The ultimate guide to Effexor

Everybody. Welcome to another episode
The anxious Resistance.

Today I'm going to talking about Effexor,
also known generic name venlafaxine.

Effexor is an antidepressant SNRI class.
Is been used treat multiple conditions.

Such as major depressive disorder,
generalized anxiety disorder

panic dissorders, chronic pain
social anxiety disorder and hot flashes

In 2020 was the 43rd most prescribed
medication in the United States

with 15 millon prescriptions. So, this is
a very commonly used medication.

So, let's talk a little bit about
the history of effexor.

Effexor was approved for use in the USA
in 1993, so it's been around 30 years now

How does Effexor work?
Effexor or venlafaxine

is a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitor, so it's selectively inhibits

the reuptake of both norepinephrine and
serotonin. This Increases the levels of

these neurotransmiters in the sypaptic
cleft. The higher levels of these

neurotransmiters are linked to better mood
and less depression.

What kind of side effects are there when
taking Effexor? So, side effects include

but are not limited to this list are:
Asplenium, Headache, Somnolence

Dizziness, Nerviousness, Insomnia,
Anxiety, Tremor, Abnormal dreams,

Paresthesia, Agitation, Weakness, Syncope,
Taste alteration, Apathy, Confusion,

Hypertension, Hypotension, Tachicardia,
Vasodilation. Ok, there's alot y'all.

There's lot side effects this medication
lots of this can experienced really high

doses lots of these you get initially
they'll go away there's lots side effects,

it's one of those medications where
they just blabber the gibberish for

5 minutes side side effects chances
you getting most these is very slim.

There's a few maybe you'll get some
dizziness, you'll get some tiredness.

Definitely with these kind SSRI, SNRI
medications you may have difficulty

with your libido, may have difficulty
reaching orgasm, that kind of thing.

You need to be aware couple specific
dangerous things when it comes to these

medications, being serotonin syndrome.

Drugs work serotonin venlafaxine increase
someone risk develope serotonin syndrome.

Occurs when there's too much serotonin
symptoms high heart rate, sweating,

headache, agitation, restlessness,
anxiety, goosebumps and rigid muscles.

There are severe symptoms gets bad which
includes high fever, seizures, irregular

heart rhythm, loss consciousness.

You suspect that you're having serotonin
syndrome, you should go to hospital

or be checked out by your provider.

So again, you should specially be careful
with serotonin syndrome you're on multiple

medications, increase levels serotonin
like SSRI, SNRI medications, Buspirone,

hydroxyzine, other antidepressants,
antipsychotics, there's a few, careful.

This is effective medication it's used
long time treat anxiety, treat depression

to treat conditions I mentioned before.

Don't be dissuaded possible side effects.
These are possible, not guaranteed.

With Effexor, there's a bit of withdrawal
syndrome into depression medications,

venlafaxine need to be tapered off
in order to avoid or mitigate withdrawal.

The symptoms of withdrawal includes
dizziness, aches, chills and headaches.

You need to come off of this slowly if you're coming off of it,
especially if you've been on it for a

while. Especially if you're on a high dose.
So what are some positives of Venlafaxine?

You've heard some negatives, some
side effects, again, if your doctor, and

you patient, maybe way worth it to put up
with some of these side effects, which

likely you won't experience many, you'll
experience maybe a few, and a lot of them more

day over time, positive and pros of
Velafaxine is a very effective medication

for anxiety and depression, and it's been
around for several decades, so it's very

well researched and can be used to great
effect. So what are some negatives or

cons of venlafaxine? Like other
antidepressants it can cause sexual

dysfunction, it can also make suicidal
ideation or depression worse and, this is

more likely in young adults and children.

So overall, what's our take on Venlafaxine
use? Is a well established treatment for

anxiety and depression as well as several
other conditions and it's considered a

second line treatment. So usually you go
to the SSI's first and then you go to SNRI

effects are like Prisyiq, like Cymbalta,
couple others out there depending on what

country you live in, good medication. If
you enjoyed this video, if you learn something

about Effexor or Venlafaxine please like the video, subscribe our

channel if you want more information about
any kind of mental heath treatment and

things that you can do to improve your
life and help you feel better and

overcome your mental health condition.
Thank you so much for watching.