An SNRI is a type of antidepressant that can help with pain by targeting the serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine receptors in the brain. When you are experiencing chronic pain it can be difficult to get through your day-to-day life. Thankfully there are many treatments available for those who suffer from chronic pain such as an SNRI. Read this blog post for more information about what SNRIs do and how they work to reduce chronic pain.
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What Is SNRI?
SNRI stands for serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It is a compound that can help with the pain. SNRIs are helpful if you have mild to moderate depression but do not feel better after taking SSRI antidepressants alone. These medications are also good for people who have pain along with their depression.
Types of SNRIs
These are some of the SNRI medications;
Cymbalta (Duloxetine)
This medication is used to treat depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.
Paxil (Paroxetine)
This medication is used to treat depression and anxiety disorders.
Prozac (Fluoxetine)
This medication is used to treat depression, bulimia nervosa, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Effexor XR (Venlafaxine)
This medication is used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and chronic pain. It comes in both a regular tablet form and an extended-release capsule form.
Working of SNRI
These medications increase the level of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain. They are helpful if you have mild to moderate depression but do not feel better after taking SSRI antidepressants alone.
These medications work by blocking the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin and norepinephrine by your nerve cells. This increases the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine available in your brain to help improve your mood.
After this serotonin and norepinephrine have increased, they attach to receptors on the surface of your nerve cells. This sends a signal to your brain that can improve your mood.
Disorders Treated By SNRIs
There are many disorders that can be treated by SNRIs. Some of these are:
Anxiety Disorders
These are some of the anxiety disorders that an SNRI can treat :
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Depression
SNRI medications are also used to treat depression. Depression is a mood disorder that causes you to feel sad, hopeless, and helpless for a long period of time. These medications are also used to treat bulimia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Chronic Pain
SNRI medications are also used to treat chronic pain. Chronic pain is a type of pain that lasts for a long time. It can be caused by many different things, such as an injury, disease, or surgery. You may have chronic pain if you have had pain every day for more than three months.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by bingeing and purging. People with bulimia often eat large quantities of food in a short period of time and then try to get rid of the food by vomiting, using laxatives, or exercising excessively.
Dysphoria is a state of feeling uncomfortable or unhappy in one’s own skin. People who experience dysphoria often feel out of place in their own bodies and have a general sense of unease about themselves. Dysphoria is a common symptom of gender dysphoria.
Benefits of SNRIs
There are many benefits to taking SNRI medications:
Improves Your Mood
SNRI medications can help improve your mood. This is because they increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain.
Reduces Pain
SNRI medications can also reduce pain. This is because they work by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine by your nerve cells. This increases the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine available in your brain to help improve your mood.
Helps You Function Better
Taking SNRI medications can also help you function better. It is because these medications can help improve your mood. When you are feeling better, you may be able to do more things and feel more alert.
Decreases Anxiety Levels
SNRI medications can also decrease your anxiety levels. This is because they are helpful for people who have both depression and pain. When you are feeling better, it may help reduce the amount of stress that you feel on a daily basis.
Side Effects of SNRIs
Like all medications, there are some side effects that you may experience when taking SNRI medications. Some common side effects include:
Nausea or Vomiting
You may experience nausea or vomiting when first starting these types of medications. This is because your body is not used to the medication. Nausea and vomiting should go away after a few days or weeks of taking these medications.
Dizziness
You may also feel dizzy when you first start your SNRI medication. This is because serotonin and norepinephrine can cause an increase in blood pressure, which may make you feel lightheaded. The dizziness should only last for a short time while your body gets used to the new levels of serotonin and norepinephrine that it has created within your brain cells.
Diarrhea
Some people experience diarrhea when they take an SNRI drug such as Cymbalta (duloxetine). This is because of the increased amount of serotonin and norepinephrine that is created by the medication. The diarrhea should go away after a few days or weeks, once your body has gotten used to taking this type of medication.
Insomnia
Some people experience insomnia when they take an SNRI drug such as Cymbalta (duloxetine). You will probably also have difficulty falling asleep if you are experiencing these side effects from taking these types of medications.
How To Manage Side-Effects of SNRIs?
There are some ways that you can manage these side effects if they become bothersome:
Eat Healthy Food
Try to eat healthy food that is rich in carbohydrates and proteins to help your body cope with the side effects of taking an SNRI medication.
Drink Enough Water And Fluids
Make sure you drink enough fluids such as water, juice, or milk every day so that you can stay hydrated while on these medications. If your mouth becomes dry, try chewing sugarless gum for a quick boost of saliva production. This will also help keep your breath fresh if you are experiencing bad breath from dehydration caused by diarrhea or vomiting related to this type of medication.
Take Care Of Yourself With Exercise
Another way to manage any side effects that you experience when taking an SNRI drug is exercise! Try going for a walk outside during lunch at work, or go to the gym for a few hours every week. This will help improve your mood, reduce pain, and decrease anxiety levels.
Talk To Your Doctor About Other Medications
If you are experiencing bothersome side effects from taking an SNRI drug, talk to your doctor about other medications that may be available to you. There may be another type of antidepressant medication that can help improve your mood without causing the same level of side effects.
Take Care Of Yourself
Overall, when taken correctly and under a doctor’s supervision, SNRI medications can provide many benefits for people who suffer from both depression and chronic pain. By managing any side effects that may occur, you can make that these types of drugs work best for you.
Conclusion
Data from the study suggests that an SNRI may be an effective treatment for patients with major depressive disorder. This is because it acts on serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine neurotransmitters in the brain to improve mood-related symptoms of depression. It’s important to note though that there are some negative side effects associated with this drug as well such as weight gain, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction which should be considered before making a decision about taking medication. If you have been struggling with suicidal thoughts or feelings, please contact your doctor immediately so they can help assess if an SNRI could be right for you.
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