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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by angela on May 2, 2000, at 22:27:49
i was referred to this board today & i'm hoping to get some info on norpramin. i'm taking luvox currently for OCD and my pdoc has decided to add norpramin to the mix. i started out 2 years ago on zoloft and had bothersome side effects and begged him to switch me to celexa. i loved the celexa!! very few side effects and really no OCD or depression problems. unfortunately, i had a major OCD attack coupled with depression about a month ago and he took me off the celexa and started me on the luvox. i've never heard of norpramin, so any info would be greatly appreciated. how does it interact with luvox? can i take them at the same time? what kinds of side effects can i expect (he mentioned dry mouth, but i read about weight gain, increased appetite for sweets, excessive sweating...). thanks a bunch!
Posted by University on May 4, 2000, at 1:42:20
In reply to newbie to this board-would love info on norpramin, posted by angela on May 2, 2000, at 22:27:49
> i was referred to this board today & i'm hoping to get some info on norpramin. i'm taking luvox currently for OCD and my pdoc has decided to add norpramin to the mix. i started out 2 years ago on zoloft and had bothersome side effects and begged him to switch me to celexa. i loved the celexa!! very few side effects and really no OCD or depression problems. unfortunately, i had a major OCD attack coupled with depression about a month ago and he took me off the celexa and started me on the luvox. i've never heard of norpramin, so any info would be greatly appreciated. how does it interact with luvox? can i take them at the same time? what kinds of side effects can i expect (he mentioned dry mouth, but i read about weight gain, increased appetite for sweets, excessive sweating...). thanks a bunch!
Norpramin is a brand of desipramine, which is a tricyclic antidepressant.
Desipramine affects mainly norepinephrine (as opposed to serotonin).
I can't remember what neuro Luvox works on primarily, or if it affects more than one.
You really must be careful when adding a TCA to another AD, as they often potentiate each other. There have been deaths reported (very few) in those who took an SSRI with a TCA because the latter drug potentiated the former--or vice versa, not sure.
Anyway, when I took a very modest dose of desipramine for a couple months the main side effect was PROFUSE sweating--when I was at the gym it was really awful, but even in normal situations it was bad.
I also experienced dry mouth, urinary retention, and... well that's about it I suppose. In any case, it didnt' seem to help me.
Good luck,
JM
Posted by Cam W. on May 4, 2000, at 6:43:32
In reply to Re: newbie to this board-would love info on norpramin, posted by University on May 4, 2000, at 1:42:20
Angela - JM is correct Norpramin is desipramine. It is a tricyclic antidepressant with stronger norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) properties than serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI). I don't think Norpramin is used for OCD that much, but in some people it is great for depression.Luvox is an SSRI, marketed here in Canada for both depression and OCD (only used for OCD in the U.S.,I believe). Luvox is similar to the other SSRIs (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and Celexa), but seems to work better in OCD than most. Hope this helps - Cam W.
Posted by SLS on May 6, 2000, at 23:02:39
In reply to Re: newbie to this board-would love info on norpramin, posted by Cam W. on May 4, 2000, at 6:43:32
> > i was referred to this board today & i'm hoping to get some info on norpramin. i'm taking luvox currently for OCD and my pdoc has decided to add norpramin to the mix. i started out 2 years ago on zoloft and had bothersome side effects and begged him to switch me to celexa. i loved the celexa!! very few side effects and really no OCD or depression problems. unfortunately, i had a major OCD attack coupled with depression about a month ago and he took me off the celexa and started me on the luvox. i've never heard of norpramin, so any info would be greatly appreciated. how does it interact with luvox? can i take them at the same time? what kinds of side effects can i expect (he mentioned dry mouth, but i read about weight gain, increased appetite for sweets, excessive sweating...). thanks a bunch!
Did your doctor try increasing the dosage of Celexa?
How well are you responding to Luvox?
- How has it helped with depression?
- How has it helped with OCD?Why is it necessary to add another drug?
Combining a tricyclic with a SSRI is a reasonable choice. It is often used as a strategy when treating difficult cases of depression. It can be quite effective. I don't know if this combination is ever used specifically to treat OCD.Desipramine (Norpramin) is probably the mildest of the tricyclic antidepressants in terms of side effects. Only nortriptyline (Pamelor, Pertofane) is comparable in this regard. I have not gained any weight whenever I have taken it. The other tricyclics are more likely to cause weight-gain.
Fluvoxamine (Luvox) does not interact with desipramine to cause changes in blood levels. You may use the usual therapeutic dosages of both of them. Fluvoxamine may also be taken with nortriptyline in this manner. Other tricyclics are affected by fluvoxamine, and their dosages must be reduced when they are combined. These drugs include imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), and clomipramine (Anafranil).
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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