Emsam and Blood Pressure: What Users Say

• Fos...
• December 20, 2017

For Depression "I have taken 8 different SSRI medications. All were beneficial and provided relief, but all also fizzled out after a period of time. I have been through 2 full treatments of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Great relief, but for only a 3-month period. I have had 8 treatments of ECT with no benefit. The 12 mg Emsam patch has been a literal lifesaver for me. The side effects are a piece of cake, as far as I’m concerned. One rare side effect that I experienced was that it lowered my blood pressure. I learned that having blood pressure levels normal is really debilitating, but this medicine has completely and totally lifted my depression. This is the best I’ve felt since my first continuous bout with depression in 1999!"

• Mid...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 3, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "I'm a psychiatrist with multiple episodes of uncomplicated, treatment-resistant major depression. SSRIs, SNRIs, combination treatments: most helped for a few months to a year or so. Emsam has helped the most in terms of degree of symptom relief (90%+) and in terms of length of benefit (years). Orthostatic hypotension and delayed ejaculation are the most troublesome side effects for me. After carefully reading the primary information and monitoring blood pressure, I no longer worry about food interactions even though I'm on the 12 mg/d dose. Then again, I don't eat, like, 3 oz. of blue cheese, either. But medication interactions are still a big concern. I wear a MedicAlert tag that says 'MAOI = Emsam' to warn docs in case I'm seen in the ER. Frankly, this drug is a very clever miracle of modern psychopharmacology and pharmaceutics."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2012

For Depression "This is my first day on Emsam 9 mg. Very low blood pressure so far. Going to call the doctor in the morning about that. Otherwise, so far I have a little neck pain, but nothing I can't handle."