Effexor effectiveness

Effectiveness factor Effervescent tablets Effexor Effluents Effluent treatment Efflux viscometers... 

Tricyclic drugs have, as the name implies, a three-ring structure, and interfere with reuptake of norepinephrine and/or serotonin into axon terminals. Tricyclic drugs include imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventil). Tricyclics have the occasional but unfortunate cardiovascular side effects of arrhythmia and postural hypotension. Newer, nontricyclic antidepressants have been developed that are collectively referred to as SSRIs. These have a potent and selective action on serotonin, and lack the cardiovascular side effects of the tricyclics. These include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and fluvoxamine (Luvox). A fifth SSRI, citalopram (Celexa) has been used in Europe and has recently been approved in the United States. Venlafaxine (Effexor) blocks reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, while bupropion (Wellbutrin) acts on both dopamine and norepinephrine. 

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. 

Newer Generation Antidepressants. All SSRIs have been shown effective in the treatment of panic disorder. Of these, flnoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft), as well as the SNRI venlafaxine ER (Effexor XR), have received FDA approval for the treatment of panic disorder. Because they are safer and easier to tolerate, SSRls/SNRls have largely supplanted the MAOIs and TCAs as standard treatments (along with benzodiazepines) for panic disorder. 

Venlafaxine (Effexor) inhibits the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine at their respective presy-naptic sites. This drug does not have significant effects at muscarinic, histamine, or a-adrenergic receptors and therefore is devoid of many of the side effects associated with the TCAs. Venlafaxine and its active metabo-... 

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. 

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. 

Venlafaxine (Effexor) Strong inhibition of norepinephrine and serotonin re uptake Low risk of orthostatic hypotension, sedation, and anticholinergic side effects May cause hypertension... 

Venlafaxine (Effexor, 11.57) blocks the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine from the synaptic junction and acts as an antidepressant (Scheme 11.5). The primary metabolic pathway of venlafaxine is (9-demethylation (11.58), which is mediated by CYP2D6. CYP2D6 has variable activity across different populations. Groups with a more active form of CYP2D6 tend to show more side effects from venlafaxine. 

Venlafaxine (Effexor) is a new antidepressant that has been studied in the treatment of people who did not benefit from other antidepressants ("treatment-resistant") where it was often foimd to be effective. It is an effective first-line agent, and is the first of the newer antidepressants to be both a potent serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Some studies suggest that it can produce benefits more quickly. Other than a tendency to produce a mild elevation of diastolic blood pressure, it has side effects similar to those of the SSRIs. Usual side effects from venlafaxine are nausea, anxiety, sedation, dizziness, blurred vision, and dry mouth. 

Venlafaxine. The sinicturc and activity of venlafaxinc (Effexor) arc in accord with the general SARs for the group. As expected, it is an effective antidepressant. 

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. The only member of this class which has received regulatory approval is venlafaxine (Effexor). Venlafaxine is a phenethylamine bicyclic derivative, chemically unrelated to tricyclic, tetracyclic or other available antidepressant agents. In a retrospective review of 35 consecutively treated overweight or obese outpatients with BED, venlafaxine 75-300 mg daily given for 1 to 43 weeks appeared to reduce the frequency of binge eating and to lower body weight (Malhotra et al. 2002). Reported side effects included dry mouth, sexual dysfunction, insomnia and nausea As there have thus far been no published randomised controlled trials, its place in the treatment of BED must remain uncertain. 

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... 

Another major difference with Effexor as compared to many other antidepressants is that it does not last long in the body. With SSRIs, MAOIs, and TCAs, days or even weeks are needed to wash out the drugs from the body. Effexor, on the other hand, has a half-life of 5 hours, meaning that after the drug is ingested half of it will be eliminated 5 hours later. If for some reason the drug is not well tolerated, the side effects of Effexor will subside in a matter of hours. This makes Effexor extremely tolerable and risk free. To sustain its therapeutic effects, however, Effexor must be taken several times a day. 

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

Despite its proven efficacy, Effexor is not a perfect drug. There are some side effects associated with it, the most common being drowsiness and gastrointestinal upset. Less commonly reported symptoms are nervousness, dry mouth, and sexual dysfunction (although much less sexual dysfunction than SSRIs). 

However, it must be noted that most of Effexor s reported side effects are much less severe than those associated with SSRIs. Indeed, Effexor s popularity has increased following FDA approval of the drug as a treatment for such syndromes as social anxiety disorder (SAD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Social anxiety disorder is not simply shyness, but a paralyzing inability to interact with people, such as casual acquaintances or even friends. Generalized anxiety disorder is the clinical term for a personality marked by a chronic state of worry. People afflicted with GAD often feel so overwhelmed with real or imagined problems that they have trou-... 

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. 

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. 

Many noncyclic antidepressants are now available, including trazodone (Desyrel l), nefazodone (Serzone ), fluoxetine (Prozac ), sertraline (Zolotf ), citalopram (Celexa ), escitalopram (Lexapro ), paroxetine (Paxil ), tluvoxamine (Luvox ), venlafaxine (Effexor ), and bupropion (Wellbutrin ). Bupropion is also marketed under the brand name Zyban tor smoking cessation. Mirtazapine (Remeron ), a tetracyclic antidepressant, has recently become available. In general, these drugs are much less toxic than the tricyclic antidepressants (see p 90) and the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (p 269), although serious effects such as seizures and hypotension occasionally occur. Noncyclic and tricyclic antidepressants are described in Table 11-7. 

These drugs target both serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmitter systems in the brain. The group includes duloxetine (Cym-balta), venlafaxine (Effexor), and mirtazapine (Remeron). Side effects may include dry mouth, headache, sedation, nausea, and tremors. 

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