Question:
I take Effexor XR , what is the problem

I take Effexor XR but have read here that we don't absorb or can't take extended release medications. I would like to see some articles by doctors or someone credible and knowledgable (not that the members aren't). I discussed this with my psychiatrist and she would like me to see what I can find. Can anyone refer me to something?    — Melody B. (posted on July 7, 2004)

July 6, 2004
That question was just asked at my support group last night to the doctor (he only does bariatric surgery) that was speaking and he said that your best bet is to talk to the pharmacist and your doctor that is prescribing it to ask about how it is absorbed. He said that some long acting meds do just fine with gastric patients. But he said that there is not a cut in stone answer for that question across the board you have to go on a drug by drug basis. Good luck.
   — ChristineB

July 6, 2004
I discussed this with my surgeon's PA recently since my PCP had put me on Wellbutrin SR (sustained release). She said that it's a combination of the lack of acid (that dissolves the outer shell I guess?) in our stomachs combined with the malabsorption that causes problems. Since things pass more quickly through our systems now, we may not absorb all the meds when they are sustained or extended release. That's my laymans interpretation anyway. She said they've found some are worse than others, and the more extended the release, the worse it is. Sorry I don't have any articles though! Does Effexor have an immediate release version that you can take more often? Then you would be sure you're absorbing it all.
   — mom2jtx3

July 6, 2004
I too take effexor, and I have not had any problems with taking it. I was bypassed just 3 feet so I dont know if that makes a difference or not. I have not felt any effects of coming down before the next dosage. I am not a doctor but I am proof that it still works, at least for me. Hope you have good success.
   — Vivian K.

July 7, 2004
I'm on Celexa, which is not a sustain release of any kind and I eventually ended up having to slightly increase my dosage because of malabsorbing some of it. It took quite a while to surface. At 6 months I started noticing some mood changes etc. but it wasn't until something more significant cropped up around 9 months and I just wasn't dealing with it right that we figured it out. A 10mg increase has solved the problem. <p>So if you choose to stay with the XR or SR type meds, don't be surprised if they don't work as well and you need a larger dosage. I don't know about Effexor but Wellbutrin is offered in a non-sustained release version as I took it for about 3 years. So ask if Effexor has different options.
   — zoedogcbr

July 7, 2004
I was taking Effexor XR. A few weeks after surgery, I noticed a change in my moods. I was having "weepy" days just like I did before starting on the Effexor. I talked to my PCP and she changed me to liquid Zoloft. It's a concentrate that has to be mixed with water. I've just started it so I haven't noticed a change yet.
   — Robin D.

July 7, 2004
I was on effexor xr before the surgery. I went ahead and requested to be changed to plain effexor. I have to take it more often but I didn't want to have it not be absorbed. I have not really looked into if any information exists on extended release meds but would be very interested in anything you may find out.
   — kportell

July 11, 2004
I am 21/2 years PO RNY. I was very worried about this very issue. I discussed it w/ PCP, surgeon and nueroligist (sp?).They all gave me the ok, however I was on 75mg and now I take 150. I take them to prevent migrains. I know they work for me. I guess we are all so differnt. You may want to try and see hoe you react?
   — Cindee A.