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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 28. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by breanna on November 16, 2004, at 12:43:56
I have been taking effexor xr for a year and although it helps, I am seriously considering suing the makers of it because no whre does it say the extreme withdrawl of this med. If I forget to take it one day then i litterally can not stand up because I am so dizzy. Dizzy is the best word I can use to describe it. I had the flu about a month ago and threw up the effexor and while driving that same day wrecked into a telephone pole. I am scared to death to ever stop this med. What am I supposed to do stay on it forever. What do you think?
Posted by robz on November 16, 2004, at 21:26:47
In reply to effexor side effects and suing, posted by breanna on November 16, 2004, at 12:43:56
How many MG's were you on? How long were you one it? What was your tapering of it like?
Posted by MKB on November 17, 2004, at 2:18:08
In reply to effexor side effects and suing, posted by breanna on November 16, 2004, at 12:43:56
What you thought was the flu may have been the Effexor. There are lots of different ways to go off. I got down to the lowest dose and then took one every other day for a few days, then stopped.
Posted by soft on November 17, 2004, at 6:42:36
In reply to effexor side effects and suing, posted by breanna on November 16, 2004, at 12:43:56
have you seen this?
Posted by breanna on November 17, 2004, at 9:17:49
In reply to Re: effexor side effects and suing » breanna, posted by robz on November 16, 2004, at 21:26:47
I take 75 mg a day that is the highest does I have taken, I currently am still taking the med because I am scared to death to get off the med. I have contacted a lawyer and am seriously considering legal action against Wyeth. If anyone is interested let me know.
Posted by breanna on November 17, 2004, at 9:56:51
In reply to Re: effexor side effects and suing, posted by breanna on November 17, 2004, at 9:17:49
just me again. Iguess for me the more and more I think about the effects that were unknown to so many who take this drug I get more and more angry. Why was this drug ever allowed to the public when Wyeth didn't actually know how bad the withdrwal is. I honestly feel like i'll have to be on this drug the rest of my life because I am so afraid of the withdrwal. Just missing one dose for me is unbearable. I cant think, function, I feel like I am in a whole other world. This is not a normal way to feel after only missing one dose. Yes I understand that all drugs have se but I have take zoloft, paxil, wellbutrin, prozac, and many other drugs and have never experienced what I am with this one. The drug manufactuer should og made sure that people knew what they were getting into before it was just handed out. Its not fair to me and its not fair to the millions of other people out there who are going to spend tons of money on other drugs trying to deal with getting off this one./
Posted by ed_uk on November 17, 2004, at 10:08:49
In reply to Re: effexor side effects and suing, posted by breanna on November 17, 2004, at 9:56:51
Hi breanna,
I just wanted to let you know that it *is* possible to get off Effexor. I quit it without tapering after taking 150mg/day for about a year. At first the withdrawal symptoms were nasty but they disappeared completely after about two weeks!! It is my belief that the withdrawal symptoms of new psychiatric drugs should be carefully evaluated before the drug is approved. The pakage insert should include detailed information about the withdrawal.
All the best...
Ed
Posted by breanna on November 17, 2004, at 10:21:03
In reply to Re: effexor side effects and suing, posted by ed_uk on November 17, 2004, at 10:08:49
> Hi breanna,
>
> I just wanted to let you know that it *is* possible to get off Effexor. I quit it without tapering after taking 150mg/day for about a year. At first the withdrawal symptoms were nasty but they disappeared completely after about two weeks!! It is my belief that the withdrawal symptoms of new psychiatric drugs should be carefully evaluated before the drug is approved. The pakage insert should include detailed information about the withdrawal.
>
> All the best...
> EdEd ,
Thanks for the encouragment!! I guess at some point I amjust going to have to buck up and stop the drug. I am a stay at home mom of a 3, 2 and 1 year old and I dont know that I could handle the withdrawl and take care of them at the same time
Posted by Racer on November 17, 2004, at 18:21:28
In reply to Re: effexor side effects and suing, posted by breanna on November 17, 2004, at 10:21:03
I took 225mg Effexor XR for about three years, and then tapered off of it. I can't say it was quick or pleasant, but it was certainly possible to do, and there are a lot of things that can be done to make it even easier to come off. For example, adding in Prozac for a while, with its longer half life, eases the withdrawal.
The bottom line is that Effexor has a withdrawal syndrome, just as most all of these drugs have an initial adjustment phase. That's the nature of this beast. It was also the only drug of its kind until Cymbalta was approved this past August, and it was literally life saving for a lot of people. Considering the drawbacks involved with some of the earlier anti depressants, the withdrawal syndrome -- unpleasant as it can be -- really isn't all that serious. It won't kill you, which a lot of the earlier drugs could do.
I'm sorry this is so upsetting to you, but you have to keep it in perspective, too.
Posted by breanna on November 17, 2004, at 18:25:31
In reply to Re: effexor side effects and suing » breanna, posted by Racer on November 17, 2004, at 18:21:28
> I took 225mg Effexor XR for about three years, and then tapered off of it. I can't say it was quick or pleasant, but it was certainly possible to do, and there are a lot of things that can be done to make it even easier to come off. For example, adding in Prozac for a while, with its longer half life, eases the withdrawal.
>
> The bottom line is that Effexor has a withdrawal syndrome, just as most all of these drugs have an initial adjustment phase. That's the nature of this beast. It was also the only drug of its kind until Cymbalta was approved this past August, and it was literally life saving for a lot of people. Considering the drawbacks involved with some of the earlier anti depressants, the withdrawal syndrome -- unpleasant as it can be -- really isn't all that serious. It won't kill you, which a lot of the earlier drugs could do.
>
> I'm sorry this is so upsetting to you, but you have to keep it in perspective, too.I certinaly understand what you are saying but I was not prepared for this and in my opinion you should not have to add yet another drug to combat the withdrwal. This info should of been avaiable. I know that the w/d is not going to kill me but that to me is not the point thanks though.
Posted by MKB on November 17, 2004, at 20:49:58
In reply to Re: effexor side effects and suing » breanna, posted by Racer on November 17, 2004, at 18:21:28
I disagree that the withdrawal from Effexor cannot kill you. Many people have committed suicide during Effexor withdrawal, according to comments online at www.petitiononline.com/effexor/. Over 6000 people, including medical professionals, have signed it. I also felt suicidal during withdrawal, and I was not suicidal before I was placed on it. The emotional low that comes during the withdrawal is extremely serious and no patient should have to face that without knowing about it ahead of time. I've gone off 5 antidepressants and none of the others was anywhere near as serious as this.
Posted by MKB on November 17, 2004, at 20:53:11
In reply to Re: effexor side effects and suing, posted by breanna on November 17, 2004, at 9:17:49
Breanna, you may want to consider joining some of the legal actions already in progress. Some are mentioned in the posted signatures at www.petitiononline.com/effexor/.
Posted by breanna on November 17, 2004, at 20:54:51
In reply to Re: effexor side effects and suing » breanna, posted by MKB on November 17, 2004, at 20:53:11
> Breanna, you may want to consider joining some of the legal actions already in progress. Some are mentioned in the posted signatures at www.petitiononline.com/effexor/.
mkb,
I didnt notice any cicvil actions already in process. Do you know anymore info on them?
Posted by MKB on November 17, 2004, at 21:49:30
In reply to Re: effexor side effects and suing » MKB, posted by breanna on November 17, 2004, at 20:54:51
Petition signer #6559 at www.petitiononline.com/effexor/ listed the following website for legal action: www.effexorwar.com or pcalawfirm.com.
Posted by breanna on November 17, 2004, at 22:02:38
In reply to Re: effexor side effects and suing » breanna, posted by MKB on November 17, 2004, at 21:49:30
> Petition signer #6559 at www.petitiononline.com/effexor/ listed the following website for legal action: www.effexorwar.com or pcalawfirm.com.
MKB,
I appreciate it and have joined the class action suit with the web address you gave me. Thank you for being someone whom I feel is alot like me and that I can talk to.
Posted by MKB on November 17, 2004, at 22:15:46
In reply to Re: effexor side effects and suing, posted by breanna on November 17, 2004, at 22:02:38
You're welcome!
I hope somehow we can prevent others from suffering.
Posted by Racer on November 17, 2004, at 23:31:18
In reply to Re: effexor side effects and suing, posted by breanna on November 17, 2004, at 18:25:31
Yes, it's unfortunate that many doctors do not inform their patients that there is a withdrawal syndrome associated with Effexor. Keep in mind, though, that many doctors are now prescribing antidepressants who really don't have a lot of experience with them. When a psychopharmacologist prescribes an antidepressant, one expects him to know about such things. If a GP prescribes it, though, who knows how many times he's prescribed any antidepressant? Sure, ignorance shouldn't be an excuse, and I absolutely agree that Wyeth should have disclosed what they knew about withdrawal from the start.
Effexor is still an effective medication for many people who have not responded to other drugs.
And taking Prozac for a couple of weeks to counter the withdrawal really isn't all that outrageous. Some studies have found that as little as a single dose can be enough for many patients.
Good luck to you.
Posted by MKB on November 18, 2004, at 7:56:28
In reply to Re: effexor side effects and suing » breanna, posted by Racer on November 17, 2004, at 23:31:18
The Effexor sales rep has been a frequent visitor to my GP's office and has kept her well-supplied with samples. This is part of Wyeth's sales plan, according to their own corporate web site. My GP told me herself that the sales rep would just bring more samples if she ran out. My GP later told me that she kicked the rep out of her office because the rep either ignorantly or deliberately misled the doctor into thinking there was no problem with the withdrawal. With over $800 billion a year in sales from Effexor and many lawsuits pending, it is in Wyeth's best interest to get as many people on it as possible. Their goal, according to their corporate site, is to have 1000 sales reps. Would GP's be prescribing this medicine if Wyeth reps were not in their offices providing free samples and possibly other perks and insisting that Effexor is safe?
Posted by MKB on November 18, 2004, at 8:21:12
In reply to Re: effexor side effects and suing » Racer, posted by MKB on November 18, 2004, at 7:56:28
I misquoted the Wyeth website. Here is the paragraph from their corporate site.
"EFFEXOR, Wyeth's SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) antidepressant achieved worldwide net revenue of $893 million for the third quarter, an increase of 38%. This solid performance continues to be driven by strong clinical data supporting its use in depression and anxiety and its established therapeutic profile with prescribers. Effexor XR remains the first and only once-daily SNRI proven effective in the treatment of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and the long-term prevention of relapse and recurrence of depression. The Effexor franchise is on track to exceed its longstanding goal of $3 billion in annual net revenue in 2004. However, as growth in the antidepressant category is slowing, the growth in Effexor revenues in the 2004 third quarter and first nine months may not be sustained for the balance of the year."
Posted by breanna on November 18, 2004, at 9:29:37
In reply to Re: Correction » MKB, posted by MKB on November 18, 2004, at 8:21:12
Have any of you joined the lawsuit? Re: Effexorwar.com Just wondering. I hope that people take notice of what a serious matter this is.
racer- Just because the withdrawl did not kill you or you said its not going to kill you. How do you know? I feel like a complete basket case after just missing one dose. Everyone reacts differently, the point is more research should have been done before this drug was just handed out like candy. Ive taken paxil, zoloft, wellbutrin, depakote, prozac, and NEVER had any withdrawl not even with the Depakote. Everyone is different but for me my mission is to see to it that wyeth pays for the mistakes they made.
Posted by MKB on November 18, 2004, at 9:46:59
In reply to Re: Correction, posted by breanna on November 18, 2004, at 9:29:37
Yes, I filled out the form at www.effexorwar.com, but I have not yet received any information from the law firm. My concern is not that I am "compensated" but that patients need to be better educated about the serious side-effects of the medication and the withdrawal. My opinion, based on my recent experiences and research, is that the company downplays the seriousness of the side-effects to physicians, patients, and investors. The effect is that more and more people get prescribed this medication, and many are harmed. My opinion is that patients are unwittingly being used as guinea pigs. The proper procedure would have been for Wyeth to spend more time doing adequate research before putting this drug on the market and to fully inform drug reps who could then fully inform physicians.
Posted by breanna on November 18, 2004, at 9:54:32
In reply to Re: Correction » breanna, posted by MKB on November 18, 2004, at 9:46:59
> Yes, I filled out the form at www.effexorwar.com, but I have not yet received any information from the law firm. My concern is not that I am "compensated" but that patients need to be better educated about the serious side-effects of the medication and the withdrawal. My opinion, based on my recent experiences and research, is that the company downplays the seriousness of the side-effects to physicians, patients, and investors. The effect is that more and more people get prescribed this medication, and many are harmed. My opinion is that patients are unwittingly being used as guinea pigs. The proper procedure would have been for Wyeth to spend more time doing adequate research before putting this drug on the market and to fully inform drug reps who could then fully inform physicians.
I agree, I dont care about getting any money. I care about people who are cluless to the effects the drug can have on your life. How long ago did you fill out the form on effexorwar.com?
Posted by ed_uk on November 18, 2004, at 10:05:08
In reply to Re: Correction, posted by breanna on November 18, 2004, at 9:54:32
Hi, have you read my post below about liquid Effexor. Maybe someone should start a petition for Wyeth to manufacture a liquid Effexor. What do you think?
Ed
Posted by MKB on November 18, 2004, at 10:43:46
In reply to Re: Correction, posted by breanna on November 18, 2004, at 9:54:32
a couple of weeks maybe
Posted by breanna on November 18, 2004, at 12:07:13
In reply to Re: Correction, posted by ed_uk on November 18, 2004, at 10:05:08
> Hi, have you read my post below about liquid Effexor. Maybe someone should start a petition for Wyeth to manufacture a liquid Effexor. What do you think?
>
> EdI have not ever heard of a liquid effexor. Ill have to look into that.
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