Effexor XR vs Venlafaxine HCl - withdrawal lite Hell

[fuzzybluelogic]

Has anyone noticed a HUGE diff in Effexor XR and Vanlafaxine HCI? Like shockingly huge? My pdoc seems to think it's like Advil tablets vs Liquigels, I swear.

So, the VA pharm mails all refills. I was even AT the VA pharm getting a script filled and asked if I could pick up my Effexor XR, as I had 2 days worth left. "No," says pharm guy, "I'll just make sure that gets sent off today!"

That was the 14th. Today, the 22nd. If the Effexor XR doesn't show up, I'm going to DAYTON'S VA center ER and bemoan my plight.

I have this stash of Venlafaxine HCl 75MG that I've been trying to take instead of my XR to tide me over. Oh my GOD, while the brain zaps are kept at bay. I feel like I've been run over repeated by large SUVs, have epic nightmares, been living on saltines and clementines. I've burned through nearly a bottle of Ativan to fight the panic attacks and insomnia, and had to get into the wellbutrin to chemically simulate caring enough to actually eat the crackers.

I'm also being treated for a nasty staph infection (almost all better, yay Bactrim), am under ridiculous amounts of stress (temp homeless while I get some finance things sorted.) and have Multiple Sclerosis.

I know Wellbutrin can push me manic, but I need the motivation to fix the Effexor XR issue.

And my pdoc mentioned tapering me off on Effexor XR so she can put me on Depakote or Lithium for compulsive behaviors.

Argh.

Any advice would be golden.

[shimmeree]

i've never noticed a difference. chemically, the generic is the same as the brand name.

[notfred]

Has anyone noticed a HUGE diff in Effexor XR and Vanlafaxine HCI?

One is extended release, the other immediate release. so there is a significant difference right there. I always liked Effexor XR better than plain Effexor.

nf

[leopard]

Has anyone noticed a HUGE diff in Effexor XR and Vanlafaxine HCI? Like shockingly huge? My pdoc seems to think it's like Advil tablets vs Liquigels, I swear.

I know this is a bit old, but glad someone else noticed this.

Venlafaxine HCL is massively more potent imho. It makes Effexor XR seem like a placebo. The difference is staggering. I'm on IR now and would never go back.

Few months back the pharmacy gave me XR, and I thought nothing of it.... Till I crashed hard, in less than 1 week.

The key is staggering the dose. I'm on 150mg, and I spread it out by 18.75mg throughout the day. Otherwise it would blow me away. The huge difference in potency makes the extra dosing worth it.