I am wondering if anyone here has tried the anti-depressant Serzone? It is suppose to have fewer side effects than most anti-depressants.
What results did you get with this, and did it help in any way? Did it relieve any pain? If you stopped taking it, why did you quit?
I would like to hear from you. Thanks so much. MistyMisty

Hi Misty,

I took Serzone for quite a while. It did help and I can't remember why my doctor switched me to a different anti-depressant. The only side effect I can remember is the dreaded weight gain. It seems that is pretty much a side effect of all of them. I'm on Celexa now, according to my doctor it is suppose to be more "weight neutral". I've only been on it about three months, I haven't noticed a huge difference in my weight, but I haven't gained since I started taking it, that's a positive!

Thank you for the reply. The reason I asked is because I found 1/2 of a bottle in my cupboard and could not remember why I quit taking it! I have had trouble with other anti-depressants, Effexor and Paxil made me feel like I was dyslexic--(spelling?) As I typed I would turn letters around and I was so forgetful on those drugs and they gave me pain in the temples. Celexa made me very hyper! Lately, I have been having anxiety attacks and I see that Serzone is suppose to help that. It is an SSRI, but blocks 5-HT3 receptors, it is not suppose to cause nausea, does not suppress REM sleep, (produces a resful sleep.)It does not cause sexual dysfunction. I think there was talk about causing renal failure, probably in a very small percentage of people) and maybe it scared me so I quit taking it. I was on a small dose twice a day. I have tried Buspar for a month and it just isn't helping.
Of course the best thing to do is ask my doctor at my next appointment! But I am still seeking more responses to my questions. Thanks everyone.

Nice to be abel to admit here I am having anxiety lately. It is significant and I am trying to pin down a trigger. It is almost like it is in the air. It just is. It is unpleasnat and i don't recall many times of feeling it this significantly. I'm a health nut, so isn't from coffee or things like that. It is better last 2 days, but wish it would take a hike for good.
Soleil

I was on celexa for about 2 years. Tried paxil,it didn,t work. I have just been prescribed Wellbutrin. 150mill in the am and 150 not past 5. It might keep me up! No kidding. Couple of things I do like about it: decrease in appetite and a little bit of energy. One other thing..I have slowed down somewhat on my smoking. I am anxious to see how this really works..

Hi,

I took Serzone for one day in July 2001. That's all it took. I had a horrid reaction to it. I have never had a problem with any drugs before.

I found out a few days later, a health advisory here was issued and still is because serious liver failure.

Hugs Destiny

Thanks for the replies everyone. Yes, it was liver failure, not renal failure on Serzone. That is why I quit. Golly, how forgetful I can be. I quit Wellbutrin too after several days, because of temporal headaches. I guess SSRI's are not for me. And by the way, there are more brain chemicals researchers are finding out about that can be the trouble for anxiety. In my opinion, when I have fibro flares and then get extra tired, the anxiety peaks it's ugly head! Especially after driving for four or five hours.

If I find anything other than the future Pregabalin or the benzo's to take for anxiety I will be sure to let all of you know about it and I hope you will do the same! I have not found any herbs that help. Soft hugs to all. MistyMisty

Hi,
Please look into Serzone before you start taking it again. I was on it for eight years and did well but then I found out that they took it off the market in Canada last year and put a black label warning on it in the US because it can cause liver dysfunction and liver failure.
You can do a search on Serzone and find all the info you need about it. There are so many other choices for antidepressants, safer ones http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
Take care,
Jodi

Thank you all for the replies.
It is good advice to keep a record af all the drugs we try. It should be easily accessable. It should state the drug name, both the brand name and the generic name. The record should state our reaction to it and the dosages. I have tried so many! I used to keep a list when I was newly diagnosed. The first several years in the 1980's I must have tried about 15 different drugs. Eventually I had a problem with everyone of them. I have some medical records in my filing cabinet, but not laid out on a simple page or two. Another project to work on! This is also a good idea for those who see new doctors and for those trying to get social security disability.

I have finally found some drugs now that I am doing OK on and have been using for several years. It takes time to find the right combination of drugs, therapies, and nutritional needs that will make us feel better. MistyMisty

Hello All,
I have jsut been prescribed Serzone for anxiety as well. I was on Celexa for 3 years and it was WONDERFUL until that dreaded POOP-OUT hit. I am so very sensitive to these meds. I have been on 15 mgs for 4 days. Can anyone tell me how long i ttook to adjust to the med and not have the spacey,floaty and disconected feelings. I HATE THIS! Tell me it will get better. I also take Klonopin .05 x3 daily. Really stuggling here and have children who need a "normal functioning" mom ;) An advice anyone can give me is greatly appreciated!

THANKS!

In Europe Serzone has been taken off prescription drug list, but not in the US. I knew there was a reason I quit taking it but forgot why. The above posts have reminded me of why I stopped taking it. I think I tried it for a month and I never did get over the side effects. I know it made me feel spaced out all the time.
What worked well for me was Effexor XR. I took it for 8 months. While I was on it it did improve my depression but I felt like I was dyslexic. I needed it for severe depression after a thyroidectomy, while I was getting my thyroid meds adjusted. (That took about a year!)
I cannot tell you or your doctor what to prescribe for you of course. But take note of the reason Serzone was discontinued in Europe--liver failure. I am not saying this happens to everyone who takes it. The side effects never let up for me. If yours don't, then be sure to tell your doctor. He might want to prescribe something else. I take Trazodone, 50 mg at night which seems to be the best med for depression and to get the deep sleep. It must be hard to be raising children and trying to cope with this invisible condition too. :) MistyMisty

I took Serzone for awhile but went off because of bad reports. I tried Paxil for 3 days and then Lexapro for 10 weeks. I went off cold turkey and had horrible side effects. No more antidepressants for me. I'll suffer w/o additional SE,s.