I tried NAC several times during my Cymbalta withdrawal but had no success.
This is from the ebook....
NAC - N-acetylcysteine - Strong antioxidant.
NAC appears a safe and effective augmentation strategy for depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder.
the study provides only limited support for the role of NAC as a novel adjunctive therapy for MDD.
These open label data demonstrate a robust decrement in depression scores with NAC treatment
There were no significant between-group differences in recurrence or symptomatic outcomes during the maintenance phase of the trial;
The anxiolytic effects of NAC were comparable to diazepam.
modulation of Glu transporter expression may restore Glu (Glutamate) homeostasis.
These studies evaluated the role of NAC (N-acetylcysteine) in cocaine dependence (three studies), c******* dependence (two studies), nicotine dependence (two studies), methamphetamine addiction (one study), and pathological gambling (one study). Five of these trials were double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled.
The studies analyzed suggest a potential role for NAC in the treatment of addiction, especially of cocaine and c******* dependence. These results are concordant with the hypothesis of the involvement of glutamatergic pathways in the pathophysiology of addiction.
Furthermore, NAC was able to rescue changes in key glutamate receptor proteins related to excitotoxicity in HD, including NMDAR2B. Thus, we have shown that baseline reductions in cysteine underlie glutamatergic dysfunction and depressive-like behavior in HD and these changes can be rescued by treatment with NAC. These findings have implications for the development of new therapeutic approaches for depressive disorders.
NAC appears a safe and effective augmentation strategy for depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder.
the study provides only limited support for the role of NAC as a novel adjunctive therapy for MDD.
These open label data demonstrate a robust decrement in depression scores with NAC treatment
There were no significant between-group differences in recurrence or symptomatic outcomes during the maintenance phase of the trial;
The anxiolytic effects of NAC were comparable to diazepam.
Interactive effects of N-acetylcysteine and antidepressants
Treatment with Adjunctive N -Acetylcysteine in an Adolescent with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor-Resistant Anxiety
The effect of N-acetylcysteine on oxidative serum biomarkers of hemodialysis patients
"The study period was set at 6 months, during which time patients received oral 600 mg of NAC, twice daily before meals. "
"Administration of NAC was correlated with significant changes in haemoglobin levels (p=0.029), a decrease in leukocyte count (p=0.002), in particular, neutrophil percentage (p=0.001) while lymphocytes rose (p=0.008). "
In addition, the FDA database states that 1.4% of those taking N-acetycysteine develop leucopenia within a month.
Members Comments
FH - You know, something you may try is this N-Acetylcysteine at 500 or 600 mg twice a day. I have been impressed with its help (benzo withdrawal). Not a huge improvement but a consistent and noticeable improvement. I notice some relief starting around an hour after taking it and it lasts for about 3 or 4 hours.
Freeme - I have been taking milk thistle to detox the liver and zertex. I put benadryl spray on my arms at night. I am taking also x3 NAC which cleanses the liver too. These both will calm down my itchy to nothing.
Dr. xxxxxxx - This may be an issue as the blood parameter changes noted in this study resemble my changes in blood chemistry. I am currently taking 600 mg once daily.
FH - The main factor has been the 600 mg of N-acetylcysteine(NAC) I have been using every other day (for benzo withdrawal). On the day I use it I can feel a noticeable improvement of around 50% in my symptoms. I would like to mention to everyone that my symptoms are minimal at this slow a drop rate, not comparable to Cymbalta withdrawal. As soon as I feel stable I will go to taking the NAC daily and then if stable I will drop a little faster again. The main factor has been the 600 mg of N-acetylcysteine(NAC) I have been using every other day. On the day I use it I can feel a noticeable improvement of around 50% in my symptoms. I would like to mention to everyone that my symptoms are minimal at this slow a drop rate, not comparable to Cymbalta withdrawal. As soon as I feel stable I will go to taking the NAC daily and then if stable I will drop a little faster again.
One thing I wanted to point out from the research is that it has a direct effect on Glutamate, the main excitatory neurotransmitter. It modulates its blood concentration. Modulates means that if levels are high it lowers them and if levels of glutamate are low it raises them. So essentially the glutamate levels are keep in a relatively stable middle of the road concentration. This is important because glutamate control GABA production. GABA is the main calming neurotransmitter that does the primary blocking of synapses when not in use. So by stabilizing the glutamate production you also stabilize the GABA production.
DThiessen - forgot to mention I am also taking NAC OTC 600mg daily. Really seems to help with basically every withdrawal symptom.
Mxpro - I've been taking nac for a few days and it seems to really be helping. I swear it's helping me to ruminate less and my mood seems better.
