Serzone
Serzone questions and answers
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Q: How about Serzone and its side effects, any news?
A: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nefazodone
http://google2.fda.gov/search?client=FDA&site=FDA&oe=&lr=&proxystylesheet=FDA&output=xml_no_dtd&getfields=*&q=Nefazodone&as=GO
Q: Does anyone know of an antidepressant that doesn't have sexual side effects other than Wellbrutrin or Serzone?
I already take Wellbrutrin XR 100mg one time in the morning and after two years,it seems not to be working anymore. I'm having a hard time sleeping recently.Any suggestions? Thanks.
A: ask your doctor, but I believe that Lexapro has minimal side effects, or at least less than most others on the market.
Topamax is not an antidepressant, but an anti-seizure medication.
Paxil does have sexual side effects, and often people gain a lot of weight when they take it as well.
Q: Who used to take the antidepressant Serzone that they took off the market? What medicine are you using now?
I took Serzone for a couple years in the 90s & it helped. I need a medication similiar to it. I cannot tolerate Zoloft or Paxil.
A: The company that made the "brand" named "Serzone" stopped making it. It was not taken off the market. There is a company named, TEVA, that still makes and sells nefazadone, which is the medicine that Serzone is the brand of. I know because I've taken that medication for years and still take it.
Hope that helps.
Q: Has anyone ever taken serzone and/or cymblata?
I have been on Serzone for 7 years and just started having severe side effects and my doctor is weaning me off and starting me on cymbalta. Getting off the serzone is HELL!!!! Just wanted to know if anyone has had a similar instance.....and does Cymbalta work for anyone?
A: Yes I am on cymbalta! I've been on it 6 months. I have no side effects from it. It has helped me out. I was put on it for chronic pain. I still have pain but not like I used too. It has been a big relief to not have so much pain in my body and joints. Hugs!
Q: Can nefazodone (Serzone) be taken while a woman is pregnant?
A: As with any drug, prescription or OTC, consult your doc. I posted a link to an article below, but it was just one rather small study. Here's some more info:
"Pregnancy and Withdrawl: Safe use of Nefazodone during pregnancy or lactation has not been established; therefore, its use in pregnancy, in nursing mothers or in women of childbearing potential requires that the benefits of treatment be weighed against the possible risks to mother and child. "
source - http://www.healthyplace.com/medications/nefazodone.asp
Q: I am seeking any information about Serzone(nafazodone) and how did it affect you?
A: I took 600mg a day for a couple of years. It helped the depression very much, but I was very, very cold all the time. Even on a 105 degree day. My skin was cold to touch and I could never, ever get warm.
Q: is it all right to take both serzone and benadryl?
A: Go to this site and it checks for interactions...
Q: How hard is it to get European prescriptions?
I want to go back to an old prescription that I took for nine years, but is no longer sold in North America. Is it hard to get a doctor there if they know your from the states? Can the drug be brought back here? The name is Serzone, not the generic.
A: All products containing nefazodone were withdrawn in the European Union in 2003. These drugs can now only be prescribed with a special permission on a named patient basis. If the doctor can show to the competent authority that no registered drugs can be used such a permission can be issued.
There is probably no legal way for your to obtain such a drug from a European pharmacy.
Q: Why is a generic medication left on the market when the brand name is pulled?
Take Serzone for instance. Why is it unsafe but its generic equivalent of nefazodone is still available?
A: There is a very easy, but unsettling explanation for this... basically. Bristol-Meyers-Squib (BMS) voluntarily pulled the brand from the market, because they didn't want to get sued, but the generics feel that it is worth it to continue... Here is what is scary: The generics license the drug from BMS, so they still get to make money off the prescription. If Serzone killed 100 people for example, BMS would lose billions and billions etc. These small generic companies can take the risk because if they kill 100 people, they don't have the deep pockets the major pharm companies due, so even if they are sued, they just declare bankruptcy. Its less appealing to sue a generic maker unless they are the biggest.
Basically, the benefit outweighs the risk for small companies, but not for the giants. Sad huh?
Q: What is the best medication for minor panic attacks?
I am always scared of taking medications/anti - depressants ect. Because when I was young my doctor thought I was depressed and the medication I took (Serzone) made me feel horrible - and very depressed. Now that I am older (28) I am starting to have panic attacks. I don't take any medication but I am considering something for my attacks even though they are somewhat minor. Any suggestions, also is there an herbal route?
A: Yes there is a perfectly natural and herbal medicine call PureCalm. I believe this is exactly what you are looking for as it is a perfect substitute for these anti-depressants. You don't have to suffer any side-effects anymore. PureCalm is a natural remedy that helps you to stay calm and relieve stress, fear, worry and panic.
Get more information on PureCalm for Anxiety & Panic Attacks at http://www.nativeremedies.com/products/purecalm-natural-stress-relief-info.html?img=9&kbid=11941
Q: Anyone familiar with Ativan? How about Serzone?
I took Serzone for about 6 years and through a series of insurance problems, ended up off the Serzone and on Ativan. I've been taking "about" 2 mg. of Ativan a day for the last 1 1/2 years. ( 1/2 mg 3 times a day - 4 times max)
Anyway, I made an attempt at cutting down on the Ativan yesterday by not taking a dose at bedtime. I woke up this morning about 3 am and just sort of layed in bed. When I got up around 6 am, I felt very strange. I just felt like crying. And I did. I took 1/2 mg dose and by 7 am I felt much better.
Question: Is getting off the Ativan going to be a really bad experience? I don't want to go off my nut but I'd really like to cut the dose back. Could starting the Serzone again make it easier?
Emails are welcome. Just go to my profile to email me.
Thanks.
A: Serzone was about the only thing that helped my ex-wife with her behavior (I strongly suspect she has BPD - borderline personality disorder). http://www.thepsychoexwife.com
Unfortunately, Serzone was taken off the market due to concerns about liver failure and death round about 2004 - so that is no longer an option for you.
I urge you to consult your doctor about the experiences you're having with Ativan, perhaps find an alternative if you suspect long-term problems with Ativan. Only a professional could direct you as to the pros and cons of taking a certain medication.
Q: Can you actually take both anti-depressants and birth control at the same time?
I have a history (as does my whole family) of anxiety and depression. I have been on Paxil, Effexor, Zoloft, and Serzone in the past. I plan on trying to find something else that might work. I also don't want to get pregnant right now and since I'm allergic to latex, I can't always use condoms. My former doctor once told me that I could treat one, but not the other. Is this really the case?
A: No. Talk to your family doctor, your ob/gyn, and your pharmacist. They can guide you in the selection of the best combination of drugs. I take Effexor and Prozac as well as a progestin-only birth control pill, and my doctor has said that the anti-depressants won't interfere with the birth control pills.
One more resource for you - the package inserts that come with the prescriptions. Your doctor or pharmacist can give them to you, and you may also find them on the web. Read those to see if there are any contraindications for using with birth control pills.
If you're concerned, you can always double up and use another method of contraception in addition to the pill. There are vaginal films, suppositories, creams, foams, and gels that you can use. You can also get sponges. The Today sponge is available in the US. Canada has another sponge, called ProtectAid, that uses a different mix of contraceptives and is shaped very differently from the Today sponge.
My sister-in-law is on medication for seizures and on a regular birth control pill. The doctors told her that the seizure medication makes the pill less effective, so she and my brother are always careful to use another method just in case. (They also know that her seizure medication can cause birth defects, so they really want to to be careful about a pregnancy.)
Good luck to you.
Q: some people have an allergy to Nefazodone. Would they also have the same or similar allegy to Trazodone?
Both are atypical anti-depressents. I took Serzone and was very up (almost manic) and, then ,a few hours later very tired and sleepy. Continued use also produced physical weakness. I'm thinking of trying tradozone and wonder if I would have the same reactions.
A: Go to google. and check the allergic responses to both of these meds. Also check the types of allergic responses that are listed. You can also go on line and check the PDR which is the Physicians Desk reference. Keep track of your symptoms so that you can lucidly explain your reactions to the prescribing MD.
Q: serzone(nefazodone) or prozac is better?
i have to start anti depressant which works more both of them can any body tell me
A: Serzone is better and here is why:
It works on two brain chemicals rather than only one like Prozac
Nefazodone's claimed advantages over other antidepressants include reduced possibility of disturbed sleep or sexual dysfunction, and ability to treat some patients who did not respond to other antidepressant drugs.
Q: Has anyone heard of serzone?
I was just reading that it is better for people to take than sarafem. It also has no sexual side effects.
A: Frequently Asked Questions
What is nefazodone (Serzone)?
Nefazodone (Serzone) is a new antidepressant with a chemical structure that is somewhat similar to that of the phenylpiperazine antidepressant, trazodone (Desyrel).
The antidepressant action of nefazodone is thought to be dependent on its ability to block postsynaptic serotonin type-2 receptors and inhibit presynaptic serotonin reuptake. Nefazodone also blocks norepinephrine reuptake. Nefazodone does not have a chemical structure similar to the SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, bupropion, or venlafaxine.
How does nefazodone differ from other antidepressants?
One possibly important way in which nefazodone differs from other SSRIs is that while use of SSRIs is often associated with sexual dysfunction and sleep disturbances, these side-effects have been reported infrequently in people taking nefazodone.
What kinds of depression can be treated with nefazodone?
While the pre-marketing studies were restricted to patients with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of non-melancholic Major Depressive Disorder, it is expected that nefazodone will be prescribed for patients with Dysthymia, Major Depression, and Bipolar Disorder.
Although nefazodone has mostly been studied for periods of administration of up to 8 weeks, it is expected that patients with long-standing depressions will take the drug for longer periods of time. Data on about 250 patients who took nefazodone for 12 or more months did not reveal any problems with administration for that length of time.
As yet, there is no data on the effectiveness of nefazodone when used to treat patients whose depressions were so severe as to make hospitalization necessary.
What are the side-effects of nefazodone?
The side-effects that occurred significantly more commonly in people taking nefazodone as compared to placebo are:
Side-effect Patients
Dry mouth 25%
Sleepiness/sedation 25%
Nausea 22%
Dizziness 17%
Visual problems 16%
Weakness 11%
Lightheadedness 10%
Confusion 7%
Orthostatic hypotension 5%
Note: The Psychopharmacology Forum of InterPsych has received one report of inappropriate erections in a patient taking nefazodone. It is expected that priapism will be reported shortly as inappropriate erections and priapism are often associated.
Which side-effects force people to stop taking nefazodone?
In the premarketing studies 16% of the 3496 depressed patients taking nefazodone discontinued the medication because of side-effects. The side-effects that the patients cited as the reason they dropped out that were mentioned at least twice as often for nefazodone as compared to placebo are:
Side-effect Patients
Nausea 3.5%
Dizziness 1.9%
Insomnia 1.5%
Weakness 1.3%
Agitation 1.2%
Are there any special hazards for people with bipolar disorder?
As with other antidepressants, people with bipolar disorder who are not being treated with a mood regulator such as lithium, valproate (Depakote), or carbamazepine (Tegretol) may be pushed into a manic episode when treated with nefazodone. In the pre-marketing studies, the rate of manic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder was 1.6%.
Does nefazodone interact with other medications?
Nefazodone increases the blood level of Seldane and Hismanal to possibly life-threatening levels. These antihistamines should never be taken while taking nefazodone.
The blood levels of Halcion and Xanax are also increased by nefazodone. If Halcion is taken with nefazodone, its dose should be reduced by 75%. A reduction of 50% in the dose of Xanax is suggested if it is taken with nefazodone.
Does nefazodone interact with alcohol?
Although nefazodone has not been found to increase the impairment of cognitive or motor skills caused by alcohol, the manufacturer warns against drinking while taking nefazodone.
Is nefazodone safe for a woman who is pregnant, about to become pregnant, or nursing an infant?
There is no data to establish the safety of nefazodone for the fetus or nursing infant.
Is nefazodone a satisfactory antidepressant for children and adolescents?
Although there have been no published studies on the use of nefazodone for the treatment of children and adolescents with depression, it is expected that the drug will be prescribed for depressed children and adolescents.
Is nefazodone a satisfactory antidepressant for the elderly?
No special problems were encountered when nefazodone was studied in a group of 500 people over the age of 65 with depression. As with most drugs, when administered to the elderly, it is useful to start low and go slow.
How is treatment with nefazodone initiated?
Most psychiatrists start people with depression on 50 mg of nefazodone twice a day. At intervals of about one week, the dose can be increased by 100 mg per day.
When nefazodone first was released the usual starting dose for adults was 100 mg twice a day. As many people found this dose to be too high, it has been replaced by a lower initial dose.
When nefazodone is given to elderly patients the starting dose is usually 50 mg twice a day.
What is the usual final dose of nefazodone?
While doses up to 600 mg per day are approved by the FDA, some severely depressed patients have been treated with higher doses. Most depressed people respond to doses under 600 mg per day.
How long does it take nefazodone to relieve depression?
While most people taking nefazodone become aware of some lessening of depression within two to four weeks, there are some who experience relief within the first week and others who only experience relief after many weeks of therapy.
Are there withdrawal effects if nefazodone is suddenly discontinued?
A withdrawal syndrome following the abrupt discontinuation of nefazodone has not been described. Because the half-lives of nefazodone and its active metabolites are 18 hours or less, it is prudent to taper nefazodone rather than abruptly discontinue it.
Is nefazodone toxic if an overdose is taken?
Seven overdoses of nefazodone have been reported. The highest reported overdose was 11,200 mg. In some cases nefazodone was taken along with alcohol and/or other medications. All seven people who took an overdose recovered.
What precautions are necessary when switching between nefazodone and an MAO inhibitor?
When switching from an MAO inhibitor to nefazodone, there should be a 14-day interval between the discontinuation of the MAOI and the initiation of nefazodone therapy. When switching from nefazodone to an MAOI, a 7-day interval is adequate, because of nefazodone's short half-life.
What does nefazodone cost?
Nefazodone is supplied in tablets ranging from 100 mg to 250 mg in strength. The 100 mg tablets cost pharmacies nearly as much as the 250 mg tablets. It is expected that all strengths of nefazodone will be sold for between $0.80 and $1.25 per tablet.
Might nefazodone be effective when a person has not responded to other antidepressants?
Although there is no data on this, it is expected that some individuals who have failed to be helped by other antidepressants will be helped by nefazodone.
What are the advantages of nefazodone?
The low incidence of sexual side-effects and disturbed sleep are possible advantages of nefazodone.
Has nefazodone been available in other countries? What do psychopharmacologists from those countries think of the drug?
Nefazodone has been available in Canada for over six months. Most of the psychopharmacologists to whom I have spoken think that it is less effective than the SSRIs, and some have stopped writing prescriptions for it. Most of the nefazodone being prescribed in Canada is prescribed by nonpsychiatric physicians, not by psychiatrists.
What did the Medical Letter conclude about nefazodone?
The Medical Letter [1995, 37 (946), 33-35] concluded its review of nefazodone with the words: "Available data are inadequate to determine how nefazodone compares