Posted by 3 Beer Effect on April 28, 2002, at 4:00:12
I was looking for experiences/info & side effects on the tricyclics Vivactil (protriptyline) & Norpramin (Desipramine) but can't even find the full prescribing info on these two old drugs even on the websites of the companies that make them.
I've never taken a tricyclic before so am not too familiar with them. Are the side effects similar to taking the anti-histamine Benadryl or are they much worse? Are tricyclics toxic to your liver & the rest of your body, especially if you take them long term? How stimulating is the Vivactil (Protriptyline) in comparison to Dexedrine, Adderall or Ritalin? Is Desipramine stimulating or sedating?I am getting fairly frustrated with anti-depressants. The only medications that seem to work as anti-depressants for me are stimulating ones. I am currently taking Lamcital 175 mg, but even Caffeine seems like it lifts my depression more than the Lamictal. Dexedrine works well for both my depression & ADD but it only lasts about 4 hours. Ritalin also works but has a bad irritable rebound when it wears off.
Duloxetine might work but it looks like it is going to be awhile until it comes out since it is still going through trials.
I couldn't tolerate Effexor XR. I probably can't take Wellbutrin SR because about a year & a half ago I had three drug induced seizures from an accidental overdose of the muscle relaxer Soma.
The MAOI Parnate sounds like a great stimulant but the dietary restriction/hypertensive crisis thing is kind of scary- lots of stuff has cheese in it & you might not even know it if you ate at a restaurant- pasta etc.
Are Vivactil (Protriptyline) & Desipramine useful for inattentive ADD & apathetic/ don't feel like doing anything or leaving the house Severe Depression? I've tried most of the newer anti-depressants which don't seem to work for me & tricyclics are supposed to work better for severe depression or non-responders. Perhaps I need a norepinephrine boost since ADD stimulants like Dexedrine & Ritalin work well for my depression.
I guess I could always try Concerta but I don't think the 56 mg would be enough of a boost since it provides only 12 mg immediately and the other 44 mg is spread out over 8-11 hours. I did well on Ritalin but only on 20 mg bid- Concerta is only supposed to equal 15 mg bid.
poster:3 Beer Effect
thread:104347
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020425/msgs/104347.html