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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Imitrex & Antidepressants?
        
(Message started by: suzy617 on Sep 14th, 2007, 10:30am)
Title: Imitrex & Antidepressants?
Post by suzy617 on Sep 14th, 2007, 10:30am
Hi everyone.  I'm sorry its been a long time since Ive posted. I miss all the oldtimers!  ;)
I've read up alot on different types of antidepressants but so many say you cannot take them with migraine or cluster medication because of a potential fatal serotonin overdose.  
What do depressed ch'ers take then?

Suzy
Title: Re: Imitrex & Antidepressants?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Sep 14th, 2007, 11:39am
A generic warning here is not to be taken as a prescription!

You talk to your doctor about the potential problem, "serotonin snydrome" which CAN, but need NOT, come from various combinations of meds. The issue is dosing--something your doc should addess.
Title: Re: Imitrex & Antidepressants?
Post by suzy617 on Sep 14th, 2007, 11:56am
Thanks Bob.  I was thinking that might be the case with me since I will only take 1/3 shot imitrex usually once per day so its not a very high dose.  
Title: Re: Imitrex & Antidepressants?
Post by chewy on Sep 14th, 2007, 12:19pm
In the past I've used wellbutrin, paxil, and a couple of others I cant remember. Never had a problem using trex with any of them.
Title: Re: Imitrex & Antidepressants?
Post by Ray on Sep 14th, 2007, 12:22pm
What Bob said!

I am taking Cymbalta and I use Imitrex.  When a third medication, Buspar was recommended, I said "NO".  Serotonin syndrome is a real, but slight possibility.  Read up on the signs and symptoms, and discuss them with your doctor and supporters.

Wishing you PF days and nights,

Ray
Title: Re: Imitrex & Antidepressants?
Post by Karla on Sep 14th, 2007, 3:20pm
I take effexor 300mg and use imitrix 6ns a day.  Never had a problem.  But the key thing here is to disscuss it with your dr and work out a solution.  For me and quality of life issues it was worth the risk.  I just need to keep in mind that it can happen and what the symptoms are.
Title: Re: Imitrex & Antidepressants?
Post by Lotus on Sep 14th, 2007, 5:09pm

The risk is real but it doesnt happen with everyone and every type of antidepressant. How high the dose is also plays a role.

The antidepressant types that most likely cause this is the tricyclics and the SSRIs ( Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor ) but many people do use them with triptans without problems.

The very first warning symptoms are feeling of body heat and dizzyness.

If you need to use antidepressant, discuss the choices of meds with your doc ( preferably a psychiatrist ) and be aware of the symptoms and report them immediately.

So far, there have been only 2 fatal cases world wide so its not that common but its real alright. The condition is detected early can be treated.

Take care and painfree wishes.


Annette
Title: Re: Imitrex & Antidepressants?
Post by vietvet2tours on Sep 14th, 2007, 6:09pm
A fattie.never an interaction with anything except an
Oreo or twelve and a glass of milk.

                                                Potter
Title: Re: Imitrex & Antidepressants?
Post by suzy617 on Sep 15th, 2007, 1:50pm
Thank you all for your responses.  I will discuss this with my Dr.  I'm happy to know we do have choices.

Suzy
Title: Re: Imitrex & Antidepressants?
Post by Kilowatt3 on Sep 16th, 2007, 10:53am

on 09/14/07 at 17:09:18, Lotus wrote:
The antidepressant types that most likely cause [serotonin syndrome] is the tricyclics and the SSRIs ( Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor ) but many people do use them with triptans without problems.

So far, there have been only 2 fatal cases world wide so its not that common but its real alright. The condition is detected early can be treated.

Take care and painfree wishes.

Annette


Annette,

According to the New York Times:

"Dr. Edward W. Boyer of the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Dr. Michael Shannon of Children’s Hospital Boston, noted that more than 85 percent of doctors were “unaware of the serotonin syndrome as a clinical diagnosis.”

In their review in The New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Boyer and Dr. Shannon cited a report based on calls to poison control centers around the country in 2002 showing 7,349 cases of serotonin toxicity and 93 deaths. (In 2005, the last year for which statistics are available, 118 deaths were reported.)"

Not to be alarmist, but no one is served by understating the risk!
Title: Re: Imitrex & Antidepressants?
Post by vietvet2tours on Sep 16th, 2007, 12:51pm

on 09/14/07 at 17:09:18, Lotus wrote:
The risk is real but it doesnt happen with everyone and every type of antidepressant. How high the dose is also plays a role.

The antidepressant types that most likely cause this is the tricyclics and the SSRIs ( Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor ) but many people do use them with triptans without problems.

The very first warning symptoms are feeling of body heat and dizzyness.

If you need to use antidepressant, discuss the choices of meds with your doc ( preferably a psychiatrist ) and be aware of the symptoms and report them immediately.

So far, there have been only 2 fatal cases world wide so its not that common but its real alright. The condition is detected early can be treated.

Take care and painfree wishes.


Annette

http://www.roanestate.edu/library/Halloween02/Dr.Quack.jpg
Title: Re: Imitrex & Antidepressants?
Post by alienspacebabe on Sep 16th, 2007, 2:39pm
I take Cymbalta - used to take Prozac.  Both my regular doc and several pharmacists have talked with me about seratonin syndrome.  So far, I haven't had a problem.  In fact, while on Prozac, one day I used 8 vials of Imitrex - didn't have a problem (that's just me - I don't recommend it!!!)

Good luck, Suzy, and nice to see you back!


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