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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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  • MeVal
    MeVal Lisa362

    Posted

    I have suffered depression on several occasions several times in my life and each time took prothiaden 75mg for about a year each time which was very affective. I too have suffered extreme 5 day headaches all my life (which don't respond to migraine meds) and am a very fragile sleeper. Interesting so many people have this group of symptoms in common. I have had a bit of success with excluding certain foods re headaches- gluten, caffeine, coffee.

    At 68 I have gone into chronic depression but have been strongly discouraged from going back on Prothiaden. Had Seroxat fir four days and nearly went up the wall by my finger nails. Ghastly. Stopped it.

    Recently my heart seemed to be doing missed beats and have had extreme exhaustion so went to doc. To my amazement I got an instant ecg and have lots of further heart diagnostics lined up within a month. I was amazed how fast they moved and how seriously they took it.

    I believe they know prothiaden can cause heart arrythmias -which can be fatal- hence trying to get people off it. Not least because they fear being sued for the fact it was passed for use despite evidence re heart effects. Hence why they are not being clear about what is going on !!

    • ann55375
      ann55375 MeVal

      Posted

      I am 66 and have had no success with ssris at all.  They have tried many others. On mirtazapine but still very nervy and cant get up, dont want to see anybody, need diazepam to function. Dr suggests i get off mirtaz, down at 3.75 now but i need something that worksand can let me get my life back.  I would like to try prothaden but not sure if thats a good idea. Seems its caused some problems and its not available now.  Is it the same as dothiepin?

       

    • susan17872
      susan17872 ann55375

      Posted

      Yes it is the same tablet.I used to feel just like you, hiding away and nervey. If you take 1000 people and just one has a side effect, they have to write it down. I know I couldn't function without dosulepin/dothiepin, but we are all different. I can only speak for my self.

    • Billyjay
      Billyjay susan17872

      Posted

      Hi Susan .I have to agree with you .I'm on these tablets about 17 years....only side affect I have is my mouth is always dry lol

    • nicolas95358
      nicolas95358 MeVal

      Posted

      Hi MeVal,

      How long did it take each time to have results with Prothiaden?

  • susan17872
    susan17872 Lisa362

    Posted

    I have been taking dosulepin since 1989. I tried to come off it some times, but became very nervey without it. I now realise I will be on it forever, but sooner that than be so depressed again. I know I wouldn't cope with life without it. I am also on blood pressure tablets for life. My BP. was sky high. I don't know if the dosulepin caused this, but I never want to feel the way I felt in 1989 again, ever. It's a terrible illness, depression.

    • Billyjay
      Billyjay susan17872

      Posted

      Hi Susan. I have been on this tablet for 17 years ..the only side affect I have is my mouth is always dry lol..Can is ask you please how many mg a day your on......x
    • lesley99052
      lesley99052 susan17872

      Posted

      Hi Susan I've been on this for many years i did try to come off it. I wanted to come off it as they are no longer giving out to new patients. However when trying to reduce it to go on something else I was in a mess so im now back on it. I take 25mg am and 75mg pm.

      What is your dose please.

    • susan17872
      susan17872 Billyjay

      Posted

      Hi Billyjay, I take 75mg every night. I started off with 150mg years ago but I weaned myself off . I take 3 x 25 mg but if I take less than 75mg I know about it so I shall keep it at that forever. At least I know if I feel a bit down I can up the dosage occasionally.
    • susan17872
      susan17872

      Posted

      By the way I drink lots during the night, my mouth gets dry too.
    • susan17872
      susan17872 lesley99052

      Posted

      75mg nightly, I am 68 years of age and intend staying on them forever. It works well for me.
    • Billyjay
      Billyjay susan17872

      Posted

      Hi Susan .I think most people have dry mouths with....I intend to stay on it lol I'm on 225 mg a day ....its 18 years I'm on it now not 17 lol old memory is going 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

    • susan17872
      susan17872 Billyjay

      Posted

      If it stops anxiety and depression, then stay on it Billyjay. There is nothing worse. I know I will be on
    • susan17872
      susan17872

      Posted

      it forever. Don't know what happened to my screen then lol

    • ann55375
      ann55375 susan17872

      Posted

      Theynhave tried me on the ssris which have not been successful.  I would like to try dosulepin but i bet my psych will say its not available now.  How do,imget round this, ive tried so many others whichmade me go scatty and this gets such good reports.  Is it really unavailable, or is it just certain docs?
    • susan17872
      susan17872 ann55375

      Posted

      I have been taking dosulepin for 30 years now. I have tried coming off it but became really nervey without it. I know now I will be on it forever, I have managed to ween myself off to 75 mg a day, the maximum allowed being 150 mg. So I take 3 x 25mg tabs nightly, and this is ok for me, the only advice I would give is, if it makes you feel on an even keel, then stay with it, but do have B/P checks regularly.
    • susan17872
      susan17872

      Posted

      Just ask your doc. if you could try them, he will know whats best for you though. I will say that they take 3 weeks to get into your system, so don't expect an immediate cure. Good luck.

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