Effexor and other antidepressants - avoiding side-effects.
Category: Depression
Effexor is an antidepressant used in the treatment of depression and anxiety, mental and mood disorders. It works by restoring the balance of natural substances in the brain. It may improve your mood, feelings of well-being, and energy level and etc.
In this article I wouldn't write about the advantages and disadvantages of Effexor. If you need full information about the drug you can find it here: Effexor (Venlafaxine)
But if you really found out symptoms of depression in yourself and asked your doctor to find the appropriate treatment for depression and he prescribed you Effexor or maybe some other antidepressants, as an experienced person in treatments for depression I'd like to give you several advices.
Before you start using Effexor or any other antidepressant prescribed by your doctor (and it is important for all medications) you should read the medication guide first and if you have some doubts, talk to your doctor, discuss all risks and benefits of antidepressant medication with him. It is necessary because antidepressants have many side-effects. For example, Effexor may increase blood pressure and it is recommended to check it regularly while using Effexor. But many people taking Effexor do not have serious side effects. And do not forget to notify your doctor if you take any other medications because drug interactions may be very serious.
The second important thing for all antidepressants, not only Effexor, is to start using medication with a low dosage and to increase it gradually. For example, first you take 1/2 of a tablet twice a day for 3 or 4 days, then, if everything is "ok", you take 3/4 of a tablet twice a day again for several days. Then you can take 1 tablet twice a day. It will help you to avoid side effects or to reduce the risk of them. And, of course, do not forget to follow your doctor's instructions, because for each person dosage depends on his medical condition. Try to take the medication with food and do not take more or less medication - it will not help you to recover faster but the risk of side effects may be increased. If you want to receive maximum results from the medication you take try to use it at the same time each day. If you forgot to take your morning dose for example it doesn't mean that in the evening you will take two dosages - it can be very dangerous! But, for better results, try not to miss usage time.
When you feel well it doesn't mean you can stop taking antidepressant. It's important to continue taking it until you consult your doctor. Because, if you stop taking the drug (antidepressant) suddenly, your condition may become worse. It happens because these medications are rather strong and if you were taking them regularly in high doses for a long period, they could cause dependence and as soon as you stop taking them suddenly, different withdrawal reactions may occur, such as vomiting, headache, numbness, nightmares, unusual behavior changes, panic attacks, trouble sleeping and etc.).
So if you are really on the way to recovery (and your doctor is reported about that), you should decrease your dose gradually (for example, 3/4 of tablet twice a day for 3-4 days, then a half of tablet twice a day for 3-4 days, then 1/4 of tablet twice a day for several days, then once a day for several days and etc. until you stop taking it at all).This will help to prevent withdrawal reactions. Do not forget it. It is very important for all strong antidepressants.
But I was suffering from depression for a year and Effexor helped me. But it was not the only medication I was prescribed by the doctor. And the thing I wanted to tell is that if it helped me it doesn't mean that it is an appropriate medication for you or that it will be effective and helpful for you. Besides, it doesn't mean that self help in depression is safe. It means that you should consult your doctor or you healthcare professional before using any drug, before starting to cure your depression. It is not a problem in our days to buy prescription drugs; there is a huge quantity of online pharmacies where you can do it and where you can receive all the information about the drugs you are going to take and etc. But only your doctor can prescribe the appropriate depression treatment which is tailored to your needs.
And one more thing I wanted to tell you in the end. Everybody is searching for natural treatment for depression. My opinion about it is the following: depression is a serious illness. It is not just the lack of so-called "hormones of luck". And as an illness it should be treated. I vote for complex treatment for depression, which includes medical treatment, psychotherapy and our own wish to recover!
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