Posted by PsychoSage on March 20, 2004, at 15:37:50
In reply to can stimulant be taken with SSRI Klonipin?, posted by bluebird on March 20, 2004, at 14:57:04
> My husband is taking Paxil and Cloneazepam. Is there a stimulant that can be taken with these meds to help with the tiredness? Black coffee puts him to sleep, Cokes help but who wants all of that sugar. Is there a med that won't bring on anxiety that will help with motivation?
> Thanks, Bluebird
A stimulant is a big leap for a person without ADHD, narcolepsy or treatment refractory depression I think.Klonipin is a sedative {benzo}, so it's supposed to bring your husband's energy level down essentially. The next new generation of antianxiety drugs in the pipeline will be more selective and not affect the entire brain as much.
I think if your husband does not have panic or trouble going to sleep then maybe he should talk to his doctor about using the klonipin for just important situations or lower the frequency or dose. From my experience with just using ativan before bed and then getting off it I learned that just 1mg influenced my energy level and thinking capacity negatively all day.
Paxil alone is used for anxiety for lots of people, so can he just stick to that. If he did an experiment where he did without the klonipin for a week I bet he would notice that his energy levels will improve. It will be like a cloud has lifted because I experienced that. Of course the anxious thought patterns and triggers of anxiety won't be removed and the relief won't last long because it won't be so novel to be clearer again, but he will be able to isolate the negative effects of being on benzos for him if he keeps a close tab on what happens. I hope that makes sense.
Effexor is used for anxiety for sure. i think it has official FDA approval for it, but don't quote me on it. For some it is definitely activating since on higher doses it works on norepinephrine.
Cymbalta which will be new from Lilly works like effexor {SNRI}, but works more evenly on serotonin and norepinephrine on lower doses compared to effexor, so there is more hope there.
It will be an antidepressant primarily, and it's close to hitting the market as long as that suicide from a healthy trial participant on it doesn't cause a disaster.And of course there is good old wellbutrin which can be an add on for the paxil. Since it works more like an antidepressant {not a quick onset like a stimulant though it is stimulating and affects norepinephrine and dopamine which are the primary spots stiulants hit} it may save your husband from the peaks and valleys of stimulants. Naturally though, the side effects are ones associated with excess CNS stimulation. Otherwise, it is really favorable.
So all in all, I would think: reconsider klonipin strategy with doctor and talk about wellbutrin before you even think about a stimulant.
poster:PsychoSage
thread:326451
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040319/msgs/326463.html