... occasion for the last 10yrs and is now suffering with depression (depression has occured due to other health concerns not the cannabis use) The doctor has prescribed Effexor 75mg once a day for her. Will her recreational use of cannabis affect the benifets of the effexor or should she stop... basically we are concerned that it may cause worse depression
Effexor and other recreational drugs? I have a close family member who has been smoking cannabis on?
Question posted by afteradvice on 17 Oct 2011
Last updated on 31 August 2019 by WildcatVet
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8 Answers
WildcatVet
31 Aug 2019
From the Interaction Checker:
"Using venlafaxine together with cannabis may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery."
Cannabis is a depressant and Effexor is an antidepressant. It could be a waste of time and money.
pickles503
31 Aug 2019
Cannabis is legal in Oregon. I medicate with cannabis and 225mg of Effexor, 150 in am, 75 at noon. I'm happy. Things don't get to me as much. I've been doing this for a year and a half.
Demon165
20 Oct 2011
Effexor is an antidepressant and cannabis is a depressant. So yeah, the antidepressant doesn't work as well cause they fight each other.
smileyhappy
18 Oct 2011
Hi afteradvice,
My nephew was smoking a lot of cannabis everyday and had a psychotic episode because of it. It's nothing to full around with that is for sure. This has happened 2 years in Feb. He is better now. When he was getting better he went back to it because of his anxiety but was getting bad again. He finally stopped it and is starting to feel better now. He realized it was the cannabis that was causing his problems.
Hope this helps you!
Delila
17 Oct 2011
Hi, as others have posted, cannabis can effect people in different ways, especially if it is used for medical reasons or recreation. I don't know much about effexor but i do know how badly cannabis can effect someone. My ex partner started to smoke cannabis heavily a year after we met. He changed in to a different person. If he hadn't had a smoke that morning he would be aggressive, paranoid and would feel physically ill. I ended our relationship after a year of him smoking because of the way he treated me, with no respect what so ever, he didn't care about going to work, he would do almost anything to get the money to buy the cannabis, much of the money came from me, which i never saw again. I met up again with him by chance some years later, and he had stopped smoking.
He was better than i had ever seen him! We are good friends now and he looks back at how he used to be and hates that he got so 'obsessed' with the cannabis. Unfortunately another close friend is now 'hooked' on it and he has become very depressed. If not at work he sits at home and smokes all day. He has started drinking recently also. He is very thin and it is so sad to see him this way. His friends have tried to talk to him, but he believes that smoking helps him to cope, he doesn't realise it is the thing that is actually making him feel so bad. Sorry i went on a bit there! I just know how destructive cannabis can be and if your family member can stop, i honestly think it would be a very good idea! Use the effexor instead.
Demon165
20 Oct 2011
how are you answering the question???
Delila
20 Oct 2011
What do you mean?
Delila
20 Oct 2011
Does anyone else have a problem with my answer??
Inactive
17 Oct 2011
Hello afteradvice. I'd not mix the two. I was on effexor and its one of the few medications that really worked adversely for me. I had to stop taking it for a number of reasons. Its never a good/sound idea to mix a drug. Will it effect the effexor? Might do so, might not. I'd leave it alone, meaning the cannabis, why chance a possible long term gain (the effexor), and possibly negate it with in this the cannabis. Her depression is real, and as you said, her use of the cannabis is recreational. Best to you.
cetteferge
17 Oct 2011
Hi after - I understand your concerns, and rightfully so. There are as many reactions to Cannabis as there are people. It causes anxiety and paranoia in some, relaxation and laughter in others, and the list goes on. But, most importantly, as jaime says, the Dr. should definitely know everything that your family member is taking, as far as psychoactive substances, before a complete assessment, treatment & prognosis can be made. For instance, the Dr. may have prescribed a different anti-depressant or type of medication, if aware of the THC. Like trying to work a puzzle with pieces missing & then Dr. gets blamed for repercussions. Effexor is a strong medication, and every psychoactive drug, in particular, interacts to a greater or lesser degree with another, particularly when these meds both cross the blood-brain barrier, and brain chemistry is involved. I've seen some depression helped by Cannabis, and some made worse, depending on each person's chemical make-up. That's why the Dr. really needs to know. Good Luck!
litlmommag
17 Oct 2011
I think she should talk to her dr and be honest most drs will know anyway but ask be honest they would know best. I think she shuld do what's best for her one way or the other id ont know how it will counter act do you think it is effecting her depression now? everyone is different on any medication. I say that cause its been apprved in several states as a medication. Y/f jaime let me know how you both are doing and what the dr says
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effexor, depression, smoking, cannabis, doctor
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