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Raised Blood Pressure on Venlafaxine

Posted , 5 users are following.

gen07717
gen07717

Hi, my psychiatrist recently raised my dose of venłafaxine to 300mg.  Since I've been on it, 8 weeks or so, I've been having my blood pressure monitored (using the self service machine at the GP surgery).  Both last week and today it's been higher than normal.  Has anyone else experienced this and did it mean reducing the dose back down? Thank you in advance

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • michael_37726
    michael_37726 gen07717

    Posted

    That don't surprise me as I have never heard anything good about venlafaxine when I was on it my blood pressure was raised and my doc put me on blood pressure pills. Since I came off it my BP is normal and don't take the BP pills anymore
    • gen07717
      gen07717 michael_37726

      Posted

      Hi Michael, thanks for that.  I really don't want to have to take BP medicine.  Have been told that I need to see my doctor tomorrow.  Such a pain x
  • pixie22
    pixie22 gen07717

    Posted

    It is a known side-effect. I've been on venlafaxine (225) and mirtazapine (30) for over 6 years with few problems and good results, but in the last few month my Bp has gone up & doc wants to see me about it. Couldn't get appointment for 2 weeks so still waiting! Will let you know what she says. I am already on tablets for Bp (from before I started venlafaxine) so she might just up the dose. One point though - my Bp is always higher at the GPs surgery than it is at home! I am trying to reduce dose of mirtazapine ( with psychiatrist agreement) but it made me very I'll and I've had to go back to 30mg for the time being. I think both mirtazapine and venlafaxine can raise Bp.
    • gen07717
      gen07717 pixie22

      Posted

      Hi, yes do let me know how you get on.  I've been told by a colleague of my psychiatrist (my own psychiatrist is not available until Thursday) that I should go to see my doctor.  What a pain, I really don't want to go down the route of having more medication to counter the side effects of what I'm already on!
    • patricia85842
      patricia85842 pixie22

      Posted

      Hi Pixie

      I was interested to read your post about your medication.  I was  originally on Venlafaxine - 75 mg.  They worked for 11 years but about 2 years ago they suddenly stopped working.  I was tried on several ADs but to no avail.  Then my GP put me on 15 mg Mirt which worked for 3 months.

      Anyway I had 6 months of misery.  I went to see a Psychiatrist at ther hospial and she put me on 15 mg  Mirt and 150 Ven.  It was like a miracle I have felt fantastic for 6 months.  I went to see her again 10 days ago and as I was feeling great I madr my next appointment for 6 months.

      Two days later the depression was back.  At the moment I am keeping busy as I felt that if I went back to the psych. she would up the drugs again.   I really was hoping that I would get a couple of years out of the drugs.

      Then I read your post where you said you are on 30 mg and 225 Ven which would be my next increase.  If only I could get 6 years peace.

      Have you felt back to normal on it.

      Pat x

    • gen07717
      gen07717 patricia85842

      Posted

      Hi Pat, I'm really sorry that you're feeling bad again, it may well be just a blip? Could anything have triggered it? Could it have been the chat with the psychiatrist just bringing back feelings that you don't want to be reminded of?

      I'm also on Mirtazapine together with the Venlafaxine.

       

    • pixie22
      pixie22 patricia85842

      Posted

      Hi Patricia!

      Yes the mirtazapine & venlafaxine combination gave me my normal life back but not straightaway, it did take time to gradually see improvement. I also had a year's CBT and counselling, but I wouldn't have been in a fit state to work on these if I hadn't been on the medication.

  • joanne61130
    joanne61130 gen07717

    Posted

    Hi, I think that maybe your blood pressure would have increased anyway without the venlafaxine. I only say this as I have been taking it for at least 8 years and my BP is always on the low side. It has never been high all through the 8 years of taking it. I think it is coincidental and venlafaxine seems to get the blame for antything that anyone experiences.
    • gen07717
      gen07717 joanne61130

      Posted

      Hi Joanne, thanks for replying.  What dose are you on? I'm not sure whether it's got worse because I've upped it to 300mg? 
  • joanne61130
    joanne61130 gen07717

    Posted

    Hi Gen,  I'm on 335mg Venlafaxine and have been on this dose for years.  This dose works for me and doesn't give me too many side effects. I suggest you persevere for a few more weeks and see if your BP rights itself, if not, then maybe the increase is the cause of the problem. If you increased to 300mg 8 weeks ago though, wouldn't your BP have been higher straight away it it was the meds to blame ?
    • gen07717
      gen07717 joanne61130

      Posted

      Thanks for replying again Joanne and sorry for the confusion, what I meant was that I've been on Venlafaxine for 8 weeks in total, started low and increased to 300mg 12 days ago.  BP was fine at 225mg dose.  

      Can you remember when V started working for you and how it worked.  Did you suddenly feel better and was it gradual?  Had you tried other AD's?  I haven't come across anyone else who on a high dose so would be really grateful to know your experience if you don't mind? Xxx

  • joanne61130
    joanne61130 gen07717

    Posted

    Hi Gen,  I can't remeber exactly but I think I have been on this dose for about 7 years. I started on venlafaxine after trying lots of other AD's which didn't work for me.  Venlafaxine has saved my life I think and it means I can lead a normal life without any depressive episodes. 300mg was not enough for me, but when I increased just that bit further I found my perfect dose.  I think if you have only been on this medication for 8 weeks it's too early to tell if it's the right one for you. 
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