Effexor (Venlafaxine)

None. Quoting from Dr. Carlat Psychiatry Blog: 1. It's a blatant patent extender. Effexor XR, which brought in $3.8 billion for Wyeth in 2007, is losing patent protection this year, and Wyeth is introducing desvenlafaxine, which is simply Effexor's main metabolite, as a "novel antidepressant." There's nothing novel about it. Every patient who takes Effexor produces Pristiq in their own body, at no additional charge.

2. It's not very effective. In the studies released so far, Pristiq just barely squeaks by placebo on the Hamilton Depression scale. In the U.S. study, Pristiq decreased the HamD by only 2 points (-11.5 vs. -9.5 for placebo), and in the European study, the differences was 2.5 points. And for the higher 100 mg dose, there was no difference between drug and placebo for U.S. patients.

3. It is not more easily dosed than Effexor XR. The main Wyeth marketing point for Pristiq is that patients can get better by taking the beginning dose of 50 mg, eliminating the need for a complicated upward dose titration process. Sorry, but this is not different from Effexor. If you look at one of the original fixed-dose studies of Effexor, comparing patients taking 75 mg, 225 mg, or 375 mg, you'll find that the 75 mg dose separated from placebo as well as Pristiq's 50 mg. Psychiatrists typically begin Effexor at either 37.5 or 75 mg/day. At least with Effexor XR, when you keep increasing the dose, efficacy improves, meaning it actually has an efficacy advantage over Pristiq, because when you increase the dose of Pristiq, you lose efficacy, according to the U.S. study data.

4. It has no meaningful metabolic advantages. Wyeth will highlight the fact that Pristiq is not metabolized by the P-450 system and therefore does not have any drug-drug interactions. Well, guess what, Effexor has no clinically meaningful drug-drug interactions either.

5. Wyeth's own lead investigator is unimpressed. I spoke briefly with Dr. Michael Liebowitz, the Columbia University psychiatrist who led the major Pristiq trials. Pristiq, he said, "is another SNRI--it is not a revolutionary drug." It may be more tolerable at the starting 50 mg dose, he said, but only time will tell if it truly is clinically useful. "If it is useful, then it will make money for the company, and if it is not, it won't." POSTED BY DANIEL CARLAT, M.D. AT 8:31 AM LABELS: PATENT EXTENDERS, PRISTIQ, WYETH PHARMACEUTICALS

**Different Answer - from someone who has actually used both meds!!**

I was on Effexor for sometime between 6 months and a year (it's been awhile so I don't remember the exact time period), and while it did help with my depression (it helped lift my mood), it made me extremely sleepy. As someone who is usually sleepy (due to my depression, so the docs tell me), something causing me to be even sleepier than usual was definitely bad :( Spoke with my doc and he said in order to counteract this I should take Effexor in the evenings (about dinnertime, not bedtime or I would still be sleepy in the morning). I take my other meds in the morning with breakfast, so it was hard for me to remember to take Effexor separately, by itself, in the evenings. For this reason, when Pristiq came out my doc switched me to that because he said that because it apparently skips a metabolic step (as compared to Effexor), it would not make me sleepy and I could take it with my other meds in the mornings. Yay!! So I am happy to report that, after switching to Pristiq, I did not experience a decrease in effectiveness as compared to Effexor in treating my depression, and I did not feel sleepy after taking the med. My insurance doesn't cover prescriptions, so for me Pristiq is way more expensive than Effexor, but luckily I was able to qualify for free medication through Pristiq's patient assistance program. So, from my point of view at least, there is a significant difference between Effexor and Pristiq, and if your doctor recommends Pristiq over Effexor, it's probably for a reason. You should try it out for yourself before deciding if it's worth any extra cost.

Very bad idea! Talk to your doctor about tapering the dose instead, side effects can be pretty severe depending on many factors if you stop abruptly taking Effexor or any antidepressant.

NO!, it isn't advised in taking effexor with kolonopine, it interfears with the heart.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_you_take_Herbalife_and_Effexor_XR_together"

There's a generic form of Effexor XR but it is in a tablet, NOT a capsule. Ask your doctor about whether it will affect you differently.

how long does the effexor withdrawl symptoms disappear after you stop taking it, i am taking zoloft now but i am having effexor symptoms

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no you can not

To much! I use this site to help.

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No, the medication Effexor cannot affect a pregnancy test result.. however.. if you get a positive pregnancy test result, you should talk to your doctor about the safety of Effexor during pregnancy ~pawsalmighty

Absolutely - the two are often prescribed together as part of an opiate patient's pain management therapy, with the Fentanyl Patch being the primary pain med, and the Oxycodone (usually Percocet, but it can be just Oxycodone or Oxy ER) as the breakthrough medication.

Initial patch dose estimates are always skewed toward the low end, and as a result, the initial dose usually isn't enough. That's why Percocet (oxycodone/tylenol combination) is usually prescribed at the outset. After the patch dose is nailed down. Percocet or Oxycodone is still prescribed as the breakthrough med for when the patient's activity raises pain levels to the point where it's exceeding the patch pain relief ability.

Many people have taken Effexor (venlafaxine) and reported various experiences, including both positive effects and adverse side effects. Common side effects can include nausea, dizziness, insomnia, and increased blood pressure, among others. However, individual responses can vary significantly; some may not experience any adverse effects at all. It's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional to discuss your sensitivities and concerns before starting any new medication.