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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jubei on May 8, 2004, at 19:41:43
I am a bit worried because I have heard bad things being said about effexor in this forum, and I am on effexor. Why is it that some people say it should have a black box warning and what is a black box warning?
Posted by crazychickuk on May 9, 2004, at 8:09:51
In reply to Effexor and Black Box warning, posted by jubei on May 8, 2004, at 19:41:43
Effexor has and still is helping alot of peopl, its just the withdral that people are pissed off about, due to the fact that brain zaps and other bad symptoms isnt mentioned in the leaflet.. !!
If you a re doing ok on it, dont worry.. it is a good med for some people..
Posted by harryp on May 9, 2004, at 15:06:41
In reply to Effexor and Black Box warning, posted by jubei on May 8, 2004, at 19:41:43
A "black-box" warning is just a notice on the top of the prescribing info, warning the doctor about a particular possible side effect.
I know Effexor has helped a lot of people, and I am glad it's available. What has bothered me is that a lot of docs prescribe it without being aware of and warning their patients about the withdrawal problems experienced by about 50% of the people who go off it.
There are ways to manage withdrawal--slow tapering, combination with prozac, but many docs don't seem aware of this and leave their patients to suffer alone.
If Effexor works for you, that's great. Don't worry.
If you do decide to discontinue it, just make sure you have a doctor who has experience with Effexor and can help you if you have withdrawal problems.
Posted by Tony P on May 11, 2004, at 12:36:55
In reply to Re: Effexor and Black Box warning » jubei, posted by harryp on May 9, 2004, at 15:06:41
My pdoc and MD are still considering Effexor for me (currently on Lamicatal with still-tentative BP 2 or 3 diag). When I raised the issue of withdrawal with my MD (some of the posts here being pretty scary!), he said "Don't worry - we can manage that much better now".
Not sure if he just meant really slow tapering, sounded like he was also thinking of additional meds (benzo's, other AD?).
Tony
This is the end of the thread.
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