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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by laurie_lu on December 10, 2003, at 23:29:25
I have been taking Calcium Carbonate in the mornings as a calcium supplement. I've learned that Calcium Carbonate is the main ingredient in antiacids and can decrease the absorbtion of certain drugs making them less effective. I also take my Effexor XR the same time in the mornings. I've been on Effexor XR for 2 weeks now and have not noticed any improvement of depression. Is it possible there is an interaction between these two substances?
Thanks,
Laurie
Posted by Psychopoppy on December 11, 2003, at 1:12:41
In reply to Interaction With Effexor XR Calcium Carbonate?, posted by laurie_lu on December 10, 2003, at 23:29:25
Its possible that Calcium Carbonate could interfere with Effexor expecially at the absorption level.
But, before you jump to conclusions you should remember these things :1- try to take your antacids and your effexor at least couple of hours apart so that they dont interfere. Ideally, take the antacids first cos it'll have done its thing and cleared out in a couple of hours when its time to take the effexor. This way you'll know if thats the reason its not working.
2- two weeks is too soon to know if the drugs really work. Most people dont feel positive effects till 4-6 weeks into treatment. Plus you probably still havent reached your optimum dose yet so its really too soon to know.If in 2-3 weeks you still feel no improvement and thats after you've separated the antacid from the effexor and reached a theoretical therapeutic effexor dose (your pdoc should know this), then it could mean that you're just not responsive to effexor and need something else.
so, hang in there before you give up, and eliminate the antacid-interference theory by testing it out yourself.
This is the end of the thread.
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