Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is often treated with Effexor XR, which is also commonly prescribed for depression and social anxiety. Also called Venlafaxine HCl, Effexor XR is thought work on two neurotransmitters (as opposed to the more modern SSRIs which only work on one). Both Serotonin and Norepinephrine levels should be stabilised by this drug, thus improving mood and dampening anxiety.
Personal experiences:
As with most anti depressant medication, there tends to be some side effects when you first start taking the drug. I don’t list the side effects because I think that people tend to manifest them, especially those people who suffer from anxiety and depression, as they are prone to negative thought patterns. Certainly night sweats and muscle trembling have been a problem.
Does it work?
Anti depressants are statistically proven to work. That said, the difference in efficacy between placebos and most anti-depressants in peer-reviewed research is surprisingly small which has lead some experts to suggest that anti-depressants are only suitable for a much smaller number of cases than they are currently used for.
Certainly Effexor XR seems to reduce levels of anxiety and obsessive worry. Background anxiety levels dropped and desensitization became much easier.
Withdrawal.
Before going on an anti-depressant it is important to consider coming off them, even though that might be the last thing on your mind when you are in the middle of an anxiety/depression crisis. It is important to have a frank and open discussion with your psychologist or doctor, or whoever prescribes this medication. NEVER self prescribe using Online Pharmacies which don’t require a face to face consultation with a doctor.
Effexor XR has an especially short half, less than six hours for some one with normal metabolism. This does mean that a reduction in dose, a missed dose, or cold turkey withdrawal can lead to sudden and severe side effects. Again it’s not useful to list all the possible symptoms for fear of self-fulfilling prophecies. The key to the easiest withdrawal is to talk to a doctor about tapering the dose and using other strategies which can include a short term dose of a longer half life anti-depressant.
After Paxil, Effexor XR seems to be the hardest anti-depressant to come off. So do your research!
MHRA – In whose Interests?
The recent TeGenero drug trial debacle was an accident waiting to happen. As long as the Pharmaceutical Industry continues to suppress clinical trial data the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) will walk blindly and feed the British public false information.
News this week that GlaxoSmithKline knowingly withheld clinical trial data from the MHRA regarding the top selling anti-depressant drug Seroxat will add further fuel to the fire and hopefully push for an independent review into how the MHRA could be duped into believing that a drug they have reviewed on numerous occasions was safe.
The MHRA are made up of medical experts, some of whom are former employees and shareholders of the pharmaceutical companies they grant licenses to. Surely this is wrong and at the very least there is the suspicion of a conflict of interest?
For too long now the MHRA have been hoodwinked by the Pharmaceutical Industry. Lawsuits for damages in respect of harm caused to patients are popping up all over the place, but avoid media and public scrutiny because they are usually settled out of court on the proviso that evidence is not made public.
A public enquiry is needed to examine how the MHRA is run and why former Pharmaceutical Industry directors are allowed onto the board. Would a convicted drink driver be allowed to adjudicate on a road safety panel?
The MHRA need to pull the plug NOW on their close associations with the Pharmaceutical Industry. The British public expects and naively assumes impartiality and not a regulatory authority whose main interest seems to be one of ‘delivering jobs for the boys.’
Mr Robert Fiddaman (Group Moderator of the Online Seroxat Support Group)
Birmingham, UK