Effexor and pristiq
Common Questions and Answers about Effexor and pristiq
effexor
I called the pdoc back and he's having me take a 75 effexor xr and my pristiq 50---I guess a ween off of it, no more brain zaps for now, I dont know what will happen after I stop taking effexor all together, we shall see in a few weeks.
As for the comment above, I too have seen people have to pay out of pocket for perscriptions and its usually elderly and people like me, who had been laid off and take medications and are put into a situation of having to pay out of pocket, what to do?
I will only add one thing to Ryan's otherwise very good post. People do have different reactions to different drugs, even to Celexa and Lexapro or Pristiq and Effexor. While it's true the companies are trying to keep a patented product in their lineup, Lexapro seems to have fewer side effects than Celexa, but many people do find one or the other works better. Same probably with Pristiq and Effexor. But to prescribe both at once is insane.
Another alternative that I have found even more effective is Pristiq. It is made by the same company that makes Effexor and is almost identical in every way.
I found relief with Effexor for several years, but now that I am taking Pristiq I have found it to be even more effective than Effexor. I like the Pristiq better because it seems to work faster and doesn't cause the constipation that Effexor can often cause.
When Norephinepherine depletion in the brain is a key contributor to your severe depression, Effexor and Pristiq can work wonders to getting you productive and back in remission.
There is a reason Effexor XR makes 3.5 Billion a year in sales per year.... Because it flat out WORKS many times for people that fail on SSRI's.
Sorry, but I must defend Effexor XR. Yes it can be a heavy hitter, but when the depression gets real bad it can often be just the ticket to remission.
I am supposed to start taking pristiq 50mg. along with effexor xr 75mg for a week and then effexor xr 37.5mg along with the pristiq for a week, and then just pristiq. I am afraid, seeing how just being off effexor for 7 hrs. put me in E.R. The Doctor said pristiq won't do that if I miss or am late on a dose. He better be right.
I recently switched from Pristiq to Effexor XR in order to taper down. 50mg of Pristiq=150mg of Effexor. I found Pristiq did not cause as much low libido as Effexor has for me. I also didn't gain weight on it. Same might be true for Effexor for me (who knows?).
I gained weight on Celexa and felt significantly more blunted emotionally by it.
s no allowed maximums, just recommendations based on the limited studies the manufacturers do to get FDA approval and a patent. I know Effexor has a high side effect profile and is difficult to get off of, Pristiq is said to be easier, but I don't know since I haven't taken them and even if I had, that wouldn't say anything about what your experience is likely to be. That can't be predicted.
I tried Pristiq in an attempt to help with menopausal symptoms. I was (and am) on Effexor XR, and Pristiq is almost identical to Effexor XR. I think the only difference is in their molecules. I didn't find Pristiq any better (for me) than Effexor XR, so I went back to Effexor XR. I wish you the best of luck with it. I hope it works for you.
Effexor and Pristiq are not the dance thing. Sane family. Venlafaxine vs desvenlafaxine. Pristiq had added benefit of norepinehprine uptake inhibitor or something. Weird that everyone is getting prescribed 50mg when the added benefits dont kick in until 100-150mg. Before swapping drug altogether (depending on non mental side effects) try upping dose first maybe.
My doctor has switched my medication from effexor to pristiq and I'm wondering about the withdrawals I'm going to experience ?I was on effexor for about 2 yrs . I also deal with sleep apnea and started using a mouth piece for it . I'm experiencing extreme fatigue more than usual .I don't know if this is a result from switching medications ? If u can me with this I'd really be grateful thanks !
If i were you i would go back to the doc and explain whats happening and she may have to reintroduce the effexor and then come off slowly while the other drug kicks in. Maybe you should also inbox Paxiled who will be able to give you some very good advice. Or put this to the doctors forum, who can give you advice from a fully quaified doc who specialises in the subject Dr Gould.
Just wondering if anyone has gone from Pristiq to Effexor. I am changing jobs and my new job doesn't cover Pristiq. I have been on it for 4 months and doing really really good on it. I am on 50 mg, and am sad that I will have to change meds. Effexor is available to me through my new job but I just don't know how similar they will be.
let me know.
I am a 53 year old male and I have been on Effexor XR for over 15 years and I just cannot continue to live like this. I have begun the process of titrating down the dosage from 300mg/day to 150mg/day over the last several weeks. The side effects are, to say the least, debilitating! I am determined and seek assistance to minimize the withdrawal symptoms...There has to be a better way to live!
I think too it is the safest out there as it is one of the oldest in the market and has been well studied. Effexor and Pristiq are fine and helped me a lot with the depression, but the costs were too high. I have to find the right medication, or a combination of them that will outbalance benefits over side effects. You are right it is a trial and error process. I just panicked because the trial could cost me gaining weight that I might not be able to lose.
Effexor and Pristiq are 99% the same drug in terms of active chemical. Pristiq being Desvenlafaxine and Effexor being Venlafaxine. In fact if you look at the molecular chart for the two drugs they even bind the same.
Funny thing is you know why Weith pharm released Pristiq? (a drug much like Effexor) Because the 7 year patent on Effexor was close to an end and Weith didn't want to lose market share. In comes Pristiq (Name brand only for another 7 years)
It's all about the money.
At one point I was on both Effexor and Abilify, then my doctor took me off the Effexor. I have done fine on Abilify alone - but that is me. Did your doctor put you on all 3 of these meds at once - or at different times, in response to symptoms you were having? I would speak with your M.D. at your next visit and tell him or her that you don't want to be on so much medication. See what he or she says. I always prefer to side with the doctor when it comes to this sort of thing.
Recommended
