Remeron vs. Effexor

• Are Effexor and Remeron the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Remeron?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Effexor?
• What is Remeron?
• What is Effexor?
• What Drugs Interact with Remeron?
• What Drugs Interact with Effexor?
• How Should Remeron Be Taken?
• How Should Effexor Be Taken?

Remeron (mirtazapine) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are antidepressants used to treat depression.

Remeron has also been used to treat nausea, anxiety, post traumatic stress syndrome, and used as an appetite stimulant.

Remeron and Effexor belong to different drug classes. Remeron is a tetracyclic antidepressant and Effexor is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI).

Common side effects of Remeron include:

• drowsiness
• increased appetite
• weight gain
• dizziness, and
• nausea

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Remeron including agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast or uneven heart rate, loss of coordination or feeling unsteady, stiff muscles, confusion, tremors, flu symptoms, memory problems, weakness, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, sweating, feeling like you might pass out, chills, body aches, white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips, headache, or trouble concentrating.

Common side effects of Effexor include:

• dizziness,
• nervousness,
• nausea,
• constipation,
• headaches,
• anxiety,
• insomnia,
• strange dreams,
• drowsiness,
• increased sweating,
• blurred vision,
• dry mouth,
• changes in appetite or weight,
• decreased sex drive,
• impotence,
• difficulty having an orgasm,
• increased blood pressure, and
• seizures.

Abrupt discontinuation of Effexor may cause dizziness, headache, nausea, changes in mood, or changes in the sense of smell, and taste.

Remeron is a prescription medicine used to treat depression. It is important to talk with your healthcare provider about the risks of treating depression and also the risks of not treating it. You should discuss all treatment choices with your healthcare provider.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you do not think that your condition is getting better with Remeron treatment.

Effexor (venlafaxine) is an antidepressant used for treatment of major depression.

Remeron may interact with other drugs that make you sleepy (cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures or anxiety), cimetidine, lithium, blood thinners, other antidepressants, or migraine headache medicines.

Remeron may also interact with conivaptan, imatinib, isoniazid, St. John's wort, tramadol, antibiotics, antifungal medications, heart or blood pressure medications, HIV/AIDS medicines, or seizure medications.

Effexor may also interact with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), ketoconazole, linezolid, haloperidol, risperidone, L-tryptophan, warfarin, almotriptan, frovatriptan, sumatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, or zolmitriptan.

• Take REMERON exactly as prescribed. Your healthcare provider may need to change the dose of REMERON until it is the right dose for you.
• Take REMERON at the same time each day, preferably in the evening at bedtime.
• Swallow REMERON as directed.
• It is common for antidepressant medicines such as REMERON to take up to a few weeks before you start to feel better. Do not stop taking REMERON if you do not feel results right away.
• Do not stop taking or change the dose of REMERON without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better.
• REMERON may be taken with or without food.
• If you miss a dose of REMERON, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of REMERON at the same time.
• If you take too much REMERON, call your healthcare provider or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment. The signs of an overdose of REMERON (without other medicines or alcohol) include:
  • confusion,
  • memory problems
  • drowsiness
  • increased heart rate.

The symptoms of a possible overdose may include changes to your heart rhythm (fast, irregular heartbeat) or fainting, which could be symptoms of a life-threatening condition known as Torsades de Pointes.

The usual dose of Effexor is 37.5-375 mg daily.