Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Venlafaxine ER And Depression.

By Julian Victor


The generic form of Effexor xr is Venlafaxine er. Both are extended release formulations of the medication. It's in the same drug class as amphetamines and is prescribed to treat depression. It works by keeping serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain longer. The result is usually more energy and an elevated mood.

Typically prescribed for the treatment of major depression and anxiety, Venlafaxine er may also be prescribed for migraines and to treat some forms of nerve damage resulting from long term diabetes, and hormonal complications due to menopause.

Venlafaxine er can cause weight loss in some people. This is probably due to its stimulating and energizing effect. However, the weight loss phenomenon is inconsistent among patients. For this reason, the medication is not approved as a weight loss prescription.

Some people may find Venlafaxine er stimulating and energizing. This is the most common reaction. However, a few people may find it sedating. This is not fully understood. In addition to affecting a patient's energy level, it can also result in dramatic mood changes and increased cycling through the extremes of bipolar disorder. In some cases, a mood stabilizer might be prescribed to counter this effect.

Although Venlafaxine er is prescribed for many off label uses, it specifically has not been approved to treat the depression phase of bipolar disorder because of its potential to exacerbate mood swings. Also, it is critical that it is not used by patients who have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past two weeks. Mixing the two medications can cause a life threatening drug interaction. Isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine are all MAO inhibitors.

Because of the life threatening potential of mixing Venlafaxine er and MAO inhibitors, it is critical that a patient wait at least a week after they have stopped Venlafaxine er before they begin taking a prescribed MAO inhibitor. Also, mixing with Methylene blue injections is very hazardous. Another life threatening possibility is thoughts of self-harm and self-destruction.

Thoughts of suicide, if they result from the use of Venlafaxine er, will usually occur soon after beginning the treatment, if at all. This is one of many reasons it is important that a patient keep their doctor informed of their moods and thoughts. It is equally important that the people in the life of the patient are aware of changes in behavior, moods and thinking.

People who are allergic to Venlafaxine er will also be allergic to the generic desvenlafaxine and its branded equivalent, Pristig. These people must not take these medications. Another note of warning is these meds will test positive for amphetamines during a drug screening. For this reason, it is important to give the test administrators a copy of your prescription.




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