Twidder Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I am diagnosed with Bipolar 2 because of a manic episode years ago but I am basically MDD. On Effexor and Latuda, but this combo still leaves me depressed. Have tried other atypical antipsychotics like abilify and risperidone, but all of these don't completely work and also elevate my prolactin levels and decrease my testosterone. The Latuda is causing diabetes too. I was wondering if using the Effexor with Wellbutrin or Lexapro or another SSRI could help. Is this dangerous or redundant? Anyone out there doing this? I would like input before I see my pdoc next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit37 Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I've had a bad depressive episode, and am on lexapro and Effexor, as well as lithium to help balance it out. It's helped a little, some of the depression may be situational. IDK, I've had some horrific problems sleeping, my mind is racing. Sorry, I may not be of much help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I don't know about mixing Effexor with an SSRI. Your doctor is the one best to tell you whether it is dangerous or not. I take citalopram with Remeron, but Remeron is sufficiently different in its mechanism of action that serotonin syndrome is not a serious worry. I don't know about mixing closely related meds though. I'm moving this to antidepressants because it's about antidepressants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larkspur Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 Generally, you can mix ONE SSRI or SNRI with one or both of the following: Wellbutrin, Remeron. You would not want to take Effexor with Lexapro, as there is a risk of serious drug interaction causing serotonin syndrome. That doesn't mean it isn't done in clinical practice, just that it isn't generally advisable. Only your pdoc can determine for your case if the potential reward outweighs the risk. Welly and Remeron are the two main drugs that are used to augment other antidepressants. Some classic combinations include Wellbutrin and citalopram, and Remeron and Effexor ("california rocket fuel"). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iaawal Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I am on Wellbutrin and Effexor right now, prior to that I was on Wellbutrin and Prozac. There's some interaction warning between the wellbutrin and effexor saying effexor could raise wellbutrin levels and cause toxicity or something like that but that hasn't happened. Yet at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whole Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 I have been on effexor 225mg and remeron 45mg (or venlafxine and mirtazapine for the other brits in the room) for about 6 years now. Working OK, though did need ECT last year. No nasty side effects of the combination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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