May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Anxiety and Panic Weaning off anti anxiety medication and withdrawal effects
Weaning off anti anxiety medication and withdrawal effects |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: How can you wean off Effexor without the terrible side effects? Can it be done? Dear Nancy: Effexor is an anti anxiety as well as an antidepressant medication. Its main pharmological component is Venlafaxine which act as a Serotonin and nor epinephrine reuptake inhibitor. If stopped suddenly there can be various withdrawal sysmptoms like nausea, vomiiting, and something called SSRI discontinuation syndrome which is characterised by increased anxiety, increased temperature, mental status changes etc. Thus it is highly advised that this medication be stopped and decreased gradually before permamnently discontinuing the same. You need to talk to your family physician regarding the same as it is dependent on the amount and frequency of medication that you are taking.Also many a times another antidepressant like fluoxetine may be temporarily added to the medication to decreased the with drawal effects. I hope this helps. All the best. |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 28 May 2011 ) |
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