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I Have A Question About Side Effects Of A Prescription
Question: I have a question about side effects of a prescription that I’ve been taking
Brief Answer:
Yes, please let me know your concern regarding medicine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to ask a doctor service,
I have gone through your query in detail and can certainly understand your concern towards your medicine.
I can explain your concern regarding medicine, so please let me know clearly the aspects that bothers you.
As per information, effector xr is an SNRI that would help in depression and somatic symptoms.
Diazepam is a benzodiazepine, which also acts as an anti-anxiety medications.
Looking forward for your concern.
Thank you.
Yes, please let me know your concern regarding medicine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to ask a doctor service,
I have gone through your query in detail and can certainly understand your concern towards your medicine.
I can explain your concern regarding medicine, so please let me know clearly the aspects that bothers you.
As per information, effector xr is an SNRI that would help in depression and somatic symptoms.
Diazepam is a benzodiazepine, which also acts as an anti-anxiety medications.
Looking forward for your concern.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Long story short, I’ve used 5mg of diazepam almost every evening as a sleep aid for about 8 years. Over the past several months I noticed I was having fluctuating anxiety throughout the day for no reason at all. I met with my doctor, and he wanted me to switch to Effexor XR since it is a safer long term option, and taper off of the diazepam.
I was on 37.5mg of the Effexor for 10 weeks which seemed to mostly help everything, but not 100%. My doctor mentioned 37.5mg was more of an introductory dose and that I should bump up to 75mg/day. So I’ve been on 75mg a day for 9 days now, and I feel worse than I did on the 37.5mg/day. My thoughts are that I might be experiencing side effects of the increased dosage. My main complaints are random elevated anxiety levels and tension in my neck and head.
So my questions are these:
1. Given that I had been on 37.5mg/day of Effexor without side effects, is it likely that I would start experiencing side effects when increasing to 75mg?
2. Could my current, elevated levels of anxiety and tension be caused my the increase dosage? If so, do you think these symptoms will go away if I continue on the 75mg/day?
3. Could the side effects I’m experiencing be caused by the very slow tapering of the diazepam, or is it more likely side effects of the increased Effexor dosage?
Over a period of 3 months I had managed to taper diazepam down to a total of 1mg per day. However given the increased anxiety levels after beginning the 75mg of Effexor, I’ve had to use 5-10mg of diazepam to get by.
I appreciate any clarification you can provide.
Thanks XXXXXXX
I was on 37.5mg of the Effexor for 10 weeks which seemed to mostly help everything, but not 100%. My doctor mentioned 37.5mg was more of an introductory dose and that I should bump up to 75mg/day. So I’ve been on 75mg a day for 9 days now, and I feel worse than I did on the 37.5mg/day. My thoughts are that I might be experiencing side effects of the increased dosage. My main complaints are random elevated anxiety levels and tension in my neck and head.
So my questions are these:
1. Given that I had been on 37.5mg/day of Effexor without side effects, is it likely that I would start experiencing side effects when increasing to 75mg?
2. Could my current, elevated levels of anxiety and tension be caused my the increase dosage? If so, do you think these symptoms will go away if I continue on the 75mg/day?
3. Could the side effects I’m experiencing be caused by the very slow tapering of the diazepam, or is it more likely side effects of the increased Effexor dosage?
Over a period of 3 months I had managed to taper diazepam down to a total of 1mg per day. However given the increased anxiety levels after beginning the 75mg of Effexor, I’ve had to use 5-10mg of diazepam to get by.
I appreciate any clarification you can provide.
Thanks XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Yes, it seems could be withdrawal anxiety of diazepam since long history of
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back
I have gone through your follow up query in detail and can certainly understand your concern towards your symptoms.
These withdrawal anxiety symptoms could be due to abrupt discontinuation of diazepam, as it has to be gradually tapered and stopped and should be switched off with another safest benzodiazepine while tapering one.
1. As per your query, symptoms may not be due to increased dosage of effector, but because there is no replacement with another benzodiazepine
2. Along with effector xr, some safest benzodiazepine combination must be added.
I advise you can discuss with your doctor and get back to me with queries if any.
Thank you.
Yes, it seems could be withdrawal anxiety of diazepam since long history of
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back
I have gone through your follow up query in detail and can certainly understand your concern towards your symptoms.
These withdrawal anxiety symptoms could be due to abrupt discontinuation of diazepam, as it has to be gradually tapered and stopped and should be switched off with another safest benzodiazepine while tapering one.
1. As per your query, symptoms may not be due to increased dosage of effector, but because there is no replacement with another benzodiazepine
2. Along with effector xr, some safest benzodiazepine combination must be added.
I advise you can discuss with your doctor and get back to me with queries if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
As I mentioned I was doing a very slow taper off of diazepam over 3 months. At that point I was taking only 1mg per day and 37.5mg of Effexor. I had almost no side effects at that point. It wasn’t until my Effexor dosage was increased to 75mg that I started experiencing symptoms. The symptoms were similar to what I felt the first couple of weeks of starting 37.5mg Effexor.
My next question:
1. Ignoring the diazepam for a moment. Is it possible that after taking 37.5mg of Effexor for 10 weeks and then increasing the dosage to 75mg that my body would experience some side effects while getting used to the higher dosage? The side effects are similar to when I initially started Effexor.
2. Should I stay the course and continue taking 75mg Effexor, or should I go back down to 37.5?
My next question:
1. Ignoring the diazepam for a moment. Is it possible that after taking 37.5mg of Effexor for 10 weeks and then increasing the dosage to 75mg that my body would experience some side effects while getting used to the higher dosage? The side effects are similar to when I initially started Effexor.
2. Should I stay the course and continue taking 75mg Effexor, or should I go back down to 37.5?
Brief Answer:
You can continue 75 mg effexor for 2 more weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back,
I have gone through your query in detail and can certainly understand your concern towards your current medications.
1. There is little possibility that because it would take atleast 4-6 weeks for the body to get adjust to the drug in terms of effectiveness and side effects.
So, if you are able to tolerate , you can wait and watch for 2 more weeks to understand about the increment of dose to 75 mg of effexor.
Hope you understand the information.
Thank you.
You can continue 75 mg effexor for 2 more weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back,
I have gone through your query in detail and can certainly understand your concern towards your current medications.
1. There is little possibility that because it would take atleast 4-6 weeks for the body to get adjust to the drug in terms of effectiveness and side effects.
So, if you are able to tolerate , you can wait and watch for 2 more weeks to understand about the increment of dose to 75 mg of effexor.
Hope you understand the information.
Thank you.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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