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| Pronunciation |
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 (VEN
la faks
een) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Effexor®; Effexor®
XR |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antidepressant, Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to venlafaxine or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (isocarboxazid,
phenelzine, tranylcypromine).
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat depression and/or anxiety.
- Another use is treatment of obsessive-compulsive
disorder.
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| How does it work? |
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- Venlafaxine increases concentrations of certain hormones in the brain
that help treat depression and anxiety. Sleep and appetite may improve quickly.
Other symptoms may take up to 4-6 weeks to
improve.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Swallow sustained-release capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it
for longer than 1 week. Medicine should be slowly
decreased.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Check medicines with healthcare provider. Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
(eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days
before this medicine is started. The two together could cause dangerously high
blood pressure.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Use caution with seizure history. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen;
wear protective clothing and eyewear.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are taking any herbal products.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Feeling sleepy, dizzy, or unable to think clearly. Use caution when
driving doing other tasks or activities.
- Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
- Inability to sleep or nervousness.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Change in sexual ability or desire. This can return to normal after
medicine is stopped. Talk with healthcare provider about other medicines without
this side effect.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- If you have glaucoma or have had elevated pressure in your eye then
get a eye pressure check.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Agitation, twitching, sweating, fever, increased muscle tone.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Severe nausea, vomiting.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
Protect from moisture.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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