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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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  • susan17872
    susan17872 Lisa362

    Posted

    What I would advise anyone who takes dosulepin is to have regular B.P. checks. I can say this from my own experiences.
    • ann55375
      ann55375 susan17872

      Posted

      I have had no sucess with all ssris tried and would like to try dosulepin for my anxiety/dep as i know others on it who had no success with newer drugs.  They are trying to give me mirtazapine and though it helps sleep i cant get dose up due to side effects.  Need to change and feel maybe an older tricyclic would help anxiety.  Can anyone here relate?  I think my psych may deny me it, hes young and probably hasnt had patients on it.
  • nicola50083
    nicola50083 Lisa362

    Posted

    Hi Lisa, yes I have taken it for years as nothing else works. I get ECG tests and bloods done and blood pressure checks regularly. I asked my dr who said it's safe as long as they keep an eye on these things as any bad effects would be caught early. Obviously I was worried but nothing else works. I literally cannot function without dosulepin so to me it's worth the risk. The Dr said that it's not the drug of choice but if it's all that works and they keep an eye on me its worth staying on it. I'm on 225 mg a day which is very high.

    • lesley99052
      lesley99052 nicola50083

      Posted

      Hi Nicola thank you for that.

      Please can you tell me how old you are?

      I'm on 25mg in the mornings and 75mg at night I've been on the night dose for many years. I have a back up plan with my Gp and have tried to reduce the dose further but without success. I will be contacting my Gp for a health check thanks.😆

    • nicolas95358
      nicolas95358 nicola50083

      Posted

      Hi Nicola,

      Could you please tell me why you’ve taken Prothiaden and how long it took to be efficient?

  • kate35026
    kate35026 Lisa362

    Posted

    I've been taking Dosulepin for about 20 years for chronic insomnia;  have tried to come off it slowly but insomnia returned badly and I felt a bit confused, Not sure if its fatigue after 2 or 3 nights of no sleep that causes low mood and forgetfulness - so having failed to reduce my dose from 75mg to 50mg, went back to 75mg to normalise my sleep. Even now I have nights of no sleep till 6 or 7am and then sleep late.  Like you I don't want to be reliant on these drugs for the rest of my life...but doctors tell me I have become "habituated" to them, and that they don't seem to be doing me any harm. My heart is o.k.

    • carol16284
      carol16284 kate35026

      Posted

      Kate I wouldn't worry about taking Dosulepin. It's a tried and tested drug and has helped me on three separate occasions during my life time - I am now 68. I know people who have been on it for 25 years with no problems. It the newer drugs I would be more worried about.

    • ann55375
      ann55375 kate35026

      Posted

      Yes, i have high hopes for this as i am of similar age as Carol and the ssris dont suit.  I will ask about Dosulepin.
  • Bantambird
    Bantambird Lisa362

    Posted

    Hi, I have been on Dosulepin for many years now. So many, I can't remember. Other things didn't work. Without them I was a mess. Stressed out and worried all the time and a total insomniac. When I did get to sleep, I would soon wake with night terrors. I haven't heard anything about the risk of heart failure. I only know if my doctor said I couldn't be prescribed them any longer, I would probably have one. 😊

    • nicolas95358
      nicolas95358 Bantambird

      Posted

      Hi Bantambird,

      Could you please tell me how long Prothiaden took to be efficient on you?

  • paul94410
    paul94410 Lisa362

    Posted

    Hi Lisa just wondered how you are doing I notice from your post that it is 4 years ago since you were on dosulepin. How are you doing and are you still on it. ? 

     

    • Billyjay
      Billyjay paul94410

      Posted

      Hi I have been on these tablets for over 20 years...have never had a problem with them ..only your mouth gets dry lol
    • paul94410
      paul94410 Billyjay

      Posted

      It is very reassuring to know you have been on them for 20 years and no problems 
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