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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ricardo on February 8, 2003, at 7:23:08
Hi
I had asked this question before, but I thought I should write again as a new thread.
I was reading some facts about Tofranil (Imipramine), which I've just been put on, and I've found out that it's supposed to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in about the same proportion. Well, isn't it exactly what Effexor is supposed to do, too? In that case, why isn't Effexor considered a tricyclic AD? In what ways do these two drugs differ?
Thanks,
Ric
Posted by ricardo on February 8, 2003, at 7:24:46
In reply to Trofanil vs. Effexor, posted by ricardo on February 8, 2003, at 7:23:08
Sorry I misspelled Tofranil...
Posted by one_little_victory on February 8, 2003, at 14:26:01
In reply to Trofanil vs. Effexor, posted by ricardo on February 8, 2003, at 7:23:08
They are very different because Tofranil (aka imipramine) affects many other neurochemicals effexor doesn't. I also think Effexor still mostly works on serotonin and then at higher doses on norepinephrine.
I am curretnly combining the two and it seems to help both anxiety and depression a bit better. This is just me but I also find sleep is much better with the Effexor added, actually a bit less with less dreaming which I find yucky. I have lots of evidence and material that says most depressives get way too much rem (dreaming) sleep and EffexorXR is one of the most powerful rem suppresent antidepressants out there. I hope that helps you a little bit anyways. Marc
Posted by ricardo on February 8, 2003, at 21:24:14
In reply to Re: Trofanil vs. Effexor » ricardo, posted by one_little_victory on February 8, 2003, at 14:26:01
Thanks Marc. This is just my third day on Tofranil, so it's hard to say what it'll do for me. I was surprised when my p-doc put me on it, since even here, in Brazil, most doctors prescribe Effexor, or SSRI's, or Wellbutrin... Those big names. However, I know that my boss is doing very well on another tricyclic, so I sort of welcomed his decision. Do you know anything about its long-term efficacy?
Cheers,
Ric
Posted by one_little_victory on February 8, 2003, at 23:44:29
In reply to Re: Trofanil vs. Effexor, posted by ricardo on February 8, 2003, at 21:24:14
The imipramine is supposed to be really good at lasting a long time when it works. You have a lot of room to change your dose. Take your time with any dose change as well as any side effects and as I said in the future, if you need to you can even add another medication on to it. Good luck and please post and ask any questions.
Marc
Posted by ricardo on February 9, 2003, at 10:28:44
In reply to Re: Trofanil vs. Effexor » ricardo, posted by one_little_victory on February 8, 2003, at 23:44:29
Well, I do have another questions. You mentioned the possibility of other drugs being added to my Tofranil. Well, my doctor said that, because of the cyclic aspect of my depression, he might put me on some mood stabilizer, and he mentioned lithium as one of manh options. I know that lithium is standard treatment for bipolar disorder. Does that mean he things I'm bipolar? I've always thought I might be, to a lesser extent... If he really puts me on some mood stabilizer, what benefits should I expect? What about the AD? Should it be kept in the cocktail?
Posted by missinglynxx on February 9, 2003, at 11:57:02
In reply to Re: Trofanil vs. Effexor, posted by ricardo on February 9, 2003, at 10:28:44
Im taking a Tricyclic also,, I read when they work , they REALLY Work for quite along time. Like years upon years.. Lithium made me so Friggin Clumsey and disoriented.. I wouldnt want you to go thru that. i literally tripped on the furnature LOL
Posted by BrittPark on February 9, 2003, at 13:01:56
In reply to Re: Trofanil vs. Effexor, posted by ricardo on February 8, 2003, at 21:24:14
I've been taking imipramine for 20 years and it has continued it's efficacy. I've had breakthrough depressions but in general imipramine keeps me on an even keel.
Britt
Posted by one_little_victory on February 9, 2003, at 17:05:41
In reply to Re: Trofanil vs. Effexor, posted by ricardo on February 9, 2003, at 10:28:44
I think that adding lithium is a thing they used to do with most tryciclic antidepressants so maybe your doctor wants to try it out. everyone seems to respond really different to this but it is supposed to work good often so you might want to try it. How are you feeling just on the Imipramine?
Posted by bobo on February 9, 2003, at 20:46:39
In reply to Re: Trofanil vs. Effexor » ricardo, posted by one_little_victory on February 8, 2003, at 14:26:01
> They are very different because Tofranil (aka imipramine) affects many other neurochemicals effexor doesn't. I also think Effexor still mostly works on serotonin and then at higher doses on norepinephrine.
>
> I am curretnly combining the two and it seems to help both anxiety and depression a bit better. This is just me but I also find sleep is much better with the Effexor added, actually a bit less with less dreaming which I find yucky. I have lots of evidence and material that says most depressives get way too much rem (dreaming) sleep and EffexorXR is one of the most powerful rem suppresent antidepressants out there. I hope that helps you a little bit anyways. MarcI would disagree with you on this--that most depressed people get to much REM sleep--when I was--and am depressed I sleep very poorly--thus is the reason I am on Trazadone to help with the sleep Effexor wont give me--just my thoughts be well
Posted by Thomas123 on February 11, 2003, at 15:13:34
In reply to Re: Trofanil vs. Effexor, posted by bobo on February 9, 2003, at 20:46:39
Tricyclic refers to a kind of chemical structure. The early antidepressants were variations on a chemical structure deemed 'trycyclic'. Impramine is a modifcation of chloropromazine but not to worry, the effects are quite different. Tofranil is the best of the trycyclics as far as I am concerned.
Posted by KarenRB53 on August 29, 2007, at 14:35:46
In reply to Re: Trofanil vs. Effexor, posted by ricardo on February 9, 2003, at 10:28:44
> Well, I do have another questions. You mentioned the possibility of other drugs being added to my Tofranil. Well, my doctor said that, because of the cyclic aspect of my depression, he might put me on some mood stabilizer, and he mentioned lithium as one of manh options. I know that lithium is standard treatment for bipolar disorder. Does that mean he things I'm bipolar? I've always thought I might be, to a lesser extent... If he really puts me on some mood stabilizer, what benefits should I expect? What about the AD? Should it be kept in the cocktail?
Its been some time but I just found your post and wondered if you're still on Tofranil (Imipramine) and how you're doing on it? Reason is my doctor has suggested both Effexor and Imipramine.
Thanks,Karen
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