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Should I switch to venlafaxine from citalopram

Posted , 5 users are following.

G55055
G55055

Hi i am looking for a bit of guidance.

I took 75 mg slow release venlafaxine for about 8 months just over 2 years ago, induction side effects were pretty awful. Was off work for 2 weeks with high anxiety, had to take diazapam.

I recovered and came off them.

After a stressful couple of months at work the dr suggested i start again with something. I had heard good reports about citalopram from friends so opted for that rather than the venlafaxine, due to past side effects.

I have been on citalopram for about 9 weeks. Had pretty bad side effects for a month or so, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, nausea, poor sleep, fatigue etc, i was still getting morning anxiety so 2 1/2 weeks ago increased dose from 10 to 15mg the extra 5 taken in the evening to try a smooth the dose.

The first week was great with less fatigue and increased motivation, but the last 1 1/2 weeks have been pretty crappy, poor sleep, fatigue, no motivation.

I am considering a switch to venlafaxine.

Is this a bad idea.

Am I likely to get the induction side effects even with the exposure to citalopram.

Thanks

0 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

  • nigel45109
    nigel45109 G55055

    Posted

    Hello, as long as you are not too anxious on cit, you probably just need a dose increase, recommended by your doctor. 15mg is quite low, 40 is max. You want to stay with cit, on higher doses, to see if it works for you. Otherwise, you may miss out on the ideal med and dose, without knowing. I started cit at start of year on 30mg then 40mg. Then had a complete nightmare with raging anxiety. I had to switch to ven, as was too anxious on high cit dose, and lower doses werent strong enough for my depression. Ven has worked out much better for me so far, but each person is different. Stay with cit, but increase dose, only on doctors recommendation though, to see if cit is right for you.
    • G55055
      G55055 nigel45109

      Posted

      Thanks, i started on a low dose due to the side effects, the increase to 15 has been pretty unpleasant. I'm reluctant to go up again, im mainly depressed but anxiety has increased with citalopram, is it likely that the anxiety will reduce on higher citalopram dose as it seems that the citalopram is the cause.

      I understand about not giving up on citalopram too early but don't want to waste too much time

    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 G55055

      Posted

      As you come out of your depression, most people's anxiety will go up, with most anti depressants. Its a question of trying to get the right balance, and is why gradual increases are used hor some people. The increase in anxiety is a price most people have to pay. The anxiety although it increases intially with each dose increase, should subside eventually. Many people say the anxiety is the last thing to go. It can take 6 to 12 weeks or more for anxiety to go. It makes sense. Prolonged anxiety causes depression, coming out of depression means going through anxiety again. The fact you had a good week on such a low dose is encouraging. If i were in your shoes, i would stay on cit, and increase every 4 weeks, until you feel your depression is much better. Generally, each time you increase your anxiety levels go up, and then subside, but it can take a while to subside. Forget about a quick fix because there isnt one, you need to give it time to get the correct one.

    • nigel45109
      nigel45109

      Posted

      If you went back to ven, you are likely to go through the same anxiety issues. Cit and ven are both highly regarded by doctors and pyscs. I really wanted cit to work, and gave it 12 weeks. As long as the anxiety remains manageable, although unpleasant, stick with cit for a few dose increases of 5mg at a time.
    • nigel45109
      nigel45109

      Posted

      Had you tried any ads before ven, as most people go onto ven, only if the ssris didnt work. I tried 2 ssris, didnt work, so went onto ven. You dont normally go from ven to a ssri like cit.
    • G55055
      G55055 nigel45109

      Posted

      Thanks for the advice, i think i will give the citalopram a bit more time.

      The first time around the dr put me on sertraline but I had diarrhoea within 30 mins of taking the first, and only, tablet. The dr then moved me venlafaxine, im not sure why he chose venlafaxine, i guess he thought i might be particularly sensitive to ssri, I have had similar side effects on citalopram but not so immediate, and I had a bit more knowledge of what to expect.

    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 G55055

      Posted

      Its odd he chose ven next, as another ssri like cit is logical choice. You didnt really give sert much of a go, so if cit doesnt work, you can try another ssri.
    • G55055
      G55055 nigel45109

      Posted

      You're right i didn't give sert much of a try. I was a bit surprised by the immediate response. I will discuss options for other ssri with gp.

    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 G55055

      Posted

      I would give cit a good go though, as generally its most successful ssri. If not, try another ssri. You are likely to get increased anxiety with all of them. Next logical step is a cit increase. 20mg dose of cit, is starting point for a lot of people. Lois on here might message you at some point, shes a cit expert. Shame it didnt work for me. Basically, ssris werent strong enough for my depression, and they made me to anxious. Thats why i went onto ven, as its a snri. Ssris work for most people, and thats why they are first choice. You always need to give at least 2 of them a go, before trying ven. Ven is for more persistant depression.
  • mary33143
    mary33143 G55055

    Posted

    Hi

    I have I tried several anti anxiety anti depressant medications and I like Effexor a lot.

    Now I will be honest with you I have been on it for about 4 months and I still have wicked night sweats and tremors that are subsiding.

    They increase as the dosage increases.

    My anxiety and depression are VERY well controlled and I finally am calm and peaceful and those 2 reasons are why I have tolerated the side effects.

    You have to decide what you can deal with.

    Please keep in mind that ALL of these types of medications have funky side effects.

    Good luck!!!

  • Leahe
    Leahe G55055

    Posted

    Hi! I was on sertaline then citalapram. But both stopped working after 5 to 6 weeks,so.I started ven immediately upon stopping 40mg of cit. I was fine. 1st few days restless sleep high anxiety but totally feel so much better now. Its,been 2 weeks and feels like this just may be the one,that works for me. Praying...
    • mary33143
      mary33143 Leahe

      Posted

      Hi Leah

      I have been on Effexor for 4 months and it consistently works for me.

      Sounds like you are on the right track 🤗

      Good luck!!!!

    • Leahe
      Leahe mary33143

      Posted

      Thanks Mary! Positive news gives me hope. So far so good for me. 😊

    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 Leahe

      Posted

      Hello, just wanted to add, after a ven dose increase 2 weeks ago, having best 3 days ive had in 3 or 4 months. I take immediate release ones, and actually like the feeling it gives me. Best ad ive tried so far, by some way.
    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 Leahe

      Posted

      Seems like when you get dose right, improvements are very good, and happen quite quickly. Taken me quite a while to get to correct dose.
    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 Leahe

      Posted

      187mg. Went up to that 2 weeks ago. Was on 150mg for 5 weeks, very little and slow improvements. Trouble was i had a very extended switch over, that made me so much worse. Possibly needed higher dose, because of state i got in from an 8 week reduction and change over.
    • mary33143
      mary33143 nigel45109

      Posted

      Your positivity Nigel is refreshing🤗

      It's really good to hear that someone else is having good results.

      I was definitely apprehensive regarding the side effects but I am sooo happy I switched to Effexor.

      Best of luck 😊

    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 mary33143

      Posted

      Yes, a lot of doom and gloom about effexor, probably from people that forget why they needed it in the first place. Find it very agreeable to take. Would have had much quicker results if my pysc had done switch more quickly. My blood pressure is fine, despite recently increasing dose. Pyscs highly regard ven, as if ssris dont work, offers best outcome of the rest available, if it works for you.
    • G55055
      G55055 nigel45109

      Posted

      Aside from the induction it worked well for me too.

      I was on a low dose and tappered down very slowly, shaving tablets and didn't have any discontinuation effects.

    • Leahe
      Leahe nigel45109

      Posted

      Just a quick question. I have read that switching manufacturer causes problems. Started to work myself up on Saturday for I was starting on Teva pills rather than Mylan which I had been on. I don't seem to feel a difference. It clearly states they are the same..The pharmacist says it's fine too. Just wondering if you have had problems.

    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 Leahe

      Posted

      Hello leahe, each time i get a ven pescription the manufacturer seems to be different, being honest, ive not taken much notice, and havent noticed any differences.
    • Leahe
      Leahe nigel45109

      Posted

      Thanks again... Think I'm reading too much..🤔

    • tammy76379
      tammy76379 mary33143

      Posted

      Hi Mary, just teasing the discussion between you and Nigel. I had been on venlifaxine for week over 13 years, only 75 mg. We had a life changing event in our house last summer that no amount of medicine could control my anxiety. It went through the roof. Coincidentally, my generic ven was discontinued and substituted with something similar that didn't work AT ALL!!! so my doctor thought I should switch to Lexapro. Was on it for 10 weeks, 3@10mg, 7@20mg. OMG, my anxiety was 1000% worse.Back on brand Effexor XR 75mg now, and I feel almost like myself. I've been having some occasional 2-3 day flare ups. I might need to bump up a half dose. But this medication has been a godsend. I have my life back! And that life changing event I mentioned earlier has been resolved, thank heavens!!! I hope you continue to feel good!

    • nigel45109
      nigel45109 tammy76379

      Posted

      Hello, was thinking about your post. I cant imagine ven ingredients are any different between different manufacturers, so thought it might be in peoples minds. However, i take immediate release, seems to be a different brand in uk each time, and ive not noticed any difference. Then rememberred someone mentioning they changed brand on xr and found an intact capsule in their poo. You take xr, so perhaps with extended release, not all capsules are the same. Would explain your new brand was not working. With immediate release, they dissolve immediately. Certainly would explain different brands of xr working differently.
    • tammy76379
      tammy76379 nigel45109

      Posted

      Oh no there's a big difference believe me. I'm a migraine sufferer and even though all migraine medications have sumatriptan in it, it's the other added ingredients that inhibits delivery of the medication. So if you can imagine using crappy chocolate to bake a cake and good, expensive chocolate to bake a cake, you're definitely going to get a different result. There is definitely a difference. Extended release with name brand and extended release in a generic are different as well. You wouldn't think so, but I'm living proof that there's a BIG difference. That being said, my generic worked great until it was discontinued. And then substituted with another generic.

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