[thedivinemrsm]

Is anyone on this drug? I would love to hear any testimonials or experiences while on it. Thanks, XXOO

I tried the ensam patch at one point, but it dropped my blood pressure so severely that I kept passing out. So much for it.

[jbug]

I was on Emsam for awhile but because of all the other meds I am on we decided to change it because it was hard to put me on anything since Emsam is an MAOI if I remember right.

Jan

[Yoda]

I was on the patch for a year beginning in 2007 for my bipolar. In combination with clozapine we got my bipolar under control. I switched from the patch to oral because the oral is much cheaper. I have read that if you are on the patch you do not have to limit tyramine from diet as you do with oral MAOIs.

[Anneinside]

I just started on Emsam so I am bumping this thread up again. How are the people doing with Emsam who originally started it? I am using the 9mg patches so I do have to follow the diet (you don't have to on the 6mg patch). There are some things I am really missing but I hope that will fade in the future. I really want this to work! I have only been on it for about two weeks and I am also having ECT. I am doing better but it is probably the ECT, as it has worked for me in the past.

Is anyone using Emsam? How are you doing with it? How is the diet?

[Yoda]

I have had no problems with diet/tyramine either on the patch or oral. I still eat foods that contain tyramine but in moderation; eat mild rather than sharp cheddar cheese and eat fresh bananas rather than over ripe. I check my BP and I am fine. Lucky me, I guess.

[nicoleb2]

I was on the emsam patch for a month, but had horrible headaches and could not handle it

Originally Posted by Yoda

I was on the patch for a year beginning in 2007 for my bipolar. In combination with clozapine we got my bipolar under control. I switched from the patch to oral because the oral is much cheaper. I have read that if you are on the patch you do not have to limit tyramine from diet as you do with oral MAOIs.

No, you still have to be on a restricted diet, but the diet with Ensam is not quite as restrictive as it is with oral MAOIs. I remember the confusion about the diet because the package insert for Ensam outlines the restrictions, but the dietician at the hospital was telling me the restrictions for oral MAOIs. They were markedly different.

[nicoleb2]

On the Emsam, you do not have to have any dietary restrictions on the 6mg patch. Anything above that will require diet changes

Originally Posted by nicoleb2

On the Emsam, you do not have to have any dietary restrictions on the 6mg patch. Anything above that will require diet changes

That's absolutely correct.