Prozac in Combination With Tricyclic Antidepressants

Psychiatrists and other physicians too frequently combine Prozac with other antidepressants, including the tricyclics, such as imipramine (Tofranil) and amitriptyline (Elavil). The combination is extremely dangerous. In a 1992 study conducted in Eli Lilly s own research laboratory by the team of Bergstromm et ah, Prozac was found to increase the blood concentrations of tricyclics by as much as 10 times. 

The tricyclics become toxic at blood levels not much higher than their therapeutic ones. A 10-fold or more increase in concentration of a tricyclic could produce, among other things, a fatal heart arrhythmia, a severe drop in blood pressure, CNS depression, or a grand mal seizure. It could also cause abnormal mental reactions such as confusion, panic, mania, or even depression. 

One rat brain study showed that Prozac and tricyclics given together accelerate their joint impact on the brain (Baron et ah, 1988). Down-regulation of adrenergic receptors (discussed subsequently) was greatly increased in rapidity and intensity by the combination. 

ELI LILLY MIRED IN CONTROVERSIES WITH LIFE-THREATENING IMPLICATIONS 

Many other controversies involving Eli Lilly and Company, the maker of Prozac, have raised further questions concerning pharmaceutical industry adherence to ethical practices and FDA standards. The media and the FDA have investigated Eli Lilly s use of homeless alcoholics as normal experimental subjects in Phase 1 studies (Cohen, 1996 NIH Queries 

---