Is there anything else I can do to reduce the side effects?
49 -year-old man
47 years old, anxiety problem loss of motivation etc
5mg beginning of treatment, end of treatment Venlafaxine XR (150mg)
The first 3 days the side effects are still intense and begin in force after 20 minutes after taking the drug in the morning taken at breakfast, stomach ache (strong), dizziness (weak), goes from being hot to cold (medium), fatigue (strong)
I find that the side effects are very strong and I am just at 5mg and today I took tylenol which improved the intensity.
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Alexandre Chagnon · 2 years ago
Hello,
I'm not sure I understand what medications you're taking in the moment, and that's critical to getting a good answer. 😊
What 5mg medication is this?
Also, when you say "end of treatment venlafaxine XR 150mg", is that a medication you are weaning off in the moment?
Thanks for the clarification 😊
Véronique Leclerc, pharmacy intern (under the supervision of Alexandre Chagnon)
49 -year-old man · 2 years ago
Sorry I just reread myself actually it's not bad confu.
Old Med: Venlafaxine XR (150mg)
New Med: Trintellix 5mg (to finish at 20mg in 2 weeks)
reason for change, lack of energy/lack of motivation
I am on my 3rd day of Trintellix 5mg
I find the side effects intense, ex.: this morning
- taking med at ~8:30am
- 9am pain starts
- 9:15am(toilet)
- 9:30am fatigue/sleep
- 10am tylenol
- 11am wake up,
- 11:30am work ... (not really efficase)
- 12:30am dinner a bit (sad morals)
- 13:00pm relatively fit not too much pain good morals
49 -year-old man · 2 years ago
I stopped taking Venlafaxine on Thursday (last day of taking) on Friday Trintellix 5mg
Alexandre Chagnon · 2 years ago
I understand much better now 😃
It's definitely normal to feel "uglier" when switching to a medication like venlafaxine or trintellix.
The side effects you mention do not seem alarming to me. In fact, they are very common at the beginning of treatment. They usually do not last beyond a few days.
You have to keep in mind that your body was used to the venlafaxine that was withdrawn, and a new molecule was introduced. So your body has to adjust to the new molecule and get back into hormonal balance!
While waiting for time to take effect, you could try taking the medication at dinner or bedtime, always with food. By changing the time of taking in the evening, sometimes the medication is much better tolerated. Thus, your next intake could be only tomorrow night if you have already taken it this morning.
If the effects you mention to me persist over the long term, it would be important to talk with your pharmacist or doctor. They can work with you to find an alternative that is compatible with your health profile.
Does this answer your question?
Véronique Leclerc, pharmacy intern (under the supervision of Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist)
Alexandre Chagnon · 2 years ago
Small addition... are stomach aches intestinal (diarrhea or constipation?) or more in the stomach (nausea or bruising?)?
Veronique Leclerc
49 -year-old man · 2 years ago
Yes it responds really well, that's kind of what I thought but it's reassuring to be told.
Intestinal only after taking (~30mins)
Then it's more stomach, but today that pain is relatively "mild"
Alexandre Chagnon · 2 years ago
Great! Glad I could put your mind at ease. 😊
As for your tummy ache, if it's bothering you a lot and causing you diarrhea, keep in mind that there are some products (such as Imodium over-the-counter) that could help you until the side effect wears off naturally. If you decide to use them, I invite you to consult the pharmacist on duty in your pharmacy so that he or she can verify that it is appropriate according to your case. 😊
Veronique Leclerc
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