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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Effexor's Side Effects -- How Long?
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Effexor's Side Effects -- How Long?
by Readsalot, May 09, 2000 12:00AM
I've been on Effexor for a few weeks and already feel much less depressed and hopeless.
I was previously taken off Paxil and later Celexa because they both caused sexual dysfunction (orgasm was virtually impossible). Now that the psychiatrist has upped my Effexor dosage, the dysfunction has reappeared. Other earlier side effects I had with Effexor have lessened over time. Is there any chance that this one will, too? If not, can I stay on it and add something to it to make orgasm possible again? I've asked the psych. about this, but he says none of the drugs that are added to depression meds to treat the dysfunction actually help. (BTW, I had scary, horrible side effects with Wellbutrin, so that's not a possibility.)
And assuming I stay on Effexor, is it possible it will eventually help me regain my sex drive?
Thanks for any info you can share.
I was previously taken off Paxil and later Celexa because they both caused sexual dysfunction (orgasm was virtually impossible). Now that the psychiatrist has upped my Effexor dosage, the dysfunction has reappeared. Other earlier side effects I had with Effexor have lessened over time. Is there any chance that this one will, too? If not, can I stay on it and add something to it to make orgasm possible again? I've asked the psych. about this, but he says none of the drugs that are added to depression meds to treat the dysfunction actually help. (BTW, I had scary, horrible side effects with Wellbutrin, so that's not a possibility.)
And assuming I stay on Effexor, is it possible it will eventually help me regain my sex drive?
Thanks for any info you can share.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS-M.D.-HG, May 13, 2000 12:00AM
Dear LC,
Medications such as Wellbutrin, Serazone, Trazodone, Remeron are used as antidepressants in the treatment of patients with depression associated with sexual dysfunction. Medications such as Amantadine, Cyproheptadine and Yohunbine are seen to be useful in patients with sexual dysfunction on antidepressants. Sexual dysfunction secondary to effexor is dose related (as the dose increases, this side effect worsens). About 12% of the population that uses effexor have either abnormal ejaculation or orgasm difficulties. If the sexual dysfunction is secondary to depression itself, it can get better once the depression is relieved by the medication. I would recommend that you talk to your doctor about your concerns.
Sincerely
HFHS-M.D
Medications such as Wellbutrin, Serazone, Trazodone, Remeron are used as antidepressants in the treatment of patients with depression associated with sexual dysfunction. Medications such as Amantadine, Cyproheptadine and Yohunbine are seen to be useful in patients with sexual dysfunction on antidepressants. Sexual dysfunction secondary to effexor is dose related (as the dose increases, this side effect worsens). About 12% of the population that uses effexor have either abnormal ejaculation or orgasm difficulties. If the sexual dysfunction is secondary to depression itself, it can get better once the depression is relieved by the medication. I would recommend that you talk to your doctor about your concerns.
Sincerely
HFHS-M.D
Member Comments (3)
by p, May 12, 2000 12:00AM
As far as I know Effexor and Wellbutrin are our only hopes unless they have come out with something new. I take both, no sex drive. Hope your experience gets better.
by Sharon, Sep 15, 2000 12:00AM
I am 19 years old and I am on effexor. I have been for about a year. I recently got married and I don't really have a sex drive. IT is TERRIBLE. I wish that there was somthing that I could do to make that side effect go away.
