AboutMary E Scott, RPh, CGP Expertise I am a certified geriatric pharmacist with over 23 years experience as a long-term care consultant to nursing homes. I also do community-based consulting on an individual basis. My facility-based monthly newsletter on pharmacy topics is read by nurses in over 200 long-term care facilities in 5 states.
Experience I received a BS in Pharmacy in 1980 with post-graduate work in public health. I have had a Consultant Pharmacist license since 1984.
Organizations American Society of Consultant Pharmacists .I received certification in geriatric pharmacy in 1998.
Expert: Mary E Scott, RPh, CGP Date: 2/26/2008 Subject: Phentermine and anti-depressants
Question Hello,
I have been on various versions of Phentermine for over a year now (including ionamin, bontrol tenuate, sibutramine, etc) and have been pleased with the results for the most part. In order to avoid addiction/resistance to the medication, my doctor and I have alternated the various medications as best as possible over the past year. I have noticed for the past few months, if I do not take the medication for a day or 2, or if I happen to take it later in the day than usual, my levels of aggression and irritability are sky high. I become very impatient and in some cases even hostile. Conversely, I have also noticed a lack of sexual desire and over all depressed feelings/moods during most of the year that I have been taking the meds.
I am well aware of the risks/side effects associated with medications which alter levels of serotonin, and for the moment the benefits outweigh the risks so I intend on staying on the medication for a few more months. I would like to know if there are any meds aside from prozac or zoloft( or any other common anti depressant which would boots my serotonin levels) , that may be taken in combination with Phentermine where they would not lessen the strength of the Phentermine but still level out my moods. I have read about “cocktails” which combine Phentermine and some minimal dosage of an anti-depressant, but these have not yet been approved by the FDA.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Answer HI,Ann!
I don't advocate the use of phentermine for weight loss. I'm glad it's working for you,but adding a drug that boosts serotonin levels is dangerous. You are setting yourself up for serotonin syndrome if you add an SSRI such as prozac,zoloft,etc. This is a serious medical condition. Any doctor that advocates this, in my opinion, should be reported to his state's medical board. Please don't do this or allow anyone to talk you into this. Mary
