Low Back Pain and Sciatica and Antidepressants

Common names include:

• Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• Amitriptyline (Elavil)

Antidepressants might also be prescribed for lower back pain and sciatica treatment.

Read more details about Antidepressants.

Trazodone

The most common side effects associated with trazodone use include: nausea, dizziness, muscle pain, loss of coordination, tiredness, dry mouth, constipaton, headache and blurred vision. Call your doctor immediately if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: unsual changes in behavior, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you

feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Drug interactions

Patients taking trazadone are advised to avoid alcohol. It is also important to inform your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. The following drugs may

interact with trazadone:

•indinavir (Crixivan) or ritonavir (Norvir);

•ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox);

•digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

•carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin);

•warfarin (Coumadin);

•MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Mirtazapine

Remeron may cause weight gain, sometimes this may requiring discontinuation of treatment. Mirtazapine may increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Other

common side effects include: dizziness, nausea, flu symptoms and constipation. Seek immediate medical attention when you experience any severe side effect such as Severe allergic reactions, mental or mood changes thoughts of hurting yourself, tremors and worsening of depression.

Drug interactions

Mirtazapine potentiates the sedating effects of other drugs of drugs that can cause sedation such as the benzodiazepine class of anti-anxiety drugs, the narcotic pain relievers, tricyclic class of antidepressants, certain drugs for hypertension and some antihistamines. Mirtazapine should not be used with MAO inhibitors such as selegilin (Carbex), phenelzine (Nardil), furazolidone (Furoxone), procarbazine (Matulane), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Avoid drinking alcohol because it may worsen some of the

side effects of mirtzapine.