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What Causes Loss Of Balance And Dizziness While On Effexor XR And Lamictal?

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Posted on Mon, 5 Oct 2015
Question: I have been on Effexor xr for at least five years also am taking 250 mr lamictal daily for same amount of time.
Lately have been experiencing balance issues as well as several hard falls requiring stitches. The balance issues (NOT FALLING) have increased past few months. After reading an article in AARP magazine regarding long term used of antidepressants I begin to wonder if my long term use of these two drugs could be causing the balance problems. The strength of the Effexor is 150mg.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (48 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
This could be dose related side effect of Venlafaxine.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Venlafaxine is a SNRI group of antidepressant drug. Lamictal is Lamotrigine and is a mood stabiliser drug used in depression. Though long term use of antidepressants is associated with side effects but these side effects are not commonly observed if individuals take drugs under proper regular supervision of a psychiatrist.

Venlafaxine in high doses is known to cause loss of balance, dizziness etc side effects. The drug also affects blood pressure which could potentiate the problems of balance. You are 72 years old and in my opinion the dose of 150 mg per day is causing these symptoms. So the problems you are facing are occurring due to dose related side effects and not due to long term effects. If possible during next visit discuss with your doctor to reduce the doses of Venlafaxine and your symptoms will decrease.

Have plenty of fluids and try to avoid getting up immediately from bed after lying down for some time.

Thanks, Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (15 hours later)
With regard to ur answer--having been on Venlafaxine for over five years why have these balance issues just begun in the past few months vs from the time I started on the drug?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Side effects can occur at any time during therapy

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

The side effects of the drug can occur at any time during therapy. These are the effects which are not associated with tolerance. One thing I would advise you to get your BP checked in lying down position (after about 5 minutes of lying) and then immediately in standing position. If the difference in BP is more than 20 then postural hypotension could be the cause of this problem.

Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5192 Questions

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What Causes Loss Of Balance And Dizziness While On Effexor XR And Lamictal?

Brief Answer: This could be dose related side effect of Venlafaxine. Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. Venlafaxine is a SNRI group of antidepressant drug. Lamictal is Lamotrigine and is a mood stabiliser drug used in depression. Though long term use of antidepressants is associated with side effects but these side effects are not commonly observed if individuals take drugs under proper regular supervision of a psychiatrist. Venlafaxine in high doses is known to cause loss of balance, dizziness etc side effects. The drug also affects blood pressure which could potentiate the problems of balance. You are 72 years old and in my opinion the dose of 150 mg per day is causing these symptoms. So the problems you are facing are occurring due to dose related side effects and not due to long term effects. If possible during next visit discuss with your doctor to reduce the doses of Venlafaxine and your symptoms will decrease. Have plenty of fluids and try to avoid getting up immediately from bed after lying down for some time. Thanks, Take care