Posted by jms600 on February 3, 2009, at 15:36:51
In reply to Re: High dosages of Efexor for anxiety?? » jms600, posted by SLS on February 2, 2009, at 18:18:10
> > Are dosages of Efexor above 150mg suitable for the treatment of anxiety disorders? Or, at such doses (and above), is it likely to exacerbate anxiety?
> >
> > At higher doses Efexor blocks the re-uptake of dopamine - is this something to avoid when anxiety problems are an issue??
>
>
> Good questions. I have no definitive answers. For me, reaching dosages of 300mg and higher did not precipitate anxiety. Anxiety - especially social anxiety - is a component of my illness. I would not stop at 150mg if I were you. So far, I have not encountered a recommendation of dosing differently for depression and anxiety disorders. Perhaps someone else has.
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> - Scott
Thanks Scott. I live in Britain and, for some reason, Effexor is not indicated here for social phobia or panic disorder (it's only indicated for depression and GAD). I'm currently tapering off amitriptyline and starting 75mg of generic Venlafaxine XR next week.Interestingly, the patient information leaflet states that the maximum dose for anxiety is 225mg, but for severe unresponsive depression the dose can go up to 375mg. Not sure why this is. My psychiatrist mentioned that I could go up to 375mg if necessary - and he is obviously fully aware of my anxiety problems. Guess I just need to start the 75mg next week and take it from there!
I also need to bear in mind that I don't have another Remeron situation, where the higher doses always made my anxiety worse.
poster:jms600
thread:877681
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