Generic name: Venlafaxine
Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data not available
What is Effexor XR?
Venlafaxine is used in adults to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, and panic disorder.
Venlafaxine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You should not take this medicine venlafaxine or desvenlafaxine (Pristiq). if you are allergic to
Taking this medicine during pregnancy could harm the baby, but stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop venlafaxine without asking your doctor.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of venlafaxine on the baby.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.
Do not use venlafaxine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.
Tell your doctor if you also use stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with venlafaxine could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:
Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.
- bipolar disorder (manic depression);
- heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides;
- diabetes;
- lung disease;
- glaucoma;
- a thyroid disorder;
- a seizure;
- sexual problems;
- bleeding problems;
- low blood levels of sodium; or
- liver or kidney disease.
How should I use Effexor XR
Use Effexor XR (Oral) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and mix the medicine with applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing.
Tell your doctor if you have any changes in sexual function, such as loss of interest in sex, trouble having an orgasm, or (in men) problems with erections or ejaculation. Some sexual problems can be treated.
Your symptoms may not improve for up to several weeks. , or you could have unpleasant symptoms (such as agitation, confusion, tingling or electric shock feelings). Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine. Do not stop using venlafaxine suddenly
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
This medicine may cause false results on a drug-screening urine test. Tell the laboratory staff that you use venlafaxine.
Take with food at the same time each day.
Swallow the whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it. extended-release capsule or tablet
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. take two doses at one time. Do not
Effexor XR side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. signs of an allergic reaction:
Call your doctor at once if you have:
Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Tell your doctor right away if you have new or sudden changes in mood or behavior, including new or worse depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more active or talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Common side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
- blurred vision, eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights;
- cough, chest tightness, trouble breathing;
- a seizure (convulsions);
- unusual bleeding--nosebleeds, bleeding gums, abnormal vaginal bleeding, any bleeding that will not stop;
- low blood sodium--headache, confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, feeling unsteady; or
- severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.
- headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness;
- ringing in your ears, feeling anxious, nervous, or jittery;
- sleep problems, unusual dreams;
- tremors;
- fast heartbeats;
- blurred vision;
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;
- changes in weight or appetite;
- dry mouth, yawning;
- increased sweating; or
- sexual problems.
What other drugs will affect Effexor XR?
Do not drink alcohol.
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and others. Using an NSAID with venlafaxine may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.