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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by blanding on December 22, 2004, at 18:52:59
A review of the literature indicates that the anticholinergic antiparkinson drugs can be abused by some patients to achieve pleasurable effects ranging from a mild euphoria with increased sociability at the lower doses to a toxic anticholinergic psychosis with disorientation and hallucinations at higher doses. Trihexyphenidyl may have a greater potential for abuse but there has been no systematic data on this issue. While the abuse of these drugs may not be widespread, it is yet another factor arguing for their judicious use.
My question is: Has anyone successfully 'abused' any anticholinergic antiparkinson drug for treating depression — solely or as augmentation?
Posted by linkadge on December 22, 2004, at 19:31:30
In reply to Antiparkinson drug as antidepressant?, posted by blanding on December 22, 2004, at 18:52:59
Anticholinergics are supposedly the source of dumb-drug euphoria. By blocking acetylcholine they alter the cholinergic-agrenergic axis.
I guess this is what is classified as a deleriant. Some of the antidepressant effects of the TCA's is related to their anticholinergic effects.
I have not abused anticholinergics, a friend of mine has. He seemed to rank it as not terribly rewarding.
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk on December 23, 2004, at 9:30:50
In reply to Re: Antiparkinson drug as antidepressant?, posted by linkadge on December 22, 2004, at 19:31:30
Hi,
I remember when I was in hospital a patient tried to sell me his procyclidine! (Kemadrin)
An anticholinergic called tofenacine was formerly used as an antidepressant in the UK. The brand name was Elamol. Tofenacine is closely related to orphenadrine, which is often claimed to be somewhat more euphoric than the other anticholinergics. Orphenadrine (Disipal) is often used to treat the extrapyramidal side effects of antipsychotics. It can help to relieve the dysphoria produced by neuroleptics, making it quite popular among some patients who take high-dose neuroleptics. Tofenacine (Elamol) was withdrawn from the market a long time ago, I don't think that it was very effective. Some of the anticholinergic antiparkinsonian drugs are claimed to be weak dopamine reuptake inhibitors.
Ed.
Posted by anxiety_free on December 23, 2004, at 16:45:37
In reply to Re: Antiparkinson drug as antidepressant? » linkadge, posted by ed_uk on December 23, 2004, at 9:30:50
The only place I've heard of this is in books discussing schizophrenia. Apparently, some inpatients like these drugs so much they can mimick akathisia, EPS, etc....whatever they need to do to get the drug(s) in question. My question is, can't we just GIVE them the drugs? Some countries, for instance, have combo-drugs such as Combidol on the market.
Posted by ramsea on December 27, 2004, at 10:09:14
In reply to Re: Antiparkinson drug as antidepressant?, posted by linkadge on December 22, 2004, at 19:31:30
Interesting question. I've had experience with this med as both a health worker and patient. I have come across a very few people on very high maintenance doses of antipsychotics who have used the stuff in an effort to "get a buzz". But over man years that is practically never.
I have known the same client/friend group use other substances to make up for the dullness and lack of spark caused by their anti-psychs, Personally I think it is more healthy to have a careful use of Kemadrin/etc than the alcohol, nicotine abuse and caffeineism combo that they also use to stay alert and feel more lively.
For me it can have a mild boost to a sense of well-being in depressive bipolar episodes. That would be the lowest dose, like 5mgs in the AM, counteracting anti-psych for bipolar. I have never found it to be addictive.
This is the end of the thread.
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