Effexor

Effexor is used in the treatment of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

Depression is a chronic illness that involves both the mind and the body and requires long-term treatment. Symptoms include:

• Lack of interest in normal daily activities
• Feeling sad, hopeless or worthless
• Crying for no reason
• Sleeping problems
• Difficulty focusing, concentrating or making decisions
• Weight gain or loss
• Irritability or being easily annoyed
• Restlessness
• Feeling tired or weak
• Loss of interest in sex
• Thoughts of suicide or suicidal behavior
• Unexplained physical problems

Generalized anxiety disorder is a feeling of ongoing anxiety that interferes with daily life. Symptoms include:

• Constant worry or obsession with small or large issues
• Feeling restless or on edge
• Tiredness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Muscle tension or aches
• Trembling, twitching or being easily startled
• Difficulty sleeping
• Sweating
• Nausea or diarrhea
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heartbeat

Social anxiety disorder occurs when everyday interactions cause extreme anxiety, worrying and fear. The condition may disrupt daily routines, work, school or other activities. Symptoms include:

• Intense fear of people you do not know
• Fear of being judged
• Worrying about embarrassing or humiliating yourself
• Fear that others will notice your anxiety
• Avoiding situations where you might embarrass yourself or be noticed
• Blushing
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Nausea, upset stomach or diarrhea
• Difficulty talking or shaky voice
• Muscle tension
• Confusion
• Palpitations
• Cold, clammy hands
• Difficulty making eye contact

Panic disorder involves sudden attacks of intense fear that develop for no apparent reason. Those who are treated for severe anxiety attacks typically have panic attacks relatively frequently. Symptoms include:

• Rapid heart rate or chest pain
• Hyperventilation
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating, chills or hot flashes
• Trembling
• Nausea
• Abdominal cramping
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Faintness
• Tightness in your throat or difficulty swallowing
• A sense of impending death

Effexor works by affecting neurotransmitter activity in the central nervous system. It inhibits seratonin and norepinephrine reuptake and inhibitors of dopamine reuptake. It is hypothesized that Effexor is associated with anticholinergic (blocking part of the central nervous system), sedative and cardiovascular effects that are the results of other psychotropic drugs. Effexor works to balance substances within the brain to elevate the mood of patients taking the drug.