Can Side Effects Occur If I Miss A Dose Of Effexor Xr Or If I Stop Taking It
Yes, its possible that missing a dose of Effexor XR or stopping your treatment suddenly may cause certain side effects.
In particular, stopping treatment suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Examples of withdrawal symptoms that may occur if you stop taking Effexor XR include:
If you miss a dose of Effexor XR, take it as soon as you remember. But if its almost time for your next dose, skip your missed dose and take your next dose on your regular schedule. You shouldnt take two doses of Effexor XR to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could raise your risk for side effects.
If youre interested in stopping your Effexor XR treatment, talk with your doctor first. Theyll likely want to decrease your dose slowly so that you dont experience any withdrawal symptoms.
In most cases, your doctor will decrease your dose by 75 milligrams per week until youre not taking the drug anymore. But be sure to follow your doctors recommendation for decreasing your dose and stopping treatment.
Because some withdrawal symptoms may be serious, you should not stop taking Effexor XR without first talking with your doctor. They can help you safely stop your treatment.
Coverage And Cost Comparison Of Effexor Vs Zoloft
Effexor XR, the more popularly prescribed type of Effexor, is covered by most insurance and Medicare prescription plans. The generic version will have a lower copay, and the brand name may have a higher copay or may not be covered. The out-of-pocket price of a typical prescription of 30, 150 mg generic capsules is about $140. You can use a free SingleCare card to buy the generic prescription for around $15.
Zoloft is usually covered by both insurance and Medicare prescription plans. Generic Zoloft will have a lower copay, whereas brand name may have a higher copay or may not be covered at all. The out-of-pocket cost of Zoloft is about $32 for 30 tablets of 100 mg generic sertraline tablets. You can use a free SingleCare card to lower the price to $10 for generic Zoloft.
As insurance plans vary and are subject to change, contact your health insurance plan for current coverage information.
Source: DailyMed , DailyMed
Drug Interactions Of Effexor Vs Zoloft
MAO inhibitors should not be used within 14 days of Effexor or Zoloft. The combination may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a life-threatening medical emergency due to excess serotonin. Triptans used to treat migraines, as well as other antidepressants, opioids, dextromethorphan, or St. Johnâs wort should not be used in combination with Effexor or Zoloft due to the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Motrin, and aspirin, or anticoagulants such as warfarin, should not be taken with Effexor or Zoloft because of increased bleeding risk.
Do not drink alcohol while taking Effexor or Zoloft.
Other drug interactions may occur. Consult your healthcare provider for a full list of drug interactions.
Aspirin
| Yes |
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Do Side Effects From Effexor Xr Vary Depending On The Strength I Take
Its possible. You may have an increased risk for side effects if youre taking a higher dose of Effexor XR. This is because theres more medication in your body, and it may have a greater effect on you.
Effexor XR is available in strengths of 37.5 milligrams , 75 mg, and 150 mg. In most cases, the maximum recommended dose of Effexor XR is 225 mg per day. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a dose as high as 300 mg per day. But this is not an FDA-approved dose.
You should always take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Theyll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
If youre experiencing side effects from Effexor XR, talk with your doctor. They may want to lower your dose to see if this helps reduce your side effects.
What Is Effexor Xr
Effexor XR is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor . It is commonly prescribed for depression treatment, in particular, prevention of its relapse. Effexor XR is also indicated for use in anxiety, and panic disorder. Today, it comes in extended-release capsules that allow reducing the number of intakes per day. Effexor, a previous formula, was discontinued by Pfizer.
It fits a long-term application. Depending on the health condition Effexor XR is prescribed for, the effect can be felt within 4-12 weeks on average.
Effexor XR is not a controlled medication.
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Why Is This Medication Prescribed
Venlafaxine is used to treat depression. Venlafaxine extended-release capsules are also used to treat generalized anxiety disorder , social anxiety disorder , and panic disorder . Venlafaxine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors . It works by increasing the amounts of serotonin and norepinephrine, natural substances in the brain that help maintain mental balance.
Lets Get Specific: Which Ssri/snri Medications Are Best For Which Anxiety Conditions
What does it mean to be FDA approved? Before they can be marketed, prescription medicines must go through an extensive approval process to prove that they work and that their benefits outweigh their risks. It takes an average of 12 years for a new drug to hit the pharmacy shelves, and hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on research, development, and clinical trials. Note that the FDA does not actually perform testing it only reviews the testing process.
The FDAs decision to approve a medication is supported by reliable scientific data. A long, detailed document accompanies every FDA-approved prescription drug, referred to as the package insert or label. The approved label provides key information about the medication that includes the specific conditions that the drug is approved to treat as well as dosage and safety info.
Healthcare providers may choose to prescribe a medication for an off-label or unapproved use when they judge that it is medically appropriate for their patients. Off-label prescribing is very common for the treatment of various types of anxiety disorders but typically not before trying first-line options.
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Effexor Xr For Major Depressive Disorder
Effexor XR is FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder in adults. MDD is a condition thats thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain. It can also be linked to life events, such as losing your job or the loss of a loved one.
Symptoms of MDD can include:
- loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- feeling sad
- trouble sleeping or wanting to sleep more than usual
- feeling emotionally numb
Your doctor may diagnose you with MDD if you have these or other related symptoms nearly every day for at least 2 weeks.
Effectiveness for MDD
Effexor XR has been found to be effective in treating MDD.
In clinical studies, its effectiveness was measured using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression . The HAM-D scale measures how severe a persons depression is. There is a maximum of 52 points on the scale. Scores of 17 to 23 indicate moderate depression. Scores of 24 and higher indicate severe depression.
A decrease in HAM-D scores indicates an improvement in depression symptoms.
In clinical studies, people took either a placebo or Effexor XR. The doses of Effexor XR ranged from 75 mg to 225 mg per day.
- At the end of an 8-week study, HAM-D scores decreased by 4.45 more points in the Effexor XR group than in the placebo group.
- At the end of a 12-week study, HAM-D scores decreased by 6.40 more points in the Effexor XR group than in the placebo group.
Can I Use Effexor Or Zoloft While Pregnant
Taking Effexor or Zoloft in the third trimester can cause serious complications to the baby, resulting in prolonged hospitalizations, tube feeding, and breathing support. Effexor or Zoloft is only prescribed in pregnancy when the benefits outweigh risks and if no other safer alternative is available. If you are already taking Effexor or Zoloft and find out that you are pregnant, contact your healthcare provider for medical advice.
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Is My Risk For Side Effects Higher The First Week Im Taking Effexor Xr
Its possible. You may experience more side effects in your first week of treatment with Effexor XR. But not everyone will experience side effects, and side effects can be different for each person.
When you first start taking a new medication, your body has to get used to it. So in the first week, you may experience more side effects. It takes about 3 days for Effexor XR to reach a consistent level in your blood. During this time that your body is adjusting, you may have a higher risk for side effects.Side effects that you experience may also depend on other medical conditions you have or other medications you take. If you have questions about what to expect when you first start taking Effexor XR, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other Snris Ssris And Medications For Anxiety
Effexor is one of several antidepressants used to treat generalized anxiety disorder and other forms of anxiety.
If youve been diagnosed with a form of anxiety, your healthcare provider may suggest using one of several different types of medication.
In addition to Effexor, other medications that are commonly used to treat anxiety include:
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Worsening Symptoms Of Depression
Patients with major depressive disorder may experience a worsening of depression, agitation and other symptoms, including thoughts of suicide, especially at the beginning of the treatment
Those caring for these patients are urged to monitor carefully for these signs and to contact a physician at once if they occur.
How To Take Effexor Xr
A doctor individually prescribes Effexor XR based on age, symptoms, and health condition.
Depression treatment. The initial dosage is 75mg/per day.
Anxiety and panic disorder treatment. The initial dosage is 75/mg daily, however, a doctor may suggest starting with 37.5mg per day during the first days to adjust to the treatment.
Effexor XR dosage should be taken with food in the morning or evening. Make a habit of taking a capsule at the same time every day. Swallow a capsule and wash it down with lots of water. Do not chew it or crush it.
If you believe you overdosed, seek emergency help immediately .
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What Are The Possible Side Effects
Effexor XR adverse effects may be linked to problems with sexual function. You may have erectile dysfunction, and experience lack of libido. Also, during the treatment with this medication, you may face the following side effects:
- nausea
- confusion
- mood swings.
Some studies have reported that the discontinuation of treatment with Venlafaxine may lead to impairment in driving ability. Do not discontinue the use of the medication without your doctors approval if your drive.
Effexor XR has a potentiality to increase suicidal thinking in adults. Caution is required.
There were 20 reports of overdose events with Effexor XR with the symptoms of somnolence, nausea, numbness of extremities. Some of the events were associated with interactions of alcohol.
Diagnosis Of Panic Disorder
The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, text revised , criteria for the diagnosis of panic disorder are shown in . Panic disorder may be associated with agoraphobia, defined as anxiety about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing, or in which help may not be available in the event of having an unexpected or situationally-predisposed panic attack or panic-like symptoms .
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Effexor Xr And Lab Tests
Effexor XR can cause false-positive results for certain drug tests, such as tests for phencyclidine or amphetamine/methamphetamine. This means that your drug test can show a positive result for PCP or amphetamines even though you did not use either of these drugs.
However, in case of a false-positive result, a second test can be done to rule out the use of PCP and amphetamines.
False-positive results can happen for several days after your last dose of Effexor XR. If you take Effexor XR and need to take a drug test, be sure to tell the test administrator about all medications you take. They will use this information when interpreting your test results.
Scenarios When Effexor May Be Practical For Hot Flashes
There are really only a couple scenarios when it makes logical sense to use Effexor as a treatment for hot flashes. The first case would be among individuals diagnosed with major depression and/or an anxiety disorder who is experiencing hot flashes. The second case would be among individuals who have pursued all medically recommended first-line treatments for hot flashes, as well as alternative interventions without any relief.
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Are There Any Major Differences Between Effexor And Other Mental Health Medications
Effexor is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor . SNRIs work by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. The extended-release version of the medication is also prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. If you have bipolar disorder and take an SNRI, you may be at risk for triggering a manic episode if you are not also taking a mood stabilizer. Talk to your doctor about your specific symptoms, other health concerns, and other medications you take so they can make the best recommendation for your condition and symptoms.
Side Effects Of Pristiq For Anxiety
SNRIs increase adrenaline activity in the body. Many believe that some people may actually experience an increase in their anxiety symptoms – especially their physical anxiety symptoms – if they go on a drug like Pristiq. Be careful about taking any drug and monitor how you feel. If you think your anxiety gets worse on Pristiq, contact your doctor immediately.
Also, all antidepressants run the risk of causing the opposite effect – increasing depression and suicidal ideation. If for any reason you feel more depressed or suicidal on Pristiq, contact your doctor as quickly as possible, as this may be a side effect of the medication.
According to research, nausea appears to be the most common side effect of Pristiq. As many as 30% of those taking the drug report nausea that was severe enough to discontinue its use.
Other side effects include:
- Increased Cholesterol
- Seizures
Nausea still appears to be the most common problem with Pristiq. The drug is otherwise fairly well-tolerated.
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Effexor Vs Lexapro For Anxiety
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