I receive a newsletter called "Worst Pills, Best Pills". It is published by
Public Citizen a Health Research Group. There is an articles on
interactions of the most frequently prescribed drugs. One section is titled
Sertraline (Zoloft) This is what is says "At least two weeks should elapse
between stopping a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor and starting
sertraline. You should wait at least five weeks after stopping sertraline
before starting one of these MAO inhibitors" Several are listed including
Selegiline or deprenyl(Eldepryl).
Another place is says that terfenadine containing products have been removed
from the market because of many drug interactions that can lead to
potentially fatal heart rhythm disturbances. Among those listed is
sertraline (Zoloft). The newsletter is very technical and I probably won't
subscribe again. I have the book by the same name which I have found very
useful. Nancy B cg for Don 64/14+
-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Reiner <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Saturday, May 30, 1998 1:09 PM
Subject: Zoloft and Eldepryl Contraindicated
>At 10:23 PM 5/27/1998 EDT, John Bachman wrote:
>>Ron,
>>I don't think I understand why the combination of Zoloft and Eldepryl
>might be
>>contraindicated. Explain, please?
>>
>>I asked a knowledgeable physician from Mass General today what symptoms of
PD
>>he thought might be controlled by Zoloft, and he responded that he though
for
>>someone w/a PD+ diagnosis, it might well be used to control
hallucinations.
>>
>>Regards,
>>
>>John Bachman
>>
>>
>John,
>
>I excerpted the following paragraphs from a newsletter repeated in this
>listserver many moons ago.
> Ron (50/2)
>------------------------------------------------
>
>Date: Fri, 24 Nov 1995 02:23:06 -0500
>From: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Medications in PD - II
>^This is the second and last part of the City of Hope Parkinson's
Newsletter
>on Medications Used in Parkinson's Disease.
>
>==================================================
>
>IMPORTANT INFORMATION
>AND DISCLAIMER
>
>The information in this newsletter is provided solely for the purpose of
the
>general information of the reader. It is not in any respect intended as
>medical advice for patients, nor does it imply treatment recommendations of
>City of Hope National Medical Center or the National Parkinson's
Foundation.
>Some of the medications listed are not approved by the United States Food
and
>Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Parkinson's disease; and/or
>may not be approved for the purposes discussed; and/or may not be approved
>for use within the United States. You are strongly encouraged to consult
your
>doctor should you have questions regarding these or other medications.
>...........
>.......yada yada yada.........
>..............
>
>SIDE EFFECTS OF SSRI ANTIDEPRESSANTS
>
>+ Nausea, diarrhea, headache, sleepiness, loss of appetite, fatigue and
>problems having an ejaculation
>+ Prozac and to a lesser degree Zoloft, can cause tremor, insomnia and
>anxiety.
>+ If taken in the morning, Paxil and Zoloft can cause excessive sleepiness.
>+ Note: On occasion these medications can actually worsen the symptoms of
>Parkinson's disease or cause a sense of physical restlessness.
>
>CONTRAINDICATIONS
>
>When combined with Eldepryl (selegiline), these medications can uncommonly
>cause a severe syndrome characterized by increased rigidity, jerking
>movements of the arms and legs, agitation, confusion, restlessness, fever,
>shivering and sweating ("serotonin syndrome"). The simultaneous use of
these
>medications and Eldepryl should be discussed with your physician.
>
