Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Long Does Effexor Take To Be Effective?
Question: I began Effexor about 1 1/2 weeks ago and I feel just as I did before that. The worst is the shaking hands. Is this normal? My husband had been in and out of the hospital for at least 2 years off and on with pretty serious things such as heart problems which turned into an aorata being replaced with a pig's., he has diabetes which meant he had his one leg was completely closed with blockages, the second time the Dr couldn't get the blockages open that had blocked it's self after about 6 months during which time he had to remove a small toe because of infection. What's happening in my opinion is that I'm fine during this time with the operations but it sadly hits my brain (or something) afterward and nothing seems to help.
Brief Answer:
The drug usually takes about 4 weeks to show its effect
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for choosing HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. You have developed symptoms like shakiness of hands, anxiety and depression due to stress of clinical condition of your husband and have been advised to take Effexor.
Effexor is Venlafaxine and the drug is a good anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drug. If we go by pharmacology then the drug belongs to SNRI group of drugs. These drugs cause increased neurotransmission of SEROTONIN and NOREPINEPHRINE (both are neurotransmitters in brain, deficient in anxiety and depression) by causing change at receptors and molecular levels. This usually takes time of about 4 weeks. So in most of individuals when the drug is started they usually see increase in anxiety because of side effects of drug and then start showing improvement in about 4 weeks. You have been taking the drug since last one and half weeks only and no improvement in symptoms is seen, as per my opinion please wait for a couple of weeks and you will feel better and drug will start acting.
Thanks, Hope this helps you. Be assured you will feel better in some time. Please don't hesitate to ask again if you have more doubts.
Take care
The drug usually takes about 4 weeks to show its effect
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for choosing HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. You have developed symptoms like shakiness of hands, anxiety and depression due to stress of clinical condition of your husband and have been advised to take Effexor.
Effexor is Venlafaxine and the drug is a good anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drug. If we go by pharmacology then the drug belongs to SNRI group of drugs. These drugs cause increased neurotransmission of SEROTONIN and NOREPINEPHRINE (both are neurotransmitters in brain, deficient in anxiety and depression) by causing change at receptors and molecular levels. This usually takes time of about 4 weeks. So in most of individuals when the drug is started they usually see increase in anxiety because of side effects of drug and then start showing improvement in about 4 weeks. You have been taking the drug since last one and half weeks only and no improvement in symptoms is seen, as per my opinion please wait for a couple of weeks and you will feel better and drug will start acting.
Thanks, Hope this helps you. Be assured you will feel better in some time. Please don't hesitate to ask again if you have more doubts.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
