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Suggest Treatment For Side Effects Of Venlafaxine

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Posted on Thu, 9 Jul 2015
Question: My 86 year old mother is 86 and on 150mg of Venlafaxine. She has over 13 listed side effects and has been ill with those same side effects listed for years, I feel she is severely allergic to this medication - what do you think?
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Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Venlafaxine is not tolerated by many people

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

Venlafaxine can cause many side effects. Apart from being serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) it also acts on alpha2-adrenergic receptor which leads to more side effects than those of SSRI. Dizziness, nervousness, nausea, constipation, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, strange dreams, drowsiness, increased sweating, blurred vision, dry mouth, changes in appetite or weight, decreased sex drive, impotence or difficulty having an orgasm, increased blood pressure, seizures have been reported side effects in many patients taking venlafaxine.

Tolerance to side effects can happen in many patients. However when side effects when difficult to tolerate drug should be stopped.

If your mother has more discomfort with side effects than benefits in problem for which it has been prescribed then it should be stopped and alternative medicine should be prescribed.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Chintan Solanki

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2406 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Side Effects Of Venlafaxine

Brief Answer: Venlafaxine is not tolerated by many people Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing to us. Venlafaxine can cause many side effects. Apart from being serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) it also acts on alpha2-adrenergic receptor which leads to more side effects than those of SSRI. Dizziness, nervousness, nausea, constipation, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, strange dreams, drowsiness, increased sweating, blurred vision, dry mouth, changes in appetite or weight, decreased sex drive, impotence or difficulty having an orgasm, increased blood pressure, seizures have been reported side effects in many patients taking venlafaxine. Tolerance to side effects can happen in many patients. However when side effects when difficult to tolerate drug should be stopped. If your mother has more discomfort with side effects than benefits in problem for which it has been prescribed then it should be stopped and alternative medicine should be prescribed. Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further. Regards, Dr.Chintan Solanki