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What Are The Side Effects Of Nefazodone?

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Posted on Tue, 2 Dec 2014
Question: I have been taking nefazodone for 4 weeks, 100 mg, which I have been doing better, now today I am feeling over sedated what is going on please help me to understand how the med is causing this after 4 weeks of feeling somewhat better.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Nefazodone - Atorvastatin interaction

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome to HCM and thank you for your query.
I understand your concern.
As you might know, nefazodone builds up in the system over a period of time.
There is also an interaction between Atorvastatin and Nefazodone because both use the CYP3A4 enzyme for metabolism and therefore the blood level can increase to even dangerous levels. The over sedation you feel is likely to be due to the increase in blood level.
Take care
Dr Noble Zachariah
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (7 minutes later)
I have been taking statin all along why now?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It is not the statin level that produces sedation

Detailed Answer:
The over sedation is not due to statin. It is due to nefazodone.
You would have noticed that you did not have the good effect of nefazodone at the beginning of treatment 4 weeks ago. The effect comes with the increasing level of the medicine in the system.
Because both medicines use the same route of metabolism, the level of nefazodone is increased more than required by the simultaneous use of statin.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (4 minutes later)
So how much of the Nefazodone do I decrease?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please contact your psychiatrist.

Detailed Answer:
I think you should see your psychiatrist again.
He will assess you and decide on what dose would be good for you.
He may even suggest another medicine without this interaction.

Best wishes,
Dr Noble Zachariah
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (29 minutes later)
What medication do you suggest I get sadated with so many?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please let me know the symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Please write the symptoms for which you were started on nefazodone and the medicines you have tried which have been over sedating.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (15 minutes later)
Anxiety with panic and depression. I was able to take celexa years ago. Imimprimine oversadated me and nortriptileen, Luvox. I also couldn't take Prozac just hyped me up. I have been through so much with trying meds but I need them or I get my anxiety and depression symptoms. Iam not a good sleeper
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Celexa is a good choice

Detailed Answer:
Citalopram (Celexa) is a good choice for you as it does not have the interaction with statin. If it is not available in your area, I would suggest an alternative.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (4 minutes later)
Is there a blood test to see what I can take for antidepressant
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Unfortunately no

Detailed Answer:
Unfortunately no.
The group that will suit you most would be the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) to which celexa belongs.
Did you have any problem with celexa? Why was it changed?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (1 hour later)
Don't remember but was changed to nefazodone. I just want to find a med I can take with low side effects. Celexa fits many people. My system may have changed cuz I can't take much of meds since the last year
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Metabolism and excretion slows with increasing age

Detailed Answer:
I live in a different time zone and hence the delay in reply.
Sorry for keeping you waiting.
As one grows older, there is a definite change in the metabolism of medicines and their excretion from the body. So small doses produce bigger effect than in a younger person.
This is a gradual process except when you have two drugs competing for the same pathway, as in your case with the combination of nefazodone and atorvastatin.

If you were my patient, the medicine I would suggest for you would be Cipralex (Escitalopram). It does not have any interaction with statins and is not too sedating.
If there are no more questions now, you may close the discussion with your comments. You can ask me a question any time in the future.
Wish you good health.
Dr Noble Zachariah
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Noble Zachariah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 2319 Questions

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What Are The Side Effects Of Nefazodone?

Brief Answer: Nefazodone - Atorvastatin interaction Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to HCM and thank you for your query. I understand your concern. As you might know, nefazodone builds up in the system over a period of time. There is also an interaction between Atorvastatin and Nefazodone because both use the CYP3A4 enzyme for metabolism and therefore the blood level can increase to even dangerous levels. The over sedation you feel is likely to be due to the increase in blood level. Take care Dr Noble Zachariah