Serzone and memory loss

[Leslie]

I am a 32 year old female who has been taking 150 mg of Serzone twice daily (300 total) for depression for 2 or 3 years now, after dabbling with other antidepresants like Paxil, Zoloft and Prozac. The Serzone seems to keep me stable and everyting's been going smoothly, except for an extremely noticeable memory problem I seem to be developing. Sometimes it seems like early-onset Alzheimer's.  I cannot remember people's names or faces - I can be introduced to the same person 6 times, and on the 7th time they won't even look familiar to me. I have problems remembering what movie I saw recently, or what I did over the weekend, etc.... I can remember stuff from childhood a little better but the recent years are really becoming difficult - and I know I used to pride myself on "never forgetting a face." Now I can barely remember any! My question is: is Serzone known to be a possible cause for memory loss or could there be another problem?

[HFHS.MD-AJ]

Leslie,

You appear to be having difficulty with your short-term memory. Memory impairment would be an unusual side effect of Serzone (Nefazodone). The incidence of memory impairment associated with Serzone is about 4%, compared with 2% in patients on placebo (a sugar pill).

There are a number of treatable medical conditions, including depression, hypothyroidism, to name a few, which can affect memory. You may find it helpful to discuss referral for a thorough medical evaluation as well as neuropsychiatric evaluation of your memory problems with your treating psychiatrist/physician.

[Deb]

I also take Serzone at a slightly higher dosage (450mg) and according to two psychiatrists that I have seen this medication does cause memory loss.  I understand how frustrating it is to even go rent a video because I do not remember what I have rented nor does the movie appear familiar.  I was also told that other meds may contribute to my memory loss such as Xananx and others.  
Although it is nice to know that I am not alone suffering this problem I am sincerely sorry that anyone does.

[sarah]

I too am taking Serzone, but only at 75mg/day at this stage and only recently.  But one of the few side effects I have noticed is memory problems, and disturbed dreams/nightmares, which are difficult to describe but frightening in the extreme.

This won't be of much help to you but perhaps researchers may be interested in the difficulties we both seem to be experiencing on this medication.

[t]

I am 31 years old and currently taking Serzone also. I have noticed the same symptom.  I have a lot of trouble remembering things in every day life.

[sarah]

I responded to your original question about a week ago.  Since then I have had my dosage of Serzone increased to 100mg/day (not high I know) and combined with Kalma at night.

I am noticing worse memory problems and marked confusion re daily events and commitments.  I do not feel that this is coincidental, although I can't be sure.

Once again, my purpose in responding is to record my concerns re the potential yet unnoted side-effects of this medication.

[Rick]

DISCLAMER:
The following is my experience with serzone/memory loss.
I am not a medical professional, nor am I a qualified dietary
advisor.
--------------------------------------------------------------

I started taking serzone about 2 months ago.  I started experiencing memory loss immediately.  I have never had that
problem in my life!  My doctor did not take me seriously and
repeatedly stated that serzone does not effect memory.

Recently, I started taking a zinc supplement for my immune
system.  The zinc cured my memory problem!  

I looked up zinc on the web and found that it plays an essential
role in memory.  I believe (in my own uneducated oppion) that
serzone effected either my absorbion of zinc or exposed a
diffencency that already existed.

It is possible to overdose on zinc so please consult a medical
professional or a qualified dietary consultant.  

I don't know if zinc will help you.  All I know is that zinc
solved MY serzone/memory problem!

[Med]

I've ben taking serzone 250-300 mg daily for 3 or 4 years and also feel like I am loosing my memory badly. that's why I opened this site ,cause I was wondering if others have the same response --especially since the m.d.'s usually say either they don't know or see another specialist. MY QUESTION: for those who have switched is there another anti depressant that works well for those who have done ok with serzone but can't remember anymore? I too have wondered if I have alzheimers cause I forget the simplest things and at times briefly can't tell where I'm going when driving,can't remember names of people I've worked with for years etc.etc