Posted by Andre Allard on May 30, 2000, at 0:37:11
In reply to From Effexor to Paxil, posted by Jeri on May 28, 2000, at 22:15:01
This is what I would do: Titrate the Paxil dosage up to 60 mg. If after 3 weeks there was no response whatsoever, then I would get the hell off it.
I an curious to why you are discontinueing the effexor. You say that you maxed out at 225 mg. Effexor is routinely pushed to dosages of up to 375 mg and even higher. I am guessing that the effexor is loosing its effect and this is why you are switching to paxil. I too was on 225 mg of effexor and it began to "poop out". Just recently I pushed the dosage to 300 mg and I can already feel the effects.
I beleive that effexor is stronger then some of the other ADs out there. I have read many comparitive studies conducted with effexor and other ADs and it seems that although most ADs have the same efficiousy rate, effexor tends to releive more of the symptoms of depression. Think of it like this. 10 people on an SSRI and 10 people on effexor. In both groups, 7 people respond (70%). A response is a 50% reduction of symptoms. In the SSRI group, the 70% who responded (min. 50% reduction of symptoms), reduced their depression scores by 60%. In the effexor group, the 70% who responded, reduced their depression scores by 75%. Do you see the difference. Like I said, most of the studies I have looked at go like the one above. I beleive effexor might in a sense, work better then an SSRI because it effects both serotonin and norepinephrine. Also, in people who have failed one AD trial, 50% will respond to effexor.
You have responded to Paxil in the past so it is most likely that you will respond to it once again. You cannot make any judgements of how Paxil will work after only one day on it. If it does work again but then begins to poop out, bump up the dosage - simple. Good luck!
After reading this reply, some of you might think that I am involved in the marketing campaign for effexor. It is just that I love what effexor has done for me. If I was stranded on a desert island and could only have three things they would be effexor, effexor and then some more effexor.
poster:Andre Allard
thread:35029
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000526/msgs/35165.html