Posted by Cam W. on July 24, 2000, at 23:57:29
In reply to CAM, need some info desperately, posted by Greg on July 24, 2000, at 20:33:56
Greg - Nah, not really a potentially serious interaction, but you do need a doc who will monitor your dosing. A couple of studies have shown desipramine may increase Tegretol blood levels, but some other studies haven't been able to replicate this.
Also, by the same token, Tegretol could theoretically decrease desipramine levels by inducing (increasing) the drug metabolizing cytochrome system (CYP-3A3/4) by which both drugs are metabolized. This decrease of desipramine levels is ulikely because desipramine is also metabolized by other cytochrome enzymes (CYP-2D6 & CYP-1A2) which are not induced by Tegretol. Thus this should negate Tegretol's effect on desipramine's metabolism.
Just because these two drugs interact doesn't mean you can't use them together. You just have to modify the dose of Tegretol. Your doc will probably start you on a low dose and, by taking Tegretol blood levels, he/she will adjust the dosage according to you side effects (an indication of appropriate dose. Docs will raise your dose slowly until you have resolution of your symptoms or the side effects (nausea, lethargy, confusion, etc.) become a nuisance (then back off the dose a bit).
In the end you may probably be on a normal to low-normal dose of Tegretol and a normal dose of desipramine. •But this is only a guess•
I hope this makes some sense. If not I can try to clarify it a little better. Please ask questions. - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:41333
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000717/msgs/41352.html