Venlafaxine
is used for:
Treating depression.
It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your
doctor.
Venlafaxine
is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It
works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances in
the brain (serotonin and norepinephrine), which helps to improve
certain mood problems.
Drug
Uses
Effexor
XR - Venlafaxine XR is a potent inhibitor of the reuptake
of serotonin and norepinephrine-two neurotransmitters thought
to play important roles in the pathophysiology of depression.
Correcting the imbalance of these two chemicals may help relieve
symptoms of depression.
How
Taken
Effexor
XR - Venlafaxine XR comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It
is usually taken once a day and should be taken with food. Each
capsule should be swallowed whole with fluid and not divided,
crushed, chewed, or placed in water, or it may be administered
by carefully opening the capsule and sprinkling the entire contents
on a spoonful of applesauce. This drug/food mixture should be
swallowed immediately without chewing and followed with a glass
of water to ensure complete swallowing of the pellets.
Warnings/Precautions
Before
starting Effexor XR - Venlafaxine XR, tell your doctor
about any medicines you're taking, including over-the-counter
drugs and herbal supplements. If you take MAOIs you should not
take Effexor XR - Venlafaxine XR. If you are taking antidepressants
you should be watched closely for signs that your condition is
getting worse or that you are becoming suicidal, especially when
you first start therapy, or when your dose is increased or decreased.
You should also be watched for becoming agitated, irritable, hostile,
impulsive, or restless. Such symptoms should be reported to your
doctor right away. Effexor XR - Venlafaxine XR may raise
blood pressure in some patients, so blood pressure should be monitored
regularly. When you suddenly stop using or quickly lower your
daily dose of Effexor XR - Venlafaxine XR, discontinuation
symptoms may occur. Talk to your doctor before discontinuing or
reducing your dose of Effexor XR - Venlafaxine XR. Pregnant
or nursing women shouldn't take any antidepressant without consulting
their doctor. Until you see how Effexor XR - Venlafaxine
XR affects you, be careful doing such activities as driving a
car or operating machinery. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking
Effexor XR - Venlafaxine XR.
Missed
Dose
Take
the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost
time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the
next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
Possible
Side Effects
If
you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking Effexor XR - Venlafaxine XR 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); seizures; or an irregular heartbeat
or severely high blood pressure (blurred vision, headache). Other,
less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue
to take Effexor XR - Venlafaxine XR and talk to your doctor
if you experience nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, abdominal pain,
or loss of appetite or weight; dry mouth; drowsiness or dizziness;
mild tremor, anxiety, or agitation; insomnia; abnormal dreams;
sexual problems such as impotence, abnormal ejaculation, difficulty
reaching orgasm, or decreased libido; sweating; yawning; or increase
in blood cholesterol levels (detected by blood tests); 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.
Storage
Store
Effexor XR - Venlafaxine XR at room temperature (68F to
77F or 20C to 25C). Keep Effexor XR - Venlafaxine XR away
from children.
Overdose
Seek
emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms
of an Effexor XR - Venlafaxine XR overdose may include
dizziness, drowsiness, numbness, nausea, irregular heartbeats,
seizures, and unconsciousness.
More
Information
Use
caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Effexor XR - Venlafaxine XR may cause
dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness,
avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase
drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion Do not stop taking Effexor
XR - Venlafaxine XR without first talking to your doctor.
Your doctor may need to gradually reduce the dose before stopping
the medication completely. Stopping the medication suddenly may
cause unpleasant side effects to occur.
Disclaimer
This
drug information is for your information purposes only, it is
not intended that this information covers all uses, directions,
drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication.
This is only general information, and should not be relied on
for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific
instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility
for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any
consequences arising from the use of this information, including
damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however
such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed
or implied, is made in regards to this information.
What
should I watch for while taking venlafaxine?
Visit your
prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your
progress. You may have to take venlafaxine for 4 weeks before
you feel better. If you have been taking venlafaxine for some
time, do not suddenly stop taking it. You must gradually reduce
the dose to avoid side effects. Ask your prescriber or health
care professional for advice. Patients and their families should
watch out for worsening depression or thoughts of suicide. Also
watch out for sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling
anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive,
severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being
able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of
antidepressant treatment or after a change in dose, call your
health care professional. Venlafaxine can cause an increase in
blood pressure. Check with your prescriber or health care professional;
you may be able to measure your own blood pressure and pulse.
Find out what your blood pressure and heart rate should be and
when you should contact him or her. You may get drowsy, dizzy
or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything
that needs mental alertness until you know how venlafaxine affects
you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an
older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.
Alcohol may increase dizziness or drowsiness; avoid alcoholic
drinks. Venlafaxine can make your mouth dry. Chewing sugarless
gum, sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water will help.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without
asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
Some ingredients may increase possible side effects.
Where
can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of
the reach of children in a container that small children cannot
open. Store at a controlled temperature between 20 degrees and
25 degrees C (68 degrees and 77 degrees F), in a dry place. Throw
away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
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