Posted by Tony P on March 17, 2004, at 1:37:18
In reply to Re: Alcoholism and SSRI Poop-Out/Link/Tolerance?, posted by qbsbrown on March 13, 2004, at 15:55:09
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> I'm actually not drinking any more, so that's not a concern. What class are Serzone and lamictal considered? I just started zoloft, but I can tell no luck. I did start topamax 3 weeks ago for migraines, that might help with mood stablization.
>Serzone (if I remember rightly) is classed as an "atypical SRI", i.e. it increases the available serotonin, but by some other mechanism than the SSRI's like Zoloft. Its side effect profile is very different from SSRI's - little or no sweating and shakiness, no sexual side effects, somewhat sedating - actually helps promote normal sleep, etc. It also acts very quickly compared to SSRIs: 1-3 days for sleep stabilization & some A/D effect, 7-14 days for max. A/D effect.
You will sometimes in older literature see Serzone (or the related Trazodone) classified as a tricyclic, but it has nothing in common either in chemistry or mode of action with the original tricyclic A/Ds (Elavil, imipramine, etc.) -- it just happens to have three rings in its molecular structure. (If you're interested in chemistry, it actually is more closely related to some old antihistamines and minor tranks such as Atarax/hydroxyzine).
Lamictal - I don't know if anyone has adequately "classed" it yet as far as its A/D effect goes. It was originally an anti-seizure med., turned out to be useful in stabilizing bipolar 1 & 2, then was noted to have anti-depressant activity as well.
In my experience, the A/D effect is mild compared to others I have tried (Paxil, Serzone, Wellbutrin). However, my pdoc says he has had good results with many patients, esp. those who are bipolar 1/2 or those who have trouble tolerating other A/Ds. The latter class (which fits me) includes the new proposed diagnostic category BP3 ({hypo]manic in response to some A/Ds).
Tony P
poster:Tony P
thread:323302
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040313/msgs/325161.html