Can you break open Effexor XR capsules?
Swallow the extended-release capsule or tablet whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it. If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not save it for later use.
Can venlafaxine be sprinkled on food?
Do not cut, crush, or chew this medicine. Take it with food. If needed, the capsule may be carefully opened and the entire contents sprinkled on a spoonful of cool applesauce.
Is Effexor XR like Xanax?
Effexor XR and Xanax belong to different drug classes. Effexor XR is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI) type antidepressant and Xanax is a benzodiazepine.
Why was Effexor XR discontinued in the US?
Effexor was discontinued because the newer time-released Effexor XR formula can be taken once daily and causes less nausea than the original formula.
Why is Effexor bad for you?
Brain disease or damage, or a history of seizures: The risk of seizures may be increased when taking Effexor. 3. Heart disease or high or low blood pressure: Effexor may occasionally make these conditions worse. History of mania: The risk of developing mania may be increased while taking Effexor.
Is Effexor really that bad?
Effexor has an average rating of 5.5 out of 10 from a total of 309 ratings for the treatment of Depression. 40% of users who reviewed this medication reported a positive effect, while 36% reported a negative effect.
Will effexor cause weight gain?
Effexor and Serzone generally do not cause weight gain, while Wellbutrin can cause weight loss. Sometimes switching within the same class of drugs can make a huge difference.
Is taking Effexor worth it?
Worth it score: 62% They improve symptoms of depression and anxiety by raising the levels of these 2 chemicals (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain. Possible side effects of Effexor include sexual dysfunction and sleepiness. Effexor can start working in some people in as little as 1 to 2 weeks.
Should effexor be taken at night?
You will usually take 75mg extended release tablets or capsules once a day. You can choose to take them at any time as long as you stick to the same time every day. If you have trouble sleeping, it’s best to take it in the morning.
Does Effexor keep you awake at night?
Insomnia (trouble sleeping) is a common side effect of Effexor XR. To find out how often this side effect occurred in clinical studies, see the drug’s prescribing information. If you have trouble sleeping while taking Effexor XR, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to reduce this side effect.
Can Effexor cause hair loss?
The SSRIs fluoxetine,1,2 sertra-line,3 and paroxetine4 have been reported to cause hair loss in a very small minority of patients. To our knowledge, there has been only 1 report of hair loss associated with venlafaxine therapy,5 and ours is the first report of hair loss with both fluoxetine and venlafaxine.
Is Effexor hard on the liver?
Cases of acute and prolonged or severe liver injury have been reported in patients receiving venlafaxine, but there have been no convincing instances of acute liver failure due to venlafaxine or desvenlafaxine therapy in the published literature.
Does Cymbalta work better than Effexor?
Very few studies have directly compared Cymbalta and Effexor. However, when compared to placebo, Cymbalta and Effexor are both more effective for treating conditions like major depression.
How do I get off venlafaxine?
To avoid this, you should work with your doctor to taper your Effexor dose over a month or more. For short-acting venlafaxine, a sample taper includes a 75 mg dose reduction every four days and a subsequent 25 mg dose reduction every 5 to 7 days for a final dose of 25–50 mg.
Can you take Venlafaxine every other day?
One solution often proposed is to take one pill every other day, but some common antidepressants such as venlafaxine and paroxetine are broken down by the body within hours, so this method leads to drug levels in the blood fluctuating from one day to the next.
How long does it take to withdraw from venlafaxine?
How Long Does Effexor Withdrawal Last? The Effexor withdrawal timeline can be quite variable. Symptoms typically begin as early as 12 hours after the last dose and generally resolve within one to two weeks. Because Effexor has a half-life of only 4 hours, it is completely out of the system within a day.
Can venlafaxine cause memory loss?
All drugs that depress signaling in the CNS can cause memory loss. Alternatives: Many patients with seizures do well on phenytoin (Dilantin), which has little if any impact on memory. Many patients with chronic nerve pain find that venlafaxine (Effexor) — which also spares memory — alleviates their pain.
What are the long term side effects of venlafaxine?
Signs of Effexor misuse are a diminished appearance, odd sleep habits, slurred speech and appetite changes. Possible long-term effects of Effexor dependency include suicide attempts, birth defects and type-2 diabetes.
Does venlafaxine cause dementia?
People who had taken drugs from specific classes of anticholinergics had as much as a 30% greater likelihood of being diagnosed with dementia later in life….New Study Finds that Some Drugs May Raise Dementia Risk — as Many as 20 Years Later.
| Drug | Alternative |
|---|---|
| Paroxetine (Paxil) | Duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor) |