Anxiety Drugs Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine
- Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
HOW DO THESE DRUGS WORK?
SNRIs work mainly by increasing the amounts of two neurotransmitters in the brain, serotonin and norepinephrine. This improves alertness, energy, mood, and motivation.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
These drugs can be effective for severe and chronic cases of depression.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
- Abdominal (stomach) pain or tenderness
- Itching
- Rash
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Increased sweating or flushing
- Loss of appetite, loss of weight
- Loss of sexual desire, erectile, or orgasm dysfunction
- Nausea
- Weakness or tiredness
- Weight gain or weight loss
MAJOR CAUTIONS
- Dark or brown urine
- Difficulty breathing
- Fainting spells
- Mania (overactive behavior)
- Restlessness, inability to sleep, or severe loss of sleep
- Suicidal thoughts
- Unexplained flu-like symptoms
- Vomiting
- Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
- Increased blood pressure
- Seizures
KNOWN DRUG INTERACTIONS
Do not take while on MAO inhibitors or Haldol, and for at least two weeks after their discontinuation. Caution should be used when taking these medications with the heart drug Lanoxin and the blood thinner Coumadin.
FOOD OR SUPPLEMENT INTERACTIONS
Do not combine these medications, as there can be overproduction of certain neurotransmitters such as serotonin:
- 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
- L-tryptophan
- Sour date nut (Ziziphus jujube)
- St. John
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Tags: Anxiety, blood, drugs, interactions, medications, serotonin, sleep, weight