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Help feeling confused!!!

Posted , 3 users are following.

claire09405
claire09405

Hi I’m looking for some advice please. I collected my prescription today for venlafaxine immediate release from a different chemist, the pharmacist came out from behind the counter to had me them, he asked how long I had been taken my daily dose (225 mg in the morning) and asked was I feeling ok since it was increased to that! He said it’s a very high dose to be taken at one go, he didn’t understand why they don’t have me on the slow release or half my dose in morning then evening ??????? I’m a bit worried now because I haven’t been great I told my doctor this on fri, she told me to continue with medication but I’ve to get bloods checked on tues. the pharmacist asked me to make an app with doctors to discuss this high dose 😳 does any one else take the same dose as me? Do any of u think it’s a bit high too? Xx

0 likes, 19 replies

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  • vicki27618
    vicki27618 claire09405

    Posted

    I take 225mgs immediate release once a day. Psychiatrist said he wants me to stabilise on it and then will swap to prolonged release. How long have you been on it? Have you had side effects? I increased to 225mgs 3 weeks ago and have had extreme tiredness, headaches and body aches. 
    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 vicki27618

      Posted

      I cant see how you can stabalise with so much ven in one go for first 12 hours, then no ven for second 12 hours.
    • claire09405
      claire09405 vicki27618

      Posted

      Hi, I got increased to this round about February time, I have been feeling ill for a few months now,  more palpitations headaches shaky and sweats sweating for no reason at times, I have also put on a lot of weight but I don’t know if that is related. Hope u feel better soon x
  • nigel45109
    nigel45109 claire09405

    Posted

    Hello, i dont think your pescription is correct. You take immediate release twice a day (half daily dose each time), or you take extended release for whole 225mg, once a day. Your pharmacist is correct in being concerned. If you took 225mg immediate release in one single dose, then you get the full 225mg in your blood stream within 30 minutes or so. That is too much all at once. Also, as its immediate release, its all gone within 12 hours, leaving you with practically no ven for next 12 hours. I would think this would not be good for a person at all, and makes no sense.
    • claire09405
      claire09405 nigel45109

      Posted

      Hi, thank you I’m hoping to get an appointment tomorrow, the pharmacist said he had never known of a dose like that at one time to be given to anyone else x
  • nigel45109
    nigel45109 claire09405

    Posted

    I take 225mg of immediate release, but take it in 3 separate amounts of 75mg, approx every 8 hours.
    • claire09405
      claire09405 nigel45109

      Posted

      The pharmacist suggested I did this until I have seen the doctor. X
    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 claire09405

      Posted

      The pharmacist is correct. Theres been some sort of mistake. Taking 225 immediate release, will give you same amount of ven in 12 hours, as the first 12 hours of 450mg of extended release, and then you have no ven for 12 hours. Its surprising you havent ended up in a bad way. Far too much ven in first 12 hours, then no ven in second. Immediate release only lasts for a max of 12 hours, then its gone out of your body. Crazy if thats what doctor intended.
    • claire09405
      claire09405 nigel45109

      Posted

      I’m glad I found out when I did! I’m glad I didn’t go to the chemist I usually do or I would have been none the wiser! My anxiety has been through the roof recently not sleeping for months now. But doctor gives me nothing for this. I’m going to ask for a different doctor that’s for sure! Thanks for all the advice 🙂

    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 claire09405

      Posted

      This comes up now and again and its pretty appalling mistake to make. You certainly owe your chemist. I noticed it coming up previously, know how antidepressants work, and thought thats ludicrous. Glad the chemist confirmed it, as can advise others. You should experience significant improvements going forwards.
    • claire09405
      claire09405 nigel45109

      Posted

      Sorry for late reply just home from work! I definitely do owe my chemist, Infact I’m going to start going there as it’s still close to home, I will thank the pharmacist next time I’m in.  I really do hope I see a difference now I’m spacing the dose out, because the last few months have been real tough, I’ve never known anxiety like it, I’ve suffered since I’ve been 19 I’m now 38 so been a little wile lol 😂 

  • vicki27618
    vicki27618 claire09405

    Posted

    Hi did you find out if you can take 1 x 225mgs immediate release daily? I’m also taking it and concerned as I feel rubbish and only started 8 weeks ago on ven, 4 weeks on 225mgs. 
    • claire09405
      claire09405 vicki27618

      Posted

      Hi vicki my doctor told me to start taking one in morning and 2 early evening, so that’s 75mg in morning 150 mg early evening. I’m still not feeling great, but wondering if it may take a wee bit of to sort itself out 🤷🏼??? X

    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 vicki27618

      Posted

      Hello, if you take one tablet of 225 mg a day, it may be extended release, as i dont know if there is an immediate release 225mg tablet available. I think 225mg immediate release is taken by taking 3 x 75mg tablets. Im not sure though.
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