Aug
01
2006

Do Not Mix Migraine Medications With Antidepressants

Headache medications that are available over the counter in the local drugstore are ineffective when it comes to a migraine headache, and migraine sufferers have received great help from medications that are targeting a migraine attack. They are non-narcotic prescription drugs, some of which have to be injected. They are available under names like Amerge, Axert, Frova, Imitrex, Maxalt, Relpax or Zomic, and the medication group is known in pharmacists’ language as “triptans”.
The medications are generally well tolerated, but the FDA has issued a warning.
In combination with another medication group, life threatening side effects can occur.
Any patient who is receiving medication for the treatment of depression in the form of a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI’s) is strongly warned, not to take any of those listed triptans for migraine. The anti depressive drugs are Celexa, Fluvoxamin, Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft. Two other medications, namely Effexor and Cymbalta are Selective Serotonin/Norepinephrin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSNRI’s), and they carry the same risk when taken in combination with the triptans.
The combination of the two medications can lead to a dangerous condition known as Serotonin syndrome. It occurs when the body has too much serotonin, a chemical found in the nervous system. Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include restlessness, hallucinations, loss of coordination, fast heartbeat, and rapid changes in blood pressure, increased body temperature, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Serotonin syndrome may be more likely to occur when starting or increasing the dose of a triptan, SSRI or SNRI.

Do Not Mix Migraine Medications With Antidepressants

Do Not Mix Migraine Medications With Antidepressants

It is up to the prescribing physician to carefully weigh the advantages against the serious side effects, and it can be a difficult choice, as both conditions, migraine as well as depression, need to be treated effectively. Any patient who has to take both medications has to be closely watched. The patient also has to be alert to any side effect.

Reference: FDA/Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, July 19, 2006

Link to chapter on migraines in Net Health Book: http://nethealthbook.com/neurology-neurological-disease/common-causes-headaches/migraine-headache/

Last edited Nov. 1, 2014

Apr
01
2006

Sleep Medication Unlocks Eating Disorder

A sleep disorder may drive people to use sleeping pills on a regular basis. Even though all efforts are made to minimize harmful side effects, emerging medical case studies are uncovering disturbing findings with the use of the sleeping pill Ambien (zolpidem). While many users report no incident with the use of this medication, others are developing a sleep-related eating disorder. They rummage through their fridges and indiscriminately consume calories ranging into the thousands. The night eaters have no recollection of their nocturnal foraging, but thy will find telltale signs of food leftovers and snacks on counters and even in their beds. Dr. Mark Mahowald, director of the Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center in Minneapolis is one of the sleep experts researching the problem. He and his team are not the only ones. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. have made similar findings. Sanofi-Adventis, the French company that makes the drug, has defended its safety in 13 years of use in the U.S. A company spokesperson however has conceded that the package insert for Ambien carries a warning about a sleep-related eating disorder that could occur. Several sleep specialist and a number of patients tell a more specific story. Sleep-eating is one of the varieties of unusual reactions to the drug. Other reactions range from fairly benign incidents of sleepwalking to hallucinations, violent outbursts, and the most troubling one of all driving while asleep.

Sleep Medication Unlocks Eating Disorder

Sleep Medication Unlocks Eating Disorder

Dr. Carlos H. Schenck, a sleep disorders expert in Minneapolis believes that two basic instincts, sleeping and eating, become linked and two instinctive behaviors become intertwined in the sleep stage.

More about eating disorders: http://nethealthbook.com/mental-illness-mental-disorders/eating-disorders/

Reference: NY Time Digest, Tuesday, March14, 2006, page 5

Last edited Oct. 30, 2014