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Changing from Venaflaxine

9 replies

BusterGonad · 10/04/2024 05:51

Hello everyone.
I'm currently on 75mg Venaflaxine per day. I've been on this dose for many years (maybe 10 years or more). I need to change as I'm encountering availability issues (I'm not in the UK) Would anyone know what is similar to switch too. I'm thinking maybe Sertraline. I know Venaflaxine is a SNRI and Sertraline is a SSRI does this male the switch easier? Any advice is welcome. Obviously seeing a doctor is best but the mental health aspect where I'm living is rather dismal so any experiences or advice would be welcome before I go forward in seeking an appointment.

OP posts:
BusterGonad · 10/04/2024 05:59

Here is the list of avaliable medication.

alprazolam

diazepam

chlordiazepoxide

fluoxetine

sertraline

escitalopram

clomipramine

OP posts:
unsync · 10/04/2024 07:21

It is hard to come off Venlafaxine, so you will need support, I don't think you can just stop taking one, and then start with the other, especially as Venlafaxine has major withdrawal effects.

Of the ones you have listed and that I have experience of, I would say this:

The first three listed are all Benzodiazepenes, avoid if at all possible as they are addictive and you will become dependent. Having said that, Diazepam is good for crisis situations, but you don't want to have it on regular prescription as it can be difficult to function normally on it.

Escitalopram, Clomipramine and Fluoxetine were OK for depression, not for the anxiety.

I never had Sertraline, but it seems to be effective from anecdotal evidence.

I was on Venlafaxine for years, it was the only medication that stopped my anxiety and panic. It took me a year to come off it. I did it very slowly. You can pop the capsules open and there are little tablets inside. Basically you just remove one of the tablets, stay on the dose until stable, then repeat until off them. It stops a big step down in dose. (I was told to do this by a doctor who specialised in drug withdrawal.) If Venlafaxine works well for you, in your place, I would not be changing.

BusterGonad · 10/04/2024 08:21

Okay. Many thanks. I may not have a choice but to change due to the circumstances of the availability of Venaflaxine. I did find some info about changing from Venaflaxine to Sertraline you can gradually swith, as in take cut down on one and increase the other as they are compatible of each tablet until you complete the crossover. Obviously I will consult a doctor if and when the time comes.

OP posts:
BusterGonad · 10/04/2024 08:23

Sorry. That doesn't make sense. I mean take half of each tablet and gradually increase one whilst cutting one down.

OP posts:
RumNotRun · 10/04/2024 09:49

I switched from Venlafaxine to Fluoxetine, although have previously had Sertraline as well. I did the tapering off with one and increasing the new, but I did get side effects, mainly just random dizzy spells even when I was lying down/sitting. It was odd.
My switch was carefully monitored by the GP, she'd prescribe a week at a time and we'd then review and decide whether to wait before dropping to the next dose or whether we would carry on.

BusterGonad · 10/04/2024 10:01

RumNotRun · 10/04/2024 09:49

I switched from Venlafaxine to Fluoxetine, although have previously had Sertraline as well. I did the tapering off with one and increasing the new, but I did get side effects, mainly just random dizzy spells even when I was lying down/sitting. It was odd.
My switch was carefully monitored by the GP, she'd prescribe a week at a time and we'd then review and decide whether to wait before dropping to the next dose or whether we would carry on.

Thank you. Would you say Sertraline is a good replacement for Venaflaxine? I know that's probably a difficult question.

OP posts:
ThePure · 10/04/2024 10:04

In fact at a low dose of 75mg venlafaxine is basically an expensive SSRI. The 'n' effect only kicks in above 150mg.

If you switch to sertraline it should be similar and you should not experience withdrawal effects with a switch as opposed to a dead stop.

Hopefully you do have a Dr to advise you on this?

RumNotRun · 10/04/2024 10:55

Sertraline and Fluoxetine have both been effective for me, as was Venlafaxine for a few years. I can't remember what dose I was on but my GP couldn't or didn't want to increase it anymore, hence the switch.

BusterGonad · 10/04/2024 13:15

ThePure · 10/04/2024 10:04

In fact at a low dose of 75mg venlafaxine is basically an expensive SSRI. The 'n' effect only kicks in above 150mg.

If you switch to sertraline it should be similar and you should not experience withdrawal effects with a switch as opposed to a dead stop.

Hopefully you do have a Dr to advise you on this?

This is so reassuring. I k ow they are similar but not the same.
I will book to see a doctor but I don't trust them as much as the uk doctors. Mental health isn't taken as seriously in other countries imo.

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