Posted by Caleb462 on April 2, 2003, at 23:27:41
In reply to Re: New to Effexor XR « Ssunflower » Dr. Bob, posted by Janelle on April 1, 2003, at 23:49:15
> 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.
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> 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.
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> 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.
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> Also, a word of warning - at 300+mg/day of EffexorXR you have to watch for high blood pressure.
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> I hope this is of help. Anyone reading this who can correct anything inaccurate, please do so!
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> Good luck. Give the EffexorXR some time in gradual increments of higher doses.
Effexor is a very weak inhibitor of dopamine reuptake, and 225mg would likely have no noticeable effect on dopamine.
poster:Caleb462
thread:215300
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030402/msgs/215655.html