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There are two medications on the market that have FDA approval for the claim that they have lower incidences of sexual side effects than other similar medications.

One is vortioxetine and the other is vilazodone. In addition to acting as SSRIs, they have high affinities for 5HT1A autoreceptors, activation of which disinhibits the release of neurotransmitters. SSRI sexual side effects are hypothesized to be the result of 5HT2C activation, which inhibits the release of neurotransmitters. The idea is that 5HT1A activation might help with the effects of 5HT2C activation.

There's also bupropion, an NDRI, and mirtazapine, which blocks 5HT2C. Buspirone acts as a 5HT1A activator, as well. They might help with those side effects.



Vortioxetine (Trintellix) is expensive as fuck, most insurance plans have it under multiple restrictions (step therapy (ST), prior auth (PA), others). They have a manufacturer discount card to take off $100 max but if your prescription benefits don't kick in until after you're deductible you will max out every year pretty quickly. I just paid $900 for a 3 month supply.

But... Anecdotally, it does have less sexual side effects than escitalopram (Lexapro), and helps about the same amount with anxiety as escitalopram (Lexapro), though maybe a little bit less effective at that.


Have you been on venlafaxine before? If so, how would you compare it to escitalopram, not in terms of sexual side effects but in terms of efficacy with anxiety.


Ah, I haven't been on venlafaxine before so I wouldn't be able to comment. Sorry. Only escitalopram and vortioxetine


Yeah, both of those medications are criminally expensive.


Does it mean they don't also inhibit LSD effects like Venlafaxin does?


I can tell you from first hand experience that Venlafaxine does not inhibit the effects of LSD in all people. It might in some, but certainly not in all. I have one data point.

Also, it does limit, if not entirely mask, the effects of some common recreational dopamine reuptake inhibitors.


LSD activates 5HT2A. Mirtazapine is the only medication I posted about that blocks 5HT2A.

I'm not sure what the mechanism behind venlafaxine's blunting effect on LSD is.




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