Question:
I am still on time release Effexor and seem to be doing all right

Before my RnY 2.5 years ago and since surgery I am on the same 300 mg. of Effexor XR (time release). It seems to still help as it did before surgery, but others say time release does no good any longer. Could I be the exception or maybe I don't need the Effexor any longer? It did at one time cause severe anxiety when I ran out and I am afraid to go off of it.    — KRWaters (posted on October 10, 2007)

October 10, 2007
I am also on a time release med (Adderall XR) and I have had absolutely no problems. My doc told me that he couldnt see why there would be. A lot of people say that after GB time released capsules do not work but they do for me! Good luck
   — AllieT

October 10, 2007
i'm almost 4 yrs post-op (1/04) and take Effexor XR also. i'm not sure why "they" say time release drugs don't work for RNY patients, because I've had great luck with it. I wouldn't listen to anyone but your doctor. if you feel like it's working, then i say continue. if you are weaned off of it and try another medication, it might not work as well. remember, if you do go off the meds, wean yourself & don't stop cold-turkey as this is not a good idea. best of luck to you!
   — BirdiFox

October 11, 2007
Ok as a RN and an Effexor patient, lol...my 2 cents: The reason time release is less effective (note I didn't say doesn't work) is that with this little pouch we have now, pills and liquid pass relatively quickly, and there is not as much stomach acid to degrade or "use up" your medication. Time release and/or long acting medications work by having an outer coating or capsule that degrades slower in your stomach acid or digestive juices during digestion. Since we WLS patients have 1. smaller stomachs, with 2. Less digestive juices, and 3. our pathway of digestion is altered, these types of long acting medications may have partial to NO absorption for us. This from a recommendation for primary care physicians now caring for post-op bariatric patients: "Clinicians should not prescribe extended-release drugs because reducedtransit times and changed intestinal anatomy influence the amount ofmedication that reaches the bloodstream. In the immediate postoperativeperiod, medications with small therapeutic windows, such as lithium oranticoagulants, should be monitored closely, and dosing changed as indicated.Clinicians should not prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, whichincrease irritation and bleeding. " Link to this article: http://docnews.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/3/7/14 Bottom line though hon, work closely with your physicians. They and you, know your case history and should be making the best and appropriate choices for your medications and treatment. Good luck and take care! ~Tomi
   — Tomi D.

October 11, 2007
Also...your are farther out and some extended release medications some providers have patients on when they are father out from their WLS, becasue of longer absorption times, etc. Most recent post-ops should avoid extended release medications and as always work closely with your physicians and follow their advice.
   — Tomi D.