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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Blossom on November 5, 2005, at 21:34:11
Hi folks,
I don't spend too much time here, but I thought this might be worth throwing out there. I have been taking Effexor for almost two years now. I began taking Zyrtec this summer for seasonal allergies. The problem is that I would get SOOOO HUNGRY all the time whenever I took the Zyrtec. Finally, after taking it for a month, I couldn't stand it anymore and quit. I usually take the Zyrtec in the evening along with the effexor (NOT XR) By the afternoon following the first missed dose, I was already feeling queasy, dizzy, and that shocking feeling, even though I was still taking the effexor. My P-doc says he definitely thinks there is some kind of drug interaction with the Effexor, (I think that the Zyrtec somehow made the Effexor more potent) but I can't find any specific information about it. Has anyone else experienced this?
Definitely something to be aware of anyway, for all you allergy sufferers.
Blossom
Posted by KaraS on November 5, 2005, at 22:58:44
In reply to Effexor-Zyrtec drug interactions, posted by Blossom on November 5, 2005, at 21:34:11
> Hi folks,
>
> I don't spend too much time here, but I thought this might be worth throwing out there. I have been taking Effexor for almost two years now. I began taking Zyrtec this summer for seasonal allergies. The problem is that I would get SOOOO HUNGRY all the time whenever I took the Zyrtec. Finally, after taking it for a month, I couldn't stand it anymore and quit. I usually take the Zyrtec in the evening along with the effexor (NOT XR) By the afternoon following the first missed dose, I was already feeling queasy, dizzy, and that shocking feeling, even though I was still taking the effexor. My P-doc says he definitely thinks there is some kind of drug interaction with the Effexor, (I think that the Zyrtec somehow made the Effexor more potent) but I can't find any specific information about it. Has anyone else experienced this?
>
> Definitely something to be aware of anyway, for all you allergy sufferers.
>
> Blossom
I used to take Effexor XR (75 or 150 mg.) along with Zyrtec (5 mg.) without any problem. However, I didn't take the Zyrtec all of the time - just on an as needed basis.It certainly sounds like you were having a reaction between them. Maybe because you took the Zyrtec more often and you were probably at higher dosages of it and/or the Effexor. Anyway, thanks for the warning. I'll be careful if I go back on Effexor.
k
Posted by Phillipa on November 5, 2005, at 23:30:21
In reply to Re: Effexor-Zyrtec drug interactions » Blossom, posted by KaraS on November 5, 2005, at 22:58:44
Still want to know what the difference in plain old effexor and effexor xr. fondly, Phillipa. ps I maan pharmacologically
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 6, 2005, at 9:20:36
In reply to Re: Effexor-Zyrtec drug interactions, posted by Phillipa on November 5, 2005, at 23:30:21
> Still want to know what the difference in plain old effexor and effexor xr. fondly, Phillipa. ps I maan pharmacologically
The XR version has the drug bound up in little spheroids with pores of a set size. It takes time for the drug to dissolve out of the spheroids, where it is then available for uptake across the membranes of the intestine. From the monograph: "Drug release is controlled by diffusion through the coating membrane on the spheroids and is not pH dependent."
The lack of pH dependency means that the delayed release is not due to an enteric coating, which would only slightly delay release.
If you accept what the manufacturer claims, the XR version delivers the same amount of drug as the Immediate Release version, but just does so over a longer period. This would maintain a more stable blood concentration, and reduce the dosing frequency required to maintain stable blood concentration.
Lar
Posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2005, at 20:11:04
In reply to Re: Effexor-Zyrtec drug interactions » Phillipa, posted by Larry Hoover on November 6, 2005, at 9:20:36
Thanks Lar, that makes sense. Fondly,Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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