Can your Effexor dose be increased from 150 to 225mg? (3 potential risks)
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In this article, we will talk about increasing Effexor dose from 150 to 225 mg. We will discuss why dose escalation can be beneficial for some people and will also talk about the side effects associated with the increased dose.
Can your Effexor dose be increased from 150 to 225mg?
Yes, your Effexor dose can be increased from 150 to 225 mg if your doctor believes that it’s time to escalate your dose for an enhanced therapeutic effect. Effexor is an antidepressant used for various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, etc (1,2).
This medication is usually prescribed at 75 mg per day and is available in both immediate and extended-release dosage forms (2). The immediate-release dosage forms can be split into two times a day.
Increasing the antidepressant dose is a common practice for healthcare providers, as it is considered best to start treatment from the lowest effective dose. This helps your doctor determine whether the antidepressant you’re currently taking is the right choice of medication for you and your symptoms.
So, it’s normal to increase your Effexor dose if your body tolerates it well, but your current dose is not strong enough to manage your symptoms adequately.
However, an increased Effexor dose may cause side effects and may not be the right option for everyone. Make sure you talk to your doctor if your Effexor dose needs to be increased. Do not make any changes to your treatment plan on your own.
What are the typical dosage recommendations for Effexor?
The typical dosage recommendations for Effexor are: (2)
| Mental health conditions | Doses of Effexor |
| Depression | Adults: 75mg once daily, should not exceed 225mg/day. |
| Children: Must be determined based on age and body weight | |
| Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) | Adults: 37.5mg once daily, should not exceed 225mg/day. |
| Children: Must be determined based on age and body weight | |
| Panic disorder | Adults: 37.5mg once daily, should not exceed 225mg/day. |
| Children: Must be determined based on age and body weight | |
| Social anxiety disorder (SAD) | Adults: 75mg once daily, should not exceed 225mg/day. |
| Children: Must be determined based on age and body weight |
What are the benefits of increasing Effexor dose from 150 to 225mg?
The major benefit of increasing Effexor dose from 150 to 225 mg is the improved therapeutic response. An increased dose can provide you with better mood and energy levels and can help overcome depression-induced suicidal behaviour (1).
As stated earlier, antidepressants should be started from the lowest effective dose, which helps determine whether the current choice of medication is the right one.
Once your body adjusts to it, your doctor can gradually increase the dose. So, if you’re taking 150 mg of Effexor and you don’t think it’s enough for you or you don’t see pronounced improvement in your symptoms, you can talk to your doctor about increasing your dose.
However, it is important to note that 225 mg of Effexor is considered the maximum daily dose, exceeding which is not considered safe. People often overlook the fact that increasing antidepressant dosage can also mean increasing the risk of adverse events, as no antidepressant is free from side effects.
What are the risks of increasing Effexor dose from 150 to 225mg?
The potential risks of increasing Effexor dose from 150 to 225mg include:
Increased risk of side effects
Increasing the Effexor dose can increase your chances of experiencing side effects on this antidepressant. Some common Effexor-induced side effects include: (3)
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Nightmares
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Gas
- Acid reflux
- Xerostomia
- Bad taste
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Tremors
- Numbness or tingling
- Yawning
- Sweating
- Flushing
- Frequent urination
- Flu-like symptoms
- Tinnitus
- Sexual side effects in both men and women
These side effects may affect you more when taking 225 mg of Effexor, as compared to lower doses. So, it is important to keep an eye out for your side effects and report them to your healthcare provider promptly.
Increased risk of potential drug-drug interactions
Increasing your Effexor also increases the likelihood of it interacting with other medications you might be taking. So, it’s crucial to discuss everything you’re currently taking, including over-the-counter remedies or supplements.
Certain medications may not pair well with Effexor, which can affect how Effexor works or how you process the medication. This can impact your therapeutic goals.
Increased risk of potential drug-disease interactions
If you have kidney or liver issues, your body might process medications differently. Increasing the Effexor dose might not be the best move for everyone, especially those with such health problems. So, it is important to thoroughly discuss dose escalation with your doctor.
What to do if you can’t cope with the increased Effexor dose?
If you feel unwell after taking 225mg of Effexor, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some people may not respond to a higher dose or the direct jump from 150mg to 225mg. Dose escalation needs to be gradual for some individuals, and typical ways may not work for them.
If you’re not responding well to the newly increased dose, your doctor may reduce it back a little, but not all the way back to 150mg. This may help your body adjust to the increased dose, and once it does, your doctor will increase it again to 225mg, which is considered the maximum daily dose.
However, it is important to note that people are different and may respond differently to dose adjustments. If your body can’t tolerate a dose higher than 150mg of Effexor, but you fail to see adequate relief in your symptoms on your current dose, your doctor will slowly taper it off and switch you to another medication.
It’s common for people to try multiple antidepressants before they find the one that works best for them. So, it’s okay if you need to switch from Effexor to another antidepressant. However, you should never make any changes to your treatment plan on your own.
As a pharmacist, I know how dangerous it can be to stop antidepressants abruptly. It can even be life-threatening for people who have been taking a certain antidepressant for years.
If it’s time for you to switch to a different antidepressant, your doctor will provide you with a proper taper schedule to ensure safe withdrawal and a smooth transition to a different medication. Never take such matters into your own hands and let your doctor guide you properly.
References
- Singh D, Saadabadi A. Venlafaxine. 2022 Oct 10. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30570984. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535363
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA). HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. EFFEXOR XR® (venlafaxine Extended-Release) Capsules. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/020699s107lbl.pdf
- National Library of Medicine. Venlafaxine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a694020.html#side-effects
