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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bulldog2 on January 11, 2007, at 12:16:09
I saw a couple studies on the internet about SSRIs (one used prozac) caused much higher cortisol levels. I've read that many depressed people already have high cortisol which is catabolic at high levels and can lead to adrenal fatigue.You would think the last thing you would need if you have high cortisol is a drug that increases it more. I guess if you had low cortisol such an ssri might be beneficial.
My question is about the other classes of antidepressants such as the TCAs and Maois. Are there any studies indicating what their effect is on cortisol secretion?
Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2007, at 12:51:37
In reply to SSRIs and Elevated Cortisol- other Antidepressants, posted by bulldog2 on January 11, 2007, at 12:16:09
Get it tested first at an endocrinologist. Mine was fine. Surprisingly. Love Phillipa
Posted by blueberry1 on January 11, 2007, at 14:37:18
In reply to SSRIs and Elevated Cortisol- other Antidepressants, posted by bulldog2 on January 11, 2007, at 12:16:09
Coincidence you mentioned prozac? I was on it for years. When it was pooping out I was seeing a naturopath. She tested me for cortisol and the results were way below the normal range. She said I had adrenal fatigue and the adrenal glands had basically given up. Longterm prozac burnout?
> I saw a couple studies on the internet about SSRIs (one used prozac) caused much higher cortisol levels. I've read that many depressed people already have high cortisol which is catabolic at high levels and can lead to adrenal fatigue.You would think the last thing you would need if you have high cortisol is a drug that increases it more. I guess if you had low cortisol such an ssri might be beneficial.
> My question is about the other classes of antidepressants such as the TCAs and Maois. Are there any studies indicating what their effect is on cortisol secretion?
>
Posted by linkadge on January 11, 2007, at 15:25:03
In reply to Re: SSRIs and Elevated Cortisol- other Antidepressants, posted by blueberry1 on January 11, 2007, at 14:37:18
I read a similar study with zoloft.
If you have really high cortisol you may want to try something like remeron, tianeptine, DHEA, or something else.
Linkadge
Posted by bulldog2 on January 11, 2007, at 15:35:49
In reply to Re: SSRIs and Elevated Cortisol- other Antidepressants, posted by linkadge on January 11, 2007, at 15:25:03
Anyone know how the maois effect cortisol?
Posted by Quintal on January 11, 2007, at 15:56:28
In reply to Re: SSRIs and Elevated Cortisol- other Antidepressants, posted by bulldog2 on January 11, 2007, at 15:35:49
Remeron, tianeptine and TCAs like trimipramine affect the HPA axis to reduce cortisol and other stress hormones.
I remember reading a study in which people taking the MAOI isocarboxazid (Marplan) needed less prednisone. Maybe this was because it increased the body's natural cortisol levels? It's worth checking on pubmed etc. for studies. I'll have a look if I get time tomorrow.
Q
Posted by Tomatheus on January 11, 2007, at 21:38:05
In reply to Re: SSRIs and Elevated Cortisol- other Antidepressants, posted by bulldog2 on January 11, 2007, at 15:35:45
> Anyone know how the maois effect cortisol?
Phenelzine (Nardil's active ingredient) has been shown to increase hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) activity in mice (Kier et al., 2005).
Interestingly, even though major depressive disorder is most commonly associated with abnormally high HPA activity, atypical depression and seasonal affective disorder are often associated with abnormally low HPA activity. Atypical depressives tend to respond preferentially to MAOIs.
Tomatheus
==
REFERENCE
Kier, A., Han, J., & Jacobson, L. (2005). Chronic treatment with the monoamine oxidase inhibitor phenelzine increases hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical activity in male C57BL/6 mice: Relevance to atypical depression. Endocrinology, 146, 1338-1347. Abstract: http://endo.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/146/3/1338
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