Went to the doctor, finally! Questions about meds.

flapjack · 03-03-2006, 06:41 PM

For years I have been suffering from anxiety and long periods of depression. For the first time, today, I went to see a doctor about these issues. I felt very comfortable talking about my problems with the doctor, and he seemed like a very intelligent person, able to really get to the issues that were affecting me. What made me nervous about the whole situation is what I came away with...

He prescribed Serzone (nefazodone) to be taken daily and Klonopin (clonazepam) when I have anxiety attacks. I've taken benzos in the past (Ativan and Xanax), and am well aware of the problems that can arise from taking these, so I'm not to worried about that. I was shocked when I started researching (something I always do before I put any pharmaceutical into my body) Serzone. I found information stating that it had been pulled off of the market completely in Canada and Europe, and a big fat warning had be put on the drug here in the US, due to people dieing from liver failure while taking the medication.

I'm a physically healthy person, normal blood work, liver enzymes fine... but holy h3ll why would I want to put something into my body which has been pulled off of the market in Europe and Canada, and has been proven to cause liver damage and other serious liver conditions, in a small percentage of people who take it? I found plenty of lawyer's sites listing this as a possible drug for class action lawsuits. It also doesn't seem like it's prescribed much anymore because of all of these issues.

Now, a couple of questions. What has been your experience with this medication, if you've taken it? Should I go ahead and take it or call my doctor about an alternative (what are possible alternatives)? Should I trust the judgment of a doctor who would prescribe this medication, knowing the risks?

Thanks for your help. I'm new to this stuff.

americandancer · 03-03-2006, 06:49 PM

I took serzone many years ago for anxiety. I loved it, loved it, loved it! But when the warnings did come out about the liver problems, he took me off of it. He said the problems mostly affected people who were on a higher dosage and had been on it awhile. I had been on it for about 2-3 years, so I'm sure it may have been a problem for me, had he not taken me off of it. I don't know what I'd do if I were you....I know they prescribe it still. I don't think he would have given it to you at the dose that seems to cause the problems. Do you have a follow up visit with him? Maybe you could ask then? Or I think it would be perfectly fine to give him a call and tell him your concerns. Good luck!

V_dubgurl · 03-03-2006, 07:04 PM

I agree. Call him with any concerns you have. If you don't feel completly comfortable taking something its ok to express your feelings! Good luck!

flapjack · 03-04-2006, 12:08 PM

I will most definitely call him on Monday morning and talk about alternatives. If I'm reading this correctly, it seems like Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride) is in the same family of drugs, which can provide the same relief, and not have the harmful side effects of liver damage. Anyone have experience with this med?

Americandancer, what did you like so much about the Serzone?

americandancer · 03-04-2006, 03:19 PM

I thought serzone was a ssri and cymbalta was a snri....Serzone was the first ad I ever tried, and it completely took away my anxiety and panic attacks. I never felt tired or hungry or foggy. It just really worked well for me. I haven't been able to find anything quite like it so far. I tried cymbalta also and it probably would have worked...I just didn't give it long enough. I would call your dr. on Monday, like you said. Lexapro is another good one for anxiety, imo.