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really don’t understand what all the fuss is about regarding venlafaxine, and why all the doctors I’ve seen have referred to it as ‘the big one’ which I assume they mean it’s a very powerful drug, but looking at the pharmacology it looks pretty weak, the Ki numbers are much higher than vortioxetine and most of the SSRI’s so I assume that means it isn’t as potent
It isn't. In fact several of the SSRIs are far more powerful SNRIs than it is, albeit still only weak ones on noradrenaline/norepinephrine reuptake. I really don't understand the fascination UK GPS and psychiatrists seem to have for it. It is less powerful, has more potential risks and can be a real bugger to quit as you've sadly discovered. If they believe a SNRI is warranted then the TCA clomipramine (Anafranil) is the most potent on the market closely followed by another TCA amitriptyline and the SNRI levomilnacipran.