Effexor
Effexor questions and answers
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Q: Is there anything I can take to counteract the sexual side effects of the antidepressant effexor?
I should be taking my effexor for depression but haven't taken it in quite sometime due to the problems of having regular orgasms. This is one of the side effects of effexor, although I believe it's a GREAT medicine to treat depression. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
A: Ask your doctor it is not unusual for them. Usually they will prescribe another med to counteract the side effect of the Effexor. I was on Zoloft and had the same side effect so they put me on Wellbutrin which is another anti-depressant to cancel out the effect. It worked great! So just ask your doctor there may be something they can give you to counteract it.
Q: I was just prescribed and took effexor xr for the first time today, experiences?
I'm worried because I've heard so many bad things about this drug, but became desperate enough with increasing depression that I decided to try it. I'm already on Wellbutrin 150 mgs and that helps somewhat, but needed something else to work with it.
Please share youre experiences with effexor as I'm pretty intimidated, but want so much to feel better.
Thank you !!
A: I am on this medication I take it for Panic attacks, I have been on this medication for 7 MONTHS , in the beginning I felt a little light headed but I have had no problems, all of my attacks are all but gone, the medication took away the physical problems but I am still working on the mental part of it.
Q: Does Ativan help with the side effects when you start taking Effexor?
I've been on Ativan for Anxiety/Panic...and my therapist wants to start me on Effexor this week, but I'm concernced about the side effects.
Will/Should the Ativan assist me through some of the rougher initial side effects?
Anyone experience this combo?
A: Effexor is an antidepressant. Anxiety and depression go hand in hand, so the mix of the two is extremely common. Side effects you can expect from Effexor are:
Dry mouth
Decreased sex drive/difficulty to orgasm
Insomnia
Weight gain/loss
Dizzyness if you miss a dose
Weakness/lethargy
These are typical side effects for antidepressants. If you are getting any of these from your Ativan, which is usually a pretty side effect free drug, this may not be for you. I'd recommend getting a 2 week dose, and if you don't like it, ask to be switched to another anti depressant, there are tons of them out there.
Q: How much food should I take Effexor XR with?
The dosage instructions for Effexor XR say to take with food. How much food is adequate for this? Since I take it at bedtime, I don't really want to eat a lot at that time.
A: Effexor xr is a horrible drug. If you are taking it for the first time google effexor xr withdrawl and read the comments. I just wanted to put that out there, nobody warned me. About your question, a cracker or two is enough if it upsets your stomach. But, ask your dr for something other than effexor. Take care!
Q: How long can I expect to feel weird after suddenly stopping Effexor XR?
Two days ago I stopped taking my effexor (150mg) after being on a daily dose for about two years. Now I am feeling what I can only describe as brain zaps or maybe electro shock. I am also having extremely vivid dreams/nightmares. How long can I expect to have the zaps and dreams? Experienced answers only please.
A: You might consider taking it again and making an appointment with your doctor to start stepping down from the medication. You are on the highest dose, and, if you remember, they most likely did not just write you a prescription for 150's and let you go (or at least they shouldn't have). They probably started you with 37.5's or 75's and built you up to the 150's. You should step down as well. Work with your doctor to ease you off of the Effexor. It is much easier on your brain.
What is important to know about Effexor is that it works with your neurotransmitters. Unlike other medications like tylenol that enter your system and leave your system in the same (almost) condition that it found it in, Effexor adjusts how your brain receives messages. You need to step down from the medication to ease the side effects, because, there is no real definite answer as to how long it will be before your "zaps and dreams" stop. Also, suddenly halting the medication could leave you in a highly depressed state for awhile.
I hope this helps.
Q: Is it possible to to have a healthy pregnancy taking Lortab and Effexor?
I have two children and my fiance and I would love to have just one more after we get married. My doctor did ok my Effexor when I was pregnant and my son is just fine. But I was wondering if anyone knows what adverse side effects there would be to me taking Lortab during my pregnancy. I don't in any way want to harm my baby, but I 2 herniated disks and a lumbar injury that I just can't do day to day tasks without. Help please? No rude replies please. Thanks!
A: Consult your physicians 24 hour answering service.
GOOD LUCK.
Q: Is it possible to become addicted to Effexor?
My wife has been taking Effexor for around three years. It is prescribed to her by our general practice family doctor. She is not now, nor has she ever been involved in therapy for depression. She just takes the pills. Is this normal? At what point she should stop taking it? What does stopping entail?
A: i don't understand, how come she takes the pills when on the contrary nothing is wrong with her?i think that pills are really addictive i know someone that has become completely addicted to those pills getting her to relax and stop is another burden you have to really convince her that she doesn't need the pills
Q: Is there any connection between the drug Effexor and benzodiazepine?
A drug screen for a client showed an elevated level of benzodiazepines. He is taking the drug Effexor. Does the latter explain the former?
A: These are two completely different drugs and neither will increase the levels of each other on a blood test.
Q: What have your results been from the antidepressant Effexor?
Last year I was diagnosed with severe depression and since then it has been a battle to find me the right antidepressant. I was on Prozac but that didn't help, now I am on 150mg of Effexor. If you have been on this medication before, how was your experience with it?
A: I am really surprised that Effexor is still being prescribed, huge percentages of people have had terrible side effects on the medication. I took Effexor for about a year. It was fine at first, but towards the end I had terrible side effects. I lost any and all motivation became extraordinarily tired all the time- sleeping up to 18 hours a day and generally became flat and lifeless. Due to the short half-life of the medications, if you miss a dose you are in for a nightmare of an experience. You can google "Withdrawls from Effexor" for detailed accounts of the absolute terror and horrific effects. I read one response from a person who said they had withdrawn from Heroin once and that withdrawing from Effexor was worse than that!!!! You get these things that are referred to as "brain shocks" they are hard to describe but you feel completely dizzy, vertigo, electric shocks going through your head and body, weakness all at once. When i finally had enough of this medication I stopped cold turkey. It is not recommended that you stop all at once, but I wanted the complete withdrawl over wish as soon as possible. Even when you ween yourself off of it people still seem to have a terrible time. I have heard of people who open the capsules and count the granuals and remove just one (of at least 100+) every day and STILL have terrible withdrawls. My point is, if you are going to keep taking the medication, in order to avoid this miserable experience take your exact dose and the exact time EVERY DAY. If you miss a dose be ready to experience hell on earth until the medication gets right in your system again.
Good luck
Here are a few links:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/youropinions.php?opinionid=11018
http://www.join-the-fun.com/effexor-withdrawal.html
Q: Has anyone had the experience of changing from Effexor-XR to Cymbalta? How did you find it?
I have been taking Effexor-XR (150mg daily) for some years, and my doctor has suggested that i swap over to Cymbalta. I suffer from chronic pain and am on morphine daily, but i've read that Cymbalta is also good for reducing pain. Any ideas?
A: Cymbalta can be good for pain, but only sertain types of pain, usually neuropathy from diabetes and it can only help some. It certainly will not have effects like you morphine. Effexor and Cymbalta are in the same class of anti-depressant, so there is a good chance of cymbalta working as well, but not a guarantee.
Q: How long does it take to get off of Effexor XL?
I've been on Effexor XL for 4 years maybe, and have been trying to ween myself off for the past year and a half. I went from the 75 mg to half that and every time i try to skip a dose i instantly get the brain zaps and all the other lovely side effect. My dr. put me on yet another anti depressant to help, but what i want to find out, from other users, is how long did it take you to get off of it, and how did you do it? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.
A: I took Effexor XL for a few years. I don't remember having any problems coming off of it. Follow your doctor's instructions on how to gradually reduce and come off of the Effexor XL. I hope you will be doing better. Good Luck.
Q: How much effexor does it tales to overdose?
what dose of effexor is leathal? i heard 900mg could kill you. is that correct? because i'm on effexor right now and i'm at 225mg/day and i'm just worried that i accidently take two dose within the same day by accident and overdose. could 550mg kill you and/or hurt you?
A: no it dosent kill you try visiting a doctor he will take care of it
Q: What are the names or different forms of the medicine effexor?
and also is cyclobenzaprine a form of effexor? and no links please. i will chose a best answer :]
A: Cyclobenzaprine is a generic form of Flexeril, a muscle relaxer and central nervous system depressant.
The generic for Effexor just came out. It is called venlafaxine.
Q: How long does it take for Effexor to leave your system when you stop taking it and does it cause withdrawal?
How long does it take for Effexor to leave your system when you stop taking it and do you have withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it?
A: This is what I do and I used to be a TC in mental health so let me just give you the facts as they are.
Everyone is different but Effexor can stay in the system hard for 2 to 3 weeks and you may feel tingling down your spine, fingers, dizziness and many other effects.
These can be mitigated by withdrawing off of this particular medicine quite slowly and this will do the trick.
I wish you the best and you can always look up precautions on webmd or on the Effexor website and actually chat with someone whom you can get tips from.
Good Luck and I hope you feel well.
Your assistant
David
Q: What other med could be added to Effexor 150 mg to help anxiety?
Curious? I am on Effexor and just feel like the anxiety is not subsiding. My Dr and I talked today and she said to give it a little more time and that we would add something else later on. I want to be educated on my options. Any suggestions on additions?
I am also going to see a psych. to just talk things out...
Please only serious answer. Thanks in advance!
A: There is a great web site at:
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_medication_drugs_treatment.htm
It discusses all the pros and cons of the various classes of meds used for anxiety. I won't make a recommendation because my cocktail is set up for depression, DID and anxiety/PTSD and includes five different meds including atypical antidepressants, anti-anxiety meds, and an atypical antipsychotic. In addition, what works for one person may not work for someone else.
I do agree with the poster who suggested that your doctor who prescribes the meds should probably be a psychiatrist -- not a primary care doc -- once they get into mixing more than a couple meds -- and some primary care docs don't even like to mix two meds. Also, be aware it does take time for meds to work -- they have to build up to therapeutic levels within your body before they do anything -- unlike antibiotics which we are all used to taking for a couple days and feeling better.
Hope the web site gives you the info you need to be educated when you talk to your doctor.
Michelle