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MedHelp Member's Question

Drug interraction between Methadone and Paxil

by Plumpkin, May 29, 2003 12:00AM
Tags: Addiction
I have been on Methadone maintenance for almost 3 years and have abstained from all other drugs and alcohol.  I have been experiencing feelings of depression and feeling overwhelmed and would like to try an anti-depressent.  I took Paxil, briefly while in College.  I had a good result and remember no sexual side effect.  Is there a negative reaction when Methadon and Paxil are mixed?  Will it show up on a drug screen?  If Paxil isn't an anti-depressent I want to consider, is there another one that I should discuss with my physician?
Member Comments (37)

by AmberHunter, May 29, 2003 12:00AM
i worked on one of the phase three clinical drug trials on paxil (paroxetine) back in 91... the drug was shown to be effective and safe. what wasn't known at that time by us researchers was that SSRI's have there own set of withdrawls symptoms (discontinuation syndrome) and can be very difficult to come off of. paxil appears to be the worst to come off of so if i were you (which i am not!) i would look into taking another SSRI or another class of AD. i switched from paxil to prozac b/c i had planned to discontinue the prozac which would be easier than discontinuing the paxil b/c prozac has a longer half life... so anyhow...



good luck with whatever choices you make and i am sure the doc will pop in here and answer your question as to whether it is contraindicated while on methadone!!



peace,



amber

by mrmichael67, May 29, 2003 12:00AM
Methadone and Paxil are fine to take together.  This is a good site to check out:  http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Interaction/ChooseDrugs

I also looked elsewhere and found no interactions anywhere else.

by Thomas050, May 29, 2003 12:00AM
Hello all. I appologize for inturrupting this thread, but does anyone know why i can't post a new topic?? I have never been able to, it always says it has reached the daily limit. There are only two posts today!!

What is the trick to posting a new topic?

Thanks,

Thomas

by hippy, May 29, 2003 12:00AM
To: tom 050
Best to try between 830 am and 11 am eastern time,

in order to post a question



peace!!!!!!!!!!hippy

by Forum-M.D.-rcb, May 29, 2003 12:00AM
To: plumkin
Dear plumpkin:



I neglected to state that there is no listed contraindication to Paxil in Methadone maintenance to my knowledge

by AmberHunter, May 29, 2003 12:00AM
To: Everyone/hippee
come play with us on the other board! email me at: ***@****  doc, you are welcome there too!!! but i know you are busy as it is!!!



peace,



amber

by Huiler, May 29, 2003 12:00AM
I've worked in a methadone clinic for a little over 2 years. Paxil seems to be the most prescribed drug for patients at my clinic who are seeing local psychiatrists.I've never heard of anyone complaining about the combination. (For what it's worth.)

by mrmichael67, May 30, 2003 12:00AM
To: huiler
In what capacity did you or do you work at the clinic?

by Huiler, May 30, 2003 12:00AM
I have been working as a counselor/case manager at this methadone clinic for a little over 2 years. Before that, I was working as a substance abuse counselor, mostly outpatient, since 1989. Why would you like to know?

by mrmichael67, May 30, 2003 12:00AM
To: huiler
Your question on the other thread about what would help withdrawal off of methadone lead me to ask that question.  And, it causes me concern to see a counselor from a methadone clinic asking such a question.  If you were just the person who checks people in and takes payment, then I wouldn't think twice.

by Huiler, May 31, 2003 12:00AM
To: MRMICHAEL
Hi, Thanks for answereing my question. Yes, it is a problem for me too that we don't cirulate more good advice to our patients when they are trying to detox. I mean, the nurses and most everyone else, remcommends "very very slowly" to everyone, but other than that, they sort of mention diet and excerise. and that's about it. It is of much concern to me, because I want to see my patients succeeding when they get off the clinic. Not that I have a huge objection to some of those old-times being on methadone for life, except for the amount of money it costs everyone. Because I think an addiction brain is an addicted brain, and the right amount of opiates make the addicted brain a normal brain. Methadone is good because it takes you through the day. But the younger people - well, everyone really - why should they be on methadone the rest of their lives? Anyway, there's so much more to say, however, I can say it later. Can you really feel "yourself" after getting off methadone after being on it for months or years?



It is neat for me to read other points of view on these subjects. Regarding my clinic not seeming very wise, I don't want to seem cynical, but I've wondered. The answers I've gotten when inquring about more extensive information about withdrawal, comes down to, "Everybody's different." I respect my clinic a lot and I think it is ethical and fair, and I myself feel proud of the work I do, doing counseling and therapy with them - over a longer period of time than one usually gets a chance to do. I've seen some wonderful changes in people.



I hope you guys won't be mad to hear that a methadone counselor doesn't know everything about methadone, and won't turn me into some kind of a whipping post (those of you who don't like Methdadone.)



PS, I tried to post a question this morning 5/31/03 at 7 past 12:00 midnight, and it said they were all filed up. Go figure.



by mrmichael67, May 31, 2003 12:00AM
To: huiler
I have no intentions of whipping you.  That is not my style.  But, I do think it is disturbing for a methadone clinic counselor to not know methadone like the back of their hand.  That would include getting off of it.  In all honesty, you are the one who should be fielding questions, not asking them.  It is cool you are making an effort to learn.  I do applaude you for that as a lot of counselors could give half a ****.  I am a mmt patient, so I know how it goes.  I have no disrespect for you.  I was just being honest in that I feel someone in your position should know it all about getting off of methadone, that's all.

by Huiler, May 31, 2003 12:00AM
To: MrMichael67
Yes, I agree with that, I SHOULD know all that. Since I don't, that's why I'm asking. My clinic seems to hire good sensitive, creaative, intelligent educated people, often with no addictions themselves, and lets them learn on the job. Life is full of people who are learning the jobs they are doing, I have found! But I Really Do want to help my patients with withdrawal, especially from 10 mg on down to getting off, and the next few weeks after that. I can't seem to get my own question going, so anyone who has any personal experience to share with me about what helped them, I would be Most Grateful for! Maybe I'll get my own question sometime.

by oxic, May 31, 2003 12:00AM
To: huiler
Hi,



As Hippee mentioned above, it is best to try and post questions around 8:00 till 11:00 am Eastern.  There is a two question per day max(usually), except sometimes weekends will vary(sometimes only one or none at all).





percs

by peaz, Jun 01, 2003 12:00AM
BUT!!!  On Thursdays it is best to post between 3:00 AM and  3:02 AM  Greenwich time  but you may ONLY use lower case letters during that time.....and make sure you have a Mets hat on backwards while chewing Juicy Fruit....Mondays:  FAGGEDABOUDIT.   Fridays are the one day you may get to post, but of course, I'm not talking about THIS forum.......LOL



    Oxic----How the hell ARE you??  I'm going through Canuck withdrawl here.........:-)

by mrmichael67, Jun 01, 2003 12:00AM
I'm speechless.

by oxic, Jun 01, 2003 12:00AM
To: Hey Di
LMAO



...It's move day!!!!

Just having my coffee and off we go.........yeha.



Appears i'm in the penalty box, above.



You remember my friend with the liver/kidney deal a while back; well this week he woke up one morning coughing up large volumes of blood........another trip to ER, found blood clotting in his lungs and pneumonia.  He is on the mend again.  Another crazy week.



I hope you are having a great weekend; and maybe we should break the "silence" this week???



I'll mail u en la manana.

by bmac, Jun 01, 2003 12:00AM
Oh My God! I can't beieve this place,  God, GET A ROOM howabouit!

LOL JK Oh I forgot I already have one! Excuse me

by MethMan, Jun 01, 2003 12:00AM
Yeah!  That display of affection was an abomination!  And in a public forum like this?  Yes, get a room!

Damn.  A guy gets his MIL outta the way and PRESTO, these groupies come out of the woodwork.

Bill, I appologize for their behavior.  Simply unacceptable.



by bmac, Jun 01, 2003 12:00AM
To: MethMan
Thanks for watching my back. Groupies are one thing I am usually watching for, but this?????????????? Man, watup wit dat?

I guess we'll have to add 'Canadian' to our vocabulary now! LOL

by Chezz2