[Monty_girl]

I've been on Lexapro since Oct and was recently placed on Zelnorm for my IBS a few weeks ago. I'm only on the Zelnorm for 8 weeks.

Is it safe to take both of these medications at the same time since they both work on serotonin? I've not had any side effects taking the Lexapro, but since starting the Zelnorm I've had muscle twitching in my arm and light headed at times. I've not been able to find any information on taking Zelnorm with a SSRI. Any thoughts or information would be great.

Lexapro 10mg daily
Zelnorm 6 mg 2x day

Thanks, Lea

[Larry_Hoover]

I don't see anything at all about concerns with taking the two drugs at the same time. There is no evidence I can find of a biochemical interaction (strictly speaking, based on chemistry alone), the classic sort that raises medical concerns.

This drug has such specificity for a serotonin receptor found only in the gut (5-HT4), which this drug stimulates....I don't see a problem. There is a little bit of cross-binding, which is to say, binding to other serotonin receptor classes. So, there could be mild side effects. Headache, for example. Nothing that stands out in any way.

I think this is a safe combination. Have you read the monograph? http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic3/zelnorm.htm

The big side effect to watch for is abdominal pain. That and bloody diarrhea. If you don't have those, I just hope it works as expected.

Take care,
Lar

[Monty_girl]

Thank you for the information Larry. With such a new drug there is little information out there. The reason for starting the drug was I already had abdominal pain and blood in my stool from the IBS and Diverticulosis. Thank you for the website.

Lea

[Larry_Hoover]

I'm sure your doctor considered the various risk factors when you were prescribed the medication. Can I presume that your condition is improving? What did your doctor say, in respect of blood in your stool? I'm using the monograph for source data for that brief warning I posted. It said, call your doctor immediately if.......

Lar

[Monty_girl]

This medication is one of my last resorts to deal with the pain. It's been working well so far. I missed one day of the medication and I was doubled over in pain. With respect to the blood. It's from the diverticulosis bleeding. He believes anyways. If I don't improve enough the doctor is wanting to do a CT scan next month when I have a follow up visit. I haven't had any bleeding since starting the medication.

It's really been a lot to consider. Control the IBS-C with a short term medication or chance more bleeding and possible infection with the diverticulosis.

Lea

[Larry_Hoover]

My sense is that this is a good drug for you, and safe in combination with the Lexapro. You're feeling good with this combo, right?

Moreover, although the drug was not tested for extended periods in the clinical trials, the FDA did approve extended use, under supervision. You could do it anyway. Any doctor could keep you on it. But the FDA gave their blessing.

I'll bet you won't forget your Zelnorm dose again. And stopping bleeding is a great outcome. It all looks good.

Lar