Venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR), is used to treat depression. Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) is also used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (excessive worrying that is difficult to control) and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life). Venlafaxine is in a class of medications called antidepressants. It works by increasing certain types of activity in the brain.
How should this medicine
be used ?
Venlafaxine comes as a tablet or extended-release capsule to take by mouth. The regular capsule is usually taken two or three times a day and should be taken with food. The extended-release capsule is usually taken once daily in the morning or evening with food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take venlafaxine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the extended-release capsule whole; do not split, chew, crush, or place it in water. If you cannot swallow the extended-release capsule, it may be carefully opened and the entire contents of the capsule sprinkled on a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow (without chewing) this mixture immediately after preparation and then drink a glass of water to make sure all of the medicine is swallowed. Continue to take venlafaxine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking venlafaxine without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually. This drug must be taken regularly for a few weeks before its full effect is felt. Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet when you begin treatment with venlafaxine. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
What special precautions
i should follow ?
Before taking venlafaxine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to venlafaxine or any other drugs. do not take venlafaxine if you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or have stopped taking them within the past two weeks. If you stop taking venlafaxine, you should wait at least a week before you start to take an MAO inhibitor. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone); antidepressants; chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton); cimetidine (Tagamet); clomipramine (Anafranil); haloperidol (Haldol); imipramine (Tofranil); indinavir (Crixivan); lithium; medications for anxiety, mental illness, or seizures; medications for migraine such as frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig); methadone (Dolophine); quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex); risperidone (Risperdal); ritonavir (Norvir); sedatives; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft);sleeping pills;and tranquilizers. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had, or anyone in your family has or has ever had, depression, bipolar disorder (mood that changes from depressed to abnormally excited), or mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood), or if you have, or anyone in your family has, thought about or attempted suicide. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had difficulty urinating; elevated intraocular pressure; or liver, kidney, or heart disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking venlafaxine, call your doctor immediately. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking venlafaxine. you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you. remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug. you should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways, especially at the beginning of your treatment and at any time your dose is increased or decreased. These changes may occur at any time if you have depression or other mental illness, whether or not you are taking venlafaxine or any other medication. You, your family, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: new or worsening depression; thinking about harming or killing yourself, or planning or trying to do so; extreme worry; agitation; panic attacks; difficulty falling or staying asleep; irritability; aggressive behavior; acting without thinking; severe restlessness; and frenzied, abnormal excitement. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor when you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
What side effects can
this medicine cause ?
Side effects from venlafaxine are common: upset stomach drowsiness weakness or tiredness excitement or anxiety insomnia nightmares dry mouth skin more sensitive to sunlight than usual changes in appetite or weight headache Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: constipation difficulty urinating frequent urination blurred vision changes in sex drive or ability excessive sweating If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately: jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms slow or difficult speech shuffling walk persistent fine tremor or inability to sit still fever difficulty breathing or swallowing severe skin rash yellowing of the skin or eyes irregular heartbeat
What storage conditions
are needed for this medication ?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
What other information
should i know ?
What should i do if i
forget a dose ?
If you take several doses per day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. If you take venlafaxine once a day at bedtime and do not remember to take it until the next morning, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
