Venlafexine

[iamme21]

I was prescribed this today by my GP
I have taken the first tablet, within the hour I was violently sick, feel incredibly dizzy and just feel very, very strange.
Is this normal? Can’t carry on if so

Don't take anymore and speak to your GP tomorrow- the dizzy/weird feeling I'd say normal(ish) but sickness would be of concern.

Thanks, that was the plan.

It can be normal. Withdrawal from it is also awful. I think it's worth considering how much the pros outweigh the cons of it.

FWIW lots of people take it at nighttime. I had to do it in the morning as I was cosleeping but it did make me feel unwell a lot.

I can only speak for myself but I'd try and persevere, it's the most successful antidepressant I've ever had. Good luck 🤞

Thanks. Don’t see how I could continue while trying to work, took it at 4, have been in bed since 5. Have been on ad’s in the past but never had a reaction like this.

Its quite a strong anti depressant. Have you been prescribed other options first?

No, was offered this one,fluoxetine or mirtazapine?

It takes a few weeks, but its saved me from depression. Had mine increased before Xmas and feel good in terms of depression .

That's how I felt when I started on it. I didnt vomit, but felt like it. I also couldnt sleep, was dizzy and was unable to function.

After 3 days I asked for Venlafaxine modified release, and that helped with the side effects. It didnt take long to improve, but I had to have about a week off work.

Agree with pp that it's very difficult to come off, and I haven't managed to yet. I'm still on 37.5mg, but further reduction hasn't been possible.

It also worked well for me, but I'm not sure if if have been better sticking with an SSRI.

Could it be psychosomatic? It usually takes weeks to build up a therapeutic dose is all, an hour seems really quick?

Honestly, I couldn’t believe it, but I suddenly just went really dizzy and vomited twice. Doctor had told me nausea was rare, so don’t think it was psychosomatic. It had taken me months to ask for meds, really wanted it to work.

What dose have you started on?

37.5

I take modified release as this has fewer side effects. I did feel very strange for about two weeks. Unlike previous ADs I have taken you can absolutely tell if you miss a dose (I can only describe the sensation as 'woozy') so if you are going to take it, make sure you do take it at a similar time of day each day and take care not to miss any doses!

Absolutely not psychosomatic! Venlafaxine is known to have side effects like this.

But the modified release is more expensive, so the immediate release is prescribed instead.

Thanks. Definitely don’t think it’s for me though, still feeling absolutely awful. Going to try and sleep and see how I feel in the morning

Try taking it with a high fat and high protein meal next time. And plenty of water.

My husband is addicted to this. His body depend son it. If he mises a dose he is violently ill, head pings, sweats, shakes.

He wishes he never went on it.

He's been trying for over 2 years to come off it.

I’ve spoken to the doctor and told them I won’t be continuing. Got an appointment next week to discuss next steps

That seems unusual in the UK for a first antidepressant. (Maybe I'm wrong?) I think they would normally just offer you SSRIs unless there was a medical reason you should avoid them. So you would typically be offered Sertraline or Citalopram, or maybe Fluoxetine or Escitalopram.

Not that it's bad that you were offered the choice, but Venlafaxine definitely needs a warning for the withdrawal symptoms.

@iamme21 I agree which is why I asked if this was the first choice. Maybe op you could ask to try an ssri which tend to be more benign in terms of side effects.

Thanks both, this is really useful for my appointment next week.

I’m on venlafaxine and whilst it’s been brilliant the withdrawal is awful-if I could go back in time and get a different tablet I would.

Venlafaxine has been a literal lifesaver for me, but had been on fluoxetine for a few years beforehand - I would try it first.

I would definitely avoid mirtazepine - I gained about 8 stone on it (increased appetite and weight gain is a known side effect) and found it very difficult to come off, as well as being massively overweight, which didn't help the depression.

GP did tell me about weight gain with mirtazepine, and also that it makes you drowsy- no good when I have to work, so that’s definitely not an option.