is cymbalta the same as effexor?

Question

why or why not?

Answer 1

Cymbalta is an SSNRI (Selective Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor) and Effexor is an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor). Serotonin and Norepinephrine are both chemicals called neurotransmitters, and they are involved in many functions in the brain. Depression is just one of a number of things that these chemicals are involved in.

An SSRI is a medication that increases the amount of serotonin, which is a particular chemical in the brain, and it's one of a number of different types of anti-depressants that are available today. The SSRIs are probably the most commonly used medications. The SSRIs are drugs like Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Paxil (paroxetine), Luvox (fluvoxamine maleate), citalopram (Celexa) and Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate).

In SSNRI, the "N" stands for norepinephrine, so the SSNRIs are drugs that work on increasing both serotonin and another chemical called norepinephrine in the brain.

Effexor (venlafaxine) would be an SSNRI. There also would be another one called duloxetine (Cymbalta). Another drug in this catagory is Nefazodone (Serzone).

In general, of the anti-depressant medications that are on the market, they are all about equally effective. That doesn't mean that they all work equally well for a particular patient. In many cases, particularly in the primary care setting where most anti-depressant medications are prescribed, physicians might start with a prescription for an SSRI. The patient might come in and say, "I've already had an SSRI. I didn't tolerate it very well. I didn't benefit from it very much." And then one might start with an SSNRI.

Answer 2

Cymbalta also works with the physical symptoms such as aches and pains associted with depression. Effexor does not and it mainly for the chemical imbalance in the brain. I for one was on Effexor briefly and I could not tolerate it at all...I had symptoms similar to the flu and had to be taken off it right away. However not all people react that way to the same meds...Good luck

Answer 3

no it is not, Effexor can leave you with mind "blinks" as they are called, when you try to decrease dosage too much too fast. It can take weeks to become normal again after Effexor.

Answer 4

Yep

Answer 5

No they have different compositions. If you have questions about the meds, talk to a pharmacist. If you have questions about taking one or the other, ask your doctor.

Answer 6

no