Can Dopamine agonist help with depression when other treatment fail?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It is a refractory depression. There are a few pieces of evidence to show that dopamine agonists like Pramipexole may help in such cases.

1. Adding Bupropion (Ethyl cellulose aqueous dispersion (NF), glyceryl behenate, methacrylic acid copolymer) to SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

2. Mirtazepine (Colloidal silicon dioxide, Corn starch, Hypromellose, Lactose monohydrate, Magnesium stearate) plus Venlafexine (Sodium starch glycolate, Povidone, Magnesium stearate, Ferric oxide yellow).

3. MAO (Monoamine oxidase) inhibitors like Tranylcypromine (Calcium sulfate dihydrate, Erythrosine).

4. Dopamine agonists like Pramipexole (Pramipexole dihydrochloride monohydrate) are added to antidepressants.

5. Concurrent CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) sessions.

6. Augmentation with Aripiprazole.

7. Augmentation with lithium.

8. Adding Olanzapine Fluoxetine combination.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, MAO inhibitors do have side effects but not as common as usually projected. You need to avoid certain food items while on them like pickles, and canned processed foods. But they are worth giving a try under the supervision of a psychiatrist, especially in a refractory case like yours. Besides SSRI other treatment options as told by me in a previous post are also there. Vortioxetine has been shown to be especially useful with cognitive issues. More importantly, do not lose hope, remember every problem has a solution and sooner or later you will find it, and help is just a step away.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Usually, MAO inhibitors are started after four to five weeks of stopping SSRI. MAO-I does not have many interactions with Klonopin (Clonazepam) except for a slight chance of increased blood pressure, and with Ambien, it can just increase the sedative effects of Ambien. But these interactions are more theoretical than practical.

I Hope this solves your query.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Sorry, I am not from the US. You have to find that with the help of a local psychiatrist.

Thank you.