Patients ask me all the time “What to do when your anti-depressant stops working?” For example you have depression and have been on Zoloft for seven years and done well, but the past six months you feel more depressed.

First thing to ask is “are you using alcohol?” That’s the worst thing you could do. Alcohol is a depressant and maybe interfering with the efficacy of the antidepressant. Marijuana, Opiates, Benzodiazepines and Antihistamines aren’t much better either.

For example drugs like Roxycodone, Oxycodone, Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Loritabs, Hydrocodone, Xanax, Alprazolam, Ativan Lorazepram, Benadryl, and Diphenhydramine these drugs have a similar effect and may function as depressants.

Substance dependency usually results in depression, whether it is a physical or psychological affect. Often times an antidepressant isn’t working the first thing people do is self medicate. Don’t do that because it makes matters worst. (more…)

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