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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sip on October 31, 2004, at 12:54:03
Hi, I posted here last fall when I started taking Lexapro. The Lexapro has been working really well. But I quit smoking 14 days ago and have been on the Nicotine patch (21 mg). I am feeling emotional and depressed and lethargic and generally blah. I am slightly freaked out by this. Has anyone else been on the nicotine patch and an anti-depressant (other than Wellbutrin/Zyban) and started feeling a little depressed? Does the patch interfere with the anti-depressant? Thanks.
Posted by jboud24 on October 31, 2004, at 13:01:51
In reply to Nicotine Patch and Lexapro, posted by sip on October 31, 2004, at 12:54:03
There is a vaporization product from nicotine, a naphthalene by-product, that inhibits the activity of MAO-B. This inhibition leads to increased dopamine and phenethylamine in the brain. Since the patch only deivers nicotine, and none of the by-products of smoking, you are achieving little to no inhibition of MAO-B, which is most likely why you are feeling more depressed.
Also, you can't expect the patch to deliver the same type of nicotine peaks you experienced when smoking, so that may be contributing as well. But there is no interaction with the patch and Lexapro to answer your question.
Justin
Posted by sip on October 31, 2004, at 13:41:27
In reply to Re: Nicotine Patch and Lexapro, posted by jboud24 on October 31, 2004, at 13:01:51
Thanks for replying but I confess I didn't understand the terminology. Are you saying that some chenical process (?) or product involved in actually smoking cigarettes is missing from the patch plus the patch doesn't deliver the same nicotine levels as smoking and these things are probably contributing to my feeling depressed??
I know I need to talk to my doctor but I am just curious if the remedy is to up my dosage of Lexapro? Anyone been through this?
Posted by linkadge on October 31, 2004, at 16:34:55
In reply to Re: Nicotine Patch and Lexapro, posted by sip on October 31, 2004, at 13:41:27
There is research to suggest that nicotine can have a depressant effect. It can enhance cholinergic function which can have a mood depressant effect.
Linkadge
Posted by jboud24 on October 31, 2004, at 17:33:36
In reply to Re: Nicotine Patch and Lexapro, posted by sip on October 31, 2004, at 13:41:27
MAO-B breaks down the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Increased dopamine is thought to be the reason for the addictiveness of cigarettes. What I was saying is that nicotine itself is not primarily involved in the pleasurable effect of cigarettes; it is a by-product of the burning of the cigarette that is not consumed when you use the nicotine patch.
Hope that helps you out sip,
Justin
This is the end of the thread.
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