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Mental health

Efexor XL (Venlafaxine)

5 replies

ThatsNotYours · 30/08/2011 22:20

Been successfully taking Citalopram for many years, which generally seems to be the initial first line med. nowadays. Of late it hasn't seemed quite so effective. Have previously tried a number of other SSRIs. GP's view is that, as we age, meds' effectiveness may also change - sounds reasonable to me.

GP has now switched me to Efexor XL (Venlafaxine) - SSNI class.

Not seen any posts on this drug here. Would welcome thoughts, but so far it seems very good (been taking for 1 month, 75mg, straight switch-over from Citalopram 40mg).

OP posts:

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BehindLockNumberNine · 30/08/2011 22:22

I was on Efexor XL 6 years ago for around 18 months. Had been on Prozac before that but that did not work for me. I found the Efexor very good.

Have just been prescribed it again today after struggeling for a few years and finally going to pieces last week.
Hope it will work for me just as well again...

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mrmump · 31/08/2011 22:56

If you haven't already, get a slow release form. The side effects when you forget to take one are horrid. I've been on these for 3 years now and I'm desperate to come off them because of the brain zaps. (feels like an electric shock to your brain if your're more than an hour late in taking your tablet). I'm down to the lowest dose, 35mg, but I can't get off them. A day without one and I'm stumbling around, hot and cold sweats, shivers, sickness, and like I said, the brain zaps. I wish I'd have stuck to citalopram.

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Chocattack · 31/08/2011 23:42

I was on venlafaxine for around 2-3 years about 8 years ago. Tbh I don't remember much about my time on it nor coming off but my gp seems to think this has been the best one for me so I'm back on it again and have been for a couple of months (150mg). I had too many side effects with citalopram, mainly worsening anxiety and insomnia so venlafaxine has been better in that respect. However, I have had cbt and counselling too in the last 7 months so my improvement is probably due to a combination of all these things.

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luckywinner · 01/09/2011 21:48

This drug saved my life. Citalopram did nothing for me. I will put up with the brain shakes etc, because no way do I want to go back to where I was last year. Happy to talk about the drug anytime. I would second mrmump's advice. Slow release is v important though.

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ThatsNotYours · 02/09/2011 20:33

Thanks all for your opinions :-)

I take the extended release (XR / XL) version.
Had a very crapy couple of weeks with dry mouth and a constant nagging headache, but these have subsided and I feel rather good.

Best of all, the 'volume' was so turned down on my sex drive when I was taking Citalopram, which is now very much back!!

Early days, but hopeful on all fronts.
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