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How Long Does Effexor Take To Cure Depression?
Question: How does it take effexor to start working? I started on July 17 for major depression and was 5 days at 37.5, 7 days at 75, 17 days at 112.5 and 12 days at 150. It seems like it works for a while but then wears off until the dose is increased again. Any insight into how this medicine works and whether or not im on the right track would be greatly appreciated!
Brief Answer:
You are on the right track if you are tolerating
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
I read your query and aware of your condition since we interacted last month.
I think you are on the right track. The reason for decreasing the effect after few days of increasing dose probably lies in inadequate dose till date. The therapeutic dose for a patient with moderate depression is 75-225 mg a day and in severe cases of depression it is 150 - 375 mg per day.
Once you increase the dose there is lot of expectation and we develop placebo effect and this placebo effect weans off after few days before we reach therapeutic dose. I am aware that you are in therapeutic dose range but every one has different requirement and the optimum dose may fall anywhere across the dose range continuum.
The optimum dose can be decided only by hit and trial and I think you are on the right track till you get the optimum dose. In case there is no troublesome side effects, the effexor can be increased in dose range of 37.5 to 75 mg every fortnight.
'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks
You are on the right track if you are tolerating
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
I read your query and aware of your condition since we interacted last month.
I think you are on the right track. The reason for decreasing the effect after few days of increasing dose probably lies in inadequate dose till date. The therapeutic dose for a patient with moderate depression is 75-225 mg a day and in severe cases of depression it is 150 - 375 mg per day.
Once you increase the dose there is lot of expectation and we develop placebo effect and this placebo effect weans off after few days before we reach therapeutic dose. I am aware that you are in therapeutic dose range but every one has different requirement and the optimum dose may fall anywhere across the dose range continuum.
The optimum dose can be decided only by hit and trial and I think you are on the right track till you get the optimum dose. In case there is no troublesome side effects, the effexor can be increased in dose range of 37.5 to 75 mg every fortnight.
'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
One more question- how long is the right time to wait at each dose before increasing? Thank you for your help.
Brief Answer:
AT least two weeks
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Welcome back again.
Although the decision to increase the dose to higher level is done after mutual consent of both therapist and patient but it is always advisable to wait for at least two to three weeks. Most of the antidepressant including effexor start to show some response in these two weeks if in effective dose range.
In case there is no improvement with particular dose it should be increased after two weeks because there is no point in waiting further.
If there is partial improvement with particular dose than the wait time should be increased till there is plateau in response curve.
"I hope I answered your query to your expectation and If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health".
AT least two weeks
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Welcome back again.
Although the decision to increase the dose to higher level is done after mutual consent of both therapist and patient but it is always advisable to wait for at least two to three weeks. Most of the antidepressant including effexor start to show some response in these two weeks if in effective dose range.
In case there is no improvement with particular dose it should be increased after two weeks because there is no point in waiting further.
If there is partial improvement with particular dose than the wait time should be increased till there is plateau in response curve.
"I hope I answered your query to your expectation and If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health".
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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