Does Effexor cause stomach pain? (+2 effects)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
In this article, we will discuss if Effexor causes stomach pain. Effexor (venlafaxine) is an antidepressant that is frequently used in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and social anxiety disorder.
Does Effexor cause stomach pain?
Yes, Effexor may cause stomach pain. However, the occurrence of experiencing stomach pain with Effexor is common in the early weeks. Effexor, a selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), is known to have the least side effects as compared to other antidepressants.
It is important to note here that stomach pains, headache, nausea, and lower back pain are the symptoms that are common in a patient with depression. Researchers report that the treatment of depression with antidepressants tends to improve these somatic complaints within one month of treatment (1).
What are the symptoms of Effexor-induced stomach pain?
Effexor-induced stomach pain can occur in the first few weeks of taking the drug. The stomach pain might be associated with the following symptoms, including:
- Uncomfortable fullness,
- bloating,
- nausea,
- flatulence,
- heartburn,
- belching,
- ulceration,
- gastric bleeding.
How may Effexor control the occurrence of stomach pains?
Serotonergic and noradrenergic neurons both send signals to the spinal cord. These descending pathways function to block input from the intestine, skeletal muscles, and other sensory organs. A malfunction of serotonergic and noradrenergic neurons can thus influence the descending pathway.
This results in depression and somatic pains such as stomach pains, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), non-cardiac chest pain, and fibromyalgia. Effexor tends to reduce the occurrence of such somatic pains by balancing serotonin and noradrenaline levels in the body.
What does the research suggest?
In an animal study, ulceration and hyperemia occurred in rats treated with venlafaxine and indomethacin. However, the ulcer number was lesser in the case of Effexor (3.17) as compared to other antidepressants like mirtazapine (3.50), escitalopram (5.00), and the control group (13.00) (2).
In another in vivo study, Effexor had substantial anti-inflammatory action in the rats. On chronic therapy, this effect was related to an elevation in blood pressure but had no adverse gastrointestinal tolerability when given as monotherapy (3).
In the toxicological evaluation of Effexor on gastric tissues of rats, there were limited alterations in the gastric mucosa during acute Effexor toxicity analysis. The only changes were in the form of oedema of the gastric mucosa that extensively separated the gastric gland.
Subchronic administration of Effexor for thirty days resulted in multiple superficial mucosal ulcers, degraded and vacuolated stomach gland cells, and submucosal inflammatory cell infiltration. Moreover, the renal and liver cells were also affected (4).
These results signify that the gastric pain associated with Effexor is usually dose-dependent. Effexor has an off-label use in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and has been reported to reduce stomach pain associated with IBS in 82% of the users (5).
What are other gastrointestinal complications of Effexor?
The use of Effexor can cause digestive side effects including:
- nausea,
- loss of appetite,
- diarrhoea,
- constipation, and
- weight loss.
What other factors cause stomach pain with Effexor?
The other factors that can cause stomach pain with the use of Effexor include:
- Inflammation: it can be caused by an irritant or an infection.
- Menstruation: sometimes women feel stomach pain and cramps during or before the start of the menstrual cycle.
- Digestion issue: it can be caused by food poisoning or food allergies.
- Chronic acid reflux: or gastroesophageal reflux syndrome (GERD) can cause stomach pain.
- Crohn’s disease: it is the chronic inflammation of the digestive tract that can cause stomach pain, nausea, and other complications.
- Lactose intolerance: can cause abdominal cramps, and bloating.
- IBS: it can cause stomach pains, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, and gas.
Which other drugs cause stomach pain with Effexor?
The incidence of stomach pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, and ulceration increases when Effexor is coadministered with other drugs, including (6):
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
- anticoagulants, and
- antiplatelet agents.
How to manage Effexor-induced stomach pain?
- Do not take the drug on an empty stomach.
- Drink lots of water to keep hydrated.
- Use a hot water bottle to relieve the cramps.
Drugs which can be given for stomach relief include:
- Antispasmodic drugs: such as dicyclomine can help reduce stomach cramps.
- Anti-nausea drugs: such as bismuth subsalisylate can help relieve the symptoms of nausea.
- Anti-flatulence drugs: such as simethicone can help relieve bloating, colic and flatulence associated with stomach pain.
- Antibiotics: such as penicillin, nitroimidazole, and cephalosporin can be used to treat gastrointestinal infections causing stomach pain.
- Antidiarrheal: such as loperamide can relieve diarrhoea along with bloating, stomach pain and cramps.
- Antacids: such as simgel (magladrate+simethicone) neutralize the acid and relieve indigestion.
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References
1.-
Aikens JE, Kroenke K, Nease Jr DE, Klinkman MS, Sen A. Trajectories of improvement for six depression-related outcomes. General hospital psychiatry. 2008 Jan 1;30(1):26-31. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163834307001934
2.-
El-Awdan SA, Zaki HF. Gastroprotective activity of mirtazapine, escitalopram and venlafaxine in depressed rats. Afr J Pharm Pharmacol. 2013;7(40):2701-9. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/70e3/ccc057f7f4766ec7a224e1f2e42380b10173.pdf
3.-
Chugh PK, Kalra BS, Kaushik N, Tekur U. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity, effect on blood pressure & gastric tolerability of antidepressants. The Indian journal of medical research. 2013 Jul;138(1):99. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3767251/
4.-
Paulis MG, Hafez EM, El-Tahawy NF, Aly MK. Toxicological assessment of venlafaxine: acute and subchronic toxicity study in rats. International Journal of Toxicology. 2018 Jul;37(4):327-34. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1091581818777470
5.-
Sharbafchi MR, Afshar H, Adhamian P, Feizi A, Daghaghzadeh H, Adibi P. Effects of venlafaxine on gastrointestinal symptoms, depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life in patients with the moderate-to-severe irritable bowel syndrome. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences: The Official Journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. 2020;25. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33912225
6.-
Sawynok J, Esser MJ, Reid AR. Antidepressants as analgesics: an overview of central and peripheral mechanisms of action. Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience. 2001 Jan;26(1):21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1408038/
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