Recently Answered Questions
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Will stopping Effexor worsen panic disorder?
Query: Hi doctor, Seven years back, for two years, I had a complete breakdown with agoraphobia, panic attacks, weight loss, anxiety, depression. Little bouts throughout the prior ten years but they only last two weeks or few days. Nearly three years on Effexor for the panic disorder after a breakdown. I h... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. You have panic disorder. There is non-pharmacological management for it. However, it would help if you tried to follow the below guidelines to deal with it. It will help you: 1) You should do exercises daily for 30 to 45 minutes, like going for a walk. 2) You should d... Read Full »
Kindly have a look at my ECG and explain.
Query: Hello doctor, I was recently told that I have nothing to worry about with my heart but when I received a copy of my ECG online I see a number of odd beats and am looking for a second opinion. My heart feels like it stops for a second and then there is a number of fast beats followed by a very stron... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your ECG (electrocardiogram) results (attachment removed to protect patient identity). They are PVCs (premature ventricular contractions). Majority of the time, they are of benign origin and does not pose a threat. Some of the common causes could ... Read Full »
I am facing loss of libido and low sex drive on having SNRI. What can I do?
Query: Hello doctor,I have a current issue that I cannot find a solution for the last five years. I suffered from anxiety a debilitating one, and after trying many SSRI, nothing worked except Effexor SNRI, which reduced the stress. Now the problem is that I have no libido and sex drive and all the associat... Read Full »
Answer: Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.You may be aware that SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) like Effexor are good at managing anxiety, but it can cause sexual side effects in some people. As your local psychiatrists said, it is also typ... Read Full »
Will I get discontinuation syndrome if I cut on Effexor?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a male. My height is 72 inches, and my weight is 182 pounds. I am seeing a psychiatrist for dysthymia, MDD, and ADHD. I have been on Effexor for three years and in the last year, on 300 milligrams. It has helped tremendously, but I do not want to be on medication forever. I feel like... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your situation. I want to ask if you are taking the above medications under psychiatrist observation or self-medication. You can taper off Effexor, but it takes time as you are on a high dose, like 300 milligrams. You take 225 milligrams for six weeks, ... Read Full »
Can Strattera and Effexor be taken together?
Query: Hi doctor, I have been taking Effexor XR 300 mg for depression. It has been working really well. My psychiatrist has now prescribed me Strattera for ADHD. I am about to start 25 mg and work my way upto 80 mg over a few weeks. Strattera and Effexor both seem to inhibit Norepinephrine reuptake. Is i... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You may know that Effexor XR is effective against depression and Strattera is used to manage ADHD. Sometimes both are prescribed together when you have ADHD along with depression. Your psychiatrist is following a safe approach of starting on a low dose of Strattera (... Read Full »
Is increased anxiety a normal side effect of Effexor?
Query: Hello doctor, I am currently on 37.5 mg of Effexor and 7.5 of Mirtazapine. I started Effexor about 10 days ago, my anxiety has increased since starting, and I am taking Klonopin to help with that. Is increased anxiety a normal side effect when starting Effexor? I am also having nausea, dry mouth, a... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Some people can experience worsening of anxiety when starting Effexor (Venlafaxine) also nausea, and dry mouth can happen as well. They usually settle by two to three weeks. You are only on a low starting dose so hopefully should settle in due course. Discuss with your... Read Full »
I am suffering from withdrawal symptoms after I stopped taking antidepressants. Please help me.
Query: Hello doctor, I think I am going through withdrawal symptoms because of antidepressants. My doctor says I should not undergo these symptoms but I really think I am going through them. I was taking Effexor but then I stopped taking it and I feel awful. I was trying to switch from Effexor to Wellbutri... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Venlafaxine is known to cause withdrawal symptoms and it cannot be just stopped like that in the first place. There are different ways to try to stop it. I would suggest: Switch from Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (Venlafaxine) to a TCA (tricyclic a... Read Full »
Is Effexor safe for chronic anxiety?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 34-year-old woman, and I have chronic anxiety that is getting worse and worse as years go by. Yesterday was the first day I went to a psychiatrist. He told me that I have a generalized anxiety disorder, and he prescribed me Effexor, and he said that it is a beta-blocker. He said... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Effexor (Venlafaxine) is SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) class of drug that is used to treat depression, anxiety disorder, and panic attacks. This drug is helpful in managing your problem but as you mentioned it has few side effects but usually go away... Read Full »
Can 2 mg Abilify help to get off 37.5 Effexor?
Query: Hello doctor, Can Abilify (2 mg) help me get off 37.5 mg Effexor? That is what my psychiatrist prescribed. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. You are taking a minimum dose of Effexor on alternate days, and it is relatively easier to get off from this dose. But you are not able to get off from the drug. Abilify is Aripiprazole and is an antipsychotic drug. In a low dose, the drug might help to ease withdrawal... Read Full »
Is my speech and thinking difficulty due to a change in the dosage of tablet Effexor?
Query: Hello doctor, I recently increased my medication dosage of tablet Lithium from 450 mg to 900 mg. My lithium level was 0.4 before increasing the dose. Also, the dosage of the tablet Zyprexa has been increased, and the tablet Effexor has been decreased. However, I am noticing a difficulty in word-find... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern and would be happy to help. Let me know if the dosage adjustments were made by a psychiatrist or yourself? Decreasing the dosage of tablet Effexor (Venlafaxine) all of a sudden would cause speech and thinking difficulties. I suggest you to avo... Read Full »