Anyone Still Taking Serzone / Nefadozone?

[philpphil]

I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder when I was 24-25 back in 1997. I know they started at least in college prior to that and probably before when I was in high school. After I graduated college things got pretty bad with stomach issues that were diagnosed as IBS and then depression and then Panic which was the underlying cause of most all of it. I tried different meds... Xanax at first as I was put on Prozac, could not tolerate, then Remeron which seemed to work at the exepnse of big time weight gain and loss of sexual appetite all together. After 6 months and wanting to be less heavy and have sexual feelings, I was put on Serzone which when we found the right dosage did the trick, for 6 years. During that time my stomach problems cleared up, I felt better and led a great life which I still reap the benefits of today.

Stopped Serzone in 2003 and was fine for 1 year. Now the stomach problems and all the same signs of Anxiety and Panic have resurfaced, especially when I am researching every known pain or tingle online.

My question is should I go back on something permanent or keep these new symptoms at bay with only Xanax? It seems like I can go for weeks feeling fine, then a bad week. I know my Doc. will put me back on the generic Serzone but I will then have in the back of my head the Black Box warnings so prevelent now for that med. Tried Lexapro for 2 days and stopped because of awful headaches and nausea.

Thoughts? Advice? Regards.

[Greenyflower]

I know a woman who went back on generic serzone. After the black box warnings were issued, she tried several antidepressants without success. She and her pdoc watch for any signs of liver disease.

Here is the FDA warning.

IF you don't have any predispositions to liver disease, then maybe 1 case of liver failure in 250,000 - 300,000 patient years is not too bad a risk.

Also, if Prozac and Remeron are the only other antidepressants you've tried, then you have a lot of other antidepressants you could try.

You might also want to ask your doc about Librax - a combo of librium (mild benzo) and another med that helps relax the digestive tract. It is wonderfully effective for mild to moderate anxietyand the resulting stomach upset, etc. It may not be strong enough for panic though.

I hope you find something that works well for you.

Greeny

[kalessin]

I used to take it, but they don't make it anymore - not even generic. I switched to Zoloft and feel fantastic. Good luck!

[Velvet Elvis]

If you are unable to get serzone Remeron is probobly the closest you're going to get in terms of mechanism of action. It is not One of the less stimulating TCAs such as imipramine would be a good bet. As are the SSRIs.

further reading:

http://www.vh.org/adult/provider/psychiatry/CPS/35.html

[Yvette]

I have been on Serzone since 1999.  I was prescribed this drug because of my up and down-ness, later diagnosed as BPII: this is a drug less likely to cause mania than other AD's. I'm not too worried about the black box warning,  though my pdocs and I are scrupulous about adding other drugs to my regimen.  I get my liver tested every six months, all is fine.  I love this drug: it eliminated my panic attacks and made my social anxiety manageable, but after I took Lamictal for several months it became less effective.  I'm now on a combination of Serzone and Abilify, in addition a bunch of other non-crazy med stuff.

BTW Serzone is available in the US as its generic equivalent, Nefazodone.  FYI Last time I saw my pdoc I asked him whether my HMO was trying to get people off Serzone, and he said no; my other pdoc thinks that Serzone is "not such a bad anti-depressant." 

It is important to get your liver tested every 6 months if  you're going to take Nefazodone.  Good luck!

[kalessin]

BTW Serzone is available in the US as its generic equivalent, Nefazodone.  FYI Last time I saw my pdoc I asked him whether my HMO was trying to get people off Serzone, and he said no; my other pdoc thinks that Serzone is "not such a bad anti-depressant." 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

When was the last time you saw your pdoc? My pharmacy told me they weren't carrying the generic either. I called one of the manufacturers and they said no one was going to make it anymore.

[kalessin]

I used to take it, but they don't make it anymore - not even generic.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is not correct, at least not in the United States.  That is the case in Canada and, perhaps some other countries.

Teva is one of the generic companies making generic nefazadone now.  Both drugstore.com and Walgreens are still carrying it.

For how long is still an unknown.  Buying a six-month supply and having three month's worth on hand at all times is probably a good idea if nefazadone the only med that works.  And, of course, having those quarterly blood panels.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's it. I officially hate my pharmacy.

[Yvette]

Need to learn how to quote here, but to reply faster to your question, Kalessin, I just wanted to let you know that I last saw both of my pdocs was three weeks ago.

On my bottle the manufacturer info goes: "mfg: IVAX/ZENIT"

I have never had a problem refilling my prescription, never any indications of shortages, etc.  I live in the SF Bay Area, maybe this has something to do with access/info?

[kalessin]

Need to learn how to quote here, but to reply faster to your question, Kalessin, I just wanted to let you know that I last saw both of my pdocs was three weeks ago.

On my bottle the manufacturer info goes: "mfg: IVAX/ZENIT"

I have never had a problem refilling my prescription, never any indications of shortages, etc.  I live in the SF Bay Area, maybe this has something to do with access/info?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And it was Ivax that I called too! I spoke to their customer service department and they told me that they weren't going to manufacture it anymore. Damn.

Anyway I guess it was a blessing in disguise because Zoloft has really worked better for me anyway, but it was a painful process getting to this point.

[MeDiCaTioN TiMe]

I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder when I was 24-25 back in 1997. I know they started at least in college prior to that and probably before when I was in high school. After I graduated college things got pretty bad with stomach issues that were diagnosed as IBS and then depression and then Panic which was the underlying cause of most all of it. I tried different meds... Xanax at first as I was put on Prozac, could not tolerate, then Remeron which seemed to work at the exepnse of big time weight gain and loss of sexual appetite all together. After 6 months and wanting to be less heavy and have sexual feelings, I was put on Serzone which when we found the right dosage did the trick, for 6 years. During that time my stomach problems cleared up, I felt better and led a great life which I still reap the benefits of today.

Stopped Serzone in 2003 and was fine for 1 year. Now the stomach problems and all the same signs of Anxiety and Panic have resurfaced, especially when I am researching every known pain or tingle online.

My question is should I go back on something permanent or keep these new symptoms at bay with only Xanax? It seems like I can go for weeks feeling fine, then a bad week. I know my Doc. will put me back on the generic Serzone but I will then have in the back of my head the Black Box warnings so prevelent now for that med. Tried Lexapro for 2 days and stopped because of awful headaches and nausea.

Thoughts? Advice? Regards.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What kind of stomach issues? Some of the TCA's are very good with IBS of diarrhoea kind nad excess stomach acid problems. Amitriptyline, Doxepin, Nortriptyline & Trimipramine are good ones to try in small dosages.

Have you tried Trazodone? It's the older brother of Serzone & a fairly similar drug.