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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by francineus on May 11, 2008, at 18:39:34
I've been on Tofranil since 4/17 and now am taking 150 mg. I'm not feeling all that much of an effect. Anyone out there know how long this stuff takes to work? Thank you.
Posted by bulldog2 on May 11, 2008, at 19:19:13
In reply to Tofranil...How long to work???, posted by francineus on May 11, 2008, at 18:39:34
> I've been on Tofranil since 4/17 and now am taking 150 mg. I'm not feeling all that much of an effect. Anyone out there know how long this stuff takes to work? Thank you.
Six to eight weeks but the dose can be as high as 300 mg..what type of sides are you experiencing? Appeitite or weight incease?
Posted by SLS on May 11, 2008, at 19:47:07
In reply to Tofranil...How long to work???, posted by francineus on May 11, 2008, at 18:39:34
> I've been on Tofranil since 4/17 and now am taking 150 mg. I'm not feeling all that much of an effect. Anyone out there know how long this stuff takes to work? Thank you.
2-4 weeks at the right dosage. There is the catch.
It is hard to know what the right dosage is in advance. If you can tolerate it, slowly increase the dosage to 300mg.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on May 11, 2008, at 20:48:15
In reply to Re: Tofranil...How long to work???, posted by SLS on May 11, 2008, at 19:47:07
Can't they do blood levels on TCA's? Phillipa
Posted by SLS on May 12, 2008, at 6:07:51
In reply to Re: Tofranil...How long to work??? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on May 11, 2008, at 20:48:15
> Can't they do blood levels on TCA's? Phillipa
Yes. However, it doesn't reliably indicate clinical outcome. The one exception to this is nortriptyline. It is the most well studied TCA regarding a concentration-response curve. It is known that nortriptyline, unlike the other TCAs has a window of efficacy. If you take too much, you relapse. Even so, blood levels offer a guideline, but not an absolute gage of efficacy/effectiveness.
To look at blood levels of the other TCAs at equalibrium will indicate whether or not one is a rapid metabolizer or slow metabolizer. Again, this can produce a guideline for dosing, but the drug must still be titrated clinically.
Posted by francineus on May 12, 2008, at 6:23:28
In reply to Re: Tofranil...How long to work???, posted by bulldog2 on May 11, 2008, at 19:19:13
I have dry mouth and some mild sweets cravings but otherwise have not gained any weight. I'll wait until the 6 week mark and then perhaps ask the doc to go up. Since I'm tolerating the side effects pretty well, I may try to just increase bf trying something else. SSRI"S make me very agitated.
Thanks for the responses!
Posted by johnj on May 12, 2008, at 9:08:47
In reply to Re: Tofranil...How long to work???, posted by SLS on May 12, 2008, at 6:07:51
Scott:
Are the response levels for nortryptline only for depression or for anxiety also? If one is a slow metabolizer do taking levels tell the whole story? Or does being a slow metabolizer just mean ones levels build up quicker? I'm a little confused. Thanks
johnj
Posted by cactus on May 12, 2008, at 15:11:03
In reply to Re: Tofranil...How long to work???, posted by francineus on May 12, 2008, at 6:23:28
> I have dry mouth and some mild sweets cravings but otherwise have not gained any weight. I'll wait until the 6 week mark and then perhaps ask the doc to go up. Since I'm tolerating the side effects pretty well, I may try to just increase bf trying something else. SSRI"S make me very agitated.
> Thanks for the responses!
Both times I tried it, it actually worked quite quickly, like within a week. It might have been a placebo effect, but numerous people commented on my change in mood.That was over 10 years ago but I couldn't stand the side effects of excessive sedation, dry mouth, blurred vision and loss of short term memory, so I stopped it. It also gave me ataxia and made me walk with a stilted gait, appearing drunk. I remember walking was a real chore, so I gave it away.
As far as TCA's go, I responded best to Dothiepin (Prothieden) but it pooped out after a couple of months. The only side effects I got from that drug were a dry mouth, blurred vision and night sweats. good luck C
Posted by Forerunner on May 13, 2008, at 9:16:27
In reply to Tofranil...How long to work???, posted by francineus on May 11, 2008, at 18:39:34
> I've been on Tofranil since 4/17 and now am taking 150 mg. I'm not feeling all that much of an effect. Anyone out there know how long this stuff takes to work? Thank you.
When i took it in the 80's, my pdoc told me 4-6 weeks. It did work well for me by the way. Best wishes.
-4'r
Posted by paddo on May 15, 2008, at 1:20:02
In reply to Re: Tofranil...How long to work??? » francineus, posted by Forerunner on May 13, 2008, at 9:16:27
> > I've been on Tofranil since 4/17 and now am taking 150 mg. I'm not feeling all that much of an effect. Anyone out there know how long this stuff takes to work? Thank you.
>
> When i took it in the 80's, my pdoc told me 4-6 weeks. It did work well for me by the way. Best wishes.
>
> been on tofranil for five weeks...former drug was zoloft..experiencing high mood swings..agitation..impulsive..deep dep/anxiety..an increase may be the answer..ideation also a problem..have spoken to doctor and therapist..and will again ...any ideas..
Posted by francineus on May 15, 2008, at 5:19:46
In reply to Re: Tofranil...How long to work??? » Forerunner, posted by paddo on May 15, 2008, at 1:20:02
perhaps adding a mood stabilizer like lithium?
This is the end of the thread.
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