Effexor

Effexor

What is Effexor?

Effexor belongs to a class of medications called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Venlafaxine increases the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine, natural substances in the brain that help maintain mental balance.

Warnings

You should not take Effexor if you have uncontrolled angle-closure glaucoma.

Do not use Effexor within 7 days before or 14 days after using an MAOI such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine.

Some young people have suicidal thoughts when they first take an antidepressant. Watch for mood changes or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: E.g., changes in mood or behavior, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), etc., are depressed, or are thinking about suicide or self-harm.

Do not stop using Effexor without talking to your doctor first.

Do not give Effexor to anyone under 18 years of age without medical advice. Effexor is not approved by the FDA for use in children.

Before you take this medicine

You should not take Effexorif you are allergic to itVenlafaxine or desvenlafaxine (Pristiq).

Do not use Effexor if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days. Dangerous drug interactions could occur. MAOIs include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.

Tell your doctor if you also take stimulants, opioid medications, herbal products, or medications for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraines, serious infections, or to prevent nausea and vomiting. An interaction with venlafaxine could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

To make sure Effexor is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• bipolar disorder (manic depression);

• heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels;

• Diabetes;

• lung disease;

• Glaucoma;

• a thyroid disease;

• a seizure;

• sexual problems;

• bleeding problems;

• low sodium levels in the blood; or

• Liver or kidney disease.

Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when they first take a medicine to treat depression. Watch for mood changes or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch out for sudden changes in behavior.

Taking Effexor during pregnancy could harm the baby, but stopping the drug may not be safe for you.Do not start or stop Effexor without consulting 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 Effexor.

How should I take Effexor?

Take Effexor as directed by your doctor. Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read any medication guides or instructions for use. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Take with a meal at the same time every day.

Swallow thatExtended-release capsuleKeep whole and do not crush or chew.

If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and mix the medicine with applesauce. Swallow the mixture immediately without chewing.

Tell your doctor if you experience changes in sexual function, such as: B. a loss of interest in sex, problems with orgasm, or (in men) problems with erections or ejaculation. Some sexual problems can be treated.

Your symptoms may not improve for several weeks. Do not stop using Effexor suddenly, otherwise you may experience unpleasant symptoms (such as restlessness, confusion, tingling, or electric shock sensations). Consult your doctor before stopping the medicine.

Your blood pressure needs to be checked frequently.

Effexor may give false results on a drug test urine test. Tell laboratory staff that you are using Effexor.

Store at room temperature, protected from moisture and heat.

Dosage information

Usual Adult Dose for Depression:

Immediate dismissal:
-Initial dose: 37.5 mg orally twice daily OR 25 mg orally three times daily
-Maintenance dose: 75 to 150 mg orally per day in divided doses
-Maximum dose:
—Moderately depressed outpatients: 225 mg/day
—Severely depressed inpatients: 375 mg/day

Extended release:
-Initial dose: 75 mg orally once daily
-Maintenance dose: 75 to 225 mg orally once daily
-Maximum dose:
—Moderately depressed outpatients: 225 mg/day
—Severely depressed inpatients: 375 mg/day

Comments:
-The daily dose of immediate-release formulations may be divided into 2 or 3 doses/day.
- Healthcare providers should consider initial extended-release doses of 37.5 mg orally once daily for 4 to 7 days (before increasing the dose to 75 mg/day) in patients who may require more time to acclimate to the medication.
- The dosage may be increased in daily increments of up to 75 mg orally at intervals of at least 4 days.
– Patients should be regularly assessed for the ongoing need for maintenance therapy and the appropriate treatment dose.
-The use of doses above 225 mg/day is limited.

Usual adult dosage for generalized anxiety disorder:

Extended release:
-Initial dose: 75 mg orally once daily
-Maintenance dose: 75 to 225 mg orally once daily
-Maximum dose: 225 mg/day

Comments:
- Healthcare providers should consider initial extended-release doses of 37.5 mg orally once daily for 4 to 7 days (before increasing the dose to 75 mg/day) in patients who may require more time to acclimate to the medication.
- The dosage may be increased in daily increments of up to 75 mg orally at intervals of at least 4 days.

Usual adult dosage for social anxiety disorder:

Extended-release: 75 mg orally once daily

Comment: There is no evidence that doses above 75 mg/day provide additional benefit.

Usual adult dosage for panic disorder:

Extended release:
-Initial dose: 37.5 mg orally once daily for 7 days, thereafter 75 mg orally once daily
-Maintenance dose: 75 to 225 mg orally once daily
-Maximum dose: 225 mg/day

Comment: Doses may be increased in daily increments of 75 mg orally at intervals of at least 7 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Effexor?

Don't drink alcohol.

Consult your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and others. Using an NSAID with Effexor may cause easy bruising or bleeding.

Avoid driving and dangerous activities until you know how Effexor affects you. Your reactions may be affected.

Effexor side effects

If necessary, get emergency medical helpSigns of an allergic reaction to Effexor:hives; difficult breathing; Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any 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, restless, hostile, aggressive, restless, more active, talkative, or think about suicide or self-harm.

Venlafaxine can cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• blurred vision, eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights;

• cough, chest tightness, difficulty breathing;

• a seizure (convulsions);

• unusual bleeding– Nosebleeds, bleeding gums, abnormal vaginal bleeding, bleeding that doesn’t stop;

• low sodium levels in the blood– 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 irregular heartbeat, shaking, feeling like you might faint.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as:Restlessness, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Common side effects of Effexor include:

• headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness;

• ringing in the ears, feelings of anxiety, nervousness or nervousness;

• sleep problems, unusual dreams;

• Tremble;

• rapid heartbeat;

• blurred vision;

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation;

• weight or appetite changes;

• dry mouth, yawning;

• increased sweating; or

• sexual problems.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Effexor?

Using Effexor with other medicines that make you sleepy may worsen this effect. Consult your doctor before taking opioid medications, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, or anti-anxiety or seizure medications.

Tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking. Many medications can interact with venlafaxine, particularly:

• any other antidepressant;

• amphetamines;

• fentanyl;

• cimetidine;

• tramadol;

• St. John's wort, tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan);

• diet pills, weight loss medications (e.g. phentermine);

• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);

• Medicines used to treat mood disorders, thinking disorders or mental illnesses– buspirone, lithium and many others; or

• Medication for migraines– sumatriptan, zolmitriptan and others.

This list is not complete and many other medications may interact with venlafaxine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Ingredients

Active ingredient:Venlafaxine.
Inactive ingredients:Effexor XR extended-release capsules; Cellulose, ethylcellulose, gelatin, hypromellose, iron oxides and titanium dioxide.

Manufacturer

Viatris Inc.:Canonsburg, PA 15317