Posted by SLS on July 5, 2005, at 8:52:03
In reply to Re: Any Info on Cold Turkey Effexor w/Wellbutrin XL, posted by SLS on July 5, 2005, at 8:40:38
I forgot to give some details as to why Wellbutrin would not prevent a withdrawal syndrome from appearing from the abrupt discontinuation of Effexor. Wellbutrin and Effexor do not share any mechanism of action. Most of the withdrawal symptoms associated with Effexor are due to its serotonin reuptake blockade. Wellbutring does not do this, so there is no buffering of, or substitution for, this serotonin effect when Effexor is removed.
One thing that you can do to ease the discontinuation process is to use a drug that does act as a buffer and substitutes for Effexor. Prozac is the most effective drug to substitute for Effexor. You can switch over to Prozac for a short while and then taper that drug. Its maintenance of blood levels is much smoother and long lasting, and the withdrawal symptoms much reduced as the Prozac leaves the system much more slowly. You may only have to take Prozac for a week.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:523534
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050611/msgs/523657.html