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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by angel1 on October 6, 2001, at 21:05:21
Hello out there in babble land. Has anyone evert tried
the combo of desipramine and prozac with success?
Any info or insight is appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by SalArmy4me on October 7, 2001, at 0:32:42
In reply to Desipramine + prozac, posted by angel1 on October 6, 2001, at 21:05:21
Nelson JC. Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine. A preliminary, open study of the combination of fluoxetine and desipramine for rapid treatment of major depression:
"Prompted by a recent study suggesting that the combination of desipramine hydrochloride and fluoxetine down-regulates beta-adrenergic receptors more rapidly than either drug alone, we administered both desipramine and fluoxetine to 14 inpatients with major depression in an open, 4-week trial. Desipramine plasma levels drawn 24 hours after an initial standardized dose were used to rapidly adjust desipramine dosage and compensate for the interactive effects of fluoxetine on desipramine levels in the blood. Responses were retrospectively compared with those of 52 inpatients who were descriptively similar and previously treated in the same setting with desipramine alone. Response was significantly more rapid in the group that received both drugs. One week after treatment began, the mean change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores was 42% in the group that received both drugs and 20% in the group that received desipramine alone (Mann-Whitney U test, P = .007). Two weeks after administration of the drugs, the mean change in scores of the group that received both drugs was 60%, while a 30% change was noted in the patients treated with desipramine alone (P = .001). Ten (71%) of the 14 patients in the group that received both drugs completely remitted (change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of greater than 75%, and final score of less than 7) within 4 weeks, while few patients treated with desipramine alone met these criteria within 4 weeks. This preliminary study suggests that treatment with both desipramine and fluoxetine is a rapid and effective strategy for treatment of major depression, and supports recent hypotheses of noradrenergic-serotonergic synergism..."
Posted by JohnL on October 7, 2001, at 7:38:05
In reply to Desipramine + prozac, posted by angel1 on October 6, 2001, at 21:05:21
Hi Angell,
In research abstracts, the combination of Desipramine and Prozac looks to be real good. The tricky thing though is that Prozac will increase the amount of plasma Desipramine by anywhere from 2 to 11 times, so smaller doses would be likely. In my own experimentations, I have found benefit from Desipramine in as little as three hours, with a mere 1/4 of a 25mg tab. It provides energy and warmness, kind of like a mild stimulant except without the peaks and valleys. It helps with motivation. In research studies it has been helpful for cocaine or amphetamine withdrawals, which are similar in many ways to depression. In those studies, Desipramine worked where Prozac alone or an MAOI alone did not. While Desipramine inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine, it also indirectly boosts the expression of dopamine D2 receptors, which in itself is a good target for depressive symptoms. Many drugs that are good for depression either directly or indirectly target D2 receptors.Regardless of the technical side of it, my gut instinct tells me that Prozac plus Desipramine could be a real good combo. There was another study though that can kind of muddy the waters. In that study, they compared patients on high dose 60mg Prozac to patients on low dose 20mg Prozac with Desipramine added to it. Of the two groups, the high dose Prozac group did the best. And of course, regardless of any research study, the only way to find out for sure is to try it personally and see. As with all things, mileage will vary considerably from person to person. But overall, Prozac plus Desipramine looks to me like a good combo.
John> Hello out there in babble land. Has anyone evert tried
> the combo of desipramine and prozac with success?
> Any info or insight is appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by Cindylou on October 7, 2001, at 14:59:46
In reply to Re: Desipramine + prozac, posted by JohnL on October 7, 2001, at 7:38:05
Just curious on this. I am going to start trying Lamictal Wednesday when I see my pdoc, and I've heard it often isn't effective alone. Since I can't tolerate SSRIs or APs, I'm wondering if Desipramine (VERY LOW DOSE) might be a try?
Of course, I'm hoping the Lamictal will work on its own for me. But from past experience, things are never quite that easy for me.
Thanks,
cindy
> Hi Angell,
> In research abstracts, the combination of Desipramine and Prozac looks to be real good. The tricky thing though is that Prozac will increase the amount of plasma Desipramine by anywhere from 2 to 11 times, so smaller doses would be likely. In my own experimentations, I have found benefit from Desipramine in as little as three hours, with a mere 1/4 of a 25mg tab. It provides energy and warmness, kind of like a mild stimulant except without the peaks and valleys. It helps with motivation. In research studies it has been helpful for cocaine or amphetamine withdrawals, which are similar in many ways to depression. In those studies, Desipramine worked where Prozac alone or an MAOI alone did not. While Desipramine inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine, it also indirectly boosts the expression of dopamine D2 receptors, which in itself is a good target for depressive symptoms. Many drugs that are good for depression either directly or indirectly target D2 receptors.
>
> Regardless of the technical side of it, my gut instinct tells me that Prozac plus Desipramine could be a real good combo. There was another study though that can kind of muddy the waters. In that study, they compared patients on high dose 60mg Prozac to patients on low dose 20mg Prozac with Desipramine added to it. Of the two groups, the high dose Prozac group did the best. And of course, regardless of any research study, the only way to find out for sure is to try it personally and see. As with all things, mileage will vary considerably from person to person. But overall, Prozac plus Desipramine looks to me like a good combo.
> John
>
> > Hello out there in babble land. Has anyone evert tried
> > the combo of desipramine and prozac with success?
> > Any info or insight is appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by Roo on October 9, 2001, at 8:27:10
In reply to Re: Desipramine + prozac, posted by JohnL on October 7, 2001, at 7:38:05
I've tried it and it worked really well for me. I
don't know much else to say about it but that--I
felt quite good on it. Very peaceful.
Posted by KarenRB53 on August 11, 2008, at 14:45:38
In reply to Re: Desipramine + prozac, posted by Roo on October 9, 2001, at 8:27:10
> I've tried it and it worked really well for me. I
> don't know much else to say about it but that--I
> felt quite good on it. Very peaceful.
>
>Hi: I know this is an old post but thought you might see it. I wondered how long you were on the combo of prozac and desipramine and why did you stop taking it? Thanks for any suggestions.
Karen
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