Gen2 asked this question on 4/28/2000:
I have been taking Serzone since October. I was taking 400mg, but now I am down to 300mg. When I was taking 400, I was having weird vision problems. I take it at night and for the first 30 minutes after I would wake up, I would see "trails" from movement of my own or my boyfriend. Its kinda like watching a cartoon of a character that moves really fast and it leaves post-impression type images behind it. It also would make me feel weak and nauseated. So I started taking 300 at night at 100 in the morning. The symptons still continued. If I forget to take it at night, when I wake up in the morning, I am nauseated and sometimes actually get sick. I told my Dr., but he was not familar with those symptons from Serzone. He suggested I continue at 400mg, but that I could go to 300 if needed. Now at 300mg, I am back to battling less severe bouts of depression, and still having problems if I forget to take it at night. I am a small person, about 5'4" and 115lbs if that has anything to do with it. Has anyone else heard or experienced this? I am reluctant to change meds because I don't want to go through the withdrawal. Just taking this 8 or 9 hours late makes me physically sick. I am also afraid of my depression coming back to the point it was when I started on the Serzone. I couldn't make it to work somedays and I was very scared. I would greatly appreaciate any advice. Thank you in advance for your time!
sabbath1 gave this response on 4/28/2000:
Hello my name is Dr. Joseph J. Miraglia DD Ph.D. My Site: http://home.infospace.com/anatevka1
Okay to help you understand your medication known as (Nefazodone) SERZONE: Class: Antidepressant Controled Drug: No Possible Benefits: Effective Treatment of Depression FDA: Apporved POSSIBLE RISKS: Dizziness, Nausea, Mild blood prssure changes on standing. Dosing Instructions: Food delays the absorption and decreases total absorption, but this effect is not believed to be clinically significant. Water is expected to be the safest liquid to take this medicine with...Avoid taking with grapefruit juice.
Usual Duration of Use: Continual use on a regular schedule for 4 to 5 weeks usually determines effectiveness in treating drpression. Long-term use (months to years) requires periodic evaluation of response, dose adjustment and physician follow-up.
This Drug Should Not Be Taken If: You had an allergic reaction to it previously. You are taking astemizole, cisapride or terfenadine. You are taking an MAO inhibitor.
** Inform Your Physician Before Taking This Drug If: You take a triazolobenzodiazepine, such as triazolam or alprazolam. You have a history of seizure disorder. You have history of heart disease. You are unsure how much to take or how often to take it. You take other medicines that were not discussed with you doctor when nefazodone was prescribed.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: (natural, expected and unavoidable drug actions) Dry mouth, Blurred vision or constipation. Lowered blood pressure on standing (postural hypotension).
Serious Adverse Effects: liver failure.
Mild Adverse Effects: Skin rash, Nausea, Ringing in the ears, Headache, dizziness and tremors, Insomnia, Confusion and agitation, Slow heart rate. ==============================================
Well I hope this will be of some help to you and if I can help you in any way feel free to contact me personally...Phone ## on site.
sabbath1 gave this follow-up answer on 4/28/2000:
Remember if I or my staff can help please contact us through --- http://home.infospace.com/anatevka1
All information given was taken from:THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS 2000 Edition - 1999.
sabbath1 gave this follow-up answer on 5/1/2000:
Personally, I would seek a meeting with the doctor and ask for an upto date blood workup to see if the medications are helpping you or making you sicker.
I can't request these records unless you give me your address and sign a full medical release and let me examin your files in detail and then we can reflect on these reports and talk about a non-medicated treatment.
Think this over and contact me for more inforamtion in the mean time until you decide on what to do take you medication only when needed as you have been told by your other doctor...please contact me soon. Thank You.
The average rating for this answer is 4.9.
Gen2 rated this answer a 5.
This is great! I had no idea about the grapefruit juice or the alprazolam, both of which I have been using since starting Serzone. I am seriously thinking of changing doctors.