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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by DP on September 3, 2001, at 19:32:58
I gathered from all the research and reading I've done on Effexor and its dosage, that different dosages affects different neurotransmitters in the brain. Low levels affect mostly Serotonin, mid levels affect that other neurotransmitter (that I can't spell, but it starts with an "N"), and high levels affect Dopamine.
Can someone confirm that? I just wanted to know that out of curiousity.
Also, I see that a lot of people start out at 37.5mgs the first week and work their way up to 75mgs after about a week and adjust up accordingly when the 75mgs are well tolerated. My question is this. What effect does the 37.5mgs have by itself? My doctor has no intentions of upping me beyond the 37.5mg dosage.
Thanks in advance for your help with my question.
Posted by Janelle on September 3, 2001, at 20:22:27
In reply to Effexor Dosage - QUESTION, posted by DP on September 3, 2001, at 19:32:58
From what I know (which I learned on here, but it was from Sal's vast collection of research sites), Effexor DOES indeed vary in what it targets, based on dosage.
Low levels (up to 75mg/day affect mostly Serotonin, mid levels affect Norepinephrine (this is "that other neurotransmitter that you said you can't spell, but it starts with an "N"!). I did not know till you mentioned it, that at high levels Effexor affects Dopamine.
I've been on 37.5 mg/day for awhile now, as I'm in the process of tapering OFF of it. Since it is one of a few meds I take, it is difficult to know what, if anything, this dosage of Effexor is doing or not doing for me.
I'll know more when I stop taking it completely - if I go "down" I'll know that 37.5 mg would be a good "maintenance" dose for me; if I remain okay, I'll know that 37.5 mg probably was not doing much of anything for me.
I'm wondering why your doc is keeping you at 37.5 mg? Just curious.
Posted by DP on September 3, 2001, at 20:34:52
In reply to Re: Effexor Dosage - QUESTION » DP, posted by Janelle on September 3, 2001, at 20:22:27
Janelle,
Thanks so much for your reply. I have never been on anything other than the 37.5mgs. I've been taking it for about a month now.
To be honest, I have no idea why the doctor has me on such a dosage. I didn't question it at the time the medication was prescribed since I knew nothing about Effexor. I CAN tell you that I was prescribed the Effexor for a panic/anxiety disorder that came about from an eating disorder.
When you say you've been on the 37.5mgs for "a while", how long exactly is that? How much was the most you've taken?
Thanks,
Jimmy
Posted by Cam W. on September 3, 2001, at 21:06:24
In reply to Re: Effexor Dosage - QUESTION, posted by DP on September 3, 2001, at 20:34:52
DP - Many of the studies of EffexorXR for panic disorder have found that doses of 37.5mg are sufficient to control panic disorder. I have seen a dose this low work in 4 or 5 cases that I have been personally involved in.
For GAD, the doses tend to need to be a bit higher (eg 225mg).
I hope that this is of some help. - Cam
Posted by DP on September 3, 2001, at 21:24:01
In reply to Re: Effexor Dosage - QUESTION » DP, posted by Cam W. on September 3, 2001, at 21:06:24
Cam,
Thanks! That's just what I wanted to know. But now that I have your attention, I do have something to ask. I often see the word GAD associated with Effexor.
WHAT THE HECK IS GAD? (and do I have it?)
Jimmy
Posted by Janelle on September 3, 2001, at 21:36:32
In reply to Re: Effexor Dosage - QUESTION, posted by DP on September 3, 2001, at 20:34:52
Hi DP,
Well, I've had quite a ride on Effexor. I started at 37.5 about four months ago, titrated up to the "average" of 150mg/day, but that was very activating for me - I felt caffeinated, lightheaded, my legs felt rubbery, and I was anxious. My pdoc backed me down to 75mg, and I'd say I was on that about 3 1/2 months, then about two weeks ago, I went down to 37.5 mg. I am now scared to come off it because of the bad stories i've heard about withdrawal (and I went through that with Paxil). I'm going to be "brave" and do it soon. If you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask!
Posted by Cam W. on September 3, 2001, at 23:15:42
In reply to Re: Effexor Dosage - QUESTION, posted by DP on September 3, 2001, at 21:24:01
Jimmy - GAD is short for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It is different from panic disorder, but is thought to also involve decreased serotonergic nerve function in certain brain areas (probably different brain structures, or different combinations of brain structures, than panic disorder. I am not trained in diagnosis, so your best bet would be to ask your doctor if you have it.
I hope that this is of some help. - Cam
Posted by Andre Allard on September 4, 2001, at 4:24:41
In reply to Effexor Dosage - QUESTION, posted by DP on September 3, 2001, at 19:32:58
Norandrenergic effects are not felt until 125mg. It would take up 1g effexor to sufficiently effect dopamenergic pathways.
I take 450mg effexor.
Good luck!
This is the end of the thread.
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