Does Cymbalta work as well as Effexor xr?

Answer 1

Both drugs are different chemically and therefore one person may respond to one and not the other. They are both ordinarily tolerated quite well. Effexor has an indication for Major Depression and General Anxiety Disorder. Celexa has an indication for Major Depression and nerve related pain secondary to Diabetes. Doctors may also use the drugs for other conditions (called off label use). Both drugs effect serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmitters that can be related to depression, with Effexor requiring a higher dose to bring out the norepinephrine effect. Importantly one should give adequate time, at least 3 weeks to see the full effect at any one dose and not give up too quickly. Often at a low dose a person may not get a full response or any at all, so to insure that a medication "doesn't work" be sure that the dose has been titrated up to an adequate dosage for a sufficient time period. In addition Effexor has been around for much longer time and has 2 additional indications to those mentioned above Social Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder.