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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ajax1 on July 18, 2010, at 17:52:26
Hi
I've been on Ambien for about 6 months 10mg. It works fairly well, but I find myself with a depression and lassitude the next day. Most sites say you have to wean off Ambien like benzos. Could I possibly just switch to 50mg or higher trazodone directly? I don't take any other meds but for 5 mg valium a day and nuerontin if I wake up too early.
Thanks for any input
Ajax
Posted by Phillipa on July 18, 2010, at 20:34:03
In reply to Switching fron Ambien to trazodone, posted by ajax1 on July 18, 2010, at 17:52:26
Since the valium lasts a good 24 hours I'd think you could switch. Phillipa
Posted by angels78 on July 18, 2010, at 22:24:12
In reply to Switching fron Ambien to trazodone, posted by ajax1 on July 18, 2010, at 17:52:26
Interactions
Because both trazodone and members of the class of antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors may increase serotonin levels in the brain, the combination of these drugs can lead to a condition known as serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include a prolonged rapid heart rate, hypertension (high blood pressure), flushing of the skin, hallucinations , tremors, and hyperthermia (increased body temperature). Because of this, it can be dangerous to take trazodone in combination with MAO inhibitors such as Nardil ( phenelzine sulfate) or Parmate ( tranylcypromine sulfate). The same holds true when combining trazodone with a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant such as Prozac (fluoxetine), paroxetine, or sertraline.Trazodone is not safe with an MAOI?
Posted by inanimate peanut on July 19, 2010, at 1:52:23
In reply to Re: Switching fron Ambien to trazodone » ajax1, posted by angels78 on July 18, 2010, at 22:24:12
No, I've been advised trazadone is not safe with MAOIs. I wish it were so I wouldn't be typing this at 1:50am. I'd ask one of our experts (SLS and ed_uk2000 both know alot about MAOIs as I'm sure do others), but I've been advised it's dangerous.
Posted by ajax1 on July 19, 2010, at 9:24:34
In reply to Switching fron Ambien to trazodone, posted by ajax1 on July 18, 2010, at 17:52:26
Perhaps I'm misunderstood. Ambien is a sleep medication, not an antidepressant. Since Ambien is so addictive (some say it isn't, but is), I just want to know if I can make a direct switch to trazodne (which is an antidepressant, but in small doses is used as a sleep aid).
Thanks for the input.
Posted by bleauberry on July 19, 2010, at 19:37:51
In reply to Switching fron Ambien to trazodone, posted by ajax1 on July 18, 2010, at 17:52:26
We're all different. Personally, I hate traz. Makes me very depressed. I would rather have insomnia than take traz. Didn't sleep very good on it anyway.
Ambien really isn't all that great generally. In its category, Lunesta is a lot better.
My favorite sleep med is ultra low dose remeron...1mg to 3mg, up to maybe 7.5mg. Ultra low doses of sedating TCAs such as amitriptyline are good choices too. Ambien, trazodone, yuck.
Posted by ajax1 on July 19, 2010, at 21:13:26
In reply to Re: Switching fron Ambien to trazodone, posted by bleauberry on July 19, 2010, at 19:37:51
Thanks bleauberry..very informative. A friend once gave me some of his Remeron, I took a small dose and had very vivid frightening nightmares..swore I'd never do it again. I'm not sure I'd like to try it again..bad expectations, kindling and all that.
Posted by fayeroe on July 20, 2010, at 16:03:43
In reply to Re: Switching fron Ambien to trazodone, posted by ajax1 on July 19, 2010, at 21:13:26
I used trazadone for awhile for sleep but felt pretty groggy and depressed the next morning. Pdoc took me off and I take a Xanax now and sleep through the night.
This is the end of the thread.
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