Phen and Lexapro (or any SRI) CAUTION!

[Butter Buns]

You can do a search on your own on the Discovery Health website for drug interactions, but here is the scoop about mixing Phen and Lexapro or any Seratonin reuptake Inhibitor (SRI):

GENERALLY AVOID: Several case reports suggest that patients treated with serotonin reuptake inhibitors may exhibit an increased sensitivity to sympathomimetic agents. The mechanism of interaction is unclear. The reasction has been reported when fluoxetine was used concomitantly with phen, amphetamine or phenylpropanolamine. Additionally, some sympathomimetic agents (e.g, amphetamines) may possess serotonergic activity and should generally not be administered with SRIs because of the additive risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5-HT1A receptors. The interaction occurred in a patien treated with dexamphetamine approximately 2 weeks after the addition of venlafaxine. The medications were discontinued and the patient was given cyproheptadine for suspected serotonin syndrome, whereupon symptoms promptly resolved. A second episode occurred when dexamphetamine was subsequently resumed and citalopram added. The patient improved following cessation of citalopram on his own, and residual symptoms were successfully treated with cyproheptadine. MANAGEMENT: In general, amphetamines should not be combined with SRI's. Close monitoring for enhanced sumpathomimetic effects is recommended if these agents must be used together. Patients should also be monitored for signs and sumptoms of excessive serotonergic activity such as CNS irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, myoclonus, ataxia, abdominal cramping, hyperpyrexia, shivering, pupillary dilation, diaphoresis, hypertension and tachycardia.

Sorry for the bad news...I quit taking my lexapro. I'd rather be skinny and *****y than big, nice and dead!

[Kizz4K]

Very interesting post. My doctor put me on Phentermine and Lexapro about two months ago, and I have been dropping weight like mad, and on top of that, happier then usual too. What exactly is serotonin syndrome? And how would I know if I developed it?

[fivetwoqt]

Now I have heard differently.

There is a website dedicated to Phen and Prozac (************), where a Dr. M.Anchors has been prescribing this combination since 1995 with no fatal or near fatal side effects. Also Eli Lilly just completed a study and found the same result...

Where did you get your information? I would like to take the combination - how can I get it? Who prescribes it?

[IwalkByFaith]

ButterBuns,

I appreciate the info you gave concerning Lexapro & phen. Please post the site where you found this info. I want to lose weight but its not worth looking thin in a coffin. Kizz4k I would love to speak to you about your experience with the 2 drugs. I have recently started taking the phen every other day & have found that on the off day I am still able to control my appetite & stay on weight watchers. Thanks again all.

[Larry Prater]

I've been on Phen 37.5 mill. and 10 mill.fluxotine since June17, 2004. I was and am under the care of a doctor who prescribed both. Prozac helps the phen last longer. Thanks for the info though.
I did find out today, after reading this months Reader's Digest, that if you are taking any kind of depression meds. as well as statins, that you shouldn't drink or eat grapefruit of any kind. It cancels out the prozac. I didn't eat it today and it's just like I was taking Phen and Prozac back in June. I did great today!

[nikichlders]

yeah interesting i take phen and lexapro and my ob-gyn put me on the phen knowing i took lexapro..

[ferol skaggs]

I dont understand what could happen if your taking both?? i have been on lexapro for 2 years and phen since september 29th of 06, please explain in non docter form, ty.