Posted by Janelle on April 1, 2003, at 23:49:15
In reply to New to Effexor XR « Ssunflower, posted by Dr. Bob on April 1, 2003, at 22:58:34
I think I can explain why you need to give EffexorXR a long time in gradually increased doses to see if it will work. I'll get to that in a minute, but I also want to say I have experience with it, but it's bad and I don't want to sway you with that.
Okay, here's how EffexorXR works, you have to be at least at 75mg/day for it to hit Serotonin receptors, then 150mg/day it hits Serotonin AND Norepinephrine, then 225mg/day it hits Serotonin, Norepinephrine and Dopamine. I think these are the dose levels. I know that as you GRADUALLY increase EffexorXR, it WILL hit all three key receptors. That is why it is not an SSRI, but an SRI. It's a tricky one vs. some of the "purer" ones like Celexa and Lexapro, which are more narrowly targeted just at Serotonin.
So, it could take many weeks for you to get up to a dose of EffexorXR that is hitting the particular receptors you need. For example, if you need Dopamine hit, it will take a long time to get up high enough on EffexorXR for it to affect Dopamine.
Also, a word of warning - at 300+mg/day of EffexorXR you have to watch for high blood pressure.
I hope this is of help. Anyone reading this who can correct anything inaccurate, please do so!
Good luck. Give the EffexorXR some time in gradual increments of higher doses.
poster:Janelle
thread:215300
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030329/msgs/215313.html