Can you take Effexor with Zoloft?!
Question: Can you take Effexor with Zoloft!?
I have been on 150 mg of Effexor for 11 years!. Due to the side effects I desided to get off to see who I am without this powerful drug!. For the past 6 months I have brought myself slowly down to 37!.5 mg and I have been on 37!.5 mg for 8 days!. My doctor says I need to be completley off Effexor for one week before I can try Zoloft!. I am having really bad anxiety and withdrawel symptoms so I am wondering if I can start the Zoloft while I come off the last bit of Effexor!? She gave me xanax but its not helping!.!.!.!.any advice would be great!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
I'm sure that for purely safety issues she is recommending not to take them together--even in a small dose!. You may run a small risk of serotonin syndrome (fever; agitation; hyperreflexia; anxiety)!.!.!.but it is very unlikely with small doses of Zoloft!. The Xanax (which is an incredibly effective pharmaceutical) will diminish all--if any--of these 'side-effects'!.
By my own similar experiences in this issue, I've never had any problems of the like!. However, going from Effexor which affects serotonin and norepinephine (SSNRI) to Zoloft which solely affects serotonin (SSRI), you may find the latter drug an inadequate replacement!. Cymbalta is simply the best and most potent (and one of the only) SSNRI's, I take it myself--so perhaps I am biased!. But I recommend it highly!. A start at 30mg-the lowest dose would, in my opinion, be optimal!.
You've just gotta be patient (perhaps 3 to even 8 weeks) for you to feel the beneficial effects of it!. I always hated that period of waiting--but benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan, perhaps even Tranxene-SD, are excellent during this anticipatory period!.
I hope all goes well for you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
By my own similar experiences in this issue, I've never had any problems of the like!. However, going from Effexor which affects serotonin and norepinephine (SSNRI) to Zoloft which solely affects serotonin (SSRI), you may find the latter drug an inadequate replacement!. Cymbalta is simply the best and most potent (and one of the only) SSNRI's, I take it myself--so perhaps I am biased!. But I recommend it highly!. A start at 30mg-the lowest dose would, in my opinion, be optimal!.
You've just gotta be patient (perhaps 3 to even 8 weeks) for you to feel the beneficial effects of it!. I always hated that period of waiting--but benzodiazepines like Xanax, Klonopin, and Ativan, perhaps even Tranxene-SD, are excellent during this anticipatory period!.
I hope all goes well for you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
your dr!. is right!. you cant take the zoloft while still taking the effexor!. the xanax should help with the withdrawl and anxiety!. you need to call dr!. and get an increase in dosage of the xanax untill you start the zoloft!. try doing some deep breathingf exercises--take walks!. and real warm showers, to try to relieve some of the anxiety in the meantime!. good luck!. hang in there!Www@Answer-Health@Com