Does Venlafaxine cause laziness? (+5 prevention)
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 the effect of Venlafaxine on laziness and lack of motivation. We will look at the impact of Venlafaxine on making the patient tired and lazy. We will also look at the prevention strategies to avoid being lazy while taking Venlafaxine.
Does Venlafaxine cause laziness?
Venlafaxine may cause laziness. Venlafaxine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant that is used to energize and uplift mood and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Venlafaxine is not directly associated with causing laziness in patients. It may take 4-6 weeks to show effects meanwhile it may cause drowsiness, fatigue, tiredness, and laziness when starting, discontinuing, or adjusting the dosage.
If you are facing such symptoms while taking Venlafaxine, you should contact your healthcare provider. They can help in evaluating the situation and help in managing these side effects associated with Venlafaxine.
What does research suggest?
Based on the research studies, low doses of Venlafaxine may demonstrate symptoms of mild apathy and fatigue in patients due to more affinity of Venlafaxine for serotonin transporters (1).
Venlafaxine is an SNRI antidepressant that displays serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition. The side effects of initial treatment with Venlafaxine are related to serotonin inhibition such as headache, fatigue, laziness, and sexual dysfunction (2).
Whereas, further side effects with slightly higher doses are related to both serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition such as dry mouth and night sweats. At higher doses, Venlafaxine also inhibits dopamine reuptake (2).
However, it has been studied that if due to Venlafaxine patients experience laziness, fatigue, and apathy symptoms, with the improvement of other depressive symptoms then their clinicians must continue Venlafaxine treatment with dosage adjustment (1).
What are the ways to prevent laziness induced by Venlafaxine?
Following are some ways to prevent laziness induced by Venlafaxine (3,4):
- Take Venlafaxine at night time- If Venlafaxine is causing laziness and sleepiness, try taking this medication at night time so that you get lazy while you are in bed and will wake up fresh.
This way you will wake up fully energized and avoid Venlafaxine-induced laziness during the day time. Additionally, your daily daytime activities will not be interrupted if you take Venlafaxine at night.
- Lifestyle changes- Lifestyle modifications can help in improving overall energy levels. Regular exercise and physical activity can make you feel less fatigued and improve energy and motivation levels.
You can consider getting stress-management techniques such as mindfulness exercises and yoga which will help prevent laziness due to Venlafaxine.
- A healthy diet and hydration- A healthy diet plays an important role in making you feel energetic. Keep yourself well-hydrated and consume healthy nutritious meals to avoid energy crashes.
- Avoid alcohol consumption- Venlafaxine along with alcohol suppresses your energy levels and mental alertness. If you take alcohol along with Venlafaxine, it may cause drowsiness and excessive laziness.
- Consume caffeine to avoid laziness- If you have taken Venlafaxine during the daytime and it makes you lazy and sleepy, then you can take caffeinated drinks to avoid laziness and increase mental alertness.
What to do if you have Venlafaxine-associated laziness?
If you suspect severe laziness and tiredness after initiating Venlafaxine therapy, then contact your doctor straight away. You should discuss your health condition and symptoms to prevent such side effects.
Your healthcare provider should assess your health condition and provide you with adequate treatment. They can adjust your medication dosage or provide you with an appropriate antidepressant that does not cause laziness and make you tired.
Your doctor should monitor your symptoms and side effects for any underlying condition or a medication reaction that might interfere with Venlafaxine and cause laziness and fatigue.
Your healthcare provider must consider changing the timing of your medication. If Venlafaxine is the reason for daytime laziness and sleepiness then consider taking it at night time to avoid sleepiness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Venlafaxine can be taken to treat anxiety and depression and enhance mood but if it causes laziness, consult your doctor and seek medical intervention.
Venlafaxine does not commonly cause laziness and tiredness, but symptoms and side effects of antidepressant medications may vary from person to person and affect patients varyingly.
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References
1.-
Sato S, Sodeyama N, Matsuzaki A, Shiratori Y. Apathy symptoms induced by low-dose venlafaxine: Two cases. Neuropsychopharmacol Rep. 2020 Jun;40(2):196-197. doi: 10.1002/npr2.12104. Epub 2020 Apr 8. PMID: 32267090; PMCID: PMC7722648. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7722648/
2.-
Sansone RA, Sansone LA. Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors: a pharmacological comparison. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2014 Mar;11(3-4):37-42. PMID: 24800132; PMCID: PMC4008300. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4008300/
3.-
AHFS Patient Medication Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc.; c2019. Venlafaxine; [updated 2020 Jun 24; reviewed 2018 Jul 5; cited 2020 Jul 1]; [about 5 p.]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a694020.html
4.-
Singh D, Saadabadi A. Venlafaxine. [Updated 2022 Oct 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535363/
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