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What Causes Mood Swing After Using Effexor?
My husband started Effexor 5 days ago, and that is when i noticed significant mood changes. Seem s extremely irritable and very low self esteem. He has struggled with these issues before, but seemed to have a handle on them over the past few months, when he started being treated with Suboxone. Our lives seemed to finally calm down, and he was doing well, but a little depressed. So he started the Effexor, and now he s way worse. Is this an initial side effect of starting this medication?
posted on
Mon, 26 May 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 16 Jan 2017
Answered on
Mon, 16 Jan 2017
Last reviewed on
Hi,
Do note that your husband has been on suboxone probably due to opiate dependence. Do understand that opiate withdrawal has psychological issues like depression associated with it. Now, understand that Effexor is an antidepressant. This drug has the side effect of a slight worsening of the symptoms, particularly anxiety, the first 2 to 3 weeks of treatment. This is a normal process. You might try to reduce the dose, or to give the dose every alternate day. This will work.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Do note that your husband has been on suboxone probably due to opiate dependence. Do understand that opiate withdrawal has psychological issues like depression associated with it. Now, understand that Effexor is an antidepressant. This drug has the side effect of a slight worsening of the symptoms, particularly anxiety, the first 2 to 3 weeks of treatment. This is a normal process. You might try to reduce the dose, or to give the dose every alternate day. This will work.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
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