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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Pluto on March 22, 2007, at 5:11:13
I don't think Xanax alone can be very helpful in depression.The only SSRI that is left to try is LUVOX. But it scares me because
When I tried it in the past, it made me agitated, panicky, feeling like going out of my mind.
But I was not using any benzos at that time to cover up anxiety or panic.Question is: Is luvox a good antidepressant? Now I have my hands on Xanax. Will the strat up side effects of LUVOX will diminish over time? (I mean I can take as much as Xanax to cover the start up side effects and stop Xanax once I get used to LUVOX.
But Is LUVOX that good?
Posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2007, at 11:51:58
In reply to Luvox: (Fluvoxamine) Please Help!, posted by Pluto on March 22, 2007, at 5:11:13
Pluto I took luvox for years with benzos and valium and xanax potentiate the effects of luvox. I at one time went to 300mg. And had two weeks of feeling real good. Then it stopped but the only SSRI I've been able to tolerate is luvox. And its the most sedating. What dose and what for and what have you been on in the past? Love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on March 22, 2007, at 18:33:49
In reply to Re: Luvox: (Fluvoxamine) Please Help! » Pluto, posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2007, at 11:51:58
> Pluto I took luvox for years with benzos and valium and xanax potentiate the effects of luvox. I at one time went to 300mg. And had two weeks of feeling real good. Then it stopped but the only SSRI I've been able to tolerate is luvox. And its the most sedating. What dose and what for and what have you been on in the past? Love Phillipa
Yes -- this is correct, both Xanax and Valium will increase the time it takes for Luvox to leave your system by affecting the P450 cytochrome 3A4.
One should choose a different benzodiazepine such as Ativan or Klonopin to mitigate the startup effects otherwise you will be just increasing the amount of Luvox in your system and negating the effect of the benzodiazepine.
Otherwise, an alternative such as propranolol/nadolol/etc or clonidine could be used, but a benzodiazepine is more effective and clonidine and propranolol must be started and stopped like benzodiazepines with an emphasis on the heart.
Luvox is excellent for OCD; for depression that entirely depends on what sort of depression and your chemistry. It has a wide dose range but doesn't really begin to be effective until around 150-200mg, and can be dosed beyond 400mg actually, however obviously start slow first. This is just from my own experience, as they say your experience may vary.
-- tidings
Posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2007, at 21:22:27
In reply to Re: Luvox: (Fluvoxamine) Please Help! » Phillipa, posted by yxibow on March 22, 2007, at 18:33:49
Jay I always thought it was the opposite that luvox made valium and xanax stronger. At least that was what crazymeds says and my pdoc the one I didn't like here. He said it was probably a good thing. Love Jan
Posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2007, at 21:29:30
In reply to Re: Luvox: (Fluvoxamine) Please Help! » Phillipa, posted by yxibow on March 22, 2007, at 18:33:49
Jay from crazymeds. So which is right? Love Phillipa
Secondly mixing Luvox and benzodiazepines can be really tricky. With some, like Ativan (lorazepam), there's no problem at all. But with others, like Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam), you wind up making either or both meds work much, much better. Surprise! But you don't know how much better, and it can vary from day to day, especially with Valium, so it's not a good idea. This is spelled out in the PI sheet, but double check with your doctor and pharmacist.
Posted by yxibow on March 23, 2007, at 1:19:40
In reply to Re: Luvox: (Fluvoxamine) Please Help! » yxibow, posted by Phillipa on March 22, 2007, at 21:22:27
> Jay I always thought it was the opposite that luvox made valium and xanax stronger. At least that was what crazymeds says and my pdoc the one I didn't like here. He said it was probably a good thing. Love Jan
You're right.. I was reading the table at IUPUI backwards. Duh! The benzodiazepines are the substrate at 3A4 and not the other way around. You're right -- its unpredictable of course how much it will affect as you noted.
Posted by Phillipa on March 23, 2007, at 19:28:36
In reply to Re: Luvox: (Fluvoxamine) Please Help! » Phillipa, posted by yxibow on March 23, 2007, at 1:19:40
Jay I typed my response wrong. And on a funny note two wrongs didn't make a right. But when reading my post I saw my error easy to make mistakes and we're human right? At least I hope so. Love Jan
Posted by yxibow on March 24, 2007, at 16:06:16
In reply to Re: Luvox: (Fluvoxamine) Please Help! » yxibow, posted by Phillipa on March 23, 2007, at 19:28:36
> Jay I typed my response wrong. And on a funny note two wrongs didn't make a right. But when reading my post I saw my error easy to make mistakes and we're human right? At least I hope so. Love Jan
Last time I checked I probably have a brain and a heart and a few other organs....
Yeah, human. :)
This is the end of the thread.
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