Depression effexor

Venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR). Venlafaxine works by blocking the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. Because of this dual action, some believe that venlafaxine may be more effective than the SSRIs when treating severe depression. Its side effects and toxicity are similar to the SSRIs with abdominal discomfort, sexual dysfunction, and anxiety being commonly reported. At higher doses, it may mildly elevate blood pressure therefore, blood pressure should be checked periodically. When stopping venlafaxine, serotonin discontinuation symptoms may be especially problematic. Therefore, gradually tapering of the dose every 2-4 weeks is recommended. 

Antidepressants. The most widely used psychiatric medicines with the broadest range of application in TBI patients are undoubtedly the SSRI antidepressants. They are well tolerated, unlikely to worsen any of the preexisting deficits associated with TBI, and offer relief from not only depression but also impulsivity and virtually all variants of anxiety in these patients. As such, SSRIs are the preferred first-line treatment for all anxiety disorders after TBI. Other newer antidepressants that also work (at least in part) by boosting serotonin activity, namely, mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), venlafaxine (Effexor XR), and duloxetine (Cymbalta) can also be considered, but they have not been well studied in patients with TBI. In... 

Is Effexor more effective for depression than an SSRI Med Lett Drugs Ther 2004 46 15-16. Kirby D, Harrigan S, Ames D. Hyponatraemia in elderly psych iatric patients treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and venlafaxine a retrospective controlled study in an inpatient unit. Int 1 Geriatr Psychiatry 2002,17 231-237. 

Wyeth ( 16 billion in sales). Formerly known as American Home Products, this company headquartered in Madison, New Jersey, makes many well-known OTC drugs such as Robitussin and Advil. The company first used machines to mass-produce tablet pills in 1872 and supplied the polio vaccine for early trials in the 1950s. It produced a diet drug called fenfluramine that when combined with other drugs into a form known as fen-phen caused health problems and was withdrawn from the market. It makes Premarin and Prem-pro for estrogen replacement, Effexor for depression and anxiety disorders, Ativan for anxiety and insomnia, and Enbrel for arthritis. 

The company, acquired by Pfizer in October 2009 produced fenfluramine, the diet drug that was removed from the market for causing health problems, and makes Premarin and Prempro for estrogen replacement, Effexor for depression and anxiety disorders, Ativan for anxiety and insomnia, and Enbrel for arthritis. 

Antidepressant drugs, however, might have direct anxiolytic effects. That is, certain antidepressants such as paroxetine (Paxil) or venlafaxine (Effexor) can help reduce anxiety independent of their effects on depression.1,47 These antidepressants have therefore been advocated as an alternative treatment for anxiety, especially for people who cannot tolerate the side effects of traditional anxiolytics, or who might be especially susceptible to the addictive properties of drugs like the benzodiazepines.1,9,46 Moreover, antidepressants such as paroxetine or venlafaxine are now considered effective as the primary treatment for several forms of anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and panic disorder.4,29,53 Antidepressants, either used alone or in combination with antianxiety drugs, have become an important component in the treatment of anxiety. 

Along with this emphasis on particular disorders, recent pharmaceutical industry literature for conditions like depression and psychosis refers increasingly commonly to imbalances in brain chemicals, echoing the statements of official psychiatric literature described in Chapter 1. On depression, Eli Lilly s website claims that a growing amount of evidence supports the view that people with depression have an imbalance of the brain s neurotransmitters. .. many scientists believe that an imbalance in serotonin may be an important factor in the development and severity of depression (Eli Lilly 2006a, accessed 10.02.2006). Wyeth, makers of the antidepressant Venlafaxine (brand name Effexor... 

Venlafaxine (Effexor), approved by the FDA in December 1993, was described in more detail early in this chapter. It is one of the newer antidepressants implicated in causing suicidality. It is a NSRI that also strongly inhibits the reuptake of epinephrine. Its profile is very similar to the SSRIs in producing stimulation, including anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, anorexia, and weight loss. It causes the various emotional and behavioral abnormalities that go along with stimulation, such as agitation and mania, and has been associated with hostility, paranoid reaction, psychotic depression, and psychosis. It can cause hypertension. 

Fluoxetine (Prozac /Lilly), paroxetine (Paxil /GlaxoSmithKilne), and sertraline (Zoloft /Pfizer) are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and are useful in the treatment of depression. These agents potentiate the pharmacological actions of the neurotransmitter serotonin by preventing its reuptake at presynaptic neuronal membranes. In addition to its SSRI properties, venlafaxine (EfFexor /Wyeth-Ayerst) also appears to be a potent inhibitor of neuronal norepinephrine reuptake and a weak inhibitor of dopamine reuptake thereby enhancing the actions of these neurotransmitters as well. Venlafaxine is indicated for use in anxiety and depression. 

Singulair Montelukast Asthma prophylaxis 3.0 10 Effexor Venlafaxine Anti-depressive 4 2.7... 

This diverse collection has been grouped together mostly because they do not operate as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Instead, each one interacts differently with neurotransmitters that are tied to depression serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine. For instance, one of the more popular non-SSRIs, Effexor (venlafaxine), selectively inhibits the uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, acting on the same molecular machinery as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). But, in contrast to TCAs, Effexor shows no affinity for other neurotransmitter receptors and thus has far fewer side effects than the... 

In a study conducted by the British Journal of Psychiatry, Effexor was found more effective in alleviating depression than SSRIs. 

Selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs) The newest group of medicines that have successfully been used to treat emotional and behavioral problems such as depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), similar to their counterparts, the SSRIs. Some examples of the SSNRIs include Effexor, Serzone, and Remeron. 

Venlafaxine hydrochloride (brand name Effexor) An antidepressant medication that functions as an SSNRI as is used in the treatment of depression. Some side effects include abnormal ejaculation or orgasm, blurred vision, bruising, and impotence. 

Venlafaxine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that potentiates norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine neurotransmitter activity in the CNS by inhibiting their neuronal reuptake. Effexor, Effexor XR are used in treatment of major depressive disorder. Effexor XR is used in treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and treatment of social anxiety disorder. 

Effexor is an inhibitor of the reuptake of both norepinephrine and 5-HT. Michael Thase of the University of Pittsburg found that Efforex caused a 45% remission rate in patients with depression compared with the SSRl rate of 35% and placebo of 25%. Subsequent studies showed less striking results, and hypertension was an occasional side effect. 

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