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Is anyone in the world still taking Dosulepin??

Posted , 75 users are following.

Lisa362
Lisa362

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

196 Replies

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  • jacqui15092
    jacqui15092 Lisa362

    Posted

    Hi Lisa, I have only just come onto this, I have been taking Dosulepin for about 10 years, for Fibromyalgia. Recently my condition has deteriated, and a visit to my doctor resulted in her taking me off Dosulepin and starting taking Amytripteline. I have just googled the two drugs as Im so ill since taking Amytripteline. I have stomach pain, heart pain, am slurring my speech, im so anxious and irritable, and I saw your post from a year ago. Obviously I am going to have to return to my doctor and im stopping the Amytripteline immediatly, and going back on Dosulepin. So there are probably 2 of us now in the country who take this medication.
    • mariano
      mariano jacqui15092

      Posted

      Hi Jacqui, just read your post about Dosulepin.I have just recently been prescribed these.25mg to start...I cant tolerate ssris ..my anxiety hits the roof...do you feel dizzy on these.or is that just a start up effect.had to stop my last meds due to feeling dizzy on them.xx.
  • barbs61
    barbs61 Lisa362

    Posted

    I also been on if for over 20 yrs i know only on 50mg and ok, at first i was on 150 it made me calm an spaced out first but i feel ok on it now, and dont want to go off it and feel my anxiety get worse . 
  • mariano
    mariano Lisa362

    Posted

    LISA did your anxiety get worse from taking dosulepin..??
  • peter_a
    peter_a Lisa362

    Posted

    I was on dosulpin for over 35 years and I was developing serious heart issues more so when requesting a repeat script it kept getting thrown out of the Doctors system and in the end I had to change rumour has it that it will be stopped remanufacturing in another 5-10 years.  I am now on mirtazapine after one doctor tried to put me on SSR's a drug I knew I was allergic to one thing amused me in my change over was to discover a anti-depressant drug still in use after 55 years that one is Nardil a MOAI's to me this is the group that should be aimed for taken off the market.

  • carol16284
    carol16284 Lisa362

    Posted

    Hi Lisa, I am not sure whether you will get this reply, but I have had an identical problem to you. I was on dosulepin and told it was a safe drug at the time. Now my DR has put me on Mirtazapine saying it is safer. I am cracking up on it and am ringing my Dr tomorrow to see if I can go back on the dosulepin. If you get this get back to me and let me know how you are now? 
  • robyn03505
    robyn03505 Lisa362

    Posted

    Hi Lisa

    My name is Robyn and I have been on  75mg Prothieden for 20 years to help me sleep.  I tried unsuccessfully twice to titrate off it with pretty nasty results.  I wont go into the details, but over the last 3 years I have reduced it down to 40mg.  I AM ABLE TO OBTAIN PROTHIEDEN IN AUSTRALIA.  Im not sure where the people in this forum live but I thought I would let you know its still available there.  I hope this helps you all.  Regards

  • ann49251
    ann49251 Lisa362

    Posted

    Hi Lisa I know you posted this a year ago but I just noticed and I had the same experience as you. My GP got me to try Mirtazapine then fluoxitene, amitriptyline and trazodone. None have worked. I am now hoping I can get him to let me go back on dosulipin.

    My dad who is now 87 has taken it every day for over 50 years with no problems.

  • roxana73525
    roxana73525 Lisa362

    Posted

    Lisa, you should have given time to Mirtazepine to work, and the doctor should adjusted the dose, like this you will never know.

    My husband was on dosulepin, and he is 85 years old almost, so do not worry that much. Yes he has heart problems, but is not Dosulepin main factor in his problems, he is also old... Now he is on Mirtazepine, and his mood is better in fact than when he was on dosulepin, but he gets clonazepam with it.

    This combination I get too for the last 14 years, just a higher dose than my husband as I cannot sleep at all.

    Remember that these tablets work for each individual in different way, what is good for you, it does not work for others. Plus even if the degree of illness is the same, lets say you and me have the same problem, it does not mean that the same tablet works for bouth of us, there are many factors to be taken in consideration...

    Don't be scared, live your life at full, and if you worry ask to be seen by a specialist...

    xRoxi

  • sheryl21702
    sheryl21702 Lisa362

    Posted

    Hi Lisa, I've been taking these for about ten years too. I take them for restless legs syndrome and found it's the only thing that works. My doctor is more than happy for me to keep taking them. I've had ECG and it was fine. But like you I don't know anyone else on them and my chemist has to order them for me most of the time. I'll probably take them for the rest of my life.

  • poison62559
    poison62559 Lisa362

    Posted

    What are you so depressed about
    • Jitterbugss
      Jitterbugss poison62559

      Posted

      When a person says 'i'm so depressed' a lot of the time what they actually mean is that they feel sad, fed up and/or overwhelmed by a situation in their life. Clinical depression is totally different. It's a serious mental illness, caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Hypothyroidism is also caused by a chemical imbalance. As with depression, you don't need a reason to have it, it just is.

  • Billyjay
    Billyjay Lisa362

    Posted

    Hi lisa. Just seen your post there about the tablets.......I have been on these for 18 years...tge only side affect I have is my mouth is always dry lol.
    • nicolas95358
      nicolas95358 Billyjay

      Posted

      Hi Billy,

      Why did you take dosulepin? How long did it take to work?

      Thanks for your help

    • Billyjay
      Billyjay nicolas95358

      Posted

      Hi are you thinking of taking these tablets yourself. ...is that why your asking a lot people lol?
    • nicolas95358
      nicolas95358 Billyjay

      Posted

      Yes I’m taking this med for about 2 weeks and I try to have informations on it :-)
    • nicolas95358
      nicolas95358

      Posted

      You don’t want to answer my first questions Billyjay?
    • Billyjay
      Billyjay nicolas95358

      Posted

      I would say at least 3 to 4 weeks....hope this helps. .have you started these tablets yet?
    • nicolas95358
      nicolas95358 Billyjay

      Posted

      Yes I’ve started for about 2 weeks. I really hope it will work.
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