If I take Effexor XR 37mg a day the withdral should not be that bad?

[nataB]

My doctor prescribed me Effexor XR and I got my prescription filled but before taking it I decided to do some research about this drug. The withdral and side affects scared me so I decided agains this drug. Then doctor priscribed me Citalopram and I've been taking it since. I have been taking citalopram 20mg a day for about 3 months. At the time of my visits to the doctor I had an insurance that covered my drugs, now I don't have my insurance any longer. I'm thinking since I still have Effexor XR should I take it now? I started filling really weird as a result of withdral from citalopram since I can't filled my prescription any more. Effexor XR that I have is 37mg the dose that I should increase every 2 weeks. I am thinking just to stick with 37mg a day and I should be fine since it is a such a small dose. What do you think?

[Paxiled]

The doctor won't answer a question on the same thread twice, so if you want to ask him this question you'll need to start a new thread.  My own opinion, such as it is, is that when you substitute one drug for another, you can't tell which symptom is withdrawal and which is a side effect of the new med.  Another problem here is that Effexor and Lexapro are two different classes of drugs, the first being an snri and the latter an ssri.  As for withdrawal, if that's your main concern, then I wouldn't switch to Effexor, which is a more difficult medication than Lexapro.  If the Lexapro worked, then your best bet is to stay on it.  Some pharmaceutical companies have programs to help lower the cost of the medication, but Lexapro is expensive because it's still on patent.  You could try switching to Celexa, the earlier version of Lexapro, which is generic and consequently quite inexpensive, and since it's very similar to Lexapro, it might be easier to switch to than Effexor.  But I still think if you want to quit a med, quit it before you start another, but if money forces you to switch, Celexa is the easiest switch.  (Prozac is the easiest ssri to quit, if that's important to you, but remember, whether anything will work is individual; that's why if you've found something that works, I wouldn't switch.)

[Jaquta]

I think it would only complicate matters and create more problems.
The advice I've read has been to go back on the med at the dose you were on before you experienced the withdrawal or discontinuation symptoms.  And then taper more slowly.  And sometimes even use klonopin as cover for the last week.

People have mentioned zero or low fee places you can go to for medical advice.
Another member recently asked about accessing free medication.  You could always check out the doctor's response to that.  (It had the word 'free' in the title).
If you aren't able to access any of the above, the symptoms should decrease before too long.  Not much help I know when you're struggling now.

J

[nataB]

Perhaps you can help answering: does substitution of citalopram by effexor would help the withdral that I'm having now by not taking citalopram? It's been 4 days and I have  brain zaps, dizziness...it's hard to deal with and I don't have a doctor to go to. Would effexor take the effects of withdral? Thanks.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

there is no way I can answer this question, you will have to ask your doctor. It's true that both of these medications are effective, and if you have effexor, that is the proper starting dose, but you should not be treating yourself and I don't know enough about you to make a recommendation.