Posted by Noa on January 23, 2000, at 13:27:00
In reply to User Comments for Effexor Lecture., posted by Cam W. on January 23, 2000, at 12:29:46
Start patients low and titrate very slowly.
Activating for some people, sedating for others.
Not terrific for those prone to high BP.
Not for those with tendencies toward mania.
Side effects can include: sweating, memory problems, sleep disruption, sedation, stomach upset, headaches, sexual problems, myoclonus, jitteriness, urinary urgency.
XR seems to take side effects intensity down a few notches.
Patients should NOT MISS DOSES or try to discontinue suddenly. Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable. Tell them to keep you informed of side effects. Be available to patients so they don't make unilateral decisions to go off effexor suddenly because of side effects.
Therapeutic doses can be higher than generally thought, but this should be under care of experienced psychopharmocologist.
If it works to a point and then plateus, consider raising dose or augmenting with another med.
Or, if it works, but patient complains of negative effects, take those complaints seriously and consider lowering dose slightly and adding an augmentor.
Lots more info on this board. You might want to do a search and print out all the posts regarding effexor. Good luck.
poster:Noa
thread:19461
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000112/msgs/19463.html