Liver Friendly AntiDepressants - Open thread

[want2live]

I know that Ativan is metabolized by the kidneys, therefore most likely liver friendly for anxiety.
Does anyone know of a liver friendly antidepressant?

I thought I could find an increased level of knowledge by seeking help from a very large local hospital's Director of Behavioral health, but once again I found an idiot with a degree.
I asked for liver friendly meds, and after he finshed looking at me like a monkey looks at a marble, he thought it best that I ask my liver specialist if he/she knew.
Gosh, I guess I can wait FOUR MONTHS.
Please help me, this is my last chance at getting some help.

[suezeeque]

You take neurontin for blood pressure?  I understand it is used for treatment of epilepsy as well as nerve pain...  However, high blood pressure is listed as an uncommon side effect of neurontin...  (I take it for pain).  That sounds odd.

[psmike59]

I threw away all my anti-depresants, I found out that the treatment zaps testosterone levels and dr's don't even know, its insane, so once I started my testosterone my depression cleared up quick. I am taking neurontin though for bp problems cause of the treatment and that also helps alot. so no more depression for me, I am glad to becaue I am 2 yrs post treatment and was very depressed. Hope you find what works for you and anything you take is going to be hard on the liver oru bodies just aren't made to take loads of meds. One day at a time.

[chamorittachungi]

Thanks for the info on the SSRI's. I did my research and I brought it up to my primary doc and he says "Oh don't worry. All the drugs have those liver warnings on them." I'm on Cymbalta and it clearly states on the commercial not to take if you are prone to liver problems. I swear they lie to us just so they won't get sued.

[islanddoc]

I am a psychologist who has trained physicians for 12 yrs.I also coauthored a medical textbook,  " management of the addicted patient in primary care" with my husband, and addiction psychiatrist.XANAX IS THE MOST ADDICTIVE & THEREFORE DANGEROUS BENZODIAZEPINE MADE! Its very short half-life causes individuals to become physically dependent in less than a week of daily use & then users of this med experience something called,"intradose withdrawal "--- they become extremely anxious ( the symptom that caused them to take the drug in the first place) in between there doses! I agree w/ sam; however,you do not have to have a severe mental illness to take _ativan for a few days, or klonopin for a longer period of time (its half-life is long so its easier to wean off it) if needed. The main thing to know about these medications is that if you've been taking them everyday 4 a substantial length of time, DO NOT JUST STOP TAKING THEM B/C WITHDRAWAL COULD CAUSE SEIZURES & DEATH (just as dependence on alcohol can cause death if the drinker stop drinking abruptly). In terms of pain medication, if you are dependent upon it and stop it abruptly, you won't die but she will feel like you want to! I hope that's helpful. By the way, the only antidepressant I know of that doesn't use a major metabolic pathway in the liver is Pristiq.

[janbo121060]

I too wish for living in a state that allows med grade marijuana - then maybe I could do that instead of the clonopin. I have Hepc C also but not bad enough for any treatments but my doc is now looking into the more liver friendly anti depressants also for me to take. I know it just takes time but crap sometimes they just don't realize u needit when u need it!!!!!!
thanks
jan

[stardustwind54]

Hi new-sojourn,
I've been diagnosed as having been exposed to hep c, but I have not developed symptoms. I have trouble sleeping and have anxiety attacks when trying to fall asleep and they include severe convulsion-like muscle reflexes in my chest area around my heart. When I tell my California (free clinic type) doctor about them and ask for an anti-anxiety medicine, she (and all of them in the past as well) has said that I should try an anti-depressant. But I'm not depressed and I don't want to lose my sex drive and I don't want liver damage. When you say in the above message that marijuana tx doesn't cause the munchies, what do you mean by tx?