Venlafaxine or Duloxetine?

[ParanormalChickenGeek]

I was just wondering if anyone takes Venlafaxine, Venlafaxine XR or Duloxetine, particularly for depression and anxiety?

I've been taking Venlafaxine for about 8 weeks now and have extreme constipation, dry mouth and complete loss of libido. I think it may be slightly helping with anxiety but not so much depression. When my GP put me on Venlafaxine, she said the other option would be Duloxetine.
So basically I have a GP appointment tomorrow and am thinking of asking to either change to Venlafaxine XR, or swap to Duloxetine.

So... Can anyone who's been on any of these drugs tell me how they got on with it, particularly regarding the side effects I've mentioned, as I'm really sick of not having a bowel movement for up to two weeks, and obviously the loss of libido isn't having a great effect on my relationship!

[Aubergine]

I'm on venlafaxine XR and it's been amazing for me. I was severely depressed (inpatient with a dx of schizoaffective disorder, depressive type) before I was put on it and my anxiety was through the roof. The dose had to be adjusted a bit (I take 225mg), but I've been on it a the same dose for over three years now and the only time I've experienced a recurrence of depression is when I stopped taking it (not advisable unless directed by the prescriber.)

I don't get any side effects, so long as I take it regularly. No constipation. I couldn't tell you about libido, because I didn't have one before the drugs! If I miss a dose, I feel dreadful - tearful, gastro issues, anxious... I expect you'd get that with standard release too though.

Never tried duloxetine, I'm sorry.

[Bear]

I've been on both but currently on duloxetine.
I was prescribed it for chronic pain, but found it's lifted my mood too. No side effects, it's pretty good stuff. Was the only thing that got my other half out of a depressive episode

[sherlock holmes]

Is there a strict reason why they are your only options? I was recommended duloxetine at one point but as it didn't come in liquid my GP prescribed trazodone because it works in a similar way on the brain and comes in liquid. So there may be other options for you.

In regards to the constipation your GP can prescribe osmotic laxatives which put extra water into your bowel to help keep you more regular (they don't force you to go like traditional stimulant laxatives) so its worth asking about those.

[Epicene]

I've been on both and personally found venlafaxine better. I have fewer side effects with it and it really helps my depression to the extent that it's visibly dose-dependent. Duloxetine was better than nothing though, and it's quite energising. However it is so individual it could be the total opposite for you. Like Sherlock said there are also other options, or combinations (I also take trazodone). With side effects though give it at least 4-6 weeks to see what the therapeutic effect is and let any side effects wear off.

[Dragon_Smoke]

I've been on both, most recently Duloxetine. I also had constipation on venlafaxine but did not experience this with Duloxetine. It worked for my depression as no other antidepressant had done previously. I cant say about libido as I was not in a relationship during my time on it. I found it very good because it helped with the chronic physical pain I was used to from anxiety/depression. It also stopped a mild incontinence problem I've had since I was young.

[ParanormalChickenGeek]

Thanks for your replies.
I don't experience any pain symptoms but those two were an option as I've tried every SSRI with little to no effect on my mood. Mirtazapine would have been another option but as I already sleep a lot I didn't want anything with a sedative effect.
Thanks for that suggestion Sherlock, I'm currently taking three different OTC laxatives just to be able to go and it's very unpredictable when this will be- NOT good when I work full time! I will definitely ask about an alternative!
Can anyone shed any light on the libido issue?

[Bear]

Mine hasn't been affected. Could it be your depression causing this rather than the meds if you get what I mean?