Posted by SLS on March 13, 2012, at 5:58:17
In reply to SLS (Scott), anybody,,Clonidine (triggers), posted by Shes_InItForTheMoney on March 12, 2012, at 23:04:18
> Hello...
Hello...
I am so very happy that clonidine is having such a broad therapeutic effect to improve sleep and daytime anxiety.
> So, should I give the Notriptyline a shot?
First of all, nortriptyline blocks NE alpha-1a receptors peripherally in the arteries. This can cause some dizziness via a reduction of blood pressure, particularly upon standing (orthostatic hypotension). You will have to see for yourself how dizzy you get from taking both clonidine and nortriptyline. I take Parnate, nortriptyline, and prazosin, each known to have hypotension as side effects. My static blood pressure is normal. Only occasionally do I get dizzy anymore.
I doubt nortriptyline would act to antagonize the the desired psychotropic actions of clonidine. The brain contains a special NE receptor, designated alpha-1d. It is located in parts of the brain suspected to be involved with depression and anxiety. I am not aware of the NE alpha-1a receptor having psychotropic effect. Ed_UK might know. Each drug interacts with totally different NE receptors. Both drugs tend to reduce NE activity, so they are not antagonistic in this respect. Just know that a minority of people are activated by nortriptyline and other tricyclic drugs. However, nortriptyline is less so than desipramine.
It is not unusual to experience somnolence for the first few days with nortriptyline. Therefore, it makes sense to start at a low dosage. Dosage increases thereafter can be more aggressive. Unlike desipramine, nortriptyline blocks serotonin 5-HT2a receptors, and gives this drug some anxiety-reducing properties as well as pro-dopaminergic cognitive enhancing effects along circuits located in the PFC area of the brain.
I kind of rambled here. I'm too lazy to correct for redundancy. Please ask more questions if you feel the need.
- ScottSome see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.- George Bernard Shaw
poster:SLS
thread:1012935
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120302/msgs/1012947.html