Transcripción

Everybody welcome to another episode
The Anxious Resistance.

Today, I'm going to be talking about
Effexor, also known by its generic name

"Venlafaxine".
Effexor is an antidepressant SNRI class.

It's been used to treat
multiple conditions. Such as major

depressive disorder, generalized anxiety,
disorder, panic disorder,

social anxiety disorder, chronic pain,
and hot flashes.

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

with 15 million prescriptions.
This is a very commonly used medication.

Let's talk a little bit,
about the history of Effexor.

Effexor was approved for use
in the United States in 1993

I'ts been around for 30 years now.
How does Effexor work?

Effexor, or Venlafaxine is a serotonin
norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor

It's selectively inhibits
the reuptake of both norepinephrine, and

serotonin. This increases
the levels of these neurotransmitters

in a synaptic cleft. The higher
levels of these neurotransmitters

are linked to better mood, and less
less depressions.

What kind of side effects are there
when taking Effexor?

Side effects may include, but
are not limted to this list

Asthenia, headache, somnolence, dizziness,

nervousness, insomnia, anxiety, tremor,
abnormal dreams, paresthesia,

agitation, weakness, syncope,
taste alteration, apathy, confusion,

hypertension, hypotension, tachycardia.
Okay, there's a lot y'all.

There are a lot of side effects
To this medication. Now, a lot.

Of these can be only.
Experienced at really high doses a lot.

Of these you may get initially, and then.
Will go away. So really there's a lot.

Of side effects. It´s like one.
Of those medications where.

They just babble on gibberish for.
Like five minutes.

Of side effects. Chances of you.
Getting most of these.

Are very slim. So there´s a few.
That maybe you´ll.

Get. Maybe you´ll get some dizziness.
Maybe you´ll get some.

Tiredness. Definitely with.
All these kind.

Of SSRI, SNRI medications you may.
Have difficulty with your.

Libido. You may have difficulty.
Reaching orgasm.

That kind of things. You need to be.
Aware of a couple specific.

Like dangerous things when it.
Comes to these medications.

The first being serotonin syndrome.
So drugs that work on.

serotonin like venlafaxine,
Increase someone's risk

of developing serotonin syndrome,
this occurs where there's

too much serotonin,
and the symptoms include:

a high heart rate, sweating, headache,
agitation, restlessness, anxiety,

goosebumps and rigid muscles.
There are some severe symptoms

if this gets
really bad too

which includes: a high fever,
seizures, irregular heart rhythm,

and loss of consciousness.
If you suspect

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

Or be checked out by your provider

So, again, you should especially
be careful of

serotonin syndrome if you're on
multiple medications

that increase levels of
serotonin like other SSRI, SNRI

medications, buspirone, hydroxyzine,
other antidrepressants,

antipsychotics, there's quite
a few, so be careful

but again, this is an effective
medication and

It's been used for a long time
to treat anxiety,

to treat depression,
to treat those conditions

I mentioned before. So, don't
be dissuased by the possible

side effects, these are
possible not guaranteed

So, also with Effexor, there's also a bit
of a withdrawal syndrome

antidrepressant medications like
venlafaxine, need to be

tapered off in order to
avoid or mitigate withdrawal

symptoms of withdrawal include:
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 here for a while

and especially if you're
at a high dose. So,

what are some positivies of venlafaxine?

you've heard some negativies,
some side effects,

again, if your doctor and
you patient it may be

way worth it, to put up with
some of this side effects

which likely you won't
experience many

you'll experience maybe a few, and a lot
of them will obey over time

positivies or pros of venlafaxine;
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 effects

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?

Venlafaxine is a well established.
Treatment for anxiety.

And depression as well as.
Several other conditions.

And it is considered a second line.
Treatment. Usually you.

Go to the SSRIs first and then.
You go to SNRIs. Effexor.

Prestique, Cymbalta, there's a.
Couple others out.

There depending on what country.
You live in. Good.

Medication.
If you enjoyed this video. If you.

Learned something about Effexor.
Or Venlafaxine please.

Like the video. Subscribe to our channel.
If you want more information.

About any kind of mental health.
Treatment and things that.

Can do to improve your life and.
Help you feel better and.

Overcome your mental health condition.

Thank you so much for watching.