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Effexor Effectiveness

Effexor is an antidepressant used to treat depression and, in some cases, anxiety. Also known as venlafaxine, Effexor must be taken with several considerations in mind. For many people, Effexor can mean relief of the symptoms of depression. However, in a small number of cases, this medication can worsen antidepressant symptoms.

  1. Depression

    • Depression is a medical condition describing a general feeling of despair. Symptoms include feelings of suicide, hopelessness, too much or not enough sleep, and changes in eating habits. If you think you have depression, you should talk to your doctor, who may either prescribe antidepressants or refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist.

    Antidepressants

    • Antidepressants operate by adjusting chemistry in the brain, allowing the body to more effectively absorb brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. There are several types of antidepressants, the major types including tricyclics, MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), and SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). Effexor is an SNRI, the family of antidepressants that increases the brain's ability to absorb the chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine.

    Side effects

    • The most common side effects of SNRIs are sleepiness, dry mouth, nausea, changes in appetite, headache, fever, chills, constipation, weird dreams, lightheadedness, and blurred vision. Effexor may increase blood pressure, so you should get checked regularly. In the smallest of cases, especially in those under 25, Effexor can cause worsening of feelings including thoughts of suicide.

    Dosage

    • Effexor is commonly prescribed in daily doses of 75 mg or 150 mg. Be sure to take only the prescribed dosage and do not skip doses. if you forget a dose, take your prescribed amount as soon as you remember, but do not take a double dose. Consult your doctor before going off of Effexor.

    Other considerations

    • Effexor will have certain reactions with other drugs, so it is important to keep your doctor updated on which medications you are taking. Alcohol also should be avoided or consumed with caution while taking Effexor as it can intensify the effects of your antidepressant.

    Effectiveness

    • Whether Effexor will be effective for you will depend on your individual body. There isn't a cookie cutter solution for every depression case, and it can take trial and error before reaching a solution. Combining Effexor with healthy eating, exercising and psychotherapy may increase your chances of success with Effexor. It also takes several weeks for Effexor to kick in, and you may have to experiment with various doses before settling on a solution.

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