Manic Spending Spree Effexor 12/08/2003 U.S.A. Man Spends Life Savings & More on Unnecessary Items
 
 Summary:<br><br><!--StartFragment --><br /><a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-dsphar3410876aug12,0,2920280.story?col">http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-dsphar3410876aug12,0,2920280.story?col</a><br />l=ny-health-headlines<br /><br /><br /><font size="5"><strong>Did Antidepressant Trigger A Manic Spending Spree?<br /></strong></font>Joseph &amp; Teresea Graedon<br />Joseph Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon has a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert.<br />August 12, 2003<br /><br />Q. After my doctor put me on the antidepressant Effexor, I did things I would never have done otherwise. I spent our life savings and thousands of dollars more on crazy things. We can&#39;t sell them to get our money back.<br /><br />I made my wife&#39;s life a living hell through all this. Since I am nearing retirement age, I don&#39;t have years of earning power to make this money back.<br /><br />Could the drug be responsible? If so, shouldn&#39;t there be a warning? I wouldn&#39;t listen to anyone while I was on Effexor, and I have destroyed our hopes, dreams and security.<br /><br />A. We are sorry to learn of your predicament.<br /><br />There are reports that people taking newer-generation antidepressants such as Effexor might experience manic episodes.<br /><br />This reaction appears to be uncommon but might manifest itself in the kind of spending you describe.<br /><br />People who suffer from bipolar disorder (previously called manic-depression) can experience extraordinary mood swings.<br /><br />During the manic phase, people often feel euphoric or energetic and might spend uncontrollably.<br /><br />The prescribing information for Effexor suggests that the drug might cause manic reactions and should &quot;be used cautiously in patients with a history of mania.&quot;<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> 
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