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Suffer Depression. On Effexor And Lexapro. Can Amino Acids Be Taken Along With Anti Depressant To Increase Its Effectiveness?

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Posted on Fri, 26 Jul 2013
Question: Hi, I am currently on 75mg of Effexor, I came off it last august too quickly and got severe depression etc, I went onto Lexapro for 5 months but it did not help, I went back on Effexor 3 months ago but its not having the same effect it did have, I think because of the withdrawal I had back in August I am depleted in the main neurotransmitters, serotonin, dopamine etc and I was wondering if amino acids like tyrosine, 5htp etc can be taken along with the anti depressant to increase its effectiveness? Thanks XXXXX
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Answered by Dr. omz (44 minutes later)
Hello,

I am Dr.Omer and I am here to help you with your query.

As you have said that you are taking venlafaxine , then shifted to escitalopram , then back to venlafaxine , for low to high mood , wants to have an additive effect.

Tyrosine , serotinin supplements do help , but depends on the person using it.

The neurotransmiters in brain are made endogenously in the brain , as proteins cannot pass through the blood brain barrier due to big size.

Studies have should both increase in effect of SNRis like velafaxine , ectalopram and with no additive effect.

I would recommend that you should take it with your medicine , for 2-4 weeks if its helpful to you , continue it , as they do not do so much harm , as excessive is not absorbed.

Discuss with your psychiatrist to increase the dose of venlafaxine , and keep a check on blood pressure as SNRis do increase the blood pressure.

Hope this explains your query,

Feel free to ask any further questions.

Take care.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Dr. omz

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 508 Questions

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Suffer Depression. On Effexor And Lexapro. Can Amino Acids Be Taken Along With Anti Depressant To Increase Its Effectiveness?

Hello,

I am Dr.Omer and I am here to help you with your query.

As you have said that you are taking venlafaxine , then shifted to escitalopram , then back to venlafaxine , for low to high mood , wants to have an additive effect.

Tyrosine , serotinin supplements do help , but depends on the person using it.

The neurotransmiters in brain are made endogenously in the brain , as proteins cannot pass through the blood brain barrier due to big size.

Studies have should both increase in effect of SNRis like velafaxine , ectalopram and with no additive effect.

I would recommend that you should take it with your medicine , for 2-4 weeks if its helpful to you , continue it , as they do not do so much harm , as excessive is not absorbed.

Discuss with your psychiatrist to increase the dose of venlafaxine , and keep a check on blood pressure as SNRis do increase the blood pressure.

Hope this explains your query,

Feel free to ask any further questions.

Take care.