Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 248906

Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Lexapro vs Effexor XR

Posted by aloe on August 7, 2003, at 9:40:10

Hi all-
I just found this group while I was doing some investigating into the drugs my doc has me trying. It's been helpful to see the posts, but I've got to tell you that I am now doubtful if I want to take this stuff at all.

He started me on 5 mg lexapro for depression and anxiety, and had me up the dose to 10 mg after a week or so of no results. I felt so good! Finally! Only one little problem.. anorgasmia. Talk about mental torture. I'm too young! But otherwhise I felt so happy and wonderful. I told my doc and he suggested I stop the lexapro and try Effexor XR. Normal sexual function returned for about two days while I had stopped the lexapro and was starting the effexor xr. I've been on the effexor xr (I'm at 150mg now, working up to 225 mg) for about a week now and haven't had a chance to check out the sexual side effects, but after reading all the horrible side effects of effexor xr and how giving the lexapro a couple weeks seemed to help some people I'm now so confused about if I should have switched. I've been down in the dumps since I switched a week ago, but I guess I should give Effexor SR some time. Then again, from reading the Effexor posts it sounds like I'm stuck on this stuff for the rest of my life unless I want horrible withdrawal effects. I haven't had any nausea, headache, etc, but I read about people gaining so much weight on Effexor xr and it sounds like i may have been better off with the lexapro. Now I'm thinking I'd rather just be depressed instead of being an anorgasmic AD addict. Has anyone else gone through this? Sorry to ramble, but I'm new to this anti-depressant meds stuff. Any input would be wonderful.

 

Re: Lexapro vs Effexor XR

Posted by Bill L on August 7, 2003, at 10:08:18

In reply to Lexapro vs Effexor XR, posted by aloe on August 7, 2003, at 9:40:10

Effexor XR is not too difficult to stop taking if you use the proper technique. If you plan to go off of it, you should take Prozac as soon as you lower your dose of Effexor. Then keep taking Prozac while you gradually lower the Effexor dose.

Effexor does not have a reputation for causing weight gain. (Paxil can have that effect as can Remeron at a low dose).

Effexor and Lexapro both have a reputation for being very safe drugs. The danger of reading web sites such as this one is that you are mainly hearing from people who have problems with drugs. There are many others that do not have major side effects. So you have to keep things in perspective.

Effexor can also cause difficulty with orgasms. But not with everyone.

Give Effexor a chance. If you are not satisfied with it after a couple of months, go back to Lexapro at 10 mg. There are supplemental drugs such as Wellbutrin that can be given with Lexapro to help aleviate the sexual side effects.

 

Prozac while going off EffexorXR (or Paxil) » Bill L

Posted by Janelle on August 7, 2003, at 14:11:39

In reply to Re: Lexapro vs Effexor XR, posted by Bill L on August 7, 2003, at 10:08:18

With all due respect, I do not quite follow the continuing references on here to how one "SHOULD" take Prozac while going off EffexorXR or Paxil. I understand the rationale behind it, but my objections are:

1) why add/take yet another SSRI just to help taper off another one, even for a short duration, and 2) there IS a SAFE, EFFECTIVE way to taper off EffexorXR, Paxil or any other such SSRI -- I have personal experience with both EffexorXR and Paxil, and the way my pdoc had me go off EffexorXR was to taper off SLOWLY and GRADUALLY. I was *only* at 150, so I went down to 75 for I don't remember how long (but it was quite awhile), then 37.5 for quite awhile, then off. I had NO PROBLEMS. The key is to be patient and lower the dose of EffexorXR in small increments and very slowly. Ditto for Paxil.

In my case with Paxil, however, it was just before the publicity came out about its withdrawal problems and the pdoc I had at the time didn't have enough experience with it to know that this one especially requires "low and slow" tapering. She had me go off it in only 4 days and I got so sick from withdrawal.

So I have had BOTH experiences, neither of which involved taking Prozac. I just want to put out a *caution* about saying that a person "SHOULD" take Prozac while going off Effex. or Pax. There is no "should" -- this is just a suggestion, it's not carved in stone. Thanks!

This all aside, I agree with the rest of what was said! :-)

 

Re: Prozac while going off EffexorXR (or Paxil)

Posted by Bill L on August 7, 2003, at 16:29:23

In reply to Prozac while going off EffexorXR (or Paxil) » Bill L , posted by Janelle on August 7, 2003, at 14:11:39

I agree that the "should" word was a poor choice. It depends on the stategy that one wants to take. For example, if one wishes to try an SSRI after trying Effexor, then it would probably be a good strategy to start taking the SSRI while weaning off of Effexor.

> With all due respect, I do not quite follow the continuing references on here to how one "SHOULD" take Prozac while going off EffexorXR or Paxil. I understand the rationale behind it, but my objections are:
>
> 1) why add/take yet another SSRI just to help taper off another one, even for a short duration, and 2) there IS a SAFE, EFFECTIVE way to taper off EffexorXR, Paxil or any other such SSRI -- I have personal experience with both EffexorXR and Paxil, and the way my pdoc had me go off EffexorXR was to taper off SLOWLY and GRADUALLY. I was *only* at 150, so I went down to 75 for I don't remember how long (but it was quite awhile), then 37.5 for quite awhile, then off. I had NO PROBLEMS. The key is to be patient and lower the dose of EffexorXR in small increments and very slowly. Ditto for Paxil.
>
> In my case with Paxil, however, it was just before the publicity came out about its withdrawal problems and the pdoc I had at the time didn't have enough experience with it to know that this one especially requires "low and slow" tapering. She had me go off it in only 4 days and I got so sick from withdrawal.
>
> So I have had BOTH experiences, neither of which involved taking Prozac. I just want to put out a *caution* about saying that a person "SHOULD" take Prozac while going off Effex. or Pax. There is no "should" -- this is just a suggestion, it's not carved in stone. Thanks!
>
> This all aside, I agree with the rest of what was said! :-)

 

Re: Prozac while going off EffexorXR (or Paxil) » Janelle

Posted by KimberlyDi on August 8, 2003, at 11:55:03

In reply to Prozac while going off EffexorXR (or Paxil) » Bill L , posted by Janelle on August 7, 2003, at 14:11:39

With all due respect to everyone, the reason Prozac is suggested is because of the difference in half-life's. Effexor's half-like is extremely short, which results in the withdrawal symptoms when you quit. 1st missed dose, no SSRI benefits lingering in system, voila... withdrawal. Prozac has a longer half-life. It is suggested by people who've done it successfully but by all means no one has to do it. Especially if someone has had a negative experience with Prozac before.
KDi in Texas

 

Re: Prozac while going off EffexorXR (or Paxil) » KimberlyDi

Posted by Janelle on August 8, 2003, at 13:53:21

In reply to Re: Prozac while going off EffexorXR (or Paxil) » Janelle, posted by KimberlyDi on August 8, 2003, at 11:55:03

Hi!

I understand exactly what you are talking about with regard to the half-lives of EffexorXR (short) versus Prozac (long)! So, I see the *logic* behind being on Prozac while going off EffexorXR.

However, I was just trying to suggest what is, in my humble opinion, perhaps a less *complicated* way to get off EffexorXR - a low and slow taper, WITHOUT introducing yet another SSRI which may or may not even work (not everyone does well on Prozac, plus that one takes time to kick in, so who's to say it would even be working while the person was going off EffexorXR!)

Also, I have personal experience with going off EffexorXR and I did it WITHOUT turning to Prozac. I went off the EffexorXR very gradually and while I did have some of the *electric head* brain flashes, they were few and far between and that was the ONLY withdrawal symptom I had. (and it was after I was totally off the Effex.)

Just my two cents; food for thought. Thanks!

 

Re: Prozac while going off EffexorXR (or Paxil) » Janelle

Posted by KimberlyDi on August 8, 2003, at 16:16:36

In reply to Re: Prozac while going off EffexorXR (or Paxil) » KimberlyDi, posted by Janelle on August 8, 2003, at 13:53:21

:)
Ironically, I am one of the ones who will not use Prozac to taper off Effexor whenever I quit. Prozac made me crazy. <grin> I do have a prescription of Lexapro that I'll probably take small doses of when I taper off, if I have any problems tapering. My husband has Paxil. I'll make it one way or the other.

Sorry if I came across the wrong way. I am one emotionally and physically exhausted girl this week.

:)
KDi in Texas

> Hi!
>
> I understand exactly what you are talking about with regard to the half-lives of EffexorXR (short) versus Prozac (long)! So, I see the *logic* behind being on Prozac while going off EffexorXR.
>
> However, I was just trying to suggest what is, in my humble opinion, perhaps a less *complicated* way to get off EffexorXR - a low and slow taper, WITHOUT introducing yet another SSRI which may or may not even work (not everyone does well on Prozac, plus that one takes time to kick in, so who's to say it would even be working while the person was going off EffexorXR!)
>
> Also, I have personal experience with going off EffexorXR and I did it WITHOUT turning to Prozac. I went off the EffexorXR very gradually and while I did have some of the *electric head* brain flashes, they were few and far between and that was the ONLY withdrawal symptom I had. (and it was after I was totally off the Effex.)
>
> Just my two cents; food for thought. Thanks!

 

Re: Prozac worked wonders with withdrawal for me

Posted by katalina on August 9, 2003, at 0:45:14

In reply to Prozac while going off EffexorXR (or Paxil) » Bill L , posted by Janelle on August 7, 2003, at 14:11:39

Hi there,

I took Effexor XR 75 mgs. and then tapered to 37.5 and then just switched to 10 mgs of prozac for a month. I may have dumped a few capsules out of the last few 37.5 capsules before changing to Prozac, but did so with no problems or side effects whatsoever.

Effexor was a great drug for my depression (basic dysthymia and low motivation) especially since it kicked in quickly and had a marked difference on my mood. I switched to Lexapro after discontinuing the Effexor, only because I felt like I was losing too much weight when I added Adderall to the regimen. One I switched to Lexapro, the weight didn't seem to be falling off me anymore.

I took prozac in the past (10 years ago) with great success, but was looking for something a bit stronger, especially since the prozac caused a little too much apathy. My regimen now is 10 mgs. lexapro, 30 mgs. Adderall Xr and 1.5 klonopin at night. So far, this is the best combination for me and it's been effective for almost a year at this dose.

Just wanted to share my experience with Prozac helping with Effexor withdrawals. My sister quit cold turkey out of desperation and she was really sick and miserable. I didn't want to take any chances, and I didn't feel one "wrong" thing with switching.

Just my experience,

Katie

 

Re: Prozac while going off EffexorXR (or Paxil) » Janelle

Posted by theo on August 9, 2003, at 20:06:43

In reply to Prozac while going off EffexorXR (or Paxil) » Bill L , posted by Janelle on August 7, 2003, at 14:11:39

Last week I was following a weaning schedule from Effexor XR 37.5mg, within 24 hours after my last dose I had horrible feelings of fear and vertigo and since I was not taking other meds, I took 20mg of Prozac and withdrawal lessened coniderably. If this helps I don't see what your big concern on the suggestion is. Have you never discontinued one SSRI and started another after your last dose of the one your discontinuing?? What's the difference??


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