Effexor vs. Irenka

Effexor (venlafaxine) and Irenka (duloxetine capsule) are serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressants used to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

Effexor is also used to treat panic disorder.

Irenka is also used to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy and chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Side effects of Effexor that are different from Irenka include nervousness, anxiety, strange dreams, blurred vision, changes in weight, decreased sex drive, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm, increased blood pressure, and seizures.

Side effects of Irenka and Effexor that are similar include nausea, headache, dry mouth, drowsiness, insomnia, constipation, dizziness, changes in appetite, and increased sweating.

Side effects of Irenka that are different from Effexor include fatigue, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Both Irenka and Effexor may interact with alcohol, other antidepressants, triptans for migraine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, and warfarin.

Effexor may also interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicines, sedatives, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures or anxiety), cimetidine, ketoconazole, linezolid, haloperidol, and risperidone.

Irenka may also interact with spirin, aluminum- and magnesium-containing antacids, theophylline, caffeine, desipramine, fentanyl, buspirone, and St. John's wort.

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

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.

Common side effects of Irenka include:

• nausea,
• headache,
• dry mouth,
• drowsiness,
• fatigue,
• insomnia,
• constipation,
• dizziness,
• diarrhea,
• decreased appetite,
• increased sweating, and
• abdominal pain

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

Irenka (duloxetine capsule) is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Effexor may interact with cold or allergy medicines, sedatives, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicines for seizures or anxiety, other antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinners, cimetidine, tramadol, L-tryptophan, or medicines to treat migraines.

Effexor may also interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), ketoconazole, linezolid, lithium, haloperidol, or risperidone.

Irenka may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), cimetidine, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, warfarin, aluminum- and magnesium-containing antacids, theophylline, caffeine, desipramine, alcohol, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, and St. John's wort. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

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

The dose of Irenka is 40 mg/day (given as 20 mg twice daily) to 60 mg/day (given either once daily or as 30 mg twice daily) for major depressive disorder, and 60 mg/day for generalized anxiety disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and chronic musculoskeletal pain.