MDMA and Tricyclic Antidepressants (25mg of Nortripyline)

[Tuxie]

Hello,

I am going off my tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline (I use it in a low dose for chronic pain, 25 mg it is usually 75mg-150mg to work as an antidepressant). It has a half life of 37 hours. I will be off nortriptyline for 91 hours before taking MDMA. I've read about serotonin syndrome. With such a low amount in my system is it a big risk?

Thanks for your time and help.

 

[daturetard]

You're supposed to wait 7 half lives until a drug is presumed to be at a clinically insignificant level. The less drug you take the slower your body will metabolize it. 100 mg after 1 half life will leave 50 mg. Once 50 mg is the level in your system, the next half life only removes 25 mg. Sounds like common sense but half lives are confusing. You'll only have slightly over 3 mg of the substance still in you, but it's still best to wait longer.

 

[Shinji Ikari]

5 half lives minimum, ideally 10 so you're looking at 185-370 hours. I don't know if that particular drug is likely to cause a reaction mixed with MDMA or if it'll just block the roll but it will unquestionably still be in your system after 91 hours and for several days beyond.

I think today was the day you were due to roll? Personally I wouldn't, but calculate your own risk and if you do decide to roll make sure the people you're with know you've been on nortriptyline in case something does happen.

You'll only have slightly over 3 mg of the substance still in you, but it's still best to wait longer

That's assuming they only took a single dose, but a drug with such a long half life will have accumulated in their system, so how long they've been on it is a factor.

 

[someguyontheinternet]

The rule of thumb we use where I work is around 5-7 half lives, as long as you wait that long you should be good

 

[Tuxie]

Thanks this is really helpful feedback. I will not roll at the event today. Instead, I will plan to do it in the future after being off nortiptyline for at least 185-370 hours. Much appreciated.