I'm wondering

[Shemish]

I'm taking Lexapro which I guess is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which my doctor gave me because he said i was going through a depression. Anyhow I want to start taking hydroxycut to lean down a little more. On the bottle it says not to take when you are taking a serotonin inhibitor... Should I pay attention to this? Is it going to hurt me if I do?
anyones opinion.
thanks

 

[ArtsyChic]

It says that? Really? Damn...I should be dead now then. I am currently on Paxil and have taken an ECA stack AND NYC on it (thought not at the same time!). I really didn't know I shouldn't do that.

Alicia

 

[Sassy69]

Two things to think about (which, as I write them I realize they are contradictory... but anyway...)

- Do you agree that you need the Lexapro for depression?

I think we discussed on a thread here whether or not all these new anti-depression medications were really treating a chemical imbalance, another marketing ploy by the pharmaceutical industry or they were covering problems that should really be addressed by self-exploration & behavior change. Just a thought -- is the Lexapro really needed? (If not, it removes the whole seratonin reuptake issue.)

- Should you take ECA w/ a seratonin reuptake inhibitor? - If you don't believe what is written on the bottle (per FDA regs...) you should ask the guy who prescribed it to you. But then, if you don't believe that you need the antidepressant, this sort of blows the doc's credibility... Or you could consult another doctor or at least do some research on the Web. You could search on "Lexapro" & "ECA" & "contraindications" or something like that.

Sometimes its scary when you take a look at all the stuff we put in our bodies & the combinations of stuff. Knowledge is power!

 

[wilson6]

"It says that? Really? Damn...I should be dead now then."

Don't be a dumbass. There is a reason that warning is on the bottle. If you had any clue of the potential interaction of those two drugs, you wouldn't be making such a smart ass remark.

While it may not bother you, it could result in a serious or potentially life-threatening interaction for someone else.

Unless your doc recommends mixing the two, don't do it, and if you do and something bad happens, just make sure your family doesn't go after the supplement company or anyone else. It was your decision.

W6

 

[Shemish]

That's another thing. I really don't think I need it. My family doctor prescribed it to me after talking to me for five minutes. I went there cause i was feeling lousy and basically he asked me what had been going on in my life and because of numerous lousy things that have happened all at once he said it was that. I think there is a major difference between being sad for a bit and being depressed. So I decided to be my own doctor and stop taking the things.
It's more important to me to look great this summer.

 

[BronzedGoddess]

Wilson, I don't think she was trying to be a smart ass. I just think she was shocked.

 

[Sassy69]

Shemish - i'll bite -- did you notice a difference while on that stuff? Personally I'm leary of docs who arrive at a diagnosis in 5 min or less. I've had some rather extended "down times" over the last few years and I have talked to a few peeps about whether or not I'm "depressed" or its just a moment that I need to ride through. Another hesitation I have is whether or not the person I'm talking to is full of shit. I don't exactly have all the time in the world to go "sample" doctors.

One of the people I talked to also said most of these anti-deps have a tendency to cause weight gain. Which, frankly, is one of the items on the top of my list for causing depression. So that whole diagnosis seems self-defeating.

Anyway, just wandering around in my thoughts - but I will agree w/ W6 -- the information on the label is put there for a reason and its just sort of common sense (that we often take for granted) that mixing different foreign substances in your body is bound to have some sort of interaction.

 

[gingernut]

I have been on Prozac (SSRI) for 4 years now. In that time I have used ECA stacks to good effect - I founf they made me feel even better than Prozac alone, they gave me my energy back.

I now have been prescribed valium, for alcohol problems and on the leaflet in the pack is says it should not be taken by those with depression, as does my contraceptive pill advice.

IMHO, they have to warn you of possible problems but all people are individual.

I am a chemist and research, assess and balance risks vs benefits with prescriptions/supplements etc. Even Drs can get it wrong.

My advice: Be careful, have a controlled trial, any probs and back off immediately. Remember drug companies have to protect themselves these days.

If the ECA gives you more energy and drive to train this could make you feel better without the anti depressants.

 

[Shemish]

Thanks for all your answers.
I just decided not to take the lexapro. I've taken hydroxycut before so i know how it makes me feel. I get very energetic, which to me is a good thing. Lexapro makes me tired. And truthfully like i said i don't really need it. I'm waiting a few days to get the stuff out of my system and then starting hydroxycut.

 

[ArtsyChic]

No..I certainly was NOT trying to be a smart ass. I really had no idea there were any warnings on the bottle regarding SSRI's. I've had no adverse effects from taking either of the drugs...or combining them for that matter. I think it would be easier to stop taking the ECA then stopping the paxil, as it gives righteous, horrid, intestinal problems when I try to taper off.

Alicia