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What Are The Dangerous Side-effects Of Effexor?
Question: My doctor just switched my antidepressant from Zoloft 150 (1 per day) to Effexor 37.5.
But I am frightened by all the side effects I recently read. But I had taken the Zoloft for 23 years, and we feel that it has lost it's effectiveness. I just need to know that some of the things I read are rare or they do not happen to everybody, especially what people are calling, brain zaps, and electric shocks. I hope you can ease my mind as I am scheduled to take my first dose in an hour. Thanks so much!
But I am frightened by all the side effects I recently read. But I had taken the Zoloft for 23 years, and we feel that it has lost it's effectiveness. I just need to know that some of the things I read are rare or they do not happen to everybody, especially what people are calling, brain zaps, and electric shocks. I hope you can ease my mind as I am scheduled to take my first dose in an hour. Thanks so much!
Brief Answer:
Consultation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
First of all I like to assure you that side effects are unwanted effects and they occur very rarely. In fact they are for our knowledge to ease our mind and do the needful at the need of hour rather than anything else.
Secondly the safety profile of zoloft and effexor is almost same. The available research data show little difference between safety of two medications.
Thirdly I must also inform you that brain zaps and electric shocks are very mild in majority of patients and cause little disturbance if any. In addition over a period of time they diminish in intensity for most individuals.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Consultation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
First of all I like to assure you that side effects are unwanted effects and they occur very rarely. In fact they are for our knowledge to ease our mind and do the needful at the need of hour rather than anything else.
Secondly the safety profile of zoloft and effexor is almost same. The available research data show little difference between safety of two medications.
Thirdly I must also inform you that brain zaps and electric shocks are very mild in majority of patients and cause little disturbance if any. In addition over a period of time they diminish in intensity for most individuals.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
are the brain zaps more from discontinuing the Effexor? Should I take my Effexor with food, would that help with possible side effects? My Effexor is 37.5 HR what exactly does this mean?
Brief Answer:
Food does not affect it.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
Yes it is true that brain zaps, numbness and paraesthetic sensation are more common with withdrawal of effexor and similar medications.
Effexor can be taken with food although the food does not affect profile of side effects other than nausea.
I think your effexor is XR rather than HR. This stands for extended release where the medication is released slowly in body over a span of time.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Dr. Ashok Kumar, Psychiatrist
Food does not affect it.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
Yes it is true that brain zaps, numbness and paraesthetic sensation are more common with withdrawal of effexor and similar medications.
Effexor can be taken with food although the food does not affect profile of side effects other than nausea.
I think your effexor is XR rather than HR. This stands for extended release where the medication is released slowly in body over a span of time.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Dr. Ashok Kumar, Psychiatrist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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