How is effexor different from other antidepressants

Effexor or Zoloft is only prescribed in pregnancy when the benefits outweigh risks and if no other safer alternative is available. If you are already taking Effexor or Zoloft and find out that you are pregnant, contact your healthcare provider for medical advice. Neither drug should be used with alcohol.

Combining an antidepressant, like Effexor or Zoloft, with alcohol, can worsen depression or anxiety symptoms, impair thinking and alertness, and increase the effects of sedation and drowsiness. Zoloft is indicated for major depressive disorder depression. Zoloft is not indicated for generalized anxiety disorder, but it is indicated for panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and OCD. Your healthcare provider can determine the best medication for you, depending on your diagnosis and other factors like your medical history and other medications you take that could interact with Zoloft.

Zoloft can treat depression and certain types of anxiety disorders. However, some people experience increased anxiety or agitation , especially when beginning treatment. If you take Zoloft and feel anxious or agitated, contact your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Also, suicidal thoughts can occur in some cases, and the risk is higher in patients up to age 24 years. If you are having suicidal thoughts, seek emergency treatment.

The prescribing information for Zoloft does not specify the best time of day to take it. The best time of day is when you will remember to take it every day. Also, if Zoloft makes you drowsy, you may want to take it at night.

For some people, Zoloft causes insomnia. If Zoloft causes insomnia, you may want to take it in the morning. You can ask your prescriber if he or she suggests a recommended time. Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug.

Effexor vs. Zoloft: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you. By Karen Berger, Pharm. Updated on May. Top Reads in Drug vs. Toujeo vs Lantus: Main Differences and S Dulera vs Advair: Main Differences and S Suboxone vs Methadone: Main Differences Looking for a prescription? It also :. Serotonin helps control a number of processes within the brain. These include mood and emotions, anxiety and aggression, sleep, appetite, memory, and perceptions. Venlafaxine, under the trade name Effexor, appeared on the American market in , as a treatment for depression.

Venlafaxine is available :. Under the name Effexor, it is only available as the XR version. Generic versions are available in both immediate release and XR forms. The doctor will advise about dosage. People with liver or kidney problems will have a lower dose. One review suggests that it is comparable to other major antidepressants in treating generalized anxiety disorder GAD , obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD , panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD , and social anxiety disorder.

Before taking venlafaxine, patients should discuss their medical history with their doctor to determine whether the drug is appropriate. Patients with major depressive disorder may experience a worsening of depression, agitation and other symptoms, including thoughts of suicide, especially at the beginning of the treatment.

Those caring for these patients are urged to monitor carefully for these signs and to contact a physician at once if they occur. A major depressive episode can sometimes be the first manifestation of bipolar disorder , so patients should be screened for bipolar disorder before being prescribed venlafaxine. Seizure disorders : Venlafaxine should not be taken by patients who experience seizures. Interactions have led to serious adverse effects. Allergies : Anyone who is allergic to its ingredients should not take it.

These include venlafaxine hydrochloride, gelatin, titanium dioxide, hypromellose, iron oxide, ethylcellulose, and cellulose. High blood pressure : Venlafaxine has been linked to raised blood pressure , or hypertension , in some patients, so regular monitoring of blood pressure is recommended. Glaucoma : Anyone with a history of glaucoma should let their doctor know about this first. Pregnancy : One study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal CMAJ , has suggested that pregnant women who take venlafaxine may be at a higher risk of a miscarriage, so pregnant women should only take it if absolutely necessary.

Breastfeeding : As the drug can pass into breast milk, mothers taking venlafaxine should talk to their doctor before breastfeeding. You should always avoid drinking or using other drugs while you're taking Effexor.

These substances may decrease the benefits of the medication, or they can result in a toxic overdose. The most common Effexor overdose effects include:. To reduce your risk of overdose, your doctor will only prescribe you the lowest possible dose in the smallest quantity. Children and adolescents up to age 25 may experience increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors when taking antidepressant medications.

The danger is greatest the first few months of treatment or when changing the dose. Though this warning is true for all antidepressants, taking Effexor may increase your risk even more. A major study found that Effexor was associated with a higher risk of both completed and attempted suicide compared with other antidepressants, including Celexa citalopram , Prozac fluoxetine , and Prothiaden dothiepin.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Stopping Effexor abruptly may result in one of more of the following withdrawal symptoms :. It's important to not stop taking Effexor on your own. If you and your doctor decide it's best for you to stop Effexor, they can provide you with a tapering strategy to minimize any withdrawal symptoms.

Before prescribing Effexor, your doctor will take a thorough medical history. Even so, it's important for you to play an active role in your care. Be sure to share every detail of your health history, regardless of whether or not you think it's important. Overall, Effexor is a well-tolerated medication that has helped many people cope with a variety of mental health conditions.

You deserve to get well. The good news is that if Effexor doesn't help, there are lots of other options to try. Dealing with racing thoughts? Always feeling tired? Our guide offers strategies to help you or your loved one live better with bipolar disorder. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free. Shelton RC. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Handb Exp Pharmacol. Food and Drug Administration. Effexor label.

Updated December Seizure induced by a therapeutic dose of Venlafaxine ER: A case report.