This is the second time I've been on an SSRI and had problems with it. Anyway, I am going to see my family physician Monday because of the problems with my Prozac and she's not my Subs doc. I need to go ahead and get the new med started ASAP for it to help with my PMDD before it starts next month and can't get in to the sub doc until the 20th. I don't know how much she knows about subs, so I need some ideas to be looking into before my appt. Monday. Please excuse me if my phone does anything stupid here.
What antidepressants are safe to take with Suboxone?
Question posted by linda0982000 on 10 July 2011
Last updated on 8 May 2014
Added 10 July 2011:
If at all possible, some inexpensive examples would be great. I'm self pay and the Subs alone is really taking a toll on the finances.
4 Answers
sadiehawkins
8 May 2014
If your depression is situational, and medicine can't cure situational depression, why are you taking medicine?
Thor283
11 July 2011
As far as I know, any of the AD meds are safe with Sub. Except maybe those MAOI antidepressants, but they have a whole slew of problems. I think the rule of thumb when mixing Sub with anything is to think of Sub as an opiate, because that's what it is. It's a unique opiate, but that's what it boils down to. So if something is unsafe with opiates, it's probably not safe with Sub, and if it is safe with opiates, then it should be safe with Sub. There's a lot of mystery surrounding Sub, and sometimes I get annoyed over that. I can see where that once served a purpose, but now I think it's plain dumb. So you should tell your doc you're on Sub, and the doc should know what's safe and what isn't. I think probably the doses would have to be adjusted with Sub, as they would with any opiates.
I personally have mixed the following AD meds with Sub. Wellbutrin, which I take most often. Trazodone, which I use occasionally for sleep. And I was on Cymbalta for 1 whole year due to a very severe depression. And the doc who gave me the Cymbalta is today the doc who gives me the Sub.
Depression is a really terrible thing. I've had it since I was 6 years old. I actually think it's part of this whole addiction disease. I'm also familiar with a situational depression. I think a large part of mine is situational. I'm not sure any drugs are all that effective against a situational depression. What's worse, I think if a situational depression goes on long enough, that it then causes a chemical depression. I don't know if I'm right about this, but if I am then that's the rationale for taking an AD med. This is a difficult situation, and that's why you need a good experienced doc handling it.
I wish you the best.
LaurieShay
10 July 2011
Hey Linda,
I'm hesitating recommending any SSRI or similar antidepressant or tricyclic antidepressant because of the possible interaction. The warning is that the use of an antidepressant with Suboxone lowers the seizure threshold thereby increasing the chances of having one. That being said, if you are not prone to seizures for any reason and the doctor starts you out on the lowest end of the dosage range, you should be ok. I recommend the following options which come in generic and should be affordable:
Wellbutrin which the generic is bupropion
Celexa which is citalopram
Effexor which is venlafaxine
Lexapro which is escitalopram
For a complete list of options for PMDD you can go to:
https://www.drugs.com/condition/premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder.html
You will notice most of the choices are for bupropion and that several of the
choices are for contraceptive class drugs. Have you tried different birth control pills to help with this problem?
Hope some of this helps,
Laurie
Inactive
10 July 2011
Hey Laurie, I know that subs is listed as having interactions with something like 400 medicines and we both know different doctors treat differently with it. I went into a particularly intense form of depression called ANHEDONIA. it was pronounced enough that my counselor picked up on it and suggested I go see my dr as soon as possible. Anhedonia means for those who don't know, that nothing makes you feel pleasure at all, not food, movies, comedies, your kids, nothing, you are like a black hole emotionally. I normally just have situational depression, and anxiety/panic disorder, but this thing hit me very hard. I went to my subs dr for the antidepressant and one of the other group members (subs group counseling members) told me he could tell a difference of night and day in me within a week of the addition of 'Zac, to my regimen. I call them 'Zac and Ami days, but I did get the relief I needed during this awful time.
You always know so much about the meds and I appreciate all your knowledge and support and help here. I never want to harm anyone with my answers, I just am adding parts of my story here and there, so, thank you for fixing anything I may say that might be harmful.
LaurieShay
10 July 2011
Hey Patti,
You didn't say anything harmful. In fact, our posts went out at the same time, so I didn't read your post before I posted. You are right in that a tricyclic antidepressant might work. I choose from the top 20 most popular list for her disorder and only wanted to warn her of the possible interaction if she was prone to seizures. If she is not and stays at the lower end of the dosage range for any particular antidepressant, it should be ok.
Laurie
linda0982000
10 July 2011
Well, I've never had any problems with seizures but I have had emotional problems ever since I can remember. Part of the problem with thee Prozac could be that the doc started me out on 20 mgs. It's not extended release, but I think it definetly could have been lower. I had the same reaction on Paxil years ago and ended up being a cutter for about 6 months. It stopped a few months after changing antidepressants. I did take prozac with success when I had my first child, for postpartum depression. But, I was only on it for 4 months, and at a lower dose.oblem with thee Prozac could be that the doc started me out on 20 mgs. It's not extended release, but I think it definetly could have been lower. I had the same reaction on Paxil years ago and ended up being a cutter for about 6 months. It stopped a few months after changing antidepressants. I did take prozac with success when I had my first child, for postpartum depression. But, I was only on it for 4 months, and at a lower dose.
linda0982000
10 July 2011
I have no idea why my stupid phone keeps posting everything twice!
LaurieShay
10 July 2011
LOL, I'm glad you explained that about your phone. I was a bit worried. Thought we had a parrot on the site. Good luck at the doctor's. Let us know what he/she recommends.
Inactive
10 July 2011
amitriptyline is safe and cheap to take with subs. I am sensitive to antidepressants ,my depression is situational, and antidepressants can make me a bit manic and I am NOT bi-polar. Make sure you are not on the extended release Prozac, just the plain Prozac (fluoxetine) the ER formula makes me panic, 10mgs of the regular and I am fine. That might be the problem, the ER formula. Amitriptyline is generic of Elavil. Best of luck, and yes my subs dr knew I took 25 mgs of amitriptyline when he augmented with fluoxetine 10 mgs as I went into a severe form of depression when I first got on subs called anhedonia, which means I felt no pleasure at all, like a blank TV screen. I took 10 mgs 'zac one day and 25 mgs of Ami the next, but it worked for me. You might ask for 10 mg pills of Ami but ask if they will right the rx so you can go up to 20 mgs of Ami if you need it. Best of luck, this helped me. Patti
sadiehawkins
8 May 2014
If your depression is situational, and situational depression can't be cured with medicine, then why are you taking medicine for it?
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prozac, suboxone, antidepressant
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