Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Dizziness And Buzzing Sensation In Head After Taking Effexor?
Posted on
Mon, 13 Jul 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 13 Jul 2015
Answered on
Tue, 4 Aug 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : I have stopped taking pristiq 50 mg because it didn't touch my depression. I am back on Effexor which I was on for 3 months and had built up to a dosage of 225 mg. I have started at 37.5 and will stay on this for 2 weeks then go up to 75 mg and so on up to past dosage of 225. I have experienced dizzy and lightheaded feelings in the past 2 days with the addition of a slight buzzing in my head on and off. My doc thinks it vertigo. I tend to disagree because I've never had that before and in light of all the med changes I'm hoping this will pass. What do you think. My blood pressure is 150/80.
Brief Answer:
It seems side effect of Effexor
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
Considering your recent change in medication and absence of such history in past, in my opinion the most likely cause is Effexor.
Even many patients experience such symptoms for initial first week.
The other possibility for me is Pristiq withdrawal if it was sudden in nature and enough time was not devoted for withdrawal of pristiq.
In both possibilities there is need to wait and watch for few days before attempting any medication.
I hope this answers your question.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards
It seems side effect of Effexor
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
Considering your recent change in medication and absence of such history in past, in my opinion the most likely cause is Effexor.
Even many patients experience such symptoms for initial first week.
The other possibility for me is Pristiq withdrawal if it was sudden in nature and enough time was not devoted for withdrawal of pristiq.
In both possibilities there is need to wait and watch for few days before attempting any medication.
I hope this answers your question.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Because I am on such a low dose (37.5) and am experiencing such awful side effects I am thinking this may be a good time to change meds altogether. What meds do you suggest for depression with strong ruminating thoughts.
Brief Answer:
These are time limiting side effects only
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
These are time limiting side effects and there is no need to worry. I am basing my opinion on the fact that you tolerated 225 mg of effexor in past.
If you want to change than I will recommend SSRI, as they are having minimal side effects among available antidepressants. The available SSRI include Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa and Vibryd.
You can talk to your doctor about these options. They are equally effective although Lexapro and Zoloft have more favorable data in compare to others.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards
These are time limiting side effects only
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
These are time limiting side effects and there is no need to worry. I am basing my opinion on the fact that you tolerated 225 mg of effexor in past.
If you want to change than I will recommend SSRI, as they are having minimal side effects among available antidepressants. The available SSRI include Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa and Vibryd.
You can talk to your doctor about these options. They are equally effective although Lexapro and Zoloft have more favorable data in compare to others.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
