What's the diff. between SNRIs & SSRIs

Question

Main differences between Prozac and Effexor, and how they work

Answer 1

The effect is the same for both families of med.  They just work on different chemicals in the brain.  SNRIs work on norepinephrin and SSRIs work on seratonin.

Answer 2

SSRIs block reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin.  That means that more serotonin is passed from one neuron to the next.  SNRIs block both norepinephrine and serotonin neurotransmitters.  So, it's messing with two instead of just one.  If SSRIs and Wellbutrin (blocks dopamine, another neurotransmitter) don't work, it makes sense to try something more powerful like Effexor.  Jumping in with an SNRI to start is overkill in my opinion, especially knowing that Effexor generally is the most difficult antidepressant to discontinue.