Fun with chemistry: anti-depressants

[balcatraz]

Has anybody had experience using the anti-depressent desvenlafaxine 50mg, which is marketed here in Australia as Pristiq (TM)?

My doctor has prescribed this for treatment of my anxiety/depression as I have previously been using mirtazapine 30mg (marketed here as Avanza [TM]), for about 3 months and the condition has only worsened during this time.

Basically, I told my doctor that I just want to be numb right now, because I need to find and hold a job, since I need to improve my economic situation before I can address the underlying issues contibuting to my anxiety/depression (I'll be avoiding jobs that involve working directly with the public, as I'm not a "people person" at the best of times).

What would be the effect of combining both these medications? (For obvious reasons, I didn't ask my doctor this), because I really do just want to switch my emotions "off" right now.

I should point out that I'm not a Eunuch, nor am I on any anti-androgens or hormones, so this post basically has nothing to do with castration, but we're a knowledgeable bunch here at the Archive, so I thought I'd put it out there.

Thank you in anticipation for any assistance.

[kristoff]

Originally Posted by balcatraz

Has anybody had experience using the anti-depressent desvenlafaxine 50mg, which is marketed here in Australia as Pristiq (TM)?

My doctor has prescribed this for treatment of my anxiety/depression as I have previously been using mirtazapine 30mg (marketed here as Avanza [TM]), for about 3 months and the condition has only worsened during this time.

Basically, I told my doctor that I just want to be numb right now, because I need to find and hold a job, since I need to improve my economic situation before I can address the underlying issues contibuting to my anxiety/depression (I'll be avoiding jobs that involve working directly with the public, as I'm not a "people person" at the best of times).

What would be the effect of combining both these medications? (For obvious reasons, I didn't ask my doctor this), because I really do just want to switch my emotions "off" right now.

I should point out that I'm not a Eunuch, nor am I on any anti-androgens or hormones, so this post basically has nothing to do with castration, but we're a knowledgeable bunch here at the Archive, so I thought I'd put it out there.

Thank you in anticipation for any assistance.

Pristiq (Effexor in the US) has a common side effect of suppressing sex drive as well as causing ejaculatory incompetence. It is often known as No-Sexxor around here. It is an effective anti-depressant and is most heavily used with manic-depressive disorder. Remeron (mirtazapine) is also an effective antidepressant. The most common side effect with it is significant weight gain.

[binky69]

Not sure if Pristiq & Effexor are the same drug. I have seen Pristiq advertised here in the US as well, separately from Effexor.

Pristiq = Desvenlafaxine

Effexor = Venlafaxine

[_g]

Originally Posted by binky69

Sorry but don't think Pristiq & Effexor are the same drug. I have seen Pristiq advertised here in the US as well, separately from Effexor.

Pristiq = Desvenlafaxine

Effexor = Venlafaxine

They are both from the same family of drugs by the names you have given, and most likely have the same effects and side effects.

_g

[moi621]

I am an atheist regarding anti-depressants.

SAMe has been effective for me in smaller then usual doses.
I plan to try it with the expected, holiday blues.

Also, slow absorbing calories seem to help me.

Consider, Depression, is not one element.
Like, High blood sugar Diabetes it may be from different sources.
I believe I am just wired to live somewhat depressed and accept it now.
It is more common in my tribe as alcoholism is less common.
Depression may be, incidental such as a recent death of a close one.
Depression just happens for no good reason.
Depression may be aided by blood sugar swings.
Depression may be because of some lousy life circumstances, job stress, illness in the home, etc.

Should all these Depression variants be treated the same?
Pfeizer thinks so.
Amazingly, Psychiatrist never take a diet history and psychiatric hospitals serve cheap garbagey foods at the wrong end of the glycemic index but, they do get paid.
<sigh> "Good Grief"
Moi

[balcatraz]

Thank you everyone, for your feedback.

Pristiq (Effexor in the US) has a common side effect of suppressing sex drive as well as causing ejaculatory incompetence. It is often known as No-Sexxor around here.

My sex drive is already significantly less than it used to be, but having it switched-off completely for a while certainly not be a problem.