I am on anti-depressant. I get stressed up easily. I pointed this out kindly every-time when I go to my chosen clinic for the usual every-day sickness that happened (flu, for example) and I always make it a point to mention that I am taking this anti-depressant and I feel stressed at the same time.
What do I get? Hmm…a tablet that is composed of Carbionaxmine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine HCI. The former’s side effects may be increased with the use of anti-depressant while the latter has the side effects of hypertension.
Geez, thanks a lot. Maybe it’s time to take entrust my health into another clinic.
ETA: Information gotten from Google. Of course, the usual disclaimer: any health advice are welcomed but I would not hold anyone accountable if I act on them and screwed up myself even more.
Different anti-depressants can have different rates of success with some people. You may want to look into changing to something else. You might even find one that addresses anxiety issues as well as depression.
Bottom line: You may not have to feel the way you do!
I think I forgot to mention something; the medication I got was for my flu. But since I know that anti-depressants tend to do nasty things when mixed with some type of medicine, I explicitly stated that I am on an anti-depressant.
But still I got something which may led to side-effects with my usual medication, despite me having stated it up front.
Why are they giving you anything for flu? Basically, if that’s what it is, all you can do is rest, drink plenty of fluids (as opposed to drinking what, I always wondered) and maybe take some Tylenol for fever and aches.
cher3, there are meds that can alleviate flu symptoms. There’s also at least ONE medicine that can shorten the duration and lessen the symptoms, if taken early enough. As for drinking plenty of fluids, when I’m really sick, I don’t want to drink anything, it hurts too much to swallow.
Not every antidepressant is right for everyone. Some of them also work on anxiety, and the OP might want to discuss this with his subscriber.
IANAD and I don’t intend to comment at all on the appropriateness of the medication given to the OP, but I’m confused. Have you actually had an adverse reaction to the medication you were given or have you not taken it because of the side-effects profile you’ve come across in Google?
Do you actually have the flu (as in influenza) or are you looking for some sort of relief of your symptoms for some type of cold?
What exactly were you hoping to gain from your clinic visit?
I’m assuming that your doctor is aware of those side effects, and still feels that the benefits outweigh the risks in your case. That’s one of the reasons why we have doctors prescribing medicines instead of them all being over the counter. They are trained to make those sorts of judgments.
What antidepressant are you on? It looks like it only interacts with MAO inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants.
Pseudoephedrine HCl is better known as the active ingredient in Sudafed. Your doc gave you a prescription-strength antihistamine (the first ingredient) and decongestant, probably similar to ones you could find over the counter. Antihistamines are used only for the treatment of allergic reactions, so your doctor may suspect you have an environmental allergy. But not, I suspect, influenza proper.
I’ve generally found that anti-depressants really increase Pseudoephedrine’s side effects of lots of energy and inappropriate enthusiasm. But then again, I’m bipolar.:D:(:D:(:D:(:smack:
It did happen before; there was once I went to see a doctor for your typical cough/flu-like syndromes, and I was prescribed a type of cough syrup. After I took it (before my usual anti-depressant medications) the next day I was a nervous wreck the entire day; panic attacks round the clock, nervous; fortunately I am scheduled to meet my psychiatrist the next day. By then I have already suspected it’s the cough syrup and I brought it to her, and she pointed out one of the chemical that would have side-effects.
There was another time when I had some stomach cramps and was given something by the hospital. I told them explicitly the medication I was on; hence I assume that I could take both together. I did and the next day I was a zombie and a nervous wreck at the same time. Fortunately I managed to get access to my psychiatrist and she affirmed that I couldn’t take them both at the same time.
So from now on I am very wary of what I take…
Just some relief from the flu symptoms. Because I am a full-time student and works part-time to support myself, I can’t concentrate because of the flu.
I haven’t dared to take the medication yet. I had adverse reactions to cough syrup before though (mentioned above). But damn, I forgot what’s the chemical that caused the reaction (I think I wrote a thread on it before, but with search down I cannot find it).
I am on 50mg flyvoxamine maleate and 25mg xanax per day.
No info on influenza; the doctor just said it’s a virus, no anti-viral is available and the usual “drink more water and rest” advice.
The only thing is that I have the ‘flu’ for about two months, on and off. The psychologist I am seeing suggest it is due to anxiety or stress playing havoc on the immune system; either way, I just feel bad both emotionally and physically. (Which doesn’t help me to rest very well either)
OK, fluvoxamine is a SSRI and Xanax is a benzodiazepine. So they’re not in the classes of antidepressants that are specifically warned against for that drug.
That’s not to say that you might not have other side effects, and you should always tell your doctor when you think you’re having a significant side effect.
Thanks for helping me to verify. I have no idea what those terms are and I only get to see my therapist once per month or two months (it’s a public hospital so I don’t have much choice)
Call and ask if you have questions; many questions like side effects don’t need a visit and can be very important.
A couple of good resources online for medical information are the Mayo Clinic’s website and Medline Plus. But, of course, they’re no substitute for a doctor.