Parkinsons and SSRI question

Posted by janna2 @janna2, 3 days ago

So yes, I am going to message my neurologist on Monday and hope she gets back to me in the not too distant future. I just recently ran across multi med sites suggesting that SSRIs like what I have been on since March = fluoxetine should be avoided when taking carbadopa levadopa which I started in August. The original 30mg fluoxetine prescription was to address my tremors and sleep issues plus some other weirdness, which was at that time was thought to be anxiety /depression related.
Anyway I was diagnosed with early Parkinsons August 11, and the carbidopa/levadopa has been controlling my tremors pretty well. Despite a couple of other minor issues diagnosed the previous 3 months I think my mental/emotional health is pretty darn good, and has been since the diagnosis. Just having an answer for the weirdness helped so much.
Anyway, I have read that depression is common in people with Parkinsons, so was wondering if anyone else has experience with SSRIs or other antidepressants while taking levadopa?
With my PCPs permission I have started tapering down the fluoxetine since mid September- currently at 20mg a day, hope to drop to a 10 next week. Let me clarify that I am not asking for medical advice, I am asking about lived experience. Sorry for the long post, I’m just trying to answer questions before you ask🤣😂. Thank you for your patience!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Parkinson's Disease Support Group.

Some interactions between SSRIs and carbidopa-levodopa are a little concerning, but very, very rare. The main concern goes to Serotonin Syndrome, but many people successfully took both medications, with no problems.

Neurologists have a lot of experience in prescribing those medicines together, so I am sure you are in good hands. It is great news that you are getting better mentally

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Thank you! I saw conflicting info about it online but nothing solid- more like “your dr will monitor you” , and since I’m still kicking it probably wouldn’t be a problem for me 😂🤣. But communication with the neurologist has been marginal at best. No follow ups discussed or planned. So I’m kinda free wheeling it. Also since these were prescribed by different drs I’m a little gun shy. 23 years of caring for 4 EOL family members and let’s just say shit happened that shouldn’t have.

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