Posted by Janelle on April 17, 2003, at 19:41:27
In reply to effexor or paxil?, posted by den2 on April 17, 2003, at 19:19:20
Unfortunately it's not as simple as saying which one is "better" -- they are two very different antidepressants (and I have been on each of them!)
Paxil is an SSRI, although I THINK that at high enough dose it may also act on the Norepinephrine receptor. It has a short half life, which ultimately can result in terrible withdrawal symptoms (been there, done that) if tapered off too rapidly. I was on Paxil for about 7-8 years successfully when it induced some hypomania (prolonged use of SSRI's is known for this) and then pooped out.
EffexorXR works on different receptors at different doses. I may not have this exactly right, but I believe that at 75-150 mg/day it acts on Serotonin, at 225 it acts on BOTH Serotonin and Norepinephrine, and at 300 it acts on Serotonin, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine. I was not able to tolerate more than 150 mg/day of EffexorXR, not because of *pesky* type side effects, but because it gave me major mood swings. At first, there were long periods/cycles, then they became very short, rapid and frequent.
EffexorXR also has to be withdrawn slowly and gradually or you could go through bad withdrawal. Luckily I avoided it but going down gradually (plus I was not on what would be considered a *high* dose).
Now, my experience obviously favors the Paxil, but EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. Please don't let what I say influence you to choose Paxil over EffexorXR. Someone else could pop on here and post the OPPOSITE experience.
I think you're best off discussing the merits and de-merits so to speak of these two meds with your pdoc.
And whichever one you choose, remember to give it time (a few weeks) to kick in. You'll get pesky side effects first, then if it's going to work, it will start to work. If not, then go off it gradually and try the other one.
Good luck 2 U.
poster:Janelle
thread:220180
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030417/msgs/220187.html