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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by UGottaHaveHope on March 29, 2007, at 2:14:37
I would appreciate input from anyone who has been on or is taking a MAOI. What is safe to take with a MAOI for ...
1. Congestion?
2. Flu?
3. Fever?
4. Headache?
5. Sinus problems?
6. Sore throat?Thanks! Michael
Posted by djmmm on March 29, 2007, at 6:14:56
In reply to What OTC drugs can you TAKE with MAOIs?, posted by UGottaHaveHope on March 29, 2007, at 2:14:37
> I would appreciate input from anyone who has been on or is taking a MAOI. What is safe to take with a MAOI for ...
>
> 1. Congestion?
> 2. Flu?
> 3. Fever?
> 4. Headache?
> 5. Sinus problems?
> 6. Sore throat?
>
> Thanks! MichaelFor nasal congestion: I always used Afrin. If symptoms were very bad, I took a low dose of pseudofed (never had a bad reaction)
For the flu: I've actually never had the flu :)
For a headache: you can take any over the counter pain reliever (although some may contain caffeine, and you may be sensitive to the effects of caffeine)
For sinus problems: again, afrin, and also an antihistamine (benedryl, allegra, etc) *keep in mind that some OTC antihistamines also contain pseudofed, which you may or may not be sensitive to*
For a sore throat: antibiotics, halls, chloraseptic, etc.
also safe: mucinex (Guaifenesin) for an expectorant
Posted by Honore on March 29, 2007, at 8:57:48
In reply to Re: What OTC drugs can you TAKE with MAOIs?, posted by djmmm on March 29, 2007, at 6:14:56
I personally would be cautious with Afrin, benedryl, and other anit=histamines.
My pdoc warns against them, even though others here have taken them successfully.
It's best to experiment, and not take a lot of any substance that's disrecommended strongly (like benedryl, or Afrin) over a lot of consecutive days at least the first few times, until you're sure you don't have any adverse reactions.
Claritin can also be a problem-- which has only recently been noted-- but which I had. So again, you could try it, but watch reactions.
The only things that are definitely okay are Flonase, tylenol, and other NSAIDs. Plus certain cough syrups (the ones without detromethorphane)--Guaifenesin, as Michael says is fine. Might be best to get a prescription one. Some say codeine--or more likely, vicodin-- is a problem; I've never had any issue with codeine, which is a cough suppressant.
Antibiotics and chloraseptic are fine-- also--
Honore
Posted by Phillipa on March 29, 2007, at 11:38:15
In reply to Re: What OTC drugs can you TAKE with MAOIs?, posted by Honore on March 29, 2007, at 8:57:48
Michael you're definitely going for the Nardil? Good luck Love Phillipa
Posted by football on March 29, 2007, at 17:36:54
In reply to Re: What OTC drugs can you TAKE with MAOIs?, posted by Phillipa on March 29, 2007, at 11:38:15
Michael, check this excellent website. You have to register, but it only takes about 10 seconds.
http://www.medscape.com/druginfo/druginterchecker
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on March 30, 2007, at 1:47:05
In reply to Re: What OTC drugs can you TAKE with MAOIs?, posted by football on March 29, 2007, at 17:36:54
Thanks, Everyone on this board should register there.
Posted by kaleidoscope on March 30, 2007, at 15:20:24
In reply to What OTC drugs can you TAKE with MAOIs?, posted by UGottaHaveHope on March 29, 2007, at 2:14:37
>What can you take with MAOIs for....
1. Congestion?
Steroid nasal sprays (such as Flonase) and non-sedating antihistamines (loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine) for allergies. Kleenex for colds.
2. Flu?
Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, bed.
3. Fever?
Acetaminophen, ibuprofen for symptomatic relief. Antibiotics for serious bacterial infections eg. pneumonia.
4. Headache?
Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen.
5. Sinus problems?
Antibiotics such as amoxicillin may be needed for acute sinusitis. Ibuprofen for pain.
6. Sore throat?
Lozenges containing local anesthetics may offer relief. Some people gargle a soluble aspirin tablet.
Ed
Posted by FredPotter on March 30, 2007, at 15:53:38
In reply to Re: What OTC drugs can you TAKE with MAOIs? » UGottaHaveHope, posted by kaleidoscope on March 30, 2007, at 15:20:24
Also the old-style antihistamine Periactin can be used to re-instate impaired sex side effects. Well it doesn't cause me problems, but YMMV
Posted by Jedi on March 31, 2007, at 2:47:59
In reply to Re: What OTC drugs can you TAKE with MAOIs?, posted by FredPotter on March 30, 2007, at 15:53:38
Hi,
Please be very careful mixing Pseudoephedrine HCl (Pseudofed) with MAOIs. Some people might be able to get away with it in small doses but it is strongly contraindicated. While in Canada a couple of years ago I purchased some codeine cough syrup for a bad cough. Codeine is sold over the counter in Canada. I had purchased a mix of codeine and Guaifenesin before. No problem with either of these meds. The next time I purchased the cough syrup they had added Pseudoephedrine HCL to the mix. The Canadian pharmacist told me it would be no problem with MAOIs; they are not used to the irreversible Nardil, Parnate, and Marplan in Canada. I didn't have my reading glasses so I could not see the microscopic print, Pseudoephedrine HCl. No warning at all; in the U.S. anything with Pseudoephedrine HCL in it carries a MAOI warning.Well this one cost me a hypertensive episode that my home BP meter could not even record. I got to the ER where they made me sit for 20 minutes before they even got around to taking my blood pressure. I guess a potential stroke wasn't that big of deal to them. The fact is, they new nothing about this kind of reaction. By the time they got around to reading about it in a book or looking it up on a computer, I could have croaked. When the doctor finally read something about the interaction, I got some guick attention. A couple of hours and a $1000 CT scan later, my BP was coming down - with no permanent damage.
Take care,
Jedi
Posted by FredPotter on April 1, 2007, at 23:15:17
In reply to Re: What OTC drugs can you TAKE with MAOIs? » FredPotter, posted by Jedi on March 31, 2007, at 2:47:59
That sounds a bad experience. Are you saying that Periactin should not be mixed with Nardil to counteract sexual side effects?
Posted by Jedi on April 2, 2007, at 2:42:14
In reply to Re: What OTC drugs can you TAKE with MAOIs? » Jedi, posted by FredPotter on April 1, 2007, at 23:15:17
> That sounds a bad experience. Are you saying that Periactin should not be mixed with Nardil to counteract sexual side effects?
Hi Fred,
I just wrote a long post on your question and then blasted it into cyber he**.The jist of the post was that "MAO inhibitors prolong and intensify the anticholinergic effects of antihistamines." I'm fairly sure that Periactin(cyproheptadine hydrochloride) can be taken safely with MAOIs. Always double check.
Take care,
Jedi
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