Venlafaxine/Effexor

[user20386]

Hi, I take 225mg Venlafaxine, 10mg Aripiprazole and 100mg Promazine per day. Since I started on Venlafaxine last August and I almost instantly developed a gambling addiction overnight alongside all the undesirable traits of an addict...I'm still taking it for now as I see psych in 2 weeks.
8 years ago, I started on Venlafaxine for post natal depression where again, I developed a cocaine addiction. These addictions are so powerful and I act like I've been an addict for 20 years when realistically it's more like months. It's so strange.
I've been off work since April after a breakdown, I've been irritable, anxious, impulsive, emotional, you name it! Could it be that the Venlafaxine has brought on a manic episode, or a mixed episode? I've been truly manic before and I don't feel that euphoria with this one.
I'm really interested in hearing from anybody who has taken this antidepressant before, particularly if you believe it's turned you into somebody you no longer recognise!

Anyone?

I thought the gambling addiction was just part of having bipolar to be honest and was addressing that as a separate issue with GA and counselling and blockers etc...it's only just occurred to me that it could be the Antidepressants that have caused it. There is a definite link between compulsive gambling and aripiprazole I have since found out so it's entirely possible it's either or both. I would have expected my psychiatrist to have known the potential side effects especially as I'd been honest from day 1 with him.

Gambling is a side effect of aripiprazole- it's on the list of major side effects and the warning label in the information sheet

Well I feel very stupid...although I will have read the leaflet when I was first was prescribed them, I never once associated any of the gambling with my medication.
Do you think I should just carry on and sit out the next 2 weeks till I see my psych, stop taking them or try and get an urgent appointment? I can't go on like this.

Don't stop taking them!! I would request n urgent apmt if your gambling is in a serious state and can't wait two weeks.

I've just had another look at the leaflet for myself, and gambling is spelt out as a big possible effect.

www.google.co.uk/amp/amp.timeinc.net/time/4317182/abilify-aristada-aripiprazole-sex-gambling/