Effexor
Effexor is a dual Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) that has been on the market for fourteen years.
As the SNRI label suggests, it works by increasing the amounts of both serotonin and norepinephrine: neurotransmitters that carry messages in the brain and help to maintain and elevate mood.
Effexor is commonly prescribed in conventional tablet form to treat depression, and as Effexor XR (slow-release capsules) for once daily use to treat Generalised Anxiety Disorder, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults with a reduced risk of nausea.
Because there is some evidence that there may be an increased risk of suicide among children and young adults, you should not take Effexor if you are aged less than 25 years or you have any history of suicidal thoughts. Because of this concern, it is also unwise for you to take this medication for depression unless you are in a safe environment where your family can look after you over the first few weeks of treatment when the risks of an adverse reaction are at their highest. That said, Effexor is frequently effective in the relief of depressions that do not respond to SSRIs. As a result, Effexor has remained one of the top ten most widely-used antidepressants in the United States.
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What are the side effects?
Taking a higher dose of Effexor can cause your blood pressure to rise significantly. If you have existing problems of hypertension or cardiovascular conditions, you should ask your physician to monitor you on a regular basis. It can also raise the levels of cholesterol in your blood, so checking the level of lipids is also advisable. Do not use Effexor if you have narrow-angle glaucoma or your intraocular pressure is high. Caution is recommended if you suffer from thyroid, kidney or liver disease. You should also discuss Effexor with your physician if you are or plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. More generally, as one of the SNRIs, Effexor may occasionally cause some more mild side effects, including:
- dizziness and headaches;
- excessive gas, nausea and vomiting;
- constipation;
- changes in sleep patterns, sometimes with unusual dreams;
- a physical tremor;
- an increase in levels of anxiety or agitation;
- blurred or double vision; or
- a loss of libido or erectile dysfunction.
The very rare but sometimes fatal side effect of serotonin syndrome can occur if you mix Effexor with any other antidepressants in the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) class such as Nardil or Parnate. This syndrome can arise even if you have stopped taking the MAOI. You should wait at least fourteen days before switching to Effexor. It is an excessive level of serotonin in the brain and it produces confusion (sometimes hallucinations), restlessness or more extreme agitation, rapid changes in blood pressure and heart rate, vomiting and, if not treated, seizure and coma.
None of the SNRIs are classified as addictive but some people do get some headaches and flu-like symptoms when they stop taking Effexor. These symptoms are very manageable and should not worry you.