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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Zyprexa on November 14, 2011, at 7:18:49
My doc is taking me off zoloft and wants to put me on something else, other than a SSRI. First she said Pristiq and I wanted a generic so she suggested Effexor XL. What can you tell me about effexor? I've heard it can be hard to get off of, but that its not addictive? I'm thinking maybe I should just go without an AD for a while. Or maybe even stick with zoloft?
Posted by SLS on November 14, 2011, at 8:59:18
In reply to Should I take generic Effexor XL capsules?, posted by Zyprexa on November 14, 2011, at 7:18:49
> My doc is taking me off zoloft and wants to put me on something else, other than a SSRI. First she said Pristiq and I wanted a generic so she suggested Effexor XL. What can you tell me about effexor? I've heard it can be hard to get off of, but that its not addictive? I'm thinking maybe I should just go without an AD for a while. Or maybe even stick with zoloft?
I haven't been on Pristiq long enough to be able to compare it to Effexor. As you know, Pristiq is the daughter molecule (metabolite) of Effexor. Although one would think that there should be no difference between the two drugs, this is not necessarily true. My doctor is aware of a few cases where people who failed to respond to Effexor went on to respond well to Pristiq. If cost is an issue, you might want to try Effexor generic (venlafaxine) first.
If you cannot be satisfied with your treatment unless you first determine whether or not you need an antidepressant, I don't think it will hurt too much to take a holiday from taking one.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on November 14, 2011, at 9:29:51
In reply to Should I take generic Effexor XL capsules?, posted by Zyprexa on November 14, 2011, at 7:18:49
Zyprexa I thought since you went back up on was it zyprexa that you felt great? Did you see her again? What's her reasoning for wanting to change classes of ad's? I know you wrote in another thread that you felt down but then you seemed to recover? Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on November 14, 2011, at 12:22:23
In reply to Should I take generic Effexor XL capsules?, posted by Zyprexa on November 14, 2011, at 7:18:49
Hi Zyprexa,
I've taken both, and both have caused me an equal discontinuation syndrome. Personally, Pristiq was no easier for me to discontinue than Effexor. Just an FYI.
Posted by kakalak on November 14, 2011, at 13:49:31
In reply to Re: Should I take generic Effexor XL capsules? » Zyprexa, posted by SLS on November 14, 2011, at 8:59:18
I was on 300mg of Effexor XR and had to switch to the generic once my insurance raised my co-pay. The side-effects were much worse on the generic. If you've never taken it, it may not be an issue for you. It was so noticeable for me that I had to switch back to the brand name and pay 3 times extra every month.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 14, 2011, at 17:18:26
In reply to Should I take generic Effexor XL capsules?, posted by Zyprexa on November 14, 2011, at 7:18:49
>My doc is taking me off Zoloft and wants to put me on something else, other than a SSRI.
Effexor and Pristiq both tend to cause more adverse effects than Zoloft and more severe withdrawal symptoms. Their effectiveness is not clearly better than Zoloft, except for select patients... others actually do better on Zoloft.
Why does your doctor want you to change your antidepressant?
Posted by Christ_empowered on November 14, 2011, at 18:43:52
In reply to Re: Should I take generic Effexor XL capsules? » Zyprexa, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 14, 2011, at 17:18:26
I'm obviously not Zyprexa's doctor, but I think he was taking Wellbutrin. Maybe the doctor is thinking that Effexor might be more stimulating than Zoloft, but cause less agitation than Wellbutrin?
Posted by Phillipa on November 14, 2011, at 19:44:03
In reply to Re: Should I take generic Effexor XL capsules?, posted by Christ_empowered on November 14, 2011, at 18:43:52
Zyprexa posted he is on zoloft and doc wants to switch. If there another thread? Phillipa
Posted by Zyprexa on November 15, 2011, at 1:46:09
In reply to Re: Should I take generic Effexor XL capsules?, posted by Phillipa on November 14, 2011, at 19:44:03
She didn't think SSRIs were doing anying for me as I kept saying that they didn't seem to be doing anything. I thought I would stop taking SSRIs. But she want me on an AD, for some reason.
Posted by Zyprexa on November 15, 2011, at 1:49:35
In reply to Re: Should I take generic Effexor XL capsules? » Zyprexa, posted by Phillipa on November 14, 2011, at 9:29:51
Going back up on zyprexa was great. Same with wellbutrin. Just not sure I need anouther AD. Maybe I will just stick with zoloft or nothing.
Posted by Zyprexa on November 15, 2011, at 1:52:35
In reply to Re: Should I take generic Effexor XL capsules?, posted by Christ_empowered on November 14, 2011, at 18:43:52
How about social axiety. Does effexor help with this?
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 15, 2011, at 7:27:06
In reply to Re: Should I take generic Effexor XL capsules?, posted by Zyprexa on November 15, 2011, at 1:52:35
> How about social anxiety. Does effexor help with this?
It can do, but not generally any more than an SSRI.
This is the end of the thread.
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