Re: "desipramine"
James Lubin (jlubin(AT)eskimo.com)
Fri, 04 Apr 1997 15:23:24 -0800
At 08:45 AM 4/1/97 -0500, Bryan Kessler wrote:
>for those asking,
>
> Desipramine is the generic name for a tricyclic antidespressant drug.
>This is one of the "old" antidepresants, like Elavil (trade name), and not
>one of the new ones like Prozac ( or Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, Serzone) which
>are SSRI (selective seratonin re-uptake inhibitors.
>
> Antidespressant drugs of the tricyclic nature have long been used as
>adjuncts to other medications used for pain control (Elavil is the most
>commonly used). These drugs (tricylcics) have "numerous" side effects which
>is why the SSRIs are more popular. The former have such interesting
>complications as lethargy, cardiovascular effeccts, urinary retention,
>blurred vision and weight gain but to name a few. The SSRIs are
>surprisingly limited in side effects with the rather significant exception
>of sexual dysfuntion ( disinterst and delayed orgasm). The SSRIs are also
>almost impossible to overdose.
>
> Obviously depression and pain are significant components of TM, no
>matter what the severity. Of course, sometimes drugs are prescribed for
>reasons other than the "standard". My advise would be to ask why a
>particular drug is being prescribed -- if your physician doesn't know --run
>--or wheel like hell. "Just to see if something different works" is not a
>bad answer --especially if a bunch of other things have already been tried
>with no success.
I was started on Amitriptyline Hydrochloride (the generic name for Elavil)
when I was first in the hospital. When I came home I was still taking it. I
asked what it was for and was told it was an antidepressants. Since I
wasn't depressed and I don't like taking medication unnessarily, I cut back
on my dosage and eventualy stopped taking it.
Jim Lubin
jlubin(AT)eskimo.com
http://www.eskimo.com/~jlubin
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