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Effexor
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Venlafaxine (Effexor) is an antidepressant of the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class first introduced by Wyeth in 1993. It is prescribed for the treatment of clinical depression and anxiety disorders. Due to the pronounced side effects and suspicions that venlafaxine may significantly increase the risk of suicide, it is not recommended as a first line treatment of depression. However, it is often effective for depression not responding to SSRIs. Venlafaxine was the sixth most widely-used antidepressant based on the amount of retail prescriptions in the US (17.1 million) in 2006.[1]
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Effexor is a chemically unique antidepressant medication. Like the newer class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and setraline (Zoloft), it affects the absorption of serotonin. In addition, Effexor acts on the norepinephrine system. No other available medication affects both neurotransmitters without causing the side effects of the older tricyclic antidepressants.
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Effexor does indeed have a relatively short half-life, which means that the onset of SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome is quite rapid after eliminating or lowering your dosage of the drug. However, with proper supervision, one can titrate off of the stuff with few if any side effects and no lasting changes; it just takes several weeks of fairly careful dose modifications as opposed to a few days (or worse, immediate) cessation.
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Like all antidepressants, Effexor could cause episodes of mania (abnormally high feelings of excitement and energy). If you experience a major depressive episode, there's a slight chance that it could be the first signs of bipolar disorder. Tell your doctor about all your symptoms, and note that Effexor is not approved for treating bipolar depression.
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Effexor may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Effexor with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
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Effexor is recognized as a front line option (that is, first time medication for patients who have recently become ill with depression, whether they are hospitalized or treated on an outpatient basis. It can ... be useful for patients who have had long-standing depressive illness and have not responded adequately to previous treatments. Almost 40 percent of so-called refractory patients (those who have not had positive results from past treatment) have had success with Effexor. Patients who have benefited from other antidepressants but have had less than complete success may want to discuss switching to Effexor with their doctors.
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Effexor