Effexor Venlafaxine

Anna-33
Anna-33 Member Posts: 192
edited October 2018 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Anyone with experience with Effexor and interactions?

Is it safe to take for us that take tamoxifen / aromataseinhibitators / Ibrance ???

I really need effexor, but am afraid if it make the other medications stop working?!!

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  • karinna
    karinna Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2018

    Hi. Always check with your doctor, but my understanding is that Effexor does not interact with tamoxifen. I took both for 10 years. Stopped tamoxifen in August. (finished course of treatment) Stopping tamoxifan has not been difficult. Effexor is a different story. I don't want to scare you but it is VERY difficult to get off of effexor, when/if that time comes. Just to inform yourself, google "Effexor Withdrawal".

    Unfortunately, some us have to take it knowing what the future will hold. I need an antidepressant. Wellbutrin does interact with tamoxifan, so effexor was the alternative for me. I am going back on Wellbutrin now because it works better for me. Regarding the stopping of effexor, only chemo has made me sicker than this.


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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited September 2018

    I have found Efexor to be so helpful in reducing hot flashes. I take an AI. I have not heard of any problems taking this drug with Tamoxifen.

    Check with your prescribing doctor or pharmacist.

    Good luck!

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  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited September 2018

    I do not think Effexor interacts with tamoxifen or AI's. I am on Effexor and have taken tamoxifen and AIs with it.

    It is true it is very difficult to get off of. You need to very slowly taper off over several months.

    wallan

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  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited September 2018

    You can ask your doctor if you're worried about medication interactions. Just be aware that while some medications interactions are predictable from the time a drug comes out on the market, some are discovered over time.

    And to echo the others, be well-informed about that venlafaxine withdrawal syndrome. It's a bear.

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  • Margaret22
    Margaret22 Member Posts: 12
    edited September 2018

    I am trying to get on Effexor so that I can restart the tamoxifen. Tamoxifen causes me profound depression. Off of the drugs I am fine. I attempted to start Effexor at the lowest dose and had also profound se that took over my life. I couldn’t work on that drug. I am a sensitive person to meds. I stopped Effexor but I am wondering if I could try again at a different regimen like every other day? Did anybody go through tough times going on the Effexor?

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  • Tresjoli2
    Tresjoli2 Member Posts: 868
    edited September 2018

    there are three well studied anti depressants that do not conflict with tamoxifen : effexor, lexapro, and celexa. None of these worked for me. I am now on a new anti depressant called trintellix, which is also considered safe with tamoxifen per my doctors, but is less well studied. Good luck with your decision...

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited September 2018

    When I started celexa, for the first three weeks I had to take a low dose of ativan because the se was profound anxiety. After that, nothing..no se...and negative thoughts would come into my mind and pop like a bubble. I would avoid effexor at all costs unless nothing else works. Does anyone know about the tricyclics?

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited October 2018

    I’ve been on Effexor for probably 5 years now. I’ve tried several times to get off of it and the withdrawals are awful. I’m on the lowest dose too. My oncologist doesn’t understand why I want to get off it but I cannot stand knowing something has that kind of control over me. I guess I’ll always be on it now though, it never seems to be a good time to do it

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