can we take baclofen with antidepressant?

[Murphyx]

can we take baclofen with antidepressant?

Ne/Neva Eva;1067538 wrote: The risk of seizure is enhanced not from drinking, but from QUITTING drinking.

Crap, it's just as well I didn't know that a couple of weeks ago. But then again I was quite happy to be taking prozac and wellbutrin, whilst drinking and abusing tramadol all at the same time therefore vastly lowering my seizure threshold, as well as opening the door to serotonin syndrome.

Oh the shit we do when we're pissed.

[redhead77]

can we take baclofen with antidepressant?

UKB,

There are a number of safe antidepressants that can be taken with baclofen. It just depends on the neurotransmitters that are involved (well that's being awfully simplistic), and I don't have time to go into the pharmacology of it. While, I don't want to give medical advice, I am very familiar with some of the safe one's. My doc and I have had many conversations about it. Maybe pm me and we could discuss it. Even better yet, maybe give Dr L a call and discuss the safe options with him and then go to you GP and ask for that specific antidepressant. Dr L may not have the perfect titration schedule, but he very knowlegeable and cautious about drug interactions and baclofen.

Murph,

I work in a major neuro ICU. People get airlifted to us from all over my metroplitan area. I see patients every week who seize while on Wellbutrin. It is not just depression that is causing the seizures, it is Wellbutrin. It is considered a "yellow drug" while on baclofen. Meaning proceed with caution. I would think being they haven't studied this drug with high dose baclofen (as we know baclofen is usually prescribed up to 80mg), that a great deal of caution should be exerted. I agree that maybe at low dose baclofen it may be fine, but when trying to hit the switch that could be potentially dangerous. I too love Wellbutin for depression. I even took it some while on my low doses, not wanting to give it up. I have finally stopped cause I'm finally up to 50 mg and don't want to risk it.

Ne,

What was that website you posted before with the drugs that interact with baclofen? That was some great info and maybe you could repost it. That way if anyone is trying to do this on their own (not ideal, but sometimes the only way), they can look up the drug they want or are taking.

[RedThread12]

can we take baclofen with antidepressant?

Here's one man's (Moglor's) thread about baclofen, depression, Wellbutrin . . . https://www.mywayout.org/community/f2...e-8-42779.html

Quite a story that has turned out quite well.

[redhead77]

can we take baclofen with antidepressant?

Yup, Redthread. I know Moglor takes it. Loop took it to quit smoking while on baclofen and didn't have issues, and Murph takes it, without a problem. Statistically, out of the small group here, one would assume it was fine. Maybe it is. Wellbutrin has a good success rate with treating alcoholics with depression. I know it also worked for me. I'm just personally (and this is my own humble and personal opinion), not going to fuck with it. After I titrate up and hit the switch and come back down (if I can, again assuming I'll be able to), I may go back on it. Just my opinion is all.

[Murphyx]

can we take baclofen with antidepressant?

A slim chance of a reaction to Baclofen versus perhaps not being able to resist the urge to drive my vehicle into the river one day. Seems a little extreme I know, but that's the way I was before ADs. And some of the other types of ADs are definite no-nos for use with baclofen.

[redhead77]

can we take baclofen with antidepressant?

I hear ya Murph. I have suffered from some serious depression in my life too. I guess with the antidepressants, it's risk vs. benefit. As with any other group of drugs.

[Guest]

can we take baclofen with antidepressant?

Thanks for all that information Redhead, very useful and most appreciated.

[konakt]

can we take baclofen with antidepressant?

UK--

Not giving any medical advice here, but sharing my experience (and my family's) about how important and time-consuming it is and should be to find the right antidepressant that works for you....this is definitely not a one-drug-fits-all kind of thing.

Ukblonde;1067537 wrote: I'm thinking I'm going to have to take an anti-depressant, since I'm struggling so much and have an idea that I am truely suffering with clinical depression. Now I have the concern about which one to take, since if I admit to taking Baclofen I have a very good idea my GP as well as my counsellor will tell me to stop the Baclofen. So generally going to have to do this on my own.

After spending lots of time in talk therapy years ago, my very able therapist referred me to a prescribing psychiatrist and I am so glad she did, despite the expense. It was well worth it to me to have a psychiatrist with specific expertise on how each different type of antidepressant works and be able to monitor the side effects and to safely discontinue one until I found another that was the right "fit" for me.

For me, Zoloft seems to be the one that best keeps me on an even keel. For my adult daughter, who is extremely drug-phobic it turned out to be Wellbutrin, for my sister-in-law, Paxil, for a close friend, a combination of Lexapro and Wellbutrin---and we all had different reactions to each!

The thing with antidepressants is that they take about three to four weeks to kick in, so being able to monitor that with a psychiatrist is very important, or you are (I'm, we're) less likely to stick with it. But believe me, once on an antidepressant, you sort of forget what it was like to be depressed.

Most of us have thought at one time or another, "I don't think I really WAS all that depressed..." and then try to wean ourselves off the antidepressant---only to get slammed with the fact of, "Oh YES I SO was depressed...Sheez!"

For me, I try to frame taking my antidepressant as the thing that simply keeps me more resilient in every day life. Not a magic bullet that takes away all pain. And while life is never smooth, being on an antidepressant just means I don't fall into the deep canyons of depression---it's more like shallow gullies to trod through....

I personally, have found antidepressants to work whether I'm drinking or not (although that doesn't make much sense, as AL is the anti-antidepressant). I'll be on Zoloft for the rest of my life...full stop. The interaction with bac (again, in my own case) doesn't seem to be a factor yet (at 50 mg), so can't speak to that.

PS, once you have established what your antidep prescription will be with the psychiatrist, your GP can be the (cheap) person to prescribe it from then on....good luck with this. I have witnessed the amazing change in my loved ones' outlook as they slowly found the right antidepressant that helped keep them afloat...

Aloha, KT

[edostan]

can we take baclofen with antidepressant?

I decided to come off of zoloft when I first ordered my baclofen. You gotta come down slowly. I came off over the course of 3 weeks of gradually reduced dosages. Baclofen is working better for me as an antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication than anything I've ever taken. Some of that is probably placebo effect, but who cares?

Good luck!!

[dixon]

can we take baclofen with antidepressant?

You all are really amazing!
I like to share my antidepressant intake now
-flunil-20 .....3 capsules a day 2x1 and 1x1
-minil-10.......2 tabs 2x1
-clonaz 0.5......1/2 x2times
Its an Asian brand so I need to see generic name if needed.
Takings since 2003 and I am now 40 years old.
I hope to receive your experience if I can take these drugs with baclofen or not?
Thankful to you all and post you again for each reply.
Dixon

[dixon]

can we take baclofen with antidepressant?

redhead77;1067458 wrote: Hi Dixon. It depends which antidepressant you're on. Some antidepressants may increase seizure risk. Combined with high dose baclofen, it could theoretically spell trouble. If you could post which one you take, it would help.

This become a long thread and I have learnt so many tricks, medication, dietery etc reading out so many posts here!! I personally thank you all for yours sharing and support.
Regarding my AD intake I have been taking the following medicines since 2003 and am 40 years old now.
1. Fluoxetine -20 mg 40+20+20 =80 mg per day thrice.
2.Propranolol Hydrochloride -10+5+5=20 mg perday.
3. Clonaz - 0.5+0.25+0.25= 1 mg each day thrice.
Lets think them with baclofen!
Dixon