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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Flipsactown on February 16, 2004, at 21:39:08
Anyone know anything about this AD? Has it been discontinued? There were previous posts here for 2001 and nothing after. Thanks.
Flipsactown
Posted by sb417 on February 16, 2004, at 23:23:57
In reply to maprotiline, posted by Flipsactown on February 16, 2004, at 21:39:08
Maprotiline is still available. It is very much like desipramine, but has an extra ring in its structure (desipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant; maprotiline is a tetracyclic). Both maprotiline and desipramine have strong effects on norepinephrine. Maprotiline has a greater effect on histamine and, therefore, has a tendency to cause a lot of weight gain. Unlike the SSRI's, however, the weight gain from maprotiline seems to be proportional to the dose, and the weight will probably come off easily once you stop the drug. Because of the weight gain and some other side effects, it has never become very popular in this country, but I read that it is one of the most widely used antidepressants in Japan.
Posted by Flipsactown on February 16, 2004, at 23:45:40
In reply to Re: maprotiline » Flipsactown, posted by sb417 on February 16, 2004, at 23:23:57
Thanks for the info. I took desipramine for a couple years with prozac and that was when I really started putting on weight. Although the combo worked great for my unipolar depression, I stopped taking it due to the weight increase. I am currently on 100mg prozac, 90mg remeron, 400mg lamictal and 900mg lithium, but still am shopping for an AD that will give me the additional AD effect I need. The current combo quits working in the late afternoon until bedtime when I take the remeron. Do you have any idea how maprotiline with work with my current combo? Thanks
Flipsactown
> Maprotiline is still available. It is very much like desipramine, but has an extra ring in its structure (desipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant; maprotiline is a tetracyclic). Both maprotiline and desipramine have strong effects on norepinephrine. Maprotiline has a greater effect on histamine and, therefore, has a tendency to cause a lot of weight gain. Unlike the SSRI's, however, the weight gain from maprotiline seems to be proportional to the dose, and the weight will probably come off easily once you stop the drug. Because of the weight gain and some other side effects, it has never become very popular in this country, but I read that it is one of the most widely used antidepressants in Japan.
Posted by sb417 on February 17, 2004, at 0:06:27
In reply to Re: maprotiline » sb417, posted by Flipsactown on February 16, 2004, at 23:45:40
> Do you have any idea how maprotiline with work with my current combo? Thanks> Flipsactown
>I don't know how it would work with that combo. I suppose if you don't have difficulty with drug combos, it might be worth a try, but keep in mind that, like Wellbutrin, maprotiline has a SLIGHTLY higher risk of seizures than some of the other ADs, so that might be a problem when combining it with other meds. If it were me, I would probably prefer to try some of the other medications that block the reuptake or norepinephrine rather than maprotiline. In addition to desipramine, you could try Strattera and Reboxetine. Unfortunately, you have to get Reboxetine from overseas (unless you are already outside of the U.S.). If weight gain is an unacceptable side effect, I would definitely NOT take maprotiline. Since you are already on remeron, which affects histamine and can cause weight gain, I think that might be too much.
This is the end of the thread.
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