Effexor
This page contains drug information on Effexor.
The information provided includes the following:
what is Effexor
the possible side effects of Effexor
what happens if you miss a dose of Effexor
what happens if you overdose with Effexor
the most important information about Effexor
how to use Effexor
other drugs that may affect Effexor
what to avoid while using Effexor
Generic Name: venlafaxine (oral) (ven la FAK seen)
Brand Names: Effexor, Effexor XR
What is the most important information I should know about venlafaxine?
- You may have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior at the start of treatment with an antidepressant medication, especially if you are 18 years of age or younger. Talk with your doctor about this risk. While you are taking venlafaxine you will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts during the first weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed. In addition to you watching for changes in your own symptoms, your family or other caregivers should be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
- Contact your doctor if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity), or thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.
- Do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor. It may take 4 weeks or more for you to start feeling better and you may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking venlafaxine suddenly.
What is venlafaxine?
- Venlafaxine is in a class of drugs called antidepressants. Venlafaxine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression or anxiety.
- Venlafaxine is used to treat depression, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder (social phobia).
- Venlafaxine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking venlafaxine?
Before taking venlafaxine, tell your doctor if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegeline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 14 days. Serious and sometimes fatal reactions have occurred when these medicines were taken at the same time and they must not be used together with venlafaxine.
Before taking venlafaxine, tell your doctor if you have:
- liver disease,
- kidney disease,
- high blood pressure,
- seizures or epilepsy,
- bipolar disorder (manic depression),
- family history of bipolar disorder or suicide, or
- suicidal thoughts.
If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may not be able to take venlafaxine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
Venlafaxine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is unknown whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Venlafaxine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take venlafaxine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take venlafaxine?
- Take venlafaxine exactly as directed by your doctor. It may take up to 4 weeks for you to start feeling better and you may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking venlafaxine suddenly. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each dose with water. You should take venlafaxine with food.
- Swallow the controlled-release capsule (Effexor XR) whole, without crushing or chewing. To make the medication easier to swallow, you may open the capsule and sprinkle the medicine beads into a small amount of applesauce. Swallow all of the mixture without chewing, and do not save any for later use.
- Try to take venlafaxine at the same time each day.
- You may have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior at the start of treatment with an antidepressant medication, especially if you are 18 years of age or younger. Talk with your doctor about this risk. While you are taking venlafaxine you will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts during the first weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed. In addition to you watching for changes in your own symptoms, your family or other caregivers should be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
- Contact your doctor if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity), thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.
- Store venlafaxine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medication.
- Symptoms of a venlafaxine overdose include dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, and numbeness or tingling in your hands or feet.
What should I avoid while taking venlafaxine?
- Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Venlafaxine may cause dizziness. If you are dizzy from the medication, avoid these activities.
- Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase dizziness while taking venlafaxine.
What are the possible side effects of venlafaxine?
If you have any of the following serious side effects, stop taking venlafaxine and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness);
- high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision);
- fever or chills.
Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take venlafaxine and talk to your doctor if you experience
- sweating;
- blurred vision;
- insomnia;
- weakness;
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;
- decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;
- dry mouth;
- tremor, nervousness, anxiety trouble concentrating; or
- changes in appetite or weight.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect venlafaxine?
Do not take venlafaxine together with pimozide (Orap), thioridazine (Mellaril), or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegeline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before you can take venlafaxine. You must wait 5 weeks after stopping venlafaxine before you can take thioridazine (Mellaril).
Before taking venlafaxine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
- warfarin (Coumadin);
- other antidepressants; or
- cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB).
If you are using any of the medicines listed above, you may not be able to take venlafaxine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with venlafaxine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using venlafaxine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
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