Effexor XR

Effexor XR is a strong antidepressant which is used to improve your mood, give you a sense of well being, even out your energy level, and decrease your nervousness.

The drug is used to treat several conditions. It is given to people who have severe depression, anxiety, and panic attacks.

EffexorXR (generic name is Venlafaxine) has been on the market for over 10 years and has been studied and researched well. The drug company that made this drug is Wyeth.

It is a relatively safe drug if used as directed by your doctor. Effexor adjusts the levels of two chemicals in your brain, these are serotonin and norepinephrine.

In my practice I have seen this medicine work well in most people. Most people have the usual side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and headache. These are side effects that will go away usually within two weeks.

You should take this drug with food. If you have a seizure disorder this drug should not be your doctor’s first choice. This drug can increase seizure activity. If you are prone to mania, again this drug should be used cautiously. EffexorXR can send you into a mania crisis.

As with all new drugs introduced to your system, start with small does and increase to the desired amount gradually. And when it is time to stop the medicine, wean off it or you will have withdraw symptoms and more importantly, you may have a rebound depression and become suicidal. Remember this is a very strong antidepressant.

Now let’s go to the side effects. Once you see this list you can see that your doctor must weight the benefits of the drug verses the dangers of the drug.

Never take this medicine if you are allergic to it. This can cause respiratory distress and you will end up in the ER.

EffexorXR can cause: headache, sleepiness, weakness, dry mouth, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, blurred vision, glaucoma, anxiety or nervousness, trouble sleeping, increased perspiration, yawning, increased blood pressure, fainting, severe pounding headache, severe mood changes, tremor, thoughts of suicide, decreased interest in sex, changes in sexual ability, difficulty urinating, and change in the amount of urine. Serious side effects include stomach pain, chest pain, persistent cough, shortness of breath, bloody/black/tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, easy bleeding and bruising, fast irregular heart beat, muscle weakness or cramping, yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin, dark urine, and seizures.

Lastly, serotonin syndrome is very serious. This syndrome includes hallucinations, restlessness, loss of coordination, fast heart beat, dizziness, unexplained fever, severe nausea and vomiting, twitchy muscles, and for men a prolonged erection.

If overdose is suspected go directly to your ER. You can also call the national poison hotline 1-800-222-1222 to ask for advice.

My advice to you if you need an antidepressant, is to talk it over with your doctor, educate yourself on your illness and on the drugs that will help control your illness. Ask many questions so that you understand what you are taking, why you are taking the drug, and how it will help you.

Because the HMO’s have made us consumers of health care you can not be too careful when receiving treatment from a doctor. You must know ‘why’ things are being done to your body. Trust your doctor, but make sure he or she teachs you ‘why.’

Tags: antidepressants