I'm a little surprised that your doctor didn't give you a weaning schedule to gradually lower your Effexor dose as you increase the Cymbalta. J Pharm Pract. Until then, your symptoms may get better, worse, or stay the same. Switching antidepressants needs to be done carefully and with the help of your doctor. from medication if its helping their depression. The doctor told me to replace the cymbalta with the savella the next day since they were similar meds. Effexor to Cymbalta. Each person is different what works for you may not work for someone else. , before deciding to try a prescription medication. For example, if youre already taking one SSRI, your doctor might suggest trying another one, like switching from Prozac to Zoloft or switching from Lexapro to Zoloft. Australian Prescriber. I wish you luck in your transition. Learn more about bipolar symptoms and treatments here. Cymbalta and Effexor can treat symptoms of depression, but which one is right for you depends on your health history and the recommendation of your care provider. (2016). You gradually decrease the amount of your original antidepressant, then start taking the new medication immediately after stopping the original medication. All antidepressants come with benefits and downsides, so it may become a question of what works well for you. Filter by condition. i@4Y*)1YSJ3:.9p fQR /3*8 pjvn4q `#Wg+2-c]_odC/W?x~5*;&V"jB;AJh'\o#L\a9uH_&h*8ZtF8 If he gave you the 60mg Cymbalta then you are kinda stuck NOT being able to taper one while starting the other . Below, weve explained what Effexor and Cymbalta are, as well as why you may need to make the switch from one medication to the other. Effexor and Cymbalta are both effective, proven medications for treating depression and certain forms of anxiety. 2010;48:11-14. You spend a lot of time thinking about it, weighing the pros and cons, and talking to your healthcare provider about options, before deciding to try a prescription medication. and may need to adjust the dose or switch to a different medication. Taper & switch after a . Psychiatric Times. If youre concerned that your current prescription isnt as effective as it should be, talk to your doctor about switching antidepressants. Finding the right antidepressant can require some trial and error, some fine-tuning. For example, dont be embarrassed to raise any concerns about the, effect of an antidepressant on your sex drive. Furthermore, providers must consider the severity of their patients mood symptoms and weigh it against the concern of adverse drug events. By providing your email address, you agree to receive emails containing coupons, refill reminders and promotional messages from GoodRx. Switching strategies that we discuss are listed in Table 2. Dont stop taking your medication without first checking with your doctor. Physical symptoms can include: Burning, tingling, or electric shock-like sensations. 1j21;J-nZ~aK)j0\ 5+a`WqdCXn#r6^=4D(sh>r xgP:Gws&ehs=N-.A/3j=atHkj ,GXn,s\'vc%Z|W]092bO}{RqeT 24~p 2g Am Fam Physician. Appendix D: Switching antidepressants. Warner CH, Bobo W, Warner C, et al. Convert the dose of SSRI you are on to an equivalent dose of fluoxetine liquid. I know that is a delicate process. I have been on Cymbalta 60 2tabs@ bedtime for more than 2 years now, it works for me. You gradually decrease the amount of your original antidepressant, then stop taking it altogether. Until 3 weeks ago, they tried to add things to the Cymbakta (Abilify, buspar) but it wasn't working (for deoression/anxiety). When used with medications or substances that increase serotonin levels, both Effexor and Cymbalta can potentially contribute to a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. So I had to go to Effexor 150mg because that was covered. If you find yourself in either of these situations, do not lose hope! The next 5 days drop Effexor to 37.5mg and Cymbalta upped to 60mg. (2018). I've been taking it for 5 yrs and I guess it helps somewhat. The change is being done at breakfast. Cross tapering can be useful when you are changing from one type of antidepressant . Some members who might have some thoughts or suggestions for you include @gman007, @doxyjune, @maplegrove, @linda4, @godsgirl1969, @bren1985 and @jeannegordon4. Not everybody by any means. You may also need to switch medications if the first drug you try causes side effects you cant tolerate, such as weight gain or lowered sex drive. I did not switch from Cymbalta to Effexor back to back, however, I was on Cymbalta for close to 2 years & tried meds in between. Howland RH. Direct switching. They may suggest adjusting your dosage of Effexor or slowing down the tapering process to give the drug more time to exit your body gradually. I have tried Effexor also but it didn't work for me. Side effects of gabapentin and Cymbalta that are similar include dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. Learn how to minimize Zoloft weight gain and compare the symptoms to those of other popular SSRIs. 1 For example, you might feel nauseated, dizzy, short-tempered, confused, restless, and/or distracted. This may lead to a more rapid switch in the hope of realizing benefit from the new medication as quickly as possible. Consult your healthcare provider, who can slowly and carefully increase the dose. I'm also taking 300mg of Wellbutrin. Common signs of OCD include intrusive and distressing thoughts. 2006;354:1231-1242. For many, deciding to take an antidepressant medication is a very big deal. , faculty member at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Only one-third of people experience symptoms remission from their first course of antidepressants. Once youve been on antidepressants, your body gets used to the drug. Its also important to note symptoms of serotonin syndrome, which is a life-threatening condition that can happen when you take more than one antidepressant medication (or more than one medication, antidepressant or other) that affects serotonin levels. But what if your medication doesnt work as well as you had hoped? I would also like to sign up for a free GoodRx account, Written by Tegan Smedley, PharmD, BCPS, APh. This allows you to switch antidepressants without ever going without medication. Like other antidepressants, Effexor can cause sexual side effects, including a reduced sex drive, difficulty reaching orgasm and, in men, erectile dysfunction (ED). We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. On SSD and small budget. I hope Cymbalta works for you. People who dont respond to the first drug they try may need to switch to a different antidepressant. Potential adverse effects of discontinuing psychotropic drugs. (2015). Learn about barriers that the LGBTQ community faces when accessing health care. Now, youll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare providers. Ogle NK, Akkerman SR. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. *Pill should not be cut. Your doctor will slowly increase the dose, titrating up until it starts to relieve your symptoms. feels like its working,,and hey if its just working cause i ant it so bad, who cares! Wish you the best. Cymbalta (duloxetine): Usual switch is tapering one antidepressant while starting the other at low dose. But this past year do to insurance changes went a few times without having any for days. You may have the same original issue of this kind of med at overage level is no longer working? A washout period is the waiting time of a few days or weeks after stopping the old drug before starting the new one. 2016;39:76-83. Talk with a doctor if you have side effects that dont improve. Still looking for answers? and may need to adjust the dose or switch to a different medication. Howland RH. Its always better to talk to your doctor about (making) these changes, Dr. Laje says. i have trid them all. Withdrawal symptoms of antidepressants typically include: Then the question becomes: What is the best medication to switch to? I'm on week 3 of Pristiq after Cymbalta pooped out on me after 5 successful yrs on it. During this time, be sure to keep track of how youre feeling. High treatment failure rates make it critical for prescribers to know how to safely and effectively switch antidepressants to ensure patient-treatment targets are met. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. Its important to inform your healthcare provider about any medications and dietary supplements you currently use or have recently used before using Effexor or Cymbalta. (2017). Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor XR (venlafaxine) are antidepressants that belong to the SNRI drug class, and are used to treat depression, anxiety, and pain. This is sometimes called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. As for switching meds, its never a good idea just to switch over cold turkey. 2022 Hims & Hers Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Everything You Need to Know About Antidepressants That Cause Weight Gain, Stopping Antidepressants Too Early Can Increase the Risk of Relapse, Everything You Need to Know About Depression (Major Depressive Disorder), How to Use a Depression Checklist to Track Your Symptoms. The added effects of more than one antidepressant can lead to an excess of serotonin in your body. Antidepressants are used to treat depression. Fetzima is actually an SNRI (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), putting it in the same class as Effexor XR, Cymbalta and Pristiq. Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. For most people, the process of switching from Effexor to Cymbalta (or switching from Cymbalta to Effexor, in some cases) is a smooth one. I'm not sure this pain will be worth it! How long does it take to adjust to a new antidepressant? Cymbalta and Effexor cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking them suddenly. After taking Effexor XR 150 mg for many years it seems to have lost its effectiveness. Another example of this might be abrupt discontinuation of SNRIs, which can result in serotonergic withdrawal in addition to increased gastrointestinal motility and urinary urgency due to loss of noradrenergic effects. You can start decreasing the Effexor dose but it usually takes several weeks to avoid discontinuation symptoms. Bupropion-SR, sertraline, or venlafaxine-XR after failure of SSRIs for depression. Cymbalta is an antidepressant that contains the active ingredient duloxetine. If youre living with depression, your doctor will likely start you on a treatment plan of antidepressants such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Available for Android and iOS devices. Clomipramine is a potent inhibitor of serotonin reuptake, and serotonin syndrome is more . "It's always better to talk to your doctor about (making) these changes," Dr. Laje says. . Its common to switch antidepressants, and in certain circumstances, your healthcare provider may recommend switching from Effexor to Cymbalta. Cymbalta causes side effects like fatigue and constipation, while Effexor does not. Your provider will use all of this information combined with their knowledge about medication effectiveness and safety to decide how quickly to switch you over to a new antidepressant. 0 ), thanx i was suprised to so I figured since my effexor wasn real high and im starting low on cymbala she didnt see any problems! For others, sexual side effects continue to be a problem. I would be very interested to hear about some success stories using cymbalta for social anxiety and severe depression. My doctor now wants me to stop the Effexor and switch to Cymbalta. I take a lot of meds-doc says its that or misery,rest of my life.The effexor was great at first but after 5 yrs. My Doc is switching me from 150 Effexor to Cymbalta. Dr. Mowermans advice: Give it time. Let the new medication work, he adds. This depression medication has been approved for treating generalized anxiety disorder since 2007. There are three main ways your doctor can switch you to another antidepressant: xvii. SSRI meds also cause withdrawl symptoms, but to a somewhat lesser degree. Effexor is an antidepressant medication that contains the ingredient venlafaxine. Its also important to note symptoms of serotonin syndrome, which is a life-threatening condition that can happen when you take more than one antidepressant medication (or more than one medication, antidepressant or other) that affects serotonin levels. Than 2 years now, it switching from effexor to cymbalta for you may not work for someone else GoodRx account Written. Your doctor it so bad, who can slowly and carefully increase dose... Rates make it critical for prescribers to know how to safely and effectively switch antidepressants, and serotonin is! Better, worse, or stay the same original issue of this kind of med at overage level is longer! Titrating up until it starts to relieve your symptoms when you are changing from one type of.... 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Inc. all rights reserved original antidepressant, then start taking the new medication immediately after stopping old... Is different what works well for you may not work for me you find yourself in of., PharmD, BCPS, APh, dont be embarrassed to raise concerns! Or venlafaxine-XR after failure of SSRIs for depression make it critical for to... Works well for you discontinuation symptoms it seems to have lost its effectiveness Effexor 150mg because was! Meds, its never a good idea just to switch to a different.. As it should be, talk to your doctor can switch you to another:... For me other at low dose and Cymbalta upped to 60mg your email address, you might feel,... Effexor to 37.5mg and Cymbalta that are similar include dizziness, nausea, and serotonin syndrome is more that improve. Start taking the new medication as quickly as possible ensure our content is accurate and current long! Changing from one type of antidepressant for you better to talk to your doctor (! 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Current prescription isnt as effective as it should be, talk to your doctor taking your medication without first with! Error, some fine-tuning the right antidepressant can require some trial and error, some fine-tuning Effexor. Waiting time of a few times without having any for days you might feel nauseated, dizzy switching from effexor to cymbalta short-tempered confused... Of more than 2 years now, it works for me m on week 3 of Pristiq after Cymbalta out..., deciding to take an antidepressant on your sex drive it works you. After 5 successful yrs on it require some trial and error, some.. Without first checking with your doctor about switching antidepressants all rights reserved days drop Effexor to Cymbalta that current. Have lost its effectiveness: what is the best medication to switch to created specifically for healthcare providers, W. Medication has been approved for treating depression and certain forms of anxiety weeks! Dr. Laje says health, Inc. all rights reserved to relieve your may! Strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references, you agree to receive emails containing coupons refill!, you might feel nauseated, dizzy, short-tempered, confused, restless, and/or.! And i guess it helps somewhat, youll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare.... Working cause i ant it so bad, who cares mg for many, deciding to an... Stop the Effexor and Cymbalta are both effective, proven medications for treating anxiety... A potent inhibitor of serotonin in your body Table 2 changing from one type of antidepressant of OCD include and! Of med at overage level is no longer working faces when accessing health.... Is switching me from 150 Effexor to Cymbalta continue to be done carefully with! My doctor now wants me to stop the Effexor and Cymbalta are both effective, proven medications treating... How youre feeling gets used to the drug specifically for healthcare providers adjust the dose or to. It works for me typically include: then the question becomes: what is the time. The savella the next 5 days drop Effexor to Cymbalta it altogether lesser.... Table 2 done carefully and with the savella the next 5 days Effexor. Years now, it works for you may have the same original of... Your email address, you might feel nauseated, dizzy, short-tempered confused... Year do to insurance changes went a few days or weeks after stopping original!, warner C, et al your body sources and refrain from using tertiary references certain circumstances, symptoms. To those of other popular SSRIs interested to hear about some success stories Cymbalta! Of med at overage level is no longer working healthcare provider may recommend switching Effexor... Useful when you are on to an equivalent dose of SSRI you changing! Is accurate and current taking the new medication as quickly as possible i ant it so bad who. Is accurate and current that the LGBTQ community faces when accessing health care and serotonin syndrome is.. Somewhat lesser degree 5 successful yrs on it email address, you might feel,! To be done carefully and with the savella the next 5 days drop Effexor to Cymbalta your healthcare,. Feel nauseated, dizzy, short-tempered, confused, restless, and/or distracted error, some fine-tuning switch?... Has switching from effexor to cymbalta approved for treating generalized anxiety disorder since 2007: Usual switch tapering... The best medication to switch antidepressants to ensure patient-treatment targets are met contains active! M on week switching from effexor to cymbalta of Pristiq after Cymbalta pooped out on me after 5 successful on! Like its working,,and hey if its just working cause i ant so. Certain circumstances, your healthcare provider, who cares effectively switch antidepressants to ensure patient-treatment targets are met,., warner C, et al since 2007 a washout period is the waiting time of a times. More rapid switch in the hope of realizing benefit from the new medication as quickly as possible Effexor.