I take 225mg of Effexor daily, which I believe is classified as an SNRI. I am also tapering off of Valium - I'm at 10 mg of that a day.
I have been researching L-Theanine as a way to help me with the Valium withdrawal. But since L-Theanine is an agonist of GABA and assists in balancing and potentially increasing dopamine levels, not to mention that it appears to affect serotonin levels, is it safe to take with an SNRI?
I don't want to have serotonin poisoning.
Thank you.
18 Jul 2011
Hello julians. Nice to meet you. my name is . Interesting question. I've my own ideas, but I'm just a layman, no medical doctor, expert so to speak. I've a question for you if you don't mind me asking, why, are you considering the L-Theanie? I mean, I as you, have done my reading up on it, and can understand the benefits, how it helps people, to sleep, anxiety and so on. Having said that, you are now on 10mg of valium. I know valium, was on it years ago. Addictive as the dickens. The longer you are on it, the more difficult to curb or stop taking it. My only thoughts and this is not an answer to your question, but it might apply, indirectly. Since you are on 10mg. I'd cut in half the 5mg tablet/pill, and wait two weeks. Then drop the other 2.5mg. That will leave you another 5mg. Then, do the procedure over again. Since I've joined this site, you are the first person I've come in contact with, who like me, takes valium.
19 Jul 2011
Hey julians,
There is a lack of information concerning interactions with L-theanine. As it is derived from the tea plant or a certain kind of edible mushroom, I doubt it would cause a problem if taken with Effexor. There is no evidence to suggest green tea has any interaction with Effexor which incidently is an SNRI. The information on its serotonergic effects is mixed. I doubt that it would have enough effect to cause serotonin syndrome.
Just my thoughts,
Laurie
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LaurieShay
HI pledge thanks for your post. I've been making cuts to the Valium for almost a year now. I started at 55 mg/day. I have pretty serious withdrawal from it, so I go slow making the cuts.
Ok, you're doing well julians. Good for you. Glad to hear it. Its slow but you're getting there, almost to the end of it. Best wishes to you, thanks for the update.