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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 theresa125 on August 23, 2012, at 13:06:30
My mother is 100 and has been experiencing what we believe is SS. She isn't sleeping well, is hallucinating, and has fearful thoughts and confusion, which usually begin around early evening. She is at an assisted living facility and they take good care of her and the other 7 ladies; mom's the oldest, but physically (and usually mentally), is in the best shape of them all.
I bought her melatonin lozenges (4 mg) to help her sleep at night, but I was wondering if it might interfere (or the other way around) with any MAOI she may be taking.
Does anyone know, or have another suggestion/solution on what she could take and how to help decrease the Sundowner's symptoms?
Posted by Phillipa on August 23, 2012, at 15:52:26
In reply to Melatonin + MAOIs in Elderly w/Sundown Syndrome, posted by theresa125 on August 23, 2012, at 13:06:30
Your Mother is l00. Congratulations!!!. Sundowners is very common in the elderly. You mentioned MAOI's is she on them? Phillipa
Posted by theresa125 on August 23, 2012, at 16:02:54
In reply to Re: Melatonin + MAOIs in Elderly w/Sundown Syndrome » theresa125, posted by Phillipa on August 23, 2012, at 15:52:26
I'm not sure now....I know she was once on them but was taken off. She is currently on Aricept...is that considered one? I'll have to recheck her meds list when I get home from work.
Posted by Phillipa on August 23, 2012, at 21:07:16
In reply to Re: Melatonin + MAOIs in Elderly w/Sundown Syndrome, posted by theresa125 on August 23, 2012, at 16:02:54
No I think aricept is used to help with Alzheimers Phillipa
Posted by iforgotmypassword on August 26, 2012, at 17:32:22
In reply to Re: Melatonin + MAOIs in Elderly w/Sundown Syndrome » theresa125, posted by Phillipa on August 23, 2012, at 21:07:16
aricept (donepezil) is a cholinesterase inhibitor, it tries to reduce symptoms by interfere with the breakdown of acetylcholine. i am not sure if this has a neuroprotective effect.
azilect (rasagiline) and selegiline are mao-b inhibitors used to treat and delay the progression of parkinson's and maybe by some next level doctor's a prophylactic in the absence of symptoms or when it is speculated. (the majority of dopaminergic neurons are dead before parkinson's symptoms become obvious) you may have missed this because it sounds similar to aricept. it is technically an maoi. either way, melatonin i don't think would cause ill effect, at least i wouldn't imagine in the way maoi interactions typically do; someone with dopaminergic issues may notice worsening symptoms because it is mildly antidopaminergic (not at receptors, it reduces release) but is also neuroprotective, as it is a major antioxidant and natural neuroprotective in the brain and geriatric patients typically have little remaining production of it.
also, i tend to notice they prescribe traditional maois with more readiness and in higher frequency to geriatric patients -- at least where i live (ottawa, canada; in betw toronto and montreal) -- this includes nardil (phenylzine), parnate (tranylcypromine) and maybe even marplan (isocarboxazid). any of the last five drugs are maois, and the last 3 are traditional types, more likely rx'd for psych sx & you would be more concerned wrt interaction with these, however, i still don't think melatonin is something that would cause an interaction.
Posted by SLS on September 1, 2012, at 5:09:29
In reply to meds, posted by iforgotmypassword on August 26, 2012, at 17:32:22
> melatonin i don't think would cause ill effect, at least i wouldn't imagine in the way maoi interactions typically do; someone with dopaminergic issues may notice worsening symptoms because it is mildly antidopaminergic (not at receptors, it reduces release)
Thanks for this. I never understood why melatonin made me feel more depressed.
- Scott
Posted by B2chica on September 10, 2012, at 9:09:45
In reply to Re: meds, posted by SLS on September 1, 2012, at 5:09:29
same as scott.
thanks
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