![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 theo on July 13, 2003, at 13:56:31
My doctor prescribed me 37.5mg Effexor XR as a daily dose. Anyone have luck with this low of a dose? Anyone know of any sites that discuss advantages/disadvantages of taking Effexor XR at 37.5mg?
Posted by Janelle on July 13, 2003, at 14:14:58
In reply to Anyone taking Effexor XR 37.5mg daily dose?, posted by theo on July 13, 2003, at 13:56:31
I have heard (sorry don't know anyone who's actually taking 37.5 mg/day) that this dosage, while considered low, CAN be helpful.
I took it in combination with a low dose of Celexa and the combo worked quite well for awhile.
Effexor is known to be quite *strong*/activating, so I suppose it's possible that a minimal effective dose could indeed be 37.5 mg. At that level you're getting action on Serotonin receptors (only) -- you need 75mg/day or more to start hitting Norepinephrine too from what I understand.
I'm curious why you ask - does your pdoc have you on 37.5mg a day? What else are you taking - it could be that the combination of meds you're on (if you're on more than one) could be why the pdoc has you at 37.5mg of Effexor. Or perhaps the pdoc is titrating you up to more?
Posted by theo on July 13, 2003, at 15:04:21
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Effexor XR 37.5mg daily dose? » theo, posted by Janelle on July 13, 2003, at 14:14:58
My internist prescribed 37.5mg Effexor XR to me to try to lessen my anxiety. I feel mild anxiety with mild depression. I've been taking for about two weeks now. Doc said if I wanted to, go to 75mg but in some people 37.5 does as well as 75mg?? I'm wanting to find some research comparing these two doses. I've read you don't get anything other than SSRI effects until 150mg which side effect wise I won't even try.
Posted by Janelle on July 13, 2003, at 15:29:35
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Effexor XR 37.5mg daily dose? » Janelle, posted by theo on July 13, 2003, at 15:04:21
Hi again - you said "in some people 37.5 does as well as 75mg" which I have also heard. However, we are all different people, so what works for some will not work for others.
If I were you, and this is just a well-meaning suggestion, I'd try 75mg because that is supposed to be the general minimal therapeutic dose, not 37.5mg. (I was able to tolerate 75mg/day and I am VERY sensitive to meds and could not handle anything higher for EffexorXR - I was brave and went to 150mg, but it was way too activating for me at that dose).
Since you said you are wanting to find some research comparing the doses of 37.5 versus 75 mg of EffexorXR, perhaps you could do a search on "Effexor dosage" or something like that.
I have also read you don't get anything other than SSRI effects until 150mg, but you also mentioned that "side effect wise I won't even try" -- what kind(s) of side effects are you referring to? Just curious.
When I was at 150mg/day of EffexorXR it eventually induced hypomania and mood swings.
Posted by theo on July 13, 2003, at 15:53:09
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Effexor XR 37.5mg daily dose? » theo, posted by Janelle on July 13, 2003, at 15:29:35
I'm feeling a little wired and kind of spacey on 37.5 still after two weeks, also lost 5 pounds and don't want to lose any more and still eating as I normally would. I'm 6' 190lbs and down to 185lbs. I'll try just about anything but have never had to go above 20mg for Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft etc. How long was it until you felt good benefits from Effexor XR? If I don't feel any benefits after one month from 37.5mg is when I'll probably up to 75mg.
Posted by Janelle on July 13, 2003, at 16:06:21
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Effexor XR 37.5mg daily dose? » Janelle, posted by theo on July 13, 2003, at 15:53:09
I also felt "wired" 37.5 mg of Effexor, and it got even more intense so to speak as I went up - 75mg and whoa was I wired - I felt the jitters that one sometimes gets if one is over caffeinated - that is how I described it at the time. HOWEVER, after awhile (sorry I forget how long/short it was) that went away and I was able to go to 150 before it made me hypomanic and then I'd crash into depression.
I did NOT lose a pound on EffexorXR, but I'm a woman and I'm guessing from your posting name that you are a guy and for some reason men lose weight much easier and quicker than women!
You sound like me in terms of not being able to go above a somewhat *minimal* dose of an SSRI, such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft etc. The only one of those three I've been on was Paxil 30 mg/day for YEARS until it pooped out.
I would say it was 2-3 weeks until I felt any good benefits from Effexor XR - HOWEVER, each person varies in this area and it may take you a bit longer to feel anything good from it, especially if you remain at 37.5. You may never really derive any benefit at that low dose, I don't mean to be pessimistic, just realistic, based on what I have read and heard about EffexorXR. The minimal effective dose seems to be 75mg.
I agree with your plan that if you don't feel any benefits after one month from 37.5mg that is when you should probably increase it to 75mg. However, pay close attention to those "wired" and spacey side effects. They may increase for awhile on the higher dose, but should go away. If they don't, then Effexor may not be the med for you.
I'm currently on Celexa and knock on wood it seems to be FINALLY kicking in; this one seems to take longer than others to start working for me.
Posted by NThompson on July 14, 2003, at 8:21:52
In reply to Anyone taking Effexor XR 37.5mg daily dose?, posted by theo on July 13, 2003, at 13:56:31
Hi there Theo,
I am currently on Effexor XR 37.5mg. I had went up to 75mg, but I got migraines and really gittery. My p-doc brought me down to 37.5mg and we are seeing how this is going to go. Been down to 37.5mg again since the 3rd of July and so far no migraines. I am also taking Paxil CR 25mg on top of this, but I started off that way too. I am feeling much better than I did before. And the low dose seems to be working for me. I also stopped eating as much with the lower dosage. And you do start feeling a little normal soon. As far as the feeling weird when you started taking the meds.
Keep it up and let me know how you are doing!
NThompson
Posted by theo on July 14, 2003, at 15:53:44
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Effexor XR 37.5mg daily dose? » theo, posted by NThompson on July 14, 2003, at 8:21:52
I will, thanks!
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.