Name:

venlafaxine (Effexor; Effexor XR)

Dosing:
Effexor 75-225 mg/day in 2-3 doses
Effexor XR 75-225 mg/day in one dose with a starter week at 37.5 mg/day in one dose
Classification:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI);
serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (SNDRI)
Labeled for:
major depressive disorder (MDD), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), and various panic disorders
Oral bioavailability:
40-50%
Half-life:
3-7 hours (10-20 hours for XR)
However, venlafaxine leaves behind an active metabolite (desvenlafaxine; Pristiq), which has a half
life of its own (9-13 hours)
Chemical structure:

Potential problems:
Can make migraines worse (but my head pain is not migraine related)
Quitting suddenly leads to major depression and suicidal episodes: it appears to be almost as bad
as Paxil or Zoloft in this regard.
However, due to having a lower half life than Paxil or Zoloft, discontinuation symptoms start
to appear almost immediately, within 2-3 days.
Scuttlebutt:
More efficacious than Zoloft
Should not be mixed with serotonin releasing agents (MDA, MDMA)
Potentiates stimulants, especially phenethylamines (stimulants are bad for my head pain)
Adrenergic activity must be watched closely (may require reducing or stopping Wellbutrin)
Funny, but real, seriously, real: Can cause you to pop positive for PCP on a drug panel test