Posted by SLS on April 8, 2002, at 20:56:44
In reply to Parnate advice anyone? Please!, posted by Else on April 8, 2002, at 18:09:51
> I am currently taking three different meds for SP, atypical depression and ADD and I was wondering if replacing all these meds with Parnate would be a good idea. I know that MAOIs are considered very effective for both SP and atypical depression, and the fact that Parnate is metabolized to methamphetamine presumably indicates that it could replace Ritalin quite nicely as a treatment for ADD. I am sick of sleeping all the time on Remeron and I desperately lack motivation and interest. I know all about the special diet required with MAOIs but I rrarely hear about the more benign (but still annoying) side effects these drugs might produce. Would they be hard to tolerate for someone like me who gets agitated and angry on SSRIs and who suffers from muscle stiffness and insomnia on Wellbutrin and Effexor? I had a very positive experience with Parnate a few years ago but I was also taking massive amounts of Valium and Mogadon at the time so it is hard to say what Parnate would have felt like on its own. If anyone has positive/negative comments to make about the drug I would be very glad to read them as I am seeing my doctor in a couple of days.
>
> Thank You
Hi Else.I don’t think it is at all certain that Parnate is metabolized into methamphetamine or amphetamine. I hope it isn’t. I tend to believe the literature describing methamphetamine as being neurotoxic – it damages neurons.
My initial uneducated reaction to your question is that Parnate will not act as well to manage ADD as amphetamine or methylphenidate.
Parnate can be combined with Dexedrine, Ritalin, or Cylert. Although I don’t know of anyone specifically who has combined Parnate with Adderall, I don’t see why it could not be. I have taken the following combination: Parnate 120mg + desipramine 200mg + amphetamine 15mg. My head did not explode. You can find a description of this type of treatment in Dr. Bob’s Tips here on this site. I guess you can try the Parnate by itself first, and add back a psychostimulant later if the ADD remains unresolved. However, it would save a lot of time to simply add the Parnate and later attempt to discontinue the stimulant if you are happy with the results.
I think it is worth exploring the use of Nardil (phenelzine) in combination with either methylphenidate or amphetamine. Using Nardil would probably better address the social phobia than would Parnate, and would avoid the risk – although small – of experiencing a hypertensive reaction to such combinations using Parnate.I’m just thinking out loud. I’m sure others will give you some good feedback.
Good luck.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:102416
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020408/msgs/102449.html