A Medicated Boy

February 8, 2010

Medication Profile: Clindoxyl (Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide)

Brand name(s): Acanya, BenzaClinClindoxyl.

Generic name(s): Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide.

Street name(s), if any: None known.

Available form(s): Cream/gel.

Available dose(s): 10mg (1%) Clindamycin with 50mg (5%) Benzoyl Peroxide.

North American availability: Available in Canada.

Class(es): Lincosamide antibiotic.

Method(s) of action: Clindoxyl (specifically the Clindamycin component) inhibits ribosomal translocation by binding to the 23S subunit of the bacterial ribosome.

Most commonly prescribed for: Acne vulgaris.

Also prescribed for: Malaria.

Possible side effect(s): Diarrhea, colitis, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cramps, rash, itchiness, contact dermatitis, increased skin irritation, skin peeling, redness, dryness, hives, swelling of the lips or face, difficulty breathing, anaphylaxis, blood dyscrasias, polyarthritis, jaundice, raised liver enzyme levels, and hepatoxicity.

Possibility of tolerance: None.

Addictive potential: None.

Withdrawal potential: None.

Withdrawal symptoms: None.

Potential for abuse/misuse: None.

Drug interaction(s): Neuromuscular-blocking drugs (including but not limited to Tubocararine, Pancuronium, and Rocuronium), Tretinoin, other acne medications (such as Minocin (Minocycline)).

Contraindication(s): Do not take Clindoxyl if you are already on another acne medication, unless specifically prescribed by a dermatologist or other skin expert. Do not take this medication if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because it may be transmitted into the baby/fetus’s body. The effects of this medication have not been exhaustively studied in children under age 12.

Overdose threshold: Unknown.

Symptoms of overdose: Unknown.

February 1, 2010

Most Common Search Responses Continued

Search keywords: How Strattera makes you feel in the morning
Strattera (Atomoxetine) is a stimulant medication that is usually taken in the morning. It can be taken for a variety of reasons, but it is most commonly prescribed for people suffering from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). After you take Strattera, you may feel nauseous, less hungry, dizzy, constipated, or sweaty. You may feel heart palpitations or pain when urinating. Your heart rate and blood pressure may rise. These are all common side effects, but if they bother you or become extreme, be sure to contact your doctor.

Search keywords: Vitamin C and Methylphenidate
A quick search of “Vitamin C and Methylphenidate” brings up no mention of interactions between the two drugs. They are likely safe to take together.

Search keywords: Zopiclone and Strattera
Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) is a medication commonly used to treat insomnia. Strattera, as described above, is a stimulant most commonly used in the treatment of ADHD. Zopiclone and Strattera should not be taken at the same time, because they are in essence polar opposites of each other. Zopiclone is generally taken at bedtime, and Strattera is taken in the morning, or in the morning and afternoon. There are no recorded interactions between the two medications.

Search keywords: Is it okay to take 2mg Melatonin in 7 hrs
It is safe to take 2mg of Melatonin in 7 hours, but studies have shown that smaller doses of Melatonin are actually more effective – for example, 1mg may actually have a more desirable effect on you than 2 or 3mg.

Search keywords: Dextroamphetamine Ibuprofen
A database search of Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine) and Ibuprofen together reveals that there are no recorded interactions between the two. They should be safe to take in unison.

Search keywords: Strattera og Ibuprofen
…? og? Next…

Search keywords: Taper off Levothyroxine
Yes, you should taper yourself off of Eltroxin (Levothyroxine). How quickly you do this depends on what dose you have been taking. Ask your doctor for more information about tapering off of Levothyroxine.

Search keywords: HRT reverse skin
The effects that HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) has on your skin are different depending on which hormones you are taking.
For people taking feminizing hormones (estrogen, progestin), your skin may become softer, clearer, and smoother.
People taking masculinizing hormones (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone) such as Delatestryl (Testosterone Enanthate), your skin may become rougher to the touch, thicker, and you may develop acne.
The effects caused by both sets of hormones are reversible. If you stop taking the hormones, they will eventually go back to what they were like before.

Search keywords: Calcium Ritalin anxiety
There are no recorded incidences of Ritalin in combination with Calcium causing anxiety. However, it should be noted that a fairly common side effect of Ritalin on its own is anxiety. It is unclear whether adding Calcium to your regimen increases anxiety or adds to the risk of developing anxiety.

Search keywords: Melatonin and Zopiclone used together
There are no interactions between Melatonin and Zopiclone; the two medications are safe to take together. Taking Melatonin and Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) together may increase your chances of having a restful night’s sleep; both medications have a sedating effect that promotes sleep. As stated above, a study has shown that it may be more effective to take smaller doses of Melatonin (e.g. 1mg) rather than bulking up on it.

Search keywords: Omeprazole light sensitive
I’ll cover two factors in this section: Human sensitivity and drug sensitivity.
One site (http://www.patient.co.uk/medicine/Omeprazole.htm) lists sensitivity to light as a possible side effect of taking Omeprazole. It was not listed on other databases I searched.
The medication itself (e.g. in pill or capsule format) is sensitive to light and should be kept out of direct light in a shaded place, for example in a cabinet or drawer.

Search keywords: Dexedrine doesn’t work for me
Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine) doesn’t work for everyone. You could have a natural tolerance to stimulant medications, or you just didn’t get a high enough dose. Explore other options, such as Ritalin (Methylphenidate) or Strattera (Atomoxetine) before you give up on stimulant medications. Check with your doctor to find out the highest dose you can go on for each medication.

Search keywords: Effexor Melatonin medicated boy
Oh, someone searched for me! How sweet. And now, back to business. Effexor and Melatonin are safe to take together. However, some people prefer to take Effexor in the morning rather than in the evening. That’s just a matter of personal preference/doctor’s instructions.

Search keywords: Sertraline, Melatonin, Minocycline and
…And what? Seems you got cut off. Anyway, I’ll deal with the other three. Melatonin does have an interaction with some anti-depressant drugs (specifically Norpramin (Desipramine) and Prozac (Fluoxetine)), but not with Sertraline. There is no information on possible interactions between Melatonin and Minocycline. Sertraline and Minocycline also don’t have any recorded interactions.

Search keywords: Could you drink alcohol while taking Eltroxin
You can drink alcohol while taking Eltroxin, but it is likely to impair the mechanism by which the medication works in your system. You may experience less or no benefit from it if you consistently drink alcohol while taking this treatment.

Search keywords: Venlafaxine and Vitamin D
There are no recorded incidences of Venlafaxine interacting negatively with Vitamin D. These medications should be safe to take together.

Search keywords: Strattera Melatonin
According to a database search, there are no interactions between Strattera (Atomoxetine) and Melatonin. The two medications should be safe to take together.

Search keywords: “Acid reflux” Sertraline
Zoloft (Sertraline) is not proven to cause acid reflux, or to have acid reflux as a known side effect.

Search keywords: Zopiclone not working with Citalopram
Zopiclone is not shown to have interactions with anti-depressant drugs like Citalopram. It shouldn’t have an effect on the efficiency of the Citalopram you are taking.

Search keywords: Rhovane stop taking
Depending on your dose, you may need to slowly taper off of Rhovane (Imovane) (Zopiclone). If you are taking more than 7.5mg, you can reduce your dose by 7.5mg each week until it is altogether discontinued. Some people have trouble reducing their dose of Rhovane on their own; speak to your doctor if you have difficulties like this, as you may be addicted.

Search keywords: Can Olanzapine be taken with Eltroxin
There is no available record stating that Olanzapine cannot or should not be taken with Eltroxin. The two medications should be safe to take together.

Search keywords: Imovane withdrawal tinnitus
Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) is a medication that can be addictive, and some people experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it. There is nothing credible on the internet that definitively states that a symptom of Imovane withdrawal is tinnitus, but there are some circumstantial allegations to that effect.

Search keywords: Eltroxin and anti-depressants
Eltroxin can interact with any medication that makes changes to the thyroid hormone and metabolism. To quote rxlist.com, “Concurrent use of tri/tetracyclic antidepressants and levothyroxine may increase the therapeutic and toxic effects of both drugs, possibly due to increased receptor sensitivity to catecholamines. Toxic effects may include increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias and CNS stimulation; onset of action of tricyclics may be accelerated. Administration of sertraline in patients stabilized on levothyroxine may result in increased levothyroxine requirements.” It is also stated on this site that
Eltroxin can interact with SSRIs (Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors).

Search keywords: Amitriptyline and Imovane together safe?
According to my searches, there are no interactions between
Imovane and Amitriptyline. The two medications should be safe to take together.

Search keywords: “Dexedrine doesn’t work”
See my above post, listed under “
Dexedrine doesn’t work for me”.

Search keywords: Does Levothyroxine affect sense of smell
Levothyroxine does not appear to have an effect on a person’s sense of smell, but you could be experiencing a rare side effect that has not previously been recorded. Check with your doctor, especially if this is something you are concerned about.

Search keywords: Tinnitus Eltroxin symptoms
Tinnitus is not listed as a common side effect of
Eltroxin, but as stated in an earlier blurb, this could be a rare side effect.

Search keywords: Can you take Melatonin with Risperidone
Kind of interestingly, Melatonin actually does have an interaction with Risperidone, but it’s a relatively positive one; Melatonin appears to reduce the severity of tardive dyskinesia when it is present as a side effect of antipsychotic therapy. You can absolutely take Melatonin with Risperidone, and it may actually help you if you’re suffering from tardive dyskinesia.

Search keywords: Symptoms of high dose of Eltroxin
Symptoms of taking a high dose, or overdose, of Eltroxin are varied and present mainly as symptoms of hyperthyroidism. These symptoms include fatigue, increased appetite, weight loss, heat intolerance, fever, excessive sweating, headache, hyperactivity, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, emotional lability, insomnia, tremors, muscle weakness, palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmias, increased pulse and blood pressure, heart failure, angina, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, dyspnea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and elevations in liver function tests, hair loss, flushing, decreased bone mineral density, menstrual irregularities, impaired fertility, and seizures.

Search keywords: Interactions Melatonin Imovane
When using a similar medication – Ambien (Zolpidem), users reported a higher frequency of daytime sleepiness while also taking therapeutic doses of Melatonin. This could be the case with Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) as well, as the medications act in a similar fashion. You should be careful operating machinery or driving if you’re taking Melatonin, Imovane, or a combination of the two.

Search keywords: Eltroxin and Zoloft
There is a general warning about taking Eltroxin
and antidepressants simultaneously that actually specifically mentions Zoloft (Sertraline): “Administration of sertraline in patients stabilized on levothyroxine may result in increased levothyroxine requirements.” -rxlist.com. If you’re taking Zoloft, you may need a higher dose of Eltroxin to obtain therapeutic benefits.

Search keywords: 300mg of Imovane
300mg of Imovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) is enough to induce an overdose in most people. If you have taken more than your prescribed amount of Imovane within a 24-hour period, it is recommended that you seek help on an emergency basis. Call your local health provider or visit an emergency room to make sure that you aren’t having a potentially fatal overdose. Symptoms of Imovane overdose include clumsiness, mental or mood changes, severe drowsiness, and unusual tiredness or weakness.

Search keywords: Eltroxin drink alcohol
See my above post entitled “Could you drink alcohol while taking Eltroxin“.

Search keywords: Eltroxin and vitamins
There is no specific evidence online that you will experience negative side effects while taking Eltroxin and various vitamins together, but you may want to check with your doctor about specific vitamins and their interactions with Eltroxin.

Search keywords: Tryptophan taken with Zopiclone
L-Tryptophan
does not appear to have any interactions with Zopiclone, but you should check with your doctor before taking both of these medications together.

Search keywords: How to taper Levothyroxine
See my above post entitled “Taper off Levothyroxine“.

Search keywords: Can you take Omeprazole and Levothyroxine
There is nothing recorded on the internet that states that you shouldn’t take Omeprazole and Levothyroxine together; they should be safe.

Note: I am not a doctor, and the information I state on my blog is gathered from internet sources and physician’s handbooks. Therefore, it is important to speak to your doctor if you are unclear about something or if you have more questions that I am not qualified to answer.

December 22, 2009

Out of Hospital + Drug Interactions

I was in the hospital from December 2 – 14 for psychiatric treatment on a youth ward. For the most part the doctor left my medications alone in order to acutely treat what I was dealing with at the time, but he did add L-Tryptophan (1000mg nightly) to help me sleep better. Sadly, he forgot to write me a prescription for it when I left the hospital, and I’m not seeing my psychiatrist or my doctor until the New Year, so it’s going to have to wait a few weeks. I’m sleeping okay without it but I think it helped a bit, and I’ll take anything that helps with few to no side effects.
While out of the hospital on a pass one day I went to see my dermatologist, who agreed that I still had a lot of room for improvement with my acne situation. He told me to stop using the PanOxyl soap and to switch to Clindoxyl (Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide) cream. The soap was sort of a hassle anyway – traces of it would remain on my skin after I showered and would bleach all my towels.
He also switched my oral antibiotic from Minocin (Minocycline) to Erythromycin, because he thought it might be more effective. I’d been on Minocin for over a year without seeing any definite improvement, so I was fine with changing that around.
When I got back to the hospital later in the day, I informed them of the medication changes and they started me on my first dose of Erythromycin. However, the next day the ward pharmacist came up to speak with me – she had noticed an interaction that my dermatologist seems to have overlooked: Erythromycin increases the effect of Imovane by an unknown amount (she said by at least 50%). They immediately lowered my dose of Imovane/Immovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone) to 15mg but I didn’t sleep well that night or the night after, so they raised it by one pill to 22.5mg. That means that for one night, I was on the equivalent of 8 pills, or 60mg of Imovane. It seems strange to me that I don’t recall falling asleep any faster than usual that night, and I was not particularly groggy or “hungover” the morning after. It’s possible that, like most other medications, the Zopiclone actually has little effect on me, and I can weather it like a house made out of bricks. Who knows.

November 6, 2009

Current Medication List (Updated)

Without further ado, here’s what I’m currently taking:

Immovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone): 30mg nightly – for Insomnia
Risperidal (Risperidone): 2.5mg nightly – for Tourrette Syndrome
Zoloft (Sertraline): 50mg in the morning – for Depression, OCD and Anxiety
Ritalin (Methylphenidate): 40mg in the morning – for Depression
Effexor (Venlafaxine): 37.5mg nightly – for Depression

Minocin (Minocycline): 200mg in the evening – for acne
Losec (Omeprazole): 20mg in the morning – for acid reflux
Delatestryl (Testosterone Enanthate): 60mg once weekly intramuscularly – for low Testosterone

Salmon oil: 1000 mg in the morning, evening and nightly – for high cholesterol
Vitamin C: 500mg in the morning – for overall health
Melatonin: 2mg nightly – for Insomnia

October 13, 2009

Medications I’ve Been On (An Incomplete List)

I’ve certainly been on a number of other medications that I’m not currently taking, either because they weren’t working and have been phased out or replaced by another medication or group of medications, because they formed poor habits, because they were no longer needed, or they created too many adverse side effects. Let’s see if we can’t make a list of them…

Prozac (Fluoxetine): Max. dose of 80mg for Major Depressive Disorder. Stopped taking it because it wasn’t working; it was replaced by Zoloft (Sertraline).
Celexa (Citalopram): Max. dose unknown for Major Depressive Disorder. Stopped taking it because it wasn’t working; it was replaced by Prozac (Fluoxetine).
Chloral Hydrate:  Max. dose 20mL for Insomnia. Stopped taking it because I was developing a habit and tolerance; it was replaced by a series of benzodiazepines.
Motilium (Domperidone): Max. dose 60mg for nausea and vomiting related to an Eating Disorder. I stopped taking it because I didn’t need it anymore. Also, it was making me lactate.
Klonopin (Clonazepam): Max. dose 4mg for anxiety. Stopped taking it because it wasn’t working very well and is habit-forming.
Valium (Diazepam), Ativan (Lorazepam): Max. dose unknown for anxiety. They were taken short-term during a hospital admission. I stopped taking these medications because they’re habit-forming.
Elavil (Amitriptyline): Max. dose 150mg for Insomnia. I stopped using it because it wasn’t working and it was replaced by Chloral Hydrate.
Seroquel (Quetiapine Fumarate): Max. dose 650mg for anxiety and Insomnia. Stopped using it because it wasn’t working.
Desyrel (Trazodone): Max. dose unknown for anxiety. Stopped using it because it wasn’t working.
Neurontin (Gabapentin): Max. dose 1200mg for anxiety. Stopped using it because it wasn’t working. No replacement.
Loxapac (Loxapine): Max. dose 40mg for agitation. Stopped taking it because it was causing emotional deadness and insensitivity.
Zyprexa Zydis (Olanzapine): Max. dose 30mg for anxiety. Stopped taking it because it wasn’t working.
Buspar (Buspirone): Max. dose unknown for anxiety. Stopped taking it because it wasn’t working.
PanOxyl (Benzoyl Peroxide): Came in soap format. Max. dose one use per day. Stopped taking it because it wasn’t working; it was replaced by Clindoxyl (Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide).
Eltroxin (Levothyroxine): Max. dose 0.05mg for low energy and mood related to Major Depressive Disorder. Stopped using it because it wasn’t working; it was replaced by Strattera (Atomoxetine).
Minocin (Minocycline): Max. dose 200mg for acne. Stopped taking it because my doctor thought another medication might work better in my case. We replaced it with Erythromycin.
Strattera (Atomoxetine): Max. dose 75mg for low energy and mood related to Major Depressive Disorder. Stopped taking it because it wasn’t working. It was replaced by Ritalin (Methylphenidate).
Zoloft (Sertraline): Max. dose 300mg for Major Depressive Disorder. I stopped taking it because my doctor didn’t think it was helping me (I agreed); we tapered off by 50mg per week and replaced it with Effexor (Venlafaxine).
Advil (Ibuprofen): Max. dose 1600mg for chronic wrist pain. I stopped taking it regularly after having a successful wrist ganglion excision in September 2009, which reduced the chronic pain.
Calcium + Vitamin D: Max. dose 500mg Calcium and 125IU Vitamin D for bone health. I currently take this medication.
Clindoxyl (Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide): Max. dose one application nightly for acne. I currently take this medication.
Delatestryl (Testosterone Enanthate): Max. dose 100mg intramuscular once weekly for low testosterone. I lowered my dose to 60mg once weekly to counter some side effects I was experiencing. I currently take this medication.
Effexor (Venlafaxine): Max. dose 187.5mg for Major Depressive Disorder. I currently take this medication.
Erythromycin: Max. dose 333mg morning and evening (total 666mg daily) for acne. I currently take this medication.
Imovane/Immovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone): Max. dose 30mg for Insomnia. I lowered my dose to 22.5mg after starting to take Erythromycin because Erythromycin increases the effect of Imovane by an unknown amount. I am currently taking this medication.
L-Tryptophan: Max. dose 1000mg for Insomnia. I am currently taking this medication.
Losec (Omeprazole): Max. dose 20mg for acid reflux. I am currently taking this medication.
Melatonin: Max. dose 3mg for Insomnia. I am currently taking this medication.
Multivitamin: Max. dose 1 daily for overall health. I am currently taking this medication.
Risperidal (Risperidone): Max. dose 4mg for Tourrette Syndrome. My doctor lowered it to 2.5mg because above that dose, I experience negative side effects, including emotional deadness and insensitivity, and bradykinesia (facial motionlessness). I am currently taking this medication.
Ritalin (Methylphenidate): Max. dose 40mg for low energy and mood related to Major Depressive Disorder. I stopped taking it because it wasn’t working. It was replaced by Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine).
Salmon Oil: Max. dose 1000mg in the morning, at dinnertime and at night (total 3000mg daily) for high cholesterol. I am currently taking this medication.
Vitamin C: Max. dose 500mg for overall health. I am currently taking this medication.
Dexedrine (Dextroamphetamine): Max. dose 20mg for low energy and mood related to Major Depressive Disorder. I am currently taking this medication.
Thorazine (Chlorpromazine): Max. dose unknown for anxiety. I stopped taking this medication because it wasn’t working.
Vicodin (Hydrocodone and Paracetamol): Max. dose 40/4000mg per day for post-surgical pain. I stopped taking this medication because I was no longer in severe pain. It was replaced by Advil (Ibuprofen).
Percocet (Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen): Max. dose unknown for severe acute ankle pain. I stopped taking this medication because I was no longer in severe pan; it was replaced by extra-strength Advil (Ibuprofen).

To be continued…

October 9, 2009

First Posting

So this is my first posting. What is this blog going to be about, you may ask?
Well, in essence, it’s going to be a chronicle of my search for the ideal combination of medications to address my symptoms of Tourrette Syndrome, Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, Obesssive Compulsive Disorder, and Insomnia. It’s good to have somewhere to write everything down so that I can keep track of what I’m on and where my doses are going. As such, my current medications are as follows:

Immovane (Rhovane) (Zopiclone): 22.5mg nightly – for Insomnia
Risperidal (Risperidone): 2.5mg nightly – for Tourrette Syndrome
Zoloft (Sertraline): 300mg in the morning – for Depression, OCD and Anxiety
Eltroxin (Levothyroxine): .025mg in the morning – for low energy associated with Depression
Strattera (Atomoxetine): 50mg in the morning – for low energy associated with Depression

I also take some non-psychiatric medications:
Minocin (Minocycline): 200mg in the evening – for acne
Losec (Omeprazole): 20mg in the morning – for acid reflux
Delatestryl (Testosterone Enanthate): 60mg once weekly intramuscularly – for low Testosterone
Advil (Ibuprofen): 400mg in the morning, 200mg in the evening, 400mg nightly – for ganglion cyst-related wrist pain

And don’t forget about vitamins and supplements!:
Salmon oil: 1000 mg in the morning, evening and nightly – for high cholesterol
Vitamin C: 500mg in the morning – for overall health
Melatonin: 2mg nightly – for Insomnia

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