Common Questions About Arthritis

How Does Tylenol® Interact with Anti-Depressant Medications?

Question:

How does Tylenol interact with anti-depressants/anxiety medications? I take Desipramine. Also, I take BuSpar and Depakote for anxiety. I have been told not to take aspirin at all.

Answer:

To the best of my knowledge, there is no contraindication to taking Tylenol with the medications that you mentioned. However, let me say that if you are suffering from anxiety and depression, you are not alone. Anxiety and depression are two of the most common symptoms found in the U.S. I say symptoms because they are signs of imbalance. If you are so out of balance in your lifestyle that you suffer from severe depression and anxiety, my first thought is for you to look at your lifestyle.

I have had great success in helping people relieve deep depression, clear anger, reduce hostility, and eliminate anxiety by following a program that focuses on morning stretching exercises, breath work, meditation, and prayer. You can find examples of this approach in my book The Pain Cure (Warner Books, 1999).

I believe anxiety and depression come from within and can only be changed by re-balancing yourself from the inside. I also believe the long-term answer to your problems is not in a drug. Having said that, however, let me caution you to not stop any of your medications abruptly. And if you wish to revise what you are taking, make sure that you discuss your desires with your health care practitioner and that you are under his or her care.

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