Dr. switching zoloft to effexor for panic attacks?!
Question: I am on zoloft and have been for 3 years but my panic gets bad lately and i am just curious as to anyone who have or is on effexor, does it help? I have a month to think about it.
Answers: I am on zoloft and have been for 3 years but my panic gets bad lately and i am just curious as to anyone who have or is on effexor, does it help? I have a month to think about it.
I have not taken Effexor, but am currently on Zoloft. Each person has a different experience with each antidepressant. Both Zoloft and Effexor inhibit the reuptake of serotonin in the synapse, but Effexor also inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine. How this will effect you will not be known until you try it.
One thing, (s)he may have already discussed this with you, but, the therapeutic range of SSRIs in the treatment of anxiety disorders is usually at a higher dosage than for depressive disorders. Perhaps if you are on a relatively low dose, and you do not wish to switch medications, you could see how your doc feels about upping your dose (outpatient maximum dose is usually about 200 mg)?
Perhaps you have "pooped-out" (actual term used colloquially in the profession to describe when a drug stops working) on Zoloft, so it may be beneficial to try a new medication.
Another thing to consider is that if you get an Rx for Effexor XR and you reside in the US, it is not currently available as a generic form (regular Effexor is), so it will cost you more than Zoloft's generic equivalent.
At any rate, whatever you choose, I hope it works for you. Panic attacks certainly suck, I know this all too well, and I feel for you.
Effexor is awesome for anxiety/panic. but it requires high dosage.
If your using effexor be sure to ask for Effexor XR. Effexor makes people sick sometimes.
Effexor works very well for panic attacks.
my doctor has me on alprazolam aka xanax its the best for me maybe you can talk to your doctor about it