAO inhibitors "
Posted by Questionmark on June 7, 2003, at 1:36:35
In reply to Re: Parnate and Ma Huang(ephedra) together?????? » Angel1, posted by Larry Hoover on June 4, 2003, at 20:07:43
The lethargy, etc. is probably from the desipramine discontinuation, to a large extent. This should subside w/ time and w/ the Parnate.
Technically, you COULD use some lower dose ephedra w/ lower dose Parnate, but it's definitely not a good idea-- very risky. Start the Parnate; no more ephedrine (if you think Parnate is what you need). :?/
i agree that a one day washout should almost definitely be enough though.
Posted by Stacey fu on June 11, 2003, at 15:34:17
In reply to Re: , posted by Questionmark on June 7, 2003, at 1:36:35
I guess people will do what they want regardless of the dangers to their health. By now it has already been established that Ephedrine and its alkaloids are NOT safe and should not be used by anyone, especially not people being treated for psychiatric illnesses, and even more importantly not people on MAOI's. I live in Illinois, and Ephedra was just banned about a week and a half ago. I don't know where you live, but stay away from this supplement. You don't need to have a fatal interaction or a hypertensive crisis that could kill you at the expense of a little extra "pep".
Good luck, I pray you make the right decision.
Stacey
Posted by KimberlyDi on June 12, 2003, at 13:18:45
In reply to Re: , posted by Stacey fu on June 11, 2003, at 15:34:17
Ephedra? Mini-Thins? Isn't that the main ingredient of Meth? Back in my early 20's I used to pop handfuls of those while drinking and dancing. Trying for a dangerous balance between the buzz and pure energy. I'm not sure why I'm still alive. Even when I want to lose weight, I don't TOUCH those things anymore. I definately wouldn't mix them with AD's. My poor brain is scrambled enough.
Posted by Questionmark on June 16, 2003, at 5:58:45
In reply to Re: , posted by Stacey fu on June 11, 2003, at 15:34:17
> I guess people will do what they want regardless of the dangers to their health. By now it has already been established that Ephedrine and its alkaloids are NOT safe and should not be used by anyone, especially not people being treated for psychiatric illnesses, and even more importantly not people on MAOI's. I live in Illinois, and Ephedra was just banned about a week and a half ago. I don't know where you live, but stay away from this supplement. You don't need to have a fatal interaction or a hypertensive crisis that could kill you at the expense of a little extra "pep".
Who says they're not safe and should not be used by anyone? The FDA and the handful of families who (understandably) complain b/cz of their loved ones who abused the crap out of it or used it unsafely/unwisely and had a dangerous or fatal reaction. Certainly not safe for people on MAOIs, i agree, but that doesn't mean jack-- neither is blue cheese.
My question is, why are amphetamines and methylphenidate not being banned and yet ephedra is? Could this be because there are no wealthy pharmaceutical companies backing up the relative safety of this herbal drug? i doubt ephedra herb is much more dangerous than coffee. Think about it, concentrated caffeine can be dangerous and even fatal if you take too much also, and most of the ephedra products are either concentrated extracts, or the pure ephedrine alkaloid-- combine that with a person taking more than reasonable amounts (for energy or weight loss or euphoria or what have you), and yeah, you're gonna have some freaking bad reactions. THIS, in my opinion, is why this beneficial herb is being made illegal in states throughout this country. It's ridiculous.
This is the end of the thread.
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