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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are The Side Effects Of Effexor?

I was taken off Effexor cold turkey and put on fetzima. I will be up to full dose in a week. Going through miserable withdrawal. How long does it take to get through this? I m having bouts of severe sweats. I mean clothes soaked sweats. Can I take this twice a day? What about Ed? Effexor killed my sex life. Will fetzima be better?
Mon, 24 Dec 2018
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello,

welcome to the 'Ask a Doctor' service.

Stopping effexor cold turkey is not advised even if you're going to start a new drug of the same class (SSNRI) like fetzima. The withdrawal effects usually last for a few weeks but it can't be predicted for any particular individual. When withdrawal effects occur we usually restart the drug and taper it slowly.

Fetzima is normally started at 20mg once a day and we escalate to 40mg withing a couple of days. If the dose is not enough we may - slowly, one step at a time - reach doses like 120mg per day. The dosage is up to your doctor to decide though.

Regarding erectile dysfunction, unfortunately fetzima does cause it in almost 1 out of 10 patients taking it. The risk for this side effect is more or less the same as with effexor. Many similar drugs share this side effect though.

I hope I've answered your question. Please let me know if you need further assistance.

Kind Regards!
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What Are The Side Effects Of Effexor?

Hello, welcome to the Ask a Doctor service. Stopping effexor cold turkey is not advised even if you re going to start a new drug of the same class (SSNRI) like fetzima. The withdrawal effects usually last for a few weeks but it can t be predicted for any particular individual. When withdrawal effects occur we usually restart the drug and taper it slowly. Fetzima is normally started at 20mg once a day and we escalate to 40mg withing a couple of days. If the dose is not enough we may - slowly, one step at a time - reach doses like 120mg per day. The dosage is up to your doctor to decide though. Regarding erectile dysfunction, unfortunately fetzima does cause it in almost 1 out of 10 patients taking it. The risk for this side effect is more or less the same as with effexor. Many similar drugs share this side effect though. I hope I ve answered your question. Please let me know if you need further assistance. Kind Regards!