Effexor and other recreational drugs? I have a close family member who has been smoking cannabis on?

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.

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.

Effexor is an antidepressant and cannabis is a depressant. So yeah, the antidepressant doesn't work as well cause they fight each other.

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!

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.

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!

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