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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by yeltom on March 11, 2003, at 20:33:15
I've been on trazodone, buspar, and celexa for a while. The celexa seemed to lose its effectiveness, so my doctor switched me to prozac. I've read conflicting reports about the prozac/buspar combo. I've read (1)that prozac decreases buspar's effectiveness, (2)that the two drugs decrease each other's effectiveness, and 3(3)that buspar is a great way to augment prozac's effectiveness. Although (1) and (3) aren't strictly contradictory, I'm definitely confused. Would like to hear both from people who've tried the combination and pharmocologically inclined people who can explain what actually happens when the two drugs are combined. Thank you.
Posted by jflange on March 11, 2003, at 22:55:07
In reply to Prozac/BuSpar combo: good or bad?, posted by yeltom on March 11, 2003, at 20:33:15
yeltom:
Here's an article about Prozac and Buspar. There's a lot of jargon, but it's nicely detailed.
http://www.biopsychiatry.com/busmech.htmIn a nutshell: Buspar is both a serotonin agonist and antagonist, and it boosts levels of dopamine and noradrenaline. Because of its agonist/antagonist status with respect to serotonin, it both works in tandem with and against the effects of Prozac in terms of increasing serotonin.
Most importantly, Buspar works well as an augmenting agent with SSRIs of all stripes, including Prozac. It targets anxiety, but since it complements some SSRI therapy, it can also be useful in depression as well.
Hope that helps,
jflange
Posted by Ritch on March 11, 2003, at 23:24:08
In reply to Prozac/BuSpar combo: good or bad?, posted by yeltom on March 11, 2003, at 20:33:15
> I've been on trazodone, buspar, and celexa for a while. The celexa seemed to lose its effectiveness, so my doctor switched me to prozac. I've read conflicting reports about the prozac/buspar combo. I've read (1)that prozac decreases buspar's effectiveness, (2)that the two drugs decrease each other's effectiveness, and 3(3)that buspar is a great way to augment prozac's effectiveness. Although (1) and (3) aren't strictly contradictory, I'm definitely confused. Would like to hear both from people who've tried the combination and pharmocologically inclined people who can explain what actually happens when the two drugs are combined. Thank you.
Generally, the Buspar will dampen the serotonergic effect of the Prozac (and other SSRI's), and tend to boost noradrenergic and dopaminergic effects than Prozac alone. So, if you respond well to SSRI's by themselves, and respond poorly to TCA's/Wellbutrin/stims (i.e.), the Buspar add could possibly worsen your depression. If SSRI's tend to trigger a lot of apathy and anhedonia (although helpful for other symptoms) the add could prove beneficial. You will just need to try it and see what happens.
Posted by yeltom on March 11, 2003, at 23:30:37
In reply to Re: Prozac/BuSpar combo: good or bad? » yeltom, posted by Ritch on March 11, 2003, at 23:24:08
Thanks to you (and jflange). What's anhedonia? Not in my dictionary. I would add that I'm not talking about ssris in general, but prozac in general. At least in regards to prozac reducing the effectiveness of buspar (as opposed to vice versa), what I've read implies that prozac is unique in that respect
> > I've been on trazodone, buspar, and celexa for a while. The celexa seemed to lose its effectiveness, so my doctor switched me to prozac. I've read conflicting reports about the prozac/buspar combo. I've read (1)that prozac decreases buspar's effectiveness, (2)that the two drugs decrease each other's effectiveness, and 3(3)that buspar is a great way to augment prozac's effectiveness. Although (1) and (3) aren't strictly contradictory, I'm definitely confused. Would like to hear both from people who've tried the combination and pharmocologically inclined people who can explain what actually happens when the two drugs are combined. Thank you.
>
> Generally, the Buspar will dampen the serotonergic effect of the Prozac (and other SSRI's), and tend to boost noradrenergic and dopaminergic effects than Prozac alone. So, if you respond well to SSRI's by themselves, and respond poorly to TCA's/Wellbutrin/stims (i.e.), the Buspar add could possibly worsen your depression. If SSRI's tend to trigger a lot of apathy and anhedonia (although helpful for other symptoms) the add could prove beneficial. You will just need to try it and see what happens.
>
>
Posted by Ritch on March 12, 2003, at 10:03:08
In reply to Re: Prozac/BuSpar combo: good or bad? » Ritch, posted by yeltom on March 11, 2003, at 23:30:37
Inability to experience pleasure I believe (lack of interest too). Prozac reducing Buspar's effectiveness... Well, I gues Buspar would first have to be *effective* for something. I'm supposing being treated for GAD -which is what it is indicated for. Prozac definitely can provoke a lot of anxiety-it is the most activating of the SSRI meds. So Prozac could reduce the anti-anxiety benefits of Buspar (if you are experiencing them).
> Thanks to you (and jflange). What's anhedonia? Not in my dictionary. I would add that I'm not talking about ssris in general, but prozac in general. At least in regards to prozac reducing the effectiveness of buspar (as opposed to vice versa), what I've read implies that prozac is unique in that respect
>
>
> > > I've been on trazodone, buspar, and celexa for a while. The celexa seemed to lose its effectiveness, so my doctor switched me to prozac. I've read conflicting reports about the prozac/buspar combo. I've read (1)that prozac decreases buspar's effectiveness, (2)that the two drugs decrease each other's effectiveness, and 3(3)that buspar is a great way to augment prozac's effectiveness. Although (1) and (3) aren't strictly contradictory, I'm definitely confused. Would like to hear both from people who've tried the combination and pharmocologically inclined people who can explain what actually happens when the two drugs are combined. Thank you.
> >
> > Generally, the Buspar will dampen the serotonergic effect of the Prozac (and other SSRI's), and tend to boost noradrenergic and dopaminergic effects than Prozac alone. So, if you respond well to SSRI's by themselves, and respond poorly to TCA's/Wellbutrin/stims (i.e.), the Buspar add could possibly worsen your depression. If SSRI's tend to trigger a lot of apathy and anhedonia (although helpful for other symptoms) the add could prove beneficial. You will just need to try it and see what happens.
> >
> >
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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