Interaction with Lexapro (SSRI)?

[wastedwalrus]

Hi,
I am planning on doing my first roll soon but first, I've read that SSRI's can interact with e. Is this true? If so, should I quit taking my SSRI for a while prior the time I drop a roll? If so, how long?

Thanks for your help.


-I am the walrus

 

[VelocideX]

If you're taking SSRIs for depression, you really shouldn't stop them just for the sake of taking pills.

SSRIs substantially mute or block the effect of MDMA.

Firstly, it takes some days for the drug to clear from your system, during that time the SSRI will continue to block the effects of the MDMA. Secondly, SSRIs cause changes in the serotonin system in your brain which means that even if you could magically get all the lexapro out of your system, you may still feel only minor or diminished effects anyway.

Thirdly, abrupt cessation of the SSRIs can lead to a highly unpleasant discontinuation syndrome... SSRIs should be tapered over a period of weeks.

Stopping your SSRI will also substantially impact upon your treatment for depression (which I assume you're taking it for). It may put you back where you started, or it may substantially delay your full recovery.

No matter which way you look at it, what you're suggesting isn't the best idea...

 

[mrsmitconh]

^^^ Read and digest

Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) is also pretty oft precribed med for anxiety due to it's supposed non activating nature (or sedating nature).

Lexapro half life is around 24hrs which means it can take over a week to exit your system. You know what that means don't you? Stopping your med on a 7 day or more window just to get high which with AD's isn't good idea. Actually due to the half life it's advised to wean rather slowly with Lexapro. The only positive aspect is that the wild side effects associated with Paxil or Effexor are pretty light with Lexapro. YMMV.

Anyway as Velocide X has said .. this aint such a good idea at all and the chances of you getting high are very low. What about a little dabble of speed or something.

 

[johnnyb420]

ssri use will stop you from enjoying speed also i think it might also be dangerous to do what you are proposing

in my opinion if you are going to dabble in drugs of this nature and the other drugs that you are doing as read in other posts you should taper your AD meds and then do your experimenting

i think you are playing with fire using heavy drugs while depressed or while on ADmeds this can cause permenent chemical imbalance

 

[mrsmitconh]

ssri use will stop you from enjoying speed also i think it might also be dangerous to do what you are proposing

You've educated me there. I thought the dopamine system was far more robust and easier to circumvent and the action of SSRI's AKA Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors was far less on the Dopamine system thus amphetamine would work rather well even on SSRI's ... at least that was my experience. Anyway I had no idea it was dangerous

 

[wastedwalrus]

I use cocaine ocassionally.... does the lexapro block that? Anyways, I've dropped my meds before (not for the purpose of drugs though) and there were only minor repercussions. Anyways, don't tell me that I shouldn't use drugs at all due to depression...

 

[mrsmitconh]

Anyways, don't tell me that I shouldn't use drugs at all due to depression...

It's a harm reduction site so ... you need to be told that

 

[wastedwalrus]

Okay, it is helpfull advice I suppose....

I've read so far that SSRI's do not affect cocaine or methanphetamines but they do inhibit the effects of ecstasy. I could do without ecstasy but not coke and I am very interested in trying meth soon. So, here arises a problem. Does lexapro block the effects of cocaine and do you all know for certain that it blocks meth (I want as many opinions as possible so that I can avoid making a stupid purchase)?

 

[BilZ0r]

Some people report that SSRIs mess up cocaine highs and somewhat reduce methamphetamine highs.

I thought the dopamine system was far more robust and easier to circumvent and the action of SSRI's AKA Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors was far less on the Dopamine system thus amphetamine would work rather well even on SSRI's ... at least that was my experience. Anyway I had no idea it was dangerous

I don't think it's dangerous, but cocaine (and to a lesser extent meth) do have significant serotonergic actions. It's best to think of cocaine as a mixed Dopamine, Serotonin and Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor.

 

[wastedwalrus]

I've taken cocaine a few times and have considered myself to be high each time. However, am I missing out on something yet just unaware of it?

 

[BilZ0r]

*shrug*

 

[wastedwalrus]

I'm actually going to stop my meds.... I've done it many times before and have only had minor withdrawls, depression, and random crying outbursts. Not too different from my usual self, heh. I know that so many people have advised me not to stop the use of my meds, but I've made up my mind. I feel like anti-depressants are wrong anyways. It's depending on a drug in order to be 'happy'. How long would it take for the lexapro to be out of my system and not affect cocaine or hallucinagens?