Comments on: Best Antidepressants http://www.askdrjones.com/medication-best-meds/best-antidepressants/ Ask Dr. Jones Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:48:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Les http://www.askdrjones.com/medication-best-meds/best-antidepressants/#comment-35284 Les Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:48:41 +0000 http://www.askdrjones.com/2005/02/23/best-antidepressants/#comment-35284 Thanks, Dr. Jones, for this site. It is the best I've ever seen on anti-depressants and I've been to 100s of sites. I'm currently on 30mg Cymbalta and 300 mg buproprion xl. I'm doing ok. I went to Cymbalta after 15+ years on Prozac. The Prozac, I thought, started to lose its effectiveness as I had occasional depressive episodes toward the end. That was three years ago. I see my psych doctor next week. I'm going to suggest that we try Prozac (fluoxetine) again. Maybe I've had a long enough break to give Prozac another try as I did do very well on it for quite a long time. Thanks again for a great, informative site. Thanks, Dr. Jones, for this site. It is the best I’ve ever seen on anti-depressants and I’ve been to 100s of sites. I’m currently on 30mg Cymbalta and 300 mg buproprion xl. I’m doing ok. I went to Cymbalta after 15+ years on Prozac. The Prozac, I thought, started to lose its effectiveness as I had occasional depressive episodes toward the end. That was three years ago. I see my psych doctor next week. I’m going to suggest that we try Prozac (fluoxetine) again. Maybe I’ve had a long enough break to give Prozac another try as I did do very well on it for quite a long time. Thanks again for a great, informative site.

]]> By: amir http://www.askdrjones.com/medication-best-meds/best-antidepressants/#comment-35218 amir Sat, 07 May 2011 14:14:56 +0000 http://www.askdrjones.com/2005/02/23/best-antidepressants/#comment-35218 One of the best articles on the subject of antidepressants , thanks to Dr. Jones. i can only add from my experience that Wellbutrin causes insomnia and agitation which makes it difficult to tolerate, One of the best articles on the subject of antidepressants , thanks to Dr. Jones. i can only add from my experience that Wellbutrin causes insomnia and agitation which makes it difficult to tolerate,

]]> By: Dixie Hereford http://www.askdrjones.com/medication-best-meds/best-antidepressants/#comment-35177 Dixie Hereford Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:05:05 +0000 http://www.askdrjones.com/2005/02/23/best-antidepressants/#comment-35177 Thank you for this helpful article. My doctor recently put me on cymbalta, taking me off of effexor xr. Cymbalta seems to work better for me because I don't feel as anxious as I did on effexor. 60 milligrams of cymbalta, for me, is better than 150 milligrams on effexor. Thanks again for the information above. Thank you for this helpful article. My doctor recently put me on cymbalta, taking me off of effexor xr. Cymbalta seems to work better for me because I don’t feel as anxious as I did on effexor. 60 milligrams of cymbalta, for me, is better than 150 milligrams on effexor. Thanks again for the information above.

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.askdrjones.com/medication-best-meds/best-antidepressants/#comment-35174 Rebecca Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:15:36 +0000 http://www.askdrjones.com/2005/02/23/best-antidepressants/#comment-35174 July 22 2012. This is so helpful. After trying many different medications for depression and pain after car accident and surgery I was prescribed Effexor. I have been afraid (hesitant) to take it for fear it will not work. I than read a blog about how terrible the withdrawels are and put off taking it again! After coming across this I feel better and more confident it is the right medication and at the lowest dose (37.5) this just might be the right one for me and my Dr. is correct in prescribing it. Thank you Dr. Jones for this informative article. July 22 2012. This is so helpful. After trying many different medications for depression and pain after car accident and surgery I was prescribed Effexor. I have been afraid (hesitant) to take it for fear it will not work. I than read a blog about how terrible the withdrawels are and put off taking it again! After coming across this I feel better and more confident it is the right medication and at the lowest dose (37.5) this just might be the right one for me and my Dr. is correct in prescribing it. Thank you Dr. Jones for this informative article.

]]> By: Rob http://www.askdrjones.com/medication-best-meds/best-antidepressants/#comment-35173 Rob Tue, 20 Jul 2010 07:27:49 +0000 http://www.askdrjones.com/2005/02/23/best-antidepressants/#comment-35173 I have gone through the entire list of SSRI's and SNRI's, as well as remeron, wellbutrin, moclobemide (reverse maoi, and I am sure I have spelled it wrong, but it is close)cymbalta, and now Parnate (maoi). Coming off Effexor was the worst experience of my life, and almost all persons who I know that have come off it and tapered off slow, all experienced a week of pure hell, often mimicking what is heard about trying to come off of hard drugs. Worse than any minor benzodiazipine, by far. I went off xanax to clonazepam (a benzodiazepine with a longer half life, and I recommend it), and nothing compared to the agony of tapering off effexor xr. It should come with a warning label, and this is the experience of almost all persons that I attend a group support meeting with. I worked as an addiction counselor for a while and coming off effexor really did mimic coming off hard drugs, even when tapering. Remeron pushed me from 165 pounds to 235 pounds. All antidepressants have a strong negative impact on libido, including effexor xr, and that is a mass experience, not just my own. Wellbutrin does not, but is a poor antidepressant, better left for smokers. The MAOI's have a terrible reputation for drug interaction that I did not experience, nor did many other persons on it. Moclobemide is not as bad, because it is a reverse MAOI. That said caution must be taken, because it can cause a spike in blood pressure when mixed with foods with tyramine, like chocolate, or aged cheese (Parnate). Having been through the whole spectrum of antidepressants, I have to say cymbalta is the best, but there is no generic available, except for online, which means it is costly. That probably pushes Effexor up to number 1 by default, but please be careful when coming off it. Taper slowly and expect an agonizing week. That is not to scare you off, it is very effective, just keep that in mind. Prozac I would rate as #2, because I could skip a day with it's long half life, and it is the only antidepressant that allowed me to have a semi-normal sex life, because of this. Effexor killed my libido, and all of those in our group had the same experience. Remeron does not effect your sex life, but it is less enjoyable having sex when you put on weight almost uncontrollably, and it will make you very tired. I am not a doctor, I don't pretend to be, but I have battled depression for 11 years along with other friends and these are our findings. Trazodone is a great sleep aid by the way, with daytime anti-anxiety effects,( an antidepressant that has been reduced from an antidepressant to an add on, because it is a poor antidepressant on its own), much like Wellbutrin to reverse SSRI libido killers. Many of us did found we could mix prozac with many medications without much ill effect, maybe because low doses work well (long half life). This makes this doctor's findings quite accurate, with Effexor, Cymbalta, and Prozac, as #1,2 and 3, but expect a killed libido with Effexor and Prozac (not as bad as Effexor), with Cymbalta having the least effect for some reason, but it is expensive. Prozac is really safe in my opinion if the depression is moderate, but if the depressive symptoms are bad, Effexor would have to take top spot. When cymbalta becomes a generic, I will run to it, like a dog to a bone. It is amazing. I think the drug company rudely over hyped its pain killing ability, but all companies sell their brand as the next greatest thing. Bottom line is you can't go wrong with Prozac, Effexor, or Cymbalta, but don't expect miracles. By the way, benzodiazepines, particularly clonazepam, due to it's half life, are very safe, and got their terrible reputation when they were abused as street drugs, consumed at 10-20 times the recommended dose, usually in combination with alcohol. Their is no better anti-panic drug on the planet, no better anti-anxiety out their (xanax is a roller coaster ride you don't want, because of its short half life, which makes clonazepam #1). I have used them for 11 years, as have many friends. I praise doctors for avoiding them if possible, but they have saved panic patients, and people with depression and anxiety tend not to abuse them in our experience. I do think they are a threat to the general public though, or minors, who may believe more is better. I am just saying when taken as prescribed they are not the horrors that doctors have made them out to be. A book by Burn's called "The Feeling Good Handbook", explains this better than I ever could. Take your medicine as prescribed, your doctor is your ally, and don't experiment, you really aren't informed enough to do so. Good luck, take care. <strong>Dr. Jones comment:</strong>Thank you for your observations concerning your experience with various antidepressants. I always listen to my patients and their symptoms to determine the right medication at the right dose for the individual. All the side effects you mention do happen, unfortunately, so they have to be weighed against the benefits to determine what each individual needs to help them function optimally. The best advice I can give on this subject is never, never give up trying to find the best option for treatment because everyone has unique reactions to medications. Form an alliance with a doctor that will work with you until you do. All the best, Dr. Jones I have gone through the entire list of SSRI’s and SNRI’s, as well as remeron, wellbutrin, moclobemide (reverse maoi, and I am sure I have spelled it wrong, but it is close)cymbalta, and now Parnate (maoi). Coming off Effexor was the worst experience of my life, and almost all persons who I know that have come off it and tapered off slow, all experienced a week of pure hell, often mimicking what is heard about trying to come off of hard drugs. Worse than any minor benzodiazipine, by far. I went off xanax to clonazepam (a benzodiazepine with a longer half life, and I recommend it), and nothing compared to the agony of tapering off effexor xr. It should come with a warning label, and this is the experience of almost all persons that I attend a group support meeting with. I worked as an addiction counselor for a while and coming off effexor really did mimic coming off hard drugs, even when tapering. Remeron pushed me from 165 pounds to 235 pounds. All antidepressants have a strong negative impact on libido, including effexor xr, and that is a mass experience, not just my own. Wellbutrin does not, but is a poor antidepressant, better left for smokers. The MAOI’s have a terrible reputation for drug interaction that I did not experience, nor did many other persons on it. Moclobemide is not as bad, because it is a reverse MAOI. That said caution must be taken, because it can cause a spike in blood pressure when mixed with foods with tyramine, like chocolate, or aged cheese (Parnate). Having been through the whole spectrum of antidepressants, I have to say cymbalta is the best, but there is no generic available, except for online, which means it is costly. That probably pushes Effexor up to number 1 by default, but please be careful when coming off it. Taper slowly and expect an agonizing week. That is not to scare you off, it is very effective, just keep that in mind. Prozac I would rate as #2, because I could skip a day with it’s long half life, and it is the only antidepressant that allowed me to have a semi-normal sex life, because of this. Effexor killed my libido, and all of those in our group had the same experience. Remeron does not effect your sex life, but it is less enjoyable having sex when you put on weight almost uncontrollably, and it will make you very tired. I am not a doctor, I don’t pretend to be, but I have battled depression for 11 years along with other friends and these are our findings. Trazodone is a great sleep aid by the way, with daytime anti-anxiety effects,( an antidepressant that has been reduced from an antidepressant to an add on, because it is a poor antidepressant on its own), much like Wellbutrin to reverse SSRI libido killers. Many of us did found we could mix prozac with many medications without much ill effect, maybe because low doses work well (long half life). This makes this doctor’s findings quite accurate, with Effexor, Cymbalta, and Prozac, as #1,2 and 3, but expect a killed libido with Effexor and Prozac (not as bad as Effexor), with Cymbalta having the least effect for some reason, but it is expensive. Prozac is really safe in my opinion if the depression is moderate, but if the depressive symptoms are bad, Effexor would have to take top spot. When cymbalta becomes a generic, I will run to it, like a dog to a bone. It is amazing. I think the drug company rudely over hyped its pain killing ability, but all companies sell their brand as the next greatest thing. Bottom line is you can’t go wrong with Prozac, Effexor, or Cymbalta, but don’t expect miracles. By the way, benzodiazepines, particularly clonazepam, due to it’s half life, are very safe, and got their terrible reputation when they were abused as street drugs, consumed at 10-20 times the recommended dose, usually in combination with alcohol. Their is no better anti-panic drug on the planet, no better anti-anxiety out their (xanax is a roller coaster ride you don’t want, because of its short half life, which makes clonazepam #1). I have used them for 11 years, as have many friends. I praise doctors for avoiding them if possible, but they have saved panic patients, and people with depression and anxiety tend not to abuse them in our experience. I do think they are a threat to the general public though, or minors, who may believe more is better. I am just saying when taken as prescribed they are not the horrors that doctors have made them out to be. A book by Burn’s called “The Feeling Good Handbook”, explains this better than I ever could.
Take your medicine as prescribed, your doctor is your ally, and don’t experiment, you really aren’t informed enough to do so. Good luck, take care.

Dr. Jones comment:Thank you for your observations concerning your experience with various antidepressants. I always listen to my patients and their symptoms to determine the right medication at the right dose for the individual. All the side effects you mention do happen, unfortunately, so they have to be weighed against the benefits to determine what each individual needs to help them function optimally.

The best advice I can give on this subject is never, never give up trying to find the best option for treatment because everyone has unique reactions to medications. Form an alliance with a doctor that will work with you until you do.

All the best,
Dr. Jones

]]> By: Charlito http://www.askdrjones.com/medication-best-meds/best-antidepressants/#comment-35164 Charlito Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:15:34 +0000 http://www.askdrjones.com/2005/02/23/best-antidepressants/#comment-35164 I have to agree with the above article. After trying most of the medicines above for generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder I found Efexor XL to be the one with the most benificial and long lasting effect. Efexor lasted the longest and pooped out after three years of treatment. After taking a break from the medicine and re starting it worked for me again. Thanks for the article and all the best to those out there who suffer from anxiety disorders, I hope you find the med that suits you best. Charlito I have to agree with the above article. After trying most of the medicines above for generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder I found Efexor XL to be the one with the most benificial and long lasting effect. Efexor lasted the longest and pooped out after three years of treatment. After taking a break from the medicine and re starting it worked for me again. Thanks for the article and all the best to those out there who suffer from anxiety disorders, I hope you find the med that suits you best.
Charlito

]]> By: Adeel Ahmed http://www.askdrjones.com/medication-best-meds/best-antidepressants/#comment-35160 Adeel Ahmed Fri, 21 May 2010 07:37:35 +0000 http://www.askdrjones.com/2005/02/23/best-antidepressants/#comment-35160 Thanks a lot sir.I am suffering from panic disorder with depression and the doctor prescribed me Lexapro 10mg.It is working quite well.Thanks for the information on the drugs. Thanks a lot sir.I am suffering from panic disorder with depression and the doctor prescribed me Lexapro 10mg.It is working quite well.Thanks for the information on the drugs.

]]> By: Jean http://www.askdrjones.com/medication-best-meds/best-antidepressants/#comment-35134 Jean Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:16:22 +0000 http://www.askdrjones.com/2005/02/23/best-antidepressants/#comment-35134 Thank You for your this very helpful article. I was diagnosed with major depression disorder and recently started taking Cymbalta which helped a dramatic drop in sadness, sudden crying spells and my negative thought process but I just can't get my interests and motivation back. But after reading this article I now have hope again, in finding pleasure in activities and my past interests with the help of Wellbutrin combined with my working medication which I will discuss with my DR. next appointment. Thanks again !! Jean Thank You for your this very helpful article. I was diagnosed with major depression disorder and recently started taking Cymbalta which helped a dramatic drop in sadness, sudden crying spells and my negative thought process but I just can’t get my
interests and motivation back. But after reading this article I now have hope again, in finding pleasure in activities and my past interests with the help of Wellbutrin combined with my working medication which I will discuss with my DR. next appointment.
Thanks again !!

Jean

]]> By: terri http://www.askdrjones.com/medication-best-meds/best-antidepressants/#comment-35112 terri Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:25:22 +0000 http://www.askdrjones.com/2005/02/23/best-antidepressants/#comment-35112 this was very informative! this was very informative!

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