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Robert Graham:

You are right in that the PDR states that there is a potential interaction
called "Serotonin Syndrome" that can result when eldepryl is taken with a
SSRI, a TCA or lithum or tryptophan.  SSRIs are Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil,
Serzone, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Desyrel.  TCA are Elavil, Tofranil, Pamelor,
Norpramiln, Sinequan.

Serotonin Syndrome Symptoms:
Motor sysmptoms
   Jerking of arms and legs
   Increased stiffness and rigidity
   Incoordination
Mental behavioral symptoms:
   Agitation
   Confusion
   Disorientation
   Restlessness
Miscellaneous
   Fever
   Nausea, Diarrhea
   Shriving, flushing
   Sweating
Exceptional problems
   High fever
   Seizures
   Coma
   Death

Now understand that not all patients taking eldepryl and an antidepressant on
the list have this resonse.  I for one, take 5 mg of Eldpryl and 20 mg of
Paxil together daily and have no adverse reaction.  I know many others who
are doing similar.  Please note I am taking only 5 mg daily rather than 10
mg.  I do this for the following reasons:
  1. I get benefit from one 5 mg tablet in the morning
  2. I often forgot to take the second tablet around noon and knew that if I
took it after 2 PM it would give me sleep problems, thus I didn't take it and
I saw no significant change in my PD symptoms.
  3. I have heard from respected sources that 10 mg daily is the "safe
maximum" of an MAO-B.  If 30 - 40 mg of MAO-B are taken daily, it may lose
its selectivitity for B and become non-selective.  Thus 10 mg daily seems to
be a "safe maximum".  After hearing this, I heard that recently Eldepryl was
shown to have a longer half-life than orginally assumed and that most of the
benefit derived from Eldepryl happens from the first 5 mg.
  4.  I don't know why Eldepryl is not given at lower doses.  I know of many
patients that have dropped daily Eldepryl to 5 mg or less and found benefits.

So please understand that the potential problems with the above drugs is a
warning and not a contraindication.

Regards,
Alan Bonander ([log in to unmask])