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What Is The Difference Between Effexor And Elavil?

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Posted on Mon, 3 Nov 2014
Question: My daughter is palliative and currently on 125mg fentanyl.
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.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
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
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Is The Difference Between Effexor And Elavil?

Brief Answer: 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