How to cope with Effexor side effects

Effexor can be a very positive and life changing medication for someone suffering from depression and/or symptoms of anxiety. As with any medication, the side effects of Effexor and EffexorXR can very hard to deal with physically and emotionally. Knowing the side effects of Effexor will make the experience of taking it much easier on both you and your family.

Instructions

• 1

  Sadly, many times when a patient is prescribed a new medication the side effects aren't fully covered. Not knowing all the side effects of any medication can be not only dangerous but also confusing when the patient's body begins to change. Effexor is no different at all in that the side effects need to be explained thoroughly before one begins taking the medication. Education is the first step in dealing with Effexor's side effects if you are one of many who suffer from anxiety and depression on a daily basis.

• 2

  Everyone is different so not everyone will have the same side effects if any at all when taking Effexor. There are 3 major side effects that may have to be dealt with while taking Effexor.

  1.)Insomnia
  2.)Weight gain or Weight loss
  3.)Sexual Dysfunctions

• 3

  The first few days when beginning to take Effexor can be a chore just to get some decent sleep. The body and brain are going through hormonal changes and insomnia can result. Usually the beginning dosage of Effexor is small and only taken once a day so take it in the morning. This will help alleviate any insomnia. You may also feel more energized throughout the day so it is important to relax and unwind before bedtime. Don't try to clean the house or start doing laundry an hour or two before bedtime. Instead go into unwind mode and let your body and mind relax as much as possible.

  Taking Melatonin or drinking Sleepy Time Tea before bedtime will also help greatly reduce any insomnia.

• 4

  As with any anti-depressant, when first beginning to take Effexor your appetite can be non-existent. Hormones are changing in your body and hunger is one of the changes. Your body's overall metabolism is switching gears and this is when you can go from weight loss to weight gain very quickly. Not having an appetite first starting to take Effexor will of course result in weight loss. For many this is great and they have absolutely no problem with shedding a few pounds. Well the downfall of this weight loss is that your body's metabolism will catch up to the non-appetite feeling. When you do regain your appetite your body will want to store everything you eat. This is when the weight gain sets in.

  It's vital that after you regain your appetite that you watch your daily caloric intake. Just because you feel like eating doesn't mean you should throughout the day. Keep track of what and when you are eating. This will help reduce weight gain. Remember that it's much easier to gain weight than to strip it off.

• 5

  If you are in a relationship or sexually active taking Effexor can wreck havoc on your sex life if you are a male. Lowered libido can set in and sex just doesn't cross your mind nearly as much. For your wife/girlfriend this can be confusing and if they don't understand that this is a side effect it can cause hurt feelings. Talk to your significant other and let them know that lowered libido most likely is a result of the Effexor.

• 6

  Impotence is common with anti-depressants and Effexor is no different. With impotence, other sexual side effects for males include:
  -Inability to ejaculate
  -Irregularity in orgasm

  Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor if you begin to have sexual side effects. Many times your doctor may add Wellbutrin to your treatment to help alleviate sexual side effects. There are also drugs like Viagra and **** which can be prescribed so do not let the sexual side effects get your down or depressed. It's not your fault or your significant other's fault. It's simply the Effexor causing a hormonal change.