Is Effexor Mania REAL?
In this video Q&A with founder of the Alternative to Meds Center, Lyle Murphy, top questions are answered about Effexor.
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Questions covered during the video:
1. Is Effexor an SSRI?
2. Can all antidepressants trigger mania?
3. What does mania feel like and how do I know if I am being manic? Can you give any examples of mania from life/work experience?
4. How can I calm a manic episode?
5. Do you personally think Effexor is unacceptably addictive?
6. What mental health state makes dealing with the Effexor side effects worth the risk?
7. Why do people on Effexor gain weight?
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If you have been diagnosed with depression or anxiety disorder, you are far from alone. Together, depression and anxiety disorders make up the most commonly treated group of mental disorders in the United States-18.1% of the adult population (or about 40 million people) are experiencing anxiety disorders at any given time. In comparison, 6.7% (about 16.2 million people) experience a depression event in a given year. Fortunately, research has proven that these disorders are highly treatable, which has resulted in ongoing studies regarding the efficacy of several prescription medications.
Prescription Drugs to Treat Depression and Anxiety
While there are multiple types of depression and anxiety disorders, physicians generally accept the theory that each may alter the brain’s delicate chemical balance. When an imbalance occurs, common symptoms of depression, anxiety, or both may be present. As a result, most pharmaceuticals endeavor to address the chemicals of the brain.
After much research and an exhaustive approval process, multiple prescription drug manufacturers have developed medications designed to restore the brain’s chemical balance; some are medications that target depressive disorders such as major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder. Other medications target anxiety-related disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and those approved for the treatment of both.
About Effexor:
Venlafaxine
As the first discovered member of the SNRI class of antidepressants, Effexor was first approved in 1993 and primarily used to treat major depressive disorder. Initially, Effexor was produced solely in this form by the Wyeth company. When researchers discovered that the large amount of Effexor necessary to reduce symptoms adequately was best ingested over time, the Wyeth company began manufacturing an extended-release form in 1997.
Today, Pfizer makes only the extended-release version with the same active ingredient-venlafaxine. As a result of the switch to extended-release dosing and the unique properties of venlafaxine, dose sizes for Effexor are higher than those of other antidepressants. Currently, the drug is available in 150 mg, 75 mg, and 37.5 mg capsules, all of which must be taken with food to prevent nausea due to the high dosage. The maximum recommended daily dose is 225 mg, with physicians and patients working together to gradually increase the recommended starting dose of 35 to 75 mg per day up to the ideal dose.
How Does Effexor Work?
Depression and anxiety are associated with low levels of certain mood chemicals within the brain. As a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, Effexor works to block the body from reabsorbing two key neurotransmitter chemicals-namely, serotonin (known as the “feel-good chemical”) and norepinephrine (known to affect energy and an alert feeling). These two neurotransmitters help the brain cells communicate with one another by acting as chemical messengers, affecting mood.
While researchers are not fully certain how the nerve signal transfers associated with these two neurotransmitters operate, preventing reabsorption of both effectively boosts the amount of each available to the brain. By blocking reuptake by other cells and providing a larger amount of norepinephrine and serotonin to the brain, SNRIs such as Effexor can help prevent depression and anxiety. SNRIs are a dual inhibitor. They are purportedly more effective than SSRIs at treating depression; however, the evidence remains unclear, and individuals may respond differently to SNRIs and SSRIs depending on their situation.
For more information about safely tapering off Effexor and natural alternatives, you may pursue instead, contact the Alternative to Meds Center today!