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Re: Elavil for IBS

Posted by fachad on June 22, 2001, at 8:45:49

In reply to Re: Elavil for IBS » fachad, posted by tina on June 21, 2001, at 23:34:14

Any M.D., whether GI, GP, or Pdoc, should know that 50 mg/day is really low dose for Elavil. It's below what would ever be considered an effective dose for depression, and some consider IBS to be a somatic manifiestation of depression.

If Elavil is not for you, IMHO, the other logical choices based on their actions at receptors involved in IBS would be doxepin (generic) or trimipramine (Surmontil, patent). Either one of these would probebly be effective for IBS, but again the dose may have to be in the 100 - 200 mg/day range if your IBS is severe.

There is also an EXTREMELY expensive patient medecine called ondansetron (Zofran) that is a very specific 5-HT3 blocker. It is marketed for nasuea and vomiting from cancer chemotherapy, and has been shown effective for IBS. But you'd better be wealthy, or have really good health insurance, because it's very costly. I'd try the other TCAs first.

Just my 2 cents.


> wow fachad, 7 years, that's amazing. I only take 50mgs a day. It's all my psych would give me.
> I tried increasing the dose myself but I just got very bitchy as the amount went up. Strange side effect but I hear it's pretty common with the tricyclics.
> Thank you for the input though. It gives me hope. Perhaps another tricyclic would work better. I'll discuss options with my gp.
> hugs
> Tina
> > What dose of Elavil are you taking? My wife had severe IBS (constant pain, vomiting and dirrahea) that has been totally controlled by Elavil for over 7 years.
> >
> > She had to take 225 mg/day at first when the IBS was in full flare. A few years later she was able to go down to 150 mg/day, but if she takes less than that she has the pain, the vomiting, and the dirrahea all over again.
> >
> > Her GI doc was real reluctant to give her that high of a dose of Elavil at first, but it worked, and has kept working for 7 years.
> >
> > If you have not pushed the dose to at least 150 mg/day, you may not be getting the full benefit of the Elavil.
> >
> >
> >
> > > Hey guys and gals
> > > I was given Elavil for irritable bowel syndrome about 6 months ago and it worked like a charm--for awhile.
> > > I'm wondering if anyone else has had any good effects using AD's to treat IBS and if anyone has any theories about why the Elavil doesn't help anymore.
> > > thanks
> > > t


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poster:fachad thread:67378
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010618/msgs/67457.html