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Side Effects
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Overall Rating
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Pricing
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3.20
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6.07
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5.43
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Recommended By
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Average Purchase
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67% of reviewers
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$10.38
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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15
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3802
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Sun October 1, 2006
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Effexor®
Generic Name: Venlafaxine VEN-la-fax-een
Drug Class: Antidepressants, miscellaneous | | Contents | Description | This medicine is used for treatment of depression. Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine to help relieve, anxiety, tension or to help you sleep. Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for other conditions as well.
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| | General Information | | This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. Top of page
| | Proper use of this medicine | Follow the directions given to by your doctor. This medicine should be taken orally on a regular basis. It is best that that you take this medicine at bedtime unless otherwise directed by your doctor. The extended-release tablet and capsule should be swallowed whole. Do not chew, divide, or crush the extended-release tablet or capsule.
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| | Missed Dose | Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.
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| | Storage | Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
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| | Possible Side Effects | - dizziness, drowsiness
- agitation, confusion
- Consult your doctor immediately if you experience prolonged and painful erections.
- Expected side effects are increased appetite and weight gain.
- drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness
- dry mouth
- Unreported side effects are possible, talk to your healthcare provider if any other symptoms occur.
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| | Warnings/Precautions | - Do NOT stop taking this medicine abruptly.
- This medicine may cause dizziness or drowsiness.
- Alcoholic beverages can increase the effects of this medicine and should be avoided.
- Don't drive or perform other tasks that require concentration, until you know how this medicine affects you.
- This medicine can increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in some children and teens. Parents of children taking antidepressants should watch for signs of worsening depression or unusual changes in behavior.
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| | Overdose | Seek medical attention immediately. U.S. residents can call the national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
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| | Drug Interactions | - Before taking any new prescription or over-the-counter medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Taking this medicine together with diazepam (Valium) may impair movement ability.
Avoid using this medicine with MAO inhibitors. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you if you are taking an MAO inhibitor.
- Talk to your doctor if you are taking certain antibiotics such as erythromycin, clarithromycin or azithromycin. This medicine should not be taken with MAO inhibitors.
- Let your doctor know if you are taking any vitamin supplements or herbal products. St. John’s Wort should be avoided while taking fluvoxamine due to the increased side effects of too much serotonin.
- MAO inhibitors should not be taken while taking the following drugs:
- Tell your doctor if you are taking other antidepressants, medications for blood pressure, medications for diabetes, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, vitamins or herbs.
- This medicine may increase the affects antihypertensive drugs, drugs with sedative effects, phenytoin (Dilantin) or fosphenytoin (Celebyx) and tramadol (Ultram).
- Do not take MAO inhibitors type A with this medicine. If you are not sure if you are taking an MAO inhibitor, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Certain other antidepressants, clozapine (Clozaril), haloperidol (Haldol), lithium, trazadone, and others may increase the risk of seizures. BEFORE taking any new prescription or over-the-counter medicine, talk to your health care provider.
- Patients taking MAO inhibitors should not be take this medicine.
- Nafazodone can decrease the effects of clonidine, methyldopa, diuretics (water pills), warfarin and drugs used to lower blood sugar (hypoglycemics). This medicine can increase the toxic effects of; terfenadine, astemizole, fluoxetine (Prozac), triazolam, alprazolam (Xanax) and phenytoin (Dilantin). Do not take this medicine within 14 days of stopping MAO inhibitors. If you are not sure what an MAO inhibitor is, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. If you are currently taking any of these medicines, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if Nefazodone is right for you.
- Possible drug interactions may occur with phenobarbital causing a decrease in the effect of the medications. Severe blood pressure problems and seizure can occur with taken with MAO inhibitors.
- Talk with your physician or pharmacist if you are taking other medications.
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| | Pregnancy/Nursing | If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, before taking this medicine talk to your doctor about the benefits versus the risks to your pregnancy.
In testing with animals, studies show delayed bone development. Use this medicine only if it clearly necessary. It is advised not to take this medicine while nursing. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
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| | More Information | Antidepressant medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental/mood disorders. These medications can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other benefits. However, studies have shown that a small number of people (especially children/teenages) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. Therefore, it is very important to talk with a doctor about the risks and benefits of antidepressant medication, even if the treatment is not for a mental condition. Tell your doctor immediatley if you notice worsening depression, unusual behavior changes, (including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts), or other mental/mood changes. Be especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed.
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| Copyright 2006 PharmClips, Inc. All rights reserved. www.pharmclips.com | This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This is general information and should not in any event be construed as specific instructions for individual patients. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. The reader is advised to check with their health care provider before making any changes in their drug regimen.
Last reviewed:
On 8 Aug 2006
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
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Achieve
Visitor
Registered: June 2006
Posts: 9
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Review Date: Sat July 1, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: $20.00| Rating: 7
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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works as both a anti anxiety/ anti depressant
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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sexual side effects and light headedness
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works well if you can tolerate the side effects. If you're bi-polar take it with a mood stabilizer.
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Zen888
Poohbah
Registered: October 2005
Posts: 1396
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Review Date: Sun July 2, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 0
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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None
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Feel worse then when started taking medication
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This medication is scientically proven to be bad for your body and is over prescribed by many doctors.
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Butterfly_Faerie
Grand Poohbah
Registered: March 2004
Posts: 1551
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Review Date: Fri August 11, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 10
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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It helped alot with my anxiety and depression with minimal or zero side effects
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Getting used to the medications side effect wise wasn't fun.
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Buying this perscription can sometimes be expensive for me, when you don't work etc, but i'm on a drug plan that helps to pay for it, I pay in quarters hense the wide rang in price.
Overall this drug so far has been the best one i've been on for my depression and anxiety. I've been dealing with meds for 10+ yrs so to finally find something that seems to be working all of the time is a great feeling.
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emma_jayne
Visitor
Registered: August 2006
Posts: 43
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Review Date: Thu August 17, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 4
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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once it starts working it works well and done the job
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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i personally experianced extreme side effects on effexor and when coming of them slowly as directed by my doctor i would pysically shake and had extreme withdrawal symtoms.
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When effexor had taking effect after 2-3 weeks it was a life saver and it did work really well for me, however I personally found effexor hard to cope with when starting them (getting used the side effects)and weening my self of the (coping with the withdrawles. However effexor effects people differently and might not have the same effect on other people.
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SongBirdandDaisy
Grand Poohbah
Registered: January 2006
Posts: 1603
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Review Date: Fri September 1, 2006
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 2
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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I had more good days than bad days on Effexor than anyother anti-depressant
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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side effects included terrible itching, uncontrolled sugar cravings, extreme anxiety, irritability
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It did work for depression, but the mood was unstable, going up and down constantly. The side-effects, especially weight gain was intolerable. The anxiety and irritability was affecting everything in my life. Sleeping was also very difficult and I had to readjust when to take in the evening.
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candybear
Grand Magnate
Registered: April 2004
Posts: 3161
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Review Date: Fri September 8, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 10
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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last lineof defense for treatment-resistant depression
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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THE BRAIN ZAPS!!!
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Effexor literally has saved my life. Which is not to say I haven't gotten severely depressed on it, but I credit it with being the reason I'm still walking around on the planet.
I only experienced the brain zaps -- kind of like a lightning storm in your head, very unsettling and uncomfortable -- when being cold-turkeyed off it for physical illness reasons. I don't get them as a normal part of taking the med (which I got put back on at a reduced dose).
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tiger78
Junior Member
Registered: September 2006
Posts: 7
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Review Date: Sat September 9, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: $0.75| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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works within about 5 to 7 days and side effects do subside
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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side effects are tough to handle at first - you can not work and begin this med
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I started taking this med at night because I thought it made me sleepy. About 10 days into my treatment I moved it to the am because I was waking every night at 1:00 am and unable to go back to sleep even taking Lunesta. This drug complete zapped my appetite - and I lost 15 pounds in a month. So make sure if you are not eating to at least supplement your diet with protien shakes. That will help your body get the nutrients to help your brain. PLease note - and I learned this the very hard way - alcohol in a large amount will deplete the cummulative effects of Effexor and you will START THE PROCESS OVER GETTING YOUR SYSTEM READJUSTED. I have just completed the readjusted process and again went through all side effects that have generally passed. But I do caution you on the alcohol - don't think they stress that as much as they should.
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fayerody
Legendary
Registered: June 2004
Posts: 14818
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Review Date: Sat September 9, 2006
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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none
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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i lost 38 lbs. didn't eat but every two or three days
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effexor, for me, was the worst AD that i know about. coming off of it took months and i thought i was going to die while tapering.
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mybestkids2
Veteran Member
Registered: September 2006
Posts: 344
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Review Date: Mon September 11, 2006
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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none
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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all
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Did NOT work for me.
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DizzyLizzy
Member
Registered: August 2006
Posts: 20
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Review Date: Mon September 11, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 9
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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did help depression and anxiety
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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nausea, hard to taper off of
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I found Effexor to be helpful for my anxiety and depression, but the nausea side effect started causing weight loss. Tapering off to discontinue the medication was difficult in terms of side effects. The worst tapering side effect were headaches and a buzzing/zapping in my head and body. Overall, I think it's a great med, until you have to stop taking it.
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jmo531
Elder
Registered: December 2004
Posts: 6056
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Review Date: Wed September 13, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 9
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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helps me with my anxiety, ocd and depression
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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in the begining the vivid, weird dreams. Sexual side effects.
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I have had a good experience with Effexor XR. I did have horrible dreams when first taking this medication but it did stop shortly there after. I have forgotten to take the medication a few times which has caused huge headaches. Even increasing or decreasing this med dosage can have that effect. Overall, I am pleased with the medication and the results I have had.
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eskielover
Poohbah
Registered: October 2004
Posts: 1435
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Review Date: Thu September 14, 2006
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 5
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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dizziness, migraine pain, lack of appetite
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Effexor was another medication that effected my blood pressure. The nausea causing the lack of appetite was causing even lower weight loss. The migraine pain didn't go away with time either, so again, this med was stopped. It was tried again about a year later with the same effects.
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darkeyes
Wise Elder
Registered: May 2001
Posts: 9055
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Review Date: Fri September 15, 2006
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 4
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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subtle improvment
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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caused drowsiness,blunted emotion,just didn't seem to address my depression
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This was one of the different SSRI's my GP tried with me,none made a huge different.
Being evaluated by a psychiatrist,and put on proper meds has been the thing that helped me.
GP's aren't qualified to substitute a Psychiatrist.
This is one of the reasons many aren't having such huge success with the SSRI's,you need to have a professional in the mental health field work with you,dosaing and possible change or adding a med. Effexor,Zoloft,Paxil,Prozac,Lexapro,Celexa,etc. are medications that too many GP's are handing out like lollipops. I'm sure SSRI's if properly prescribed,followed,and if the patient goes for some form of therapy can help.
Another down fall with SSRI's,they poop out after awhile,which in time a change in med will be needed.
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halfdead
Visitor
Registered: September 2006
Posts: 2
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Review Date: Sun September 17, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 10
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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The BEST AD for extreme Depression
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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For BP you MUST be on mood stabilizer
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I've been on Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin, plus a couple others I can't remember the name of and none of them worked like this does. I would only recommend it for extreme depression. And for BP it will cause mania if not taken with good mood stabilizers.
Also this has very severe withdrawl effects.
IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW THIS ALREADY... EFFEXOR IS NOT A SSRI EFFEXOR IS A SNRI....
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Ellavemia
Visitor
Registered: October 2006
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Sun October 1, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 5
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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helped depression at first
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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required increasing dosages, not working as effectively as it did
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At 300 mg of Effexor XR per day, I am not seeing the results that I once had. I'm not sure if the lack of libido is attributed to Effexor. I'm also not sure if my weight gain is associated with the drug, but I have gained weight since going on it.
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