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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Slabicki on August 20, 2012, at 23:37:56
Hello,
Can anybody reccomend a calcium channel blocker that is least likely to cause depression?
These are my only option for the anxiety.
Slabicki
Posted by SLS on August 21, 2012, at 7:16:24
In reply to Calcium channel blockers for anxiety!, posted by Slabicki on August 20, 2012, at 23:37:56
> Hello,
>
> Can anybody reccomend a calcium channel blocker that is least likely to cause depression?
>
> These are my only option for the anxiety.
>
> Slabicki
Nimodipine. If you can't afford this drug, verapamil is an option. Also, Neurontin and Lyrica both inhibit the passage of calcium through the channel.Can you describe in greater detail your anxiety?
I may have already asked this, but have you tried Buspar (buspirone)?
NE beta blockers are inadequate?
- Scott
Posted by SLS on August 21, 2012, at 7:31:18
In reply to Re: Calcium channel blockers for anxiety! » Slabicki, posted by SLS on August 21, 2012, at 7:16:24
Guanfacine has been known to reduce anxiety. I don't think it is as depressogenic as clonidine. It accomplishes this by blocking NE alpha-2a receptors in the brain.
Another drug often overlooked for the treatment anxiety is promethazine (Phenergan). It is related to antipsychotics and is antihistaminergic. I've seen it work for someone who had responded to Zyprexa, but had to switch due to metabolic side effects.
There are herbal and supplements that are reported to be helpful in the treatment of anxiety. There are a bunch of them. Perhaps you can ask questions on the alternative board. Bleauberry would be most helpful with this.
A friend of mind found relief in using L-theanine.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on August 21, 2012, at 9:57:38
In reply to Re: Calcium channel blockers for anxiety!, posted by SLS on August 21, 2012, at 7:31:18
Only thing that ever worked for me was benzos and at one time the addition of mepbrobamate. At one time a doc did add 25mg of lopressor as was going on SSRI for first time and he said he wanted to prepare me for the anxiety of SSRI's was added to benzos xanax. Phillipa
Posted by Slabicki on August 22, 2012, at 23:24:09
In reply to Calcium channel blockers for anxiety!, posted by Slabicki on August 20, 2012, at 23:37:56
Hello there,
Thank you for replying. I just want to try Minocycline, and I've read it can cause anxiety
as a side effect in some people.
So I just need the anxiety med as a back up.I've already tried all the other options.
Here are the calcium channel blockers I heaven't
try:
nadolol
metoprolol
acebutolol
sotalol
timolol
labetolol
I tried to do some research on these, but I don't
know what to think. Some of these may cause depression. So I will appreciate any comments.Slabicki
Posted by phidippus on August 27, 2012, at 22:44:52
In reply to Calcium channel blockers for anxiety!, posted by Slabicki on August 20, 2012, at 23:37:56
There are three classes of calcium channeel blockers and none of them are indicated to treat anxiety, except for maybe Verapamil.
Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers are often used to reduce systemic vascular resistance and arterial pressure
Phenylalkylamine calcium channel blockers are relatively selective for myocardium, reduce myocardial oxygen demand and reverse coronary vasospasm, and are often used to treat angina
Benzothiazepine calcium channel blockers are an intermediate class between phenylalkylamine and dihydropyridines in their selectivity for vascular calcium channels. By having both cardiac depressant and vasodilator actions, benzothiazepines are able to reduce arterial pressure without producing the same degree of reflex cardiac stimulation caused by dihydropyridines
What you want to treat anxiety is Lyrica, which binds to the alpha2delta subunit of the voltage-dependent calcium channel in the central nervous system. Lyrica also has other properties that give it an anxiolytic quality. Pregabalin (Lyrica) decreases the release of neurotransmitters including glutamate, noradrenaline, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide.
Hope this helps.
Eric
Posted by phidippus on August 27, 2012, at 22:49:33
In reply to Re: Calcium channel blockers for anxiety! » Slabicki, posted by SLS on August 21, 2012, at 7:16:24
>Nimodipine. If you can't afford this drug, >verapamil is an option
both of these are straight up calcium channel blockers and have no indication for treating anxiety, although they both have mood stabilizing properties.
I thinkk his only choices, realistically are Neurontin and Lyrica, which can both cause depression.
Eric
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