What Causes Severe Diarrhea After Discontinuing Effexor?

Posted on Sun, 24 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 24 Jul 2016 Answered on

Mon, 22 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Foro] the last 6 - 8 weeks I have been experiencing very loose stools/ diarreah right after I arise in the morning. [withOUT coffee!} This is new for me. I had been on effexor for quite some time but went off of it in XXXXXXX because I could no longer stand the constipation. Then, I could no longer stand the depression so the Dr put me back on the effexor on 7/6. When I did not have a BM for 5 days, & then only with lots of "help".I discontinued the effexor. Could my colon simply be reacting to the "on again off again" effexor? I have minor tummy pains ahead of time, ususlly "go' only once during the day, and no fever etc.

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Discontinuation syndrome

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

Yes, strongly believe that you are experiencing selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI) discontinuation syndrome. Diarrhea is one common symptom of the same.

The definitive treatment of the same is starting back on Effexor and then slowly gradually stopping it after taking it for a minimum of a month. If you are in no need of the effexor or any other antidepressant of the same group, you can manage it symptomatically. Cap ZEDOTT 100mg(Racecadotril) taken thrice daily for a week will solve the problem of your morning diarrhea.

Even if with no treatment you would get normal in one or two months, but diarrhea of that duration can give rise to multiple nutrient deficiencies.

Hence do take Zedott and get cleared.

Hope, I answered your query.

Wish you good health.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (22 hours later)

THANK YOU (!) for your timely response. [It was I who had trouble accessing it :(] Where do I get this ZEDOTT of which you speak? is it "over the counter"?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, its an OTC

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back.

Yes., Zedott is an OTC.

Content is Racecadotril 100mg, doesn't matter if the brand name varies.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar