What Is The Difference Between Effexor And Elavil?
She has been experiencing pain breakthrough for several weeks.
She does not want to be on antidepressants but It has been suggested that she take an antidepressant to help reduce the pain. How would that work and what is the difference between effexor and elavil?
Thank you.
decrease the sensitivity to pain
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Antidepressants and anti seizure medications are commonly used for pain.
The pain relieving effect of anti depressants is independent or not related to their mood effects.
It is thought that they work by decreasing the sensitivity to painful stimulation. They are used most commonly in pain that has a nerve related basis.
Elavil is a tricyclic antidepressant. It is one of the older antidepressants. It affects the levels of the chemical norepinephrine and serotonin.
Effexor is a newer antidepressant.It also affects the levels of these chemicals but it is done with a different mechanism of action.
Either one may be helpful to relieve some of her pain. Elavil has been around for a long time and has been shown to be effective but medical studies have shown that there is only minimal difference between the pain relieving antidepressants.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions