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Using Antidepressants Like Effexor

About the Antidepressant Medication Called Effexor

May 18, 2009 Jennifer Marsh

There are plenty of antidepressants to choose from. Effexor is a SSNRI.

Effexor is among the more common antidepressants prescribed by psychiatrists for the effects of depression, which can include moodiness, feelings of inadequacies and poor self worth. Most people go through bouts of depression, but they soon snap out of the sad state. For others, depression is a longterm problem.

For people who suffer from severe depression, there is a daily battle with suicidal thoughts to feelings of complete apathy. Antidepressants help people with these feelings by altering brain's chemistry.

Antidepressants such as Effexor are a part of the category called SSNRI’s (selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).

Antidepressant's Mode of Action

Antidepressants such as Effexor work by inhibiting the neurotransmitters in the brain that control mood. If serotonin is low, mood is also "low" and it has been shown to cause depression in patients.

Antidepressants such as Effexor inhibit the reuptake of this neurotransmitter which creates more serotonin in the brain. This has been shown to improve mood and eliminate the symptoms of severe depression in many patients.

Side Effects of the Antidepressant Effexor

Antidepressants such as Effexor have been more recently introduced, so they have fewer side effects than their sister drug category, SSRI’s. Some common side effects of these antidepressants include nausea, drowsiness, and occasionally, severe headaches.

Many patients who use these antidepressants also experience decreased appetite, even though many report that they easily gain weight. As a matter of fact, weight gain is among the most common complaints from many patients who are on antidepressant medication.

In addition, any patient who wishes to stop the use of antidepressants should consider tapering since a form of withdrawal known as “discontinuing syndrome” is common. Patients should never discontinue a medication without first consulting the prescribing physician.

Antidepressants and Other Inhibitor Drugs

Antidepressants like Effexor that inhibit the reuptake of serotonin have serious side effects that can even cause death if taken with certain other drugs.

Effexor should not be taken with other antidepressants, nor should it be taken with organic or natural mood boosters such as St. John’s Wort. If taken with other serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antidepressants can cause a dangerous and fatal condition called serotonin syndrome.

Additionally, illegal drugs such as Ecstacy are also work as a reuptake inhibitor and should not be taken with Effexor.

If taken properly, Effexor is an effective antidepressant in many patients, improving mood and helping chronically depressed patients to recover. Consult your physician if you believe you are experiencing symptoms of depression.

Sources:

The copyright of the article Using Antidepressants Like Effexor in Personality/Anxiety/Mood Disorders is owned by Jennifer Marsh. Permission to republish Using Antidepressants Like Effexor in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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Jun 19, 2009 12:34 AM
Guest :
The "discontinuation syndrome" listed above does not even come close to describing the experiences of many who choose to withdraw from Effexor. Before deciding to use this drug or ANY antidepressant, PLEASE do your homework, research the pros and the cons, and gather information from as many different sources as possible. You may save yourself much more pain than you find yourself feeling prior to trying anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medications.
Nov 5, 2009 1:09 AM
Guest :
The withdrawal is like nothing on earth!! It is horrendous.............I have been on Effexor for 5 years and cannot get off them............If i had my chance i would have never went on them in the 1st place........but i chose to trust my doctor!!!!??!!
Dec 27, 2009 2:39 AM
Guest :
Originally Effexor was prescribed for a mild depression. In the first time it helped me to handle my depression. I took it for 6 yrs till the drug seemed to lose it's effectiveness. I decided to wean off. It was the nightmare of my life. For a period of 1 year i had insomnia, nausea an loss of appitite. I lost 7 kg of weight. Yet after 2 1/2 yrs of discontinuation i still have memory problems and fatigue. I think i was depended on effexor and it was the greatest challenge to wean off this drug
Jan 4, 2010 1:24 PM
Guest :
Do some research on the debilitating withdrawl symptoms and the side effects such as major liver damage and permanent nerve damage that causes muscle spasms. The withdrawl is so horrible that the majority of people who want off simply cannot. Many people have more severe sucidial thoughts when stopping and wish they were dead if not by their own hand by someones else. Effxor is a poison that NO ONE should start and most doctors are clueless so do your own research first and goto posts by other patients.
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