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Suggest Dosage For Effexor XR
Question: I started taking a low dose of effexor xr last week (half of a 37.5 mg capsule). It puts me lifts my mood and anxiety a little bit but seems to put me in a foggy, confused, detatched feeling.
This is my experience on drugs that impact neurepinephrine (desipramine, provigil, serzone) but I want to give this class of drugs a chance. Is this a common response? Will it likely go away with an increase or get worse? I know it is very hard to discontinue.
Wellbutrin, for some reason, does not seem to put me in such a foggy space. Would adding WB or even ritalin be helpful or make the problem worse? I am also taking lamictal 150 mgs which I find can give me cognitive problems if I mix with an SSRI.
Thanks
This is my experience on drugs that impact neurepinephrine (desipramine, provigil, serzone) but I want to give this class of drugs a chance. Is this a common response? Will it likely go away with an increase or get worse? I know it is very hard to discontinue.
Wellbutrin, for some reason, does not seem to put me in such a foggy space. Would adding WB or even ritalin be helpful or make the problem worse? I am also taking lamictal 150 mgs which I find can give me cognitive problems if I mix with an SSRI.
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Effexor at the dose you describe (1/2 of 37.5mg) cannot cause either an improvement in mood nor a foggy feeling.
The dose is simply too low to have any meaningful effect on the body or mind. This is almost certainly coincidental. I would expect a dose increase to help your anxiety rather than worsen any perceived side effects you are concerned about right now.
If you are concerned, you could use Wellbutrin instead of Effexor, as they are both used to treat depression and anxiety, and one is not better or worse than the other.
Cognitive problems are not associated with SSRIs nor Lamictal, so I would not be concerned about this. I would not use Ritalin as this will worsen anxiety.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Effexor at the dose you describe (1/2 of 37.5mg) cannot cause either an improvement in mood nor a foggy feeling.
The dose is simply too low to have any meaningful effect on the body or mind. This is almost certainly coincidental. I would expect a dose increase to help your anxiety rather than worsen any perceived side effects you are concerned about right now.
If you are concerned, you could use Wellbutrin instead of Effexor, as they are both used to treat depression and anxiety, and one is not better or worse than the other.
Cognitive problems are not associated with SSRIs nor Lamictal, so I would not be concerned about this. I would not use Ritalin as this will worsen anxiety.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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