WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for April, 2000: Re: Drug interactions and effectiveness

Re: Drug interactions and effectiveness

From: Lynn D. Montgomery, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 26 Apr 2000 11:11:02 -0500 (CDT)

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At Tue, 25 Apr 2000, J wrote: >
>I was wondering if any of the docs had any experience with the new drug
>Celexa used to treat depression.
>Today I was given a prescription for 20 mg of Celexa a day. I was also
>prescribed 50 mg of Trazodone to help me sleep as well as for
>depression.
>Would there be any sort of interaction that I should look for with these
>two?
>
>Also, do either of them interact with the Depo Provera injections? or
>would they interact with birth control pills if I decided to switch to
>those?
>
>I've heard that some types of other anti depressants mixed with them are
>fatal, but are there any over the counter meds I should be concerned
>about as well? The only thing I have found is a recommendation to not
>drink while taking these two drugs. What effects would drinking have?
>
>Thanks.

Not really sure why your physician would have you on both Celexa and Desyrel (Trazodone). They are both in the same class of medications and there should be no real need to compound the meds. I see the potential for interaction there. It would seem that the Celexa, by itself would be sufficient. It is a good med with a fairly low side-effect profile. The reason to avoid alcohol is the fact that these meds potentiate (make stronger) the effects of the alcohol.

Whether the med will affect birth control is a difficult question to answer. It used to be that there were some very specific meds that effected the efficacy of the pill. Now it is tough to say for sure with some of the newer meds because we lack experience. Celexa is "activated" in the liver, which means there is a potential for interaction with the pill or depoprovera. Lynn

--
Lynn D. Montgomery, MD
Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Rocky Mountain Perinatal Center
Missoula, Montana

**Note:  Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship.  This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options and/or interventions.

**Private e-mails cannot be entertained due to time constraints, consequently no private e-mails will receive a response.

**Thank you for your understanding ;-)

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