Posted by afatchic on August 18, 2001, at 8:53:08
In reply to Re: Increasing dosage of Effexor XR * Scared*(Cam) » DebbieLynn, posted by Cam W. on August 17, 2001, at 17:21:59
Thank you all for your thoughtful and informative responses. This is the same question that I've had and I feel much better about increasing my Effexor dose now.
> James - Sometimes, you are too funny; blunt... but funny!;^P
>
> Debbie - Unlike other with antidepressants (eg. SSRIs peak at a certain dose; TCAs may become toxic), as you increase the dose of Effexor XR, you seem to get more antidepressant activity. It is at the 225mg to 300mg level when the blocking of the norepinephrine transporter complex kicks in (eg. some people say they feel it at 150mg). This dose may change the dynamics of the antidepressant effect, usually for the good.
>
> An increase in dosage to 300mg daily may be warranted. Many people take 300mg of Effexor XR daily; usually in one dose (ie 2 x 150mg caps in the morning). Side effects may return with every increase in dosage with Effexor, but they never seem to be as horrible as the initial couple of weeks.
>
> Unless you are a fast metabolizer of Effexor, once daily dosing is fine. You can stick to the twice daily dosing if side effects (esp. start-up side effects) are a problem.
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> Be sure to remember to wean off ot the Effexor XR slowly, if your doc and you ever decide to have you stop it.
>
> Oh, BTW, an increase of 75mg of Effexor XR to 300mg is sort of a high-middlin' dose, or a low-high dose (How about them scientific terms...I'm blanking right now). Just work your way through those blah days, and hopefully you will find an effective dose, for you. I have heard of docs using 600mg, and one case of 750mg, of Effexor in hospital inpatients, who were severely depressed. I haven't personally of outpatient doses climbing much higher than 375mg.
>
> I hope that this is of some help. - Cam
poster:afatchic
thread:75399
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010814/msgs/75484.html