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Suggest Treatment For Severe Depression

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Posted on Wed, 7 May 2014
Question: I was changed from Effexor XR 150 mg that I was on for 14 years to Cymbalta 120 mg 3 months ago. I was doing fine until 1-1/2 months ago when I woke up depressed, very anxious, and very suicidal. I put myself in a psych ward. I was given 8 ECT treatments but no change in my medication. I also take 1 mg of clonazepam in the AM and 1.5 mg I the PM and a Cytomel to boost the Cymbalta. Nothing helped me. Is Effexor a better drug to go back on? I wake up every morning crying and crying and wanting to kill myself but just stay in bed. What should I do?
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Answered by Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (4 hours later)
Brief Answer: Effexor is better than cymbalta Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for using healthcare magic Effexor consists of venlafaxine and it is one of the best antidepressant. It has much better effect on depressive symptoms as compared to cymbalta(Duloxetine). Cymbalta is effective on somatic symptoms, but not on depressive or anxiety symptoms. I would suggest you to shift to effexor again and discuss with your psychiatrist about the problem your are facing with cymbalta. There is no need to take medicine, which does not show response, so better to change it. In Case, you need further help, you can ask. Regards Dr. Abhishek Kapoor Psychiatrist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Abhishek Kapoor

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2496 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Depression

Brief Answer: Effexor is better than cymbalta Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for using healthcare magic Effexor consists of venlafaxine and it is one of the best antidepressant. It has much better effect on depressive symptoms as compared to cymbalta(Duloxetine). Cymbalta is effective on somatic symptoms, but not on depressive or anxiety symptoms. I would suggest you to shift to effexor again and discuss with your psychiatrist about the problem your are facing with cymbalta. There is no need to take medicine, which does not show response, so better to change it. In Case, you need further help, you can ask. Regards Dr. Abhishek Kapoor Psychiatrist