Posted by yznhymer on October 20, 2004, at 21:40:20
In reply to Switch from Effexor to Cymbalta? Side Effects?, posted by HappinessPie on October 20, 2004, at 18:29:58
> I have been diagnosed with Depressive Disorder, and I am considering switching to Cymbalta for because of side effects from Effexor XR (weight gain, or more accurately, impediment to weight loss, constant hunger pangs, and concerns about discontinuation syndrome). I have been hearing (here and elsewhere) that Cymbalta may be responsible for fewer side effects due to its greater potency and its SNRI action occurring at low dosages (unlike Effexor XR, where the dosage must be higher before those effects kick in).
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> I have been on Celexa, which caused the same troubles with regard to weight gain and hunger, along with severe lethargy. Wellbutrin XL worked very well, but I am allergic to it (skin rash that was clearly related).
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> Because of the success of Wellbutrin I thought perhaps Effexor would be the next best thing, but I was not aware of Cymbalta. I suspect that my p-doc did not mention it since it is new and likely to be more expensive. That is the case with my insurance, where it is not in the formulary and is $15/mo more than Effexor XR.
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> I'm trying to decide if it might not be worth it, though. I am very concerned about the discontinuation syndrome of Effexor XR. Does anyone know if this is a problem with Cymbalta as well, since it is also an SSNRI?
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> I should also note that I am also currently taking 36 mg Concerta for ADD, and have not noticed anything negative from the combination.
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> I experienced insomnia when I first went to my 150 mg plateau dosage of Effexor because I was taking it at night (previously it had been making me sleepy in the daytime). I switched to morning and that problem resolved itself. I'm wondering if the insomnia some mention is chronic or if it goes away after a while...?
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> Sorry to ask so many questions! I just want to make the right decisions.
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> Another issue is that I am moving overseas soon and I need to make sure whatever I'm taking is available in the EU.
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> Thanks!
Hey there....I have a couple of thoughts, having taken both Welbutrin and Cymbalta. Regarding Cymbalta, I've lost about 10 pounds in a couple of weeks and others have also enjoyed some weight loss when starting it. In terms of other side effects, I believe the cumulative experience is mixed from what I've read. Women seem to be doing better at avoiding the anorgasmic side effects that it could induce. I actually stopped Cymbalta a few days ago and haven't decided whether to continue with it. In any case, I didn't notice any discontinuation problems. I was only on 30mg daily however.
In terms of Welbutrin, I too developed a skin rash from it but I think it was the SR formula. (I had no problems with the original formula when I had taken it earlier.) My pdoc moved me back to the original formulation on the hunch that it might be the inactive ingredients in the SR formula that were to blame. He was right, and I had no further problems. If Welbutrin was so successful for you you might want to ask your pdoc about the other formulations.
I haven't done much pricing of ADs recently but the cost of Cymbalta has not been onerous. I don't know the full cost off-hand but my coinsurance cost is only about $18 mo.... not out of line with other meds I buy through insurance.
Mark
poster:yznhymer
thread:405277
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041018/msgs/405317.html