Could codeine be used as an antidepressant?

[MeDieViL]

Yes in combination with NMDA antagonists.

 

[pofacedhoe]

Actually, I'd like to make.a special mention specifically for tramadol, which I have found to be a pretty effective antidepressant, if taken at regular and reasonable doses (not as needed for stress - this will only build tolerance quickly and negate the long term effectiveness, at least in my anecdotal experiences with the drug).

As aformentioned, someone took tramadol at 150mg a day for a year without significant tolerance issues. This works if you are not looking for complete narcotizing doses to remain effective that long. For antidepressant effects, this does work effectively for much longer than you would expect from an opiate. The downsides include loss of the mild stimulation from norepinephrine effects after three or four months (replaced by typical opiate anhedonia - fix with caffeine and exercise), and of course the withdrawls can be tough if you don't taper.

Of course, if you need to stay on an addictive substance for a year to be happy, maybe the time would be better spent finding more permanent solutions for one's moods. I would only use tramadol for short term management of depression, maybe three months or so.

i probably didn't need to be on tramadol for that long but it was the only year of my life where i didn't drink hardly any alcohol and that may have improved my metal health. i came off it once it stopped having a noticable benefit and after a few uncomfortable months where things felt a bit trippy and intense at first, coming off them was easy and left me with a more positive outlook. the single best bit was that i haven't experienced any real mania since

also i just dont get paranoia to the extent that i did before i started taking them, they were a huge improvement on the somewhat unhelpfull effects of citalopram. you can still get orgasms and have feelings on tramadol, its just they stay in a positive sphere more easily.

 

[Oxycondone]

^^^
Hobhead-
sounds like what a doctor would say. Just 'no'. No reason. Just no. 'It sounds to me like it shouldn't work, therefore it wouldn't work and we shouldn't try it period.'

I don't agree with the logic that because it's a depressant we couldn't use it for depression. Depressant doesn't mean it makes you sad or something. Depressant often produce euphoria as a side effect. If we called 'em 'euphorants' would you think it's okay to try them for depression?

I think you'll find most of doctors (not all) will say simple, blunt things like "that won't work" or "no" because it is a lot easier to tell someone that a certain drug won't work for their condition rather than discuss pharmacodynamics and social, medical and legal philosophy. After all if the patient knew the aforementioned information they probably wouldn't be asking.

I have taken a journal article to a doctor before when asking about a obscure pharmacological treatment and he skimmed it, we talked a bit in depth about it (ADD level stuff because I'd shown him that I was an academic by producing the document) and then he had no problem prescribing the appropriate medication. Not all doctors are open to suggestions and new knowledge but you do have to realise doctors on a daily basis see a lot of patients who think they know how to treat themselves after watching House on TV or hearing stories from a friend. Med school is intense for a reason.