Hello foks,
i have read several posts here in the past that antidepressants can be bothersome for RLS symptoms. I know it doesn't effect everyone but are there certain brands to watch out for?
Also which ones seem to not effect your RLS? I ask because my doc has suggested them to me in the past.
P.S. I wish i can help on this board instead of always just asking questions... Not enough experience with all the issues i guess.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants
A man generally has two reasons for doing a thing. One that sounds good, and a real one. ~ J. Pierpoint Morgan
s, I have not taken an anti-depressant but I know others who have will respond. However, as with all our medications, everyone may not have the same response. From Dr. B's book: "Almost all antidepressant medications can worsen the symptoms of RLS.....Antidepressant Drugs That Do Not Worsen RLS: (Brand Names) Wellbutrin, Norpramin, Pamelor, Aventy, Vivatil, Desyril, Trazon Trialodine." Most others, particularly the newer SSRI's perhaps have more of a downside based on reports. If you do a seach on "antidepressants" or their brand/generic names you will certainly find lots of threads/posts on the topic.
Best wishes,
M.
Best wishes,
M.
This post simply reflects opinion. Quantities are limited while supplies last. Some assembly required.
Mmmm. Just a question while we're on the topic. In doing some reading regarding s's post I came across this in one of the sticky's. It is part of a post quoting info. from the Southern Cal RLS site (I believe):
"ANTIDEPRESSANTS:
__________all can cause worsening of RLS with the possible exception of
Remeron, Serzone and Wellbutrin"
Now, regarding Remeron... Dr. B's book (page 97) states: "Mirtazapine (Remeron) does not fit into any of the classes of antidepressants described above. people with RLS should use this medication with caution, because studies have demonstrated that it tends to orsen symptoms."
Could be a case of new info supplanting old info. ???
M.
"ANTIDEPRESSANTS:
__________all can cause worsening of RLS with the possible exception of
Remeron, Serzone and Wellbutrin"
Now, regarding Remeron... Dr. B's book (page 97) states: "Mirtazapine (Remeron) does not fit into any of the classes of antidepressants described above. people with RLS should use this medication with caution, because studies have demonstrated that it tends to orsen symptoms."
Could be a case of new info supplanting old info. ???
M.
This post simply reflects opinion. Quantities are limited while supplies last. Some assembly required.
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I would guess it is new supplanting old...
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest
Managing Your RLS
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
Managing Your RLS
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
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Listing of antidepressants from www.rlshelp.org
This was just copied/pasted from the So. Cal. website. www.rlshelp.org
under Foods and Drugs to worsen RLS.
I would like to know if this is correct, since I often use that web site for information about RLS
__________________________________________________________
3) Antidepressant Medication
This class of medications should be used with caution in RLS patients. Antidepressants can worsen RLS symptoms more often than help them. As depression is a common problem, especially in patients with severe and persistent RLS problems, antidepressants are often prescribed for RLS patients. RLS patients who are put on antidepressants and notice worsening of their symptoms should inform their physician of this problem immediately.
There are several different classes of antidepressant medication. If a medication in one class causes problems, then a medication from another class may be of more benefit. As with most RLS medications, much trial and error must take place to see if these medications are helping. Due to the long list of antidepressant medications, we will only list them in their appropriate categories.
There are no specific guidelines for using antidepressants in RLS, and generally they are used for RLS in the same doses as for depression. The oldest antidepressants, the tricyclics, tend to worsen RLS more than they help. The SSRI's will worsen RLS more often than helping but they seem better tolerated than the tricyclics. There is only one antidepressant drug, Wellbutrin, which has dopamine like effects, so it may benefit RLS. This however, has not been looked at systematically yet although there are some case reports of Wellbutrin helping RLS. Trazadone may not help RLS but it does not seem to worsen the condition.
Tricyclics & Combinations
Ascendin (Amoxepine)
Elavil (Amitriptyline)
Etrafon (Perphenazine and Amitriptyline)
Limbitrol (Chlordiazepoxide and Amitriptyline)
Norpramin (Desipramine)
Pamelor (Nortriptyline)
Sinequan (Doxepin)
Surmontil (Trimipramine)
Tofranil (Imipramine)
Triavil (Perphenazine and Amitriptyline)
Vivactil (Protriptyline)
MAO (Monoamine Oxidase) Inhibitors
Nardil (Pheneizine)
Parnate (Tranylcypromine)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's)
Paxil (Paroxetine)
Prozac (Fluoxetine)
Zoloft (Sertraline)
Celexa (Citalopram)
Lexapro (Escitalopram)
Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI's)
Effexor (Venlafaxine)
Cymbalta (Duloxetine)
Tetracyclics
Ludiomil (Maprotiline)
Miscellaneous Antidepressant Medications
Desyrel (Trazadone)
Wellbutrin/Zyban (Bupropion)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Medications
Luvox (Flovoxamine Maleate) - This is serotonin uptake inhibitor which is chemically different than the antidepressants above.
Anafranil (Clomipramine) - This is in the class of tricyclic antidepressants.
Noradrenergic and Serotonergic
Remeron (Mirtazapine) - This is the newest class of antidepressants. It enhances both the noradrenalin and serotonin systems. Remeron may have less side effects than the serotonin uptake inhibitors and the tricyclics, and it even seems to promote sleep. There are 2 case reports of Remeron causing worsening of RLS, so it should be used with caution in RLS patients.
under Foods and Drugs to worsen RLS.
I would like to know if this is correct, since I often use that web site for information about RLS
__________________________________________________________
3) Antidepressant Medication
This class of medications should be used with caution in RLS patients. Antidepressants can worsen RLS symptoms more often than help them. As depression is a common problem, especially in patients with severe and persistent RLS problems, antidepressants are often prescribed for RLS patients. RLS patients who are put on antidepressants and notice worsening of their symptoms should inform their physician of this problem immediately.
There are several different classes of antidepressant medication. If a medication in one class causes problems, then a medication from another class may be of more benefit. As with most RLS medications, much trial and error must take place to see if these medications are helping. Due to the long list of antidepressant medications, we will only list them in their appropriate categories.
There are no specific guidelines for using antidepressants in RLS, and generally they are used for RLS in the same doses as for depression. The oldest antidepressants, the tricyclics, tend to worsen RLS more than they help. The SSRI's will worsen RLS more often than helping but they seem better tolerated than the tricyclics. There is only one antidepressant drug, Wellbutrin, which has dopamine like effects, so it may benefit RLS. This however, has not been looked at systematically yet although there are some case reports of Wellbutrin helping RLS. Trazadone may not help RLS but it does not seem to worsen the condition.
Tricyclics & Combinations
Ascendin (Amoxepine)
Elavil (Amitriptyline)
Etrafon (Perphenazine and Amitriptyline)
Limbitrol (Chlordiazepoxide and Amitriptyline)
Norpramin (Desipramine)
Pamelor (Nortriptyline)
Sinequan (Doxepin)
Surmontil (Trimipramine)
Tofranil (Imipramine)
Triavil (Perphenazine and Amitriptyline)
Vivactil (Protriptyline)
MAO (Monoamine Oxidase) Inhibitors
Nardil (Pheneizine)
Parnate (Tranylcypromine)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's)
Paxil (Paroxetine)
Prozac (Fluoxetine)
Zoloft (Sertraline)
Celexa (Citalopram)
Lexapro (Escitalopram)
Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI's)
Effexor (Venlafaxine)
Cymbalta (Duloxetine)
Tetracyclics
Ludiomil (Maprotiline)
Miscellaneous Antidepressant Medications
Desyrel (Trazadone)
Wellbutrin/Zyban (Bupropion)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Medications
Luvox (Flovoxamine Maleate) - This is serotonin uptake inhibitor which is chemically different than the antidepressants above.
Anafranil (Clomipramine) - This is in the class of tricyclic antidepressants.
Noradrenergic and Serotonergic
Remeron (Mirtazapine) - This is the newest class of antidepressants. It enhances both the noradrenalin and serotonin systems. Remeron may have less side effects than the serotonin uptake inhibitors and the tricyclics, and it even seems to promote sleep. There are 2 case reports of Remeron causing worsening of RLS, so it should be used with caution in RLS patients.
Thanks Mods for the advice and MJ for posting the list. Very useful info. I actually noticed this list right after i posted in another thread.
Do a lot of folks here use Wellbutrin? Does it work well? I was on Zyban about 10 years ago for stop smoking attempt. Just to confirm, it is the same as Wellbutrin as it's says in the list?
Do a lot of folks here use Wellbutrin? Does it work well? I was on Zyban about 10 years ago for stop smoking attempt. Just to confirm, it is the same as Wellbutrin as it's says in the list?
A man generally has two reasons for doing a thing. One that sounds good, and a real one. ~ J. Pierpoint Morgan
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I think, just like anything else, your results with Wellbutrin will vary. It works on different brain chemicals, so if the other issues you need an AD for are helped by dopamine, then it's likely to help...but, if the other issues are helped by serotonin or a different chemical, then it might not help as much.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest
Managing Your RLS
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
Managing Your RLS
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.