Posted by Rick on September 30, 1999, at 23:42:39
In reply to Re: Yes, I've taken high dose Selegiline 60 mg/day, posted by John on September 28, 1999, at 8:55:05
John, sorry to hear it didn't work out. But based on my own experience with selegeline (but at much lower doses) I had a feeling this would be ineffective for social phobia regardless of dose.BTW, despite the high price, "selegeline" is considered a generic, and I paid only the generic insurance co-pay for it. The primary U.S. brand-name product, as used in Parkinson's, is called "Eldepryl". It's even pricier. I've read life extensionists' claims that pure "l-deprenyl" is better than either of the above (especially the liquid form), but I don't know why, or what the purported difference is. Many websites apparently sell it without prescsription; I doubt that's legal in the U.S.
> Yes, I've worked my way up to 60 mg/day of Selegiline. I should qualify my response by noting that I remained at that level for only two weeks. Have not noticed any therapeutic effect on social phobia. Cannot indicate the effect upon depression, as I, fortunately, do not suffer from that terrible affliction. Primary benefitof high dose Selegiline, to me, seems to be enhanced libido, but that's it.
>
> Was hoping it would prove as efficacious as Marplan (Isocarboxazid), but as Selegiline is not a hydrazine MAOI, it does not appear to have an effect on GABA. My hypothesis is the effect upon GABA of Phenelzine (whole brain GABA levels have been shown to double)is a primary reason for the difference in efficacy between Phenelzine and the non-hydrazine Parnate (Tranylcypromine) as well as the SSRI's. The SSRI's, I understand may act to indirectly and partially increase GABA through allopregnanolone via the Serotonergic system. This indirect and partical effect, I also hypothesize, may be the reason SSRI's are only partially beneficial in treating social phobia.
>
> Perhaps Marplan, the other hydrazine MAOI now available in the U.S., may offer similar efficacy to Phenelzine, but without the side effects of weight gain and sexual dysfunction.
>
>
> John
>
> by the way, I used the trade name formula (Selegiline) as opposed to generic deprenyl. I understand it is very expensive if you don't have good prescription insurance.
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > Anyone with experience with "high dose," 60 mg/day or greater, Selegiline (Deprenyl) for social phobia? My thinking is that it could be an alternative to Nardil and Parnate if taken as the higher doses where it loses its MAO-B selectivity (>10-15 mg/day). I've seen some threads on what I think is this site (the old RxQx) where practictioners mentioned using up to 60 mg/day of Selegiline in successfully treating depression. So the question: at this level, how does it compare to the "gold standard" Phenelzine? ANYONE WITH EXPERIENCE? By the way, I'd stick with Phenelzine if it didn't leave me with erectile dysfunction (at the slightest dose), anorgasmia (I guess that's secondary to erectile dysfunction - uh, one needs to happen before the other), and gaining 15 lbs. plus. Lastly, I understand that Liebowitz, et al., of the New York State Psychiatric Institute found the reversible MAO inhibitors (RIMA's), namely Moclobemide, to be no better than placebo in their more recent follow-up studies.
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> >
> >
> >
> > John,
> > Did you start taking the Selegiline? How is it working for you? I am thinking about giving it a try .What dosage are you taking? Are you taking the generic?
> > Thanks
poster:Rick
thread:11298
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990914/msgs/12385.html