Posted by jms600 on January 31, 2009, at 17:12:49
In reply to an alternative to ssri's for anxiety/depression, posted by blue46 on January 30, 2009, at 11:41:50
Have you considered any of the tricyclic antidepressants? As far as I'm aware they don't affect the libido like SSRIs do - in fact I'm on a high dose of amitriptyline (175mg) at the moment (have been for six months) and it doesn't affect my sex drive in the slightest.
Unfortunately - as with everything - TCAs have a downside in the form of their own side effects. These include: dry mouth; stuffy nose; blurred vision; constipation; difficulty with urination; drowsiness and memory difficulties (amongst others). All of these can be quite troublesome. TCAs are also very dangerous in overdose. Some, including amitriptyline, also can affect the heart in the long term.
I do believe the tricyclic - lofepramine - has a better antimuscarinic side-effect profile than the other TCAs, so that may be an option. For anxiety, clomipramine is supposed to be good for phobias and obsessions, although I haven't tried either so can't speak from experience.
All the same, TCAs are considered very good antidepressants so they may be worth discussing your doctor.
> I have been on ssri's for about nine years. I'm having sexual problems now. Total loss of libido, weak erection. I've had problems with ssri's but not to this extent and I don;t know if it is age(37) or depression as I lost my job and things started to get worse around then. Regardless, I want to go to a med that doesn;t cause these problems and Wellbutrin is too activating so I hoped you guys could suggest non ssri options such as trazadone. I need an ad/anti anxiety drug that doesn't cause sexual side effects and is not activating.
poster:jms600
thread:877217
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090104/msgs/877416.html