Is anyone in the world still taking Dosulepin??
Posted , 75 users are following.
HI,
I was wondering if anyone can help me here? I have been taking the tricyclic antidepressant dosulepin for the past 12 years. Last year I started reading stuff on the internet about it causing heart problems for people and that it wasn't being prescribed anymore. My doctor had never mentioned this to me. But I was worried so I went to my doctor to ask if I should change to another newer pill. She said she thought it was a good idea and switched me onto mirtazapine. To cut a long story short my anxiety and depression rocketed and I thought I was going to die so after a month I had no choice but to go back on dosulepin again. I had deteriorated so much that it literally took 4 months before I started to feel in any way well again.
Anyway I have now been back on dosulepin for 5 months and I know that I will have to take it for the rest of my life as it is the only drug that can help me. But I am starting to worry about the fact that NOONE seems to be prescribed it nowadays and everything on the internet seems to relate to how dangerous it is. I am frightened that I am on a drug that might give me a heart attack.
The doctor says I can have an EGC to check my heart but even if it comes back ok I think I will still worry about the fact that I have to take it daily for ever.
Please is there anyone on here that Is on dosulepin or another of the tricyclic's and if so do you have any information on the associated heart risks?
Thank you
Lisa
6 likes, 196 replies
paul94410 Lisa362
Posted
Hi Lisa Like most of the people on this site I have tried to find an antidepressant that works for me. I Have had anxiety since my teens and now I am 57. I have never managed it properly however I have had some good times as well. I have been a long time on Flupentixol 1mg . Even with this med I sometimes had blips in how I felt so was prescribed dosulepin . The first thing I noticed is how dosulepin helped with sleep. First two nights the best sleep I have ever had. As the body adjusts to the medication the sleepiness gets less but you should still have a good nights sleep. Tried switching to serteline but I had the worst two nights with no sleep and also a fast heart rate. My doctor took me off dosulepin becouse of the problems associated with it. I had a bad time trying to get onto something else. So after seeing about three doctors I have now been put back on dosulepin. My latest doctor said he has been prescribing it for 25 years and if it works its crazy to swap for to anything else. One thing here you need an understanding doctor so don't be afraid to swap if you feel they are not listening to you. Yes im worried that there is a problem with the drug but im only on 25mg a day. And as my doctor pointed out there are many people on drugs with ailments that are quite dangerous but they are keeping them alive.
carol16284 paul94410
Posted
I have been on dosulepin for about three years now, but have been on it in the past also. I also only take 25ml and it is the only drug that has helped me to sleep. I don't get any significant side effects with it either so I'm staying on it unless my doctor refuses to prescribe it and that's unlikely because he will just have me screaming and crying in his consulting room again due to insomnia. .
ann55375 carol16284
Posted
nicolas95358 Lisa362
Posted
Could you please tell me how long Prothiaden took to work on you?
andreya53948 Lisa362
Posted
barbs61 Lisa362
Posted
i think it not prescribed it as it old drug and not good in overdose, as you have to prescribe with caution with people who would be at risk of overdose. so they tend to use modern antidepressants.
i find it helps me sleep as some nights it makes me sleepy within a hour of taking it so only take at night. but it suits me so im sticking with it for now.
alouise62 Lisa362
Posted
My sister's been on it for years and I've recently been put back on it.
I'd rather drop dead of a heart attack then throw myself off a bridge with crippling depression and anxiety.
I've never heard of heart issues about it.
Australia
bilal97954 alouise62
Posted
Yes depression and anxiety can be very crippling for those who havent had it have no idea that you rather be dead than to live in that terrible state of suffering without the tablets.....no person can help.
If you need the tablets you know you need them.
Some people think depression is feeling sad. By experience i can tell you its WAY MORE than that.......something beyond your control.
Good day Australia.
UK here......over !.......Lol
robyn03505 Lisa362
Posted
There is no problem obtaining Prothieden 75mg in Australia.
Gaynor123 Lisa362
Posted
Hi Lisa
Me to was on Dosulepin for 12 years, then I had a bad episode, so he took me off them and put me on Seratline, took them for ten months, still wasnt 100 percent like i was on Dosulepin. So Im now back on them, been 8 weeks now, Im still getting weepy days and being anixous over small things. Can you assure me that it will work again in time. I tried to apply for another job, got the interview, but started worring about it, as soon as I decided not to go to the interivew due to my health, I feel a bit calmer, but still got horrible depression and aneixty feellings.
bilal97954 Gaynor123
Posted
Hi Gaynor
what dosage are you on ?
Gaynor123 bilal97954
Posted
Hi Bilal 75 mg at the moment
bilal97954 Gaynor123
Posted
Maybe you need a higher dose or you can take something seperate for anxiety. I take Diazepam as it greatly helps with anxiety but the only downside is that it is addictive......but it doesnt have side effecrs like Dosulepin.
Talk to your doctor about the anxiety and what he can give you.
On your job interview tell them that you feel very nervous about the interview and you will feel much less nervous.
barbs61 bilal97954
Posted
what side affects you have with dosulepin i have not had side affects after being on it very long term? i would not take diazepam as a regular drug as it is addictive and supposed to be used as a temporary basis. sometimes we have to see what in life is making us anxious depressed and try go that route, i am more anxious mostly that depressed and it who i am unfortunately but i will be on it for life and i dont worry. its just getting dose right, or if not working trying what works.
bilal97954 barbs61
Posted
yes that is correct Diazepam is addictive as i said but its for people who feel they cant cope.
Dosulepin can cause heart issues but doesnf mean it does.
If youve not had continious palpitations, abnormal heart rythm,.....then youre ok.
you can google Dosulepin and heart problems.
i was getting cery bad palpitations at 225mg for years so i reduced 75mg and now on 150mg and feel better.
Low dosage you should be ok.
Other side effects are minor.