Effexor

Effexor

     * Generic Name: venlafaxine hydrochloride
     * Brand Name: Effexor


     * What is venlafaxine?
     * What are the possible side effects of venlafaxine?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       venlafaxine?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       venlafaxine?
     * How should I take venlafaxine?
     * What happens if I miss a dose?
     * What happens if I overdose?
     * What should I avoid while taking venlafaxine?
     * What other drugs will affect venlafaxine?
     * Where can I get more information?

What is venlafaxine?

   Venlafaxine is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine
   reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs) antidepressant. Venlafaxine affects
   chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with
   depression.

   Venlafaxine is used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, and
   panic disorder.

   Venlafaxine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of venlafaxine?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips,
   tongue, or throat.

   Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or
   behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if
   you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless,
   hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts
   about suicide or hurting yourself.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or
       seeing halos around lights;
     * easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), blood in
       your urine or stools, coughing up blood;
     * cough, chest tightness, trouble breathing;
     * a seizure (convulsions);
     * low sodium level --headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe
       weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, 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.

   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

   Common side effects may include:
     * dizziness, drowsiness,
     * anxiety, feeling nervous;
     * sleep problems (insomnia);
     * vision changes;
     * nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
     * changes in weight or appetite;
     * dry mouth, yawning;
     * increased sweating; or
     * decreased sex drive, impotence, abnormal ejaculation,
       difficulty having an orgasm.

   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.

What is the most important information I should know about venlafaxine?

   Do not use venlafaxine within 7 days before or 14 days after you have
   used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid,
   methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline,
   or tranylcypromine.

   Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an
   antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report
   any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

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

   Effexor Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Depression Overview:What is Depression?

   Understanding Depression Slideshow
   RxList

   Take the Depression Quiz
   Depression:Tips for Exercise Diet and Stress Reduction

   Depression Tips Slideshow Pictures

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking venlafaxine?

   You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to venlafaxine or
   desvenlafaxine (Pristiq).

   Do not use venlafaxine within 7 days before or 14 days after you have
   used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue
   injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine. A
   dangerous drug interaction could occur.

   Some medicines can interact with venlafaxine and cause a serious
   condition called serotonin syndrome. Be sure your doctor knows if you
   also take 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. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when
   you take your medications.

   Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
     * bipolar disorder (manic depression);
     * cirrhosis or other liver disease;
     * kidney disease;
     * heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol;
     * diabetes;
     * narrow-angle glaucoma;
     * a thyroid disorder;
     * a history of seizures;
     * a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
     * low levels of sodium in your blood; or
     * if you are switching to venlafaxine from another antidepressant.

   Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an
   antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular
   visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes
   in your mood or symptoms.

   Venlafaxine may cause serious lung problems in a newborn if the mother
   takes the medicine late in pregnancy (during the third trimester).
   However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your
   antidepressant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Do
   not start or stop taking venlafaxine during pregnancy without your
   doctor's advice.

   You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

   Venlafaxine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years
   old.

How should I take venlafaxine?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all
   medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as
   directed.

   Venlafaxine should be taken with food. Try to take venlafaxine at the
   same time each day.

   Swallow the extended-release capsule or tablet whole and do not crush,
   chew, break, or open it.

   If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the
   medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away
   without chewing. Do not save it for later use.

   It may take several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the
   medication as directed. Do not stop using venlafaxine without first
   talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you
   stop taking this medicine suddenly.

   Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

   This medicine may affect a drug-screening urine test and you may have
   false results. Tell the laboratory staff that you use venlafaxine.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

   Effexor Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Depression Overview:What is Depression?

   Understanding Depression Slideshow
   RxList

   Take the Depression Quiz
   Depression:Tips for Exercise Diet and Stress Reduction

   Depression Tips Slideshow Pictures

What happens if I miss a dose?

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

What happens if I overdose?

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

What should I avoid while taking venlafaxine?

   Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

   Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
   (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin),
   naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac,
   indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Using an NSAID with
   venlafaxine may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

   Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine
   will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

What other drugs will affect venlafaxine?

   Using venlafaxine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this
   effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping
   pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

   Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can
   affect venlafaxine, especially:
     * any other antidepressant;
     * cimetidine;
     * St. John's wort;
     * tramadol;
     * tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan);
     * a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven;
     * medicine to treat mood disorders, thought disorders, or mental
       illness--buspirone, lithium, and many others; or
     * migraine headache medicine--sumatriptan, zolmitriptan,
       and others.

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

Where can I get more information?