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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 ian24 on December 22, 2003, at 18:01:56
Anyone? please
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on December 22, 2003, at 19:07:32
In reply to Can you take more than one ssri at a time?, posted by ian24 on December 22, 2003, at 18:01:56
Posted by ian24 on December 22, 2003, at 19:37:35
In reply to Re: Can you take more than one ssri at a time? (nm), posted by socialdeviantjeff on December 22, 2003, at 19:07:32
nm
Posted by SLS on December 22, 2003, at 19:49:15
In reply to Re: Can you take more than one ssri at a time?, posted by ian24 on December 22, 2003, at 19:37:35
Hi Ian.
For most people, I don't think it would hurt to wean down on one SSRI while titrating up on another. It does make sense, though, to be wary of a potential interaction known as "serotonin syndrome". You should discuss this with your doctor. Although it should be considered a possibility when combining SSRIs, I think it is a rather infrequent occurrence.
- Scott
---------------------------------------
The symptoms of serotonin syndrome include the following:Mental status changes
Confusion (51%)
Agitation (34%)
Hypomania (21%)
Anxiety (15%)
Coma (29%)Cardiovascular
Sinus tachycardia (36%)
Hypertension (35%)
Hypotension (15%)Gastrointestinal
Nausea (23%)
Diarrhea (8%)
Abdominal pain (4%)
Salivation (2%)Motor Abnormalities
Myoclonus (58%)
Hyperreflexia (52%)
Muscle rigidity (51%)
Restlessness (48%)
Tremor (43%)
Ataxia/incoordination (40%)
Shivering (26%)
Nystagmus (15%)
Seizures (12%)Other
Diaphoresis (45%)
Unreactive pupils (20%)
Tachypnea (26%)
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on December 22, 2003, at 21:38:25
In reply to Re: Can you take more than one ssri at a time?, posted by SLS on December 22, 2003, at 19:49:15
Somehow I managed to click the wrong check box. SLS couldn't have said it better. Combining SSRI's together is a dangerous business. titirating off of one to another is common, but treatment with two SSRI's at the same time should only be done under very strict and frequent monitoring. Seritonin Syndrome is potentially fatal.
Hope this helps...
Posted by linkadge on December 23, 2003, at 8:53:30
In reply to Re: Can you take more than one ssri at a time?, posted by socialdeviantjeff on December 22, 2003, at 21:38:25
As long as the dose is not too high I wouldn't be worried abour serotonin syndrome. You are no more likely to get serotonin syndrome on 20 mg Celexa and 20 mg Paxil than you would on 40 mg of Celexa (taking into considerations the relative potency)
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on December 23, 2003, at 9:22:12
In reply to Re: Can you take more than one ssri at a time?, posted by linkadge on December 23, 2003, at 8:53:30
> You are no more likely to get serotonin syndrome on 20 mg Celexa and 20 mg Paxil than you would on 40 mg of Celexa (taking into considerations the relative potency)
Hi Linkadge.Upon what do you base this statement? Serotonin syndrome can pop-up under a variety of circumstances for which such a reaction seems counterintuitive. For instance, I came upon a case report on Medline that indicates serotonin syndrome was illicited by a combination of venlafaxine and mirtazapine. Also, I don't think we can be so sure that we know enough about the drugs we use and how they interact to be so confident. That's my opinion at the moment, anyway. I would still be cautious when combining serotoninergics.
- Scott
Posted by Bill LL on December 23, 2003, at 9:42:59
In reply to Can you take more than one ssri at a time?, posted by ian24 on December 22, 2003, at 18:01:56
Ian- taking 2 SSRI's at the same time is safe when done under a doctor's supervision. I have read a lot of posts on people using SSRI's. It's not very common to mix 2 together. However, it is very common to mix 2 antidepressants together where one of them is an SSRI.
> Anyone? please
This is the end of the thread.
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