Effexor®
Generic Name: Venlafaxine VEN-la-fax-een
Drug Class: Antidepressants, miscellaneous | | Contents | Description | Effexor is used for treatment of depression. Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine to help relieve, anxiety, tension or to help you sleep.
Effexor is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). Venlafaxine is used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, and panic disorder.
Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for other conditions as well.
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| | General Information | | This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. Top of page
| | Proper use of this medicine | Follow the directions given to by your doctor. This medicine should be taken orally on a regular basis. It is best that that you take this medicine at bedtime unless otherwise directed by your doctor. The extended-release tablet and capsule should be swallowed whole. Do not chew, divide, or crush the extended-release tablet or capsule.
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| | Missed Dose | Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.
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| | Storage | Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
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| | Possible Side Effects | - dizziness, drowsiness
- agitation, confusion
- Consult your doctor immediately if you experience prolonged and painful erections.
- Expected side effects are increased appetite and weight gain.
- drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness
- dry mouth
- Unreported side effects are possible, talk to your healthcare provider if any other symptoms occur.
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| | Warnings/Precautions | - Do NOT stop taking this medicine abruptly.
- This medicine may cause dizziness or drowsiness.
- Alcoholic beverages can increase the effects of this medicine and should be avoided.
- Don't drive or perform other tasks that require concentration, until you know how this medicine affects you.
- This medicine can increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in some children and teens. Parents of children taking antidepressants should watch for signs of worsening depression or unusual changes in behavior.
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| | Overdose | Seek medical attention immediately. U.S. residents can call the national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
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| | Drug Interactions | - Before taking any new prescription or over-the-counter medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Taking this medicine together with diazepam (Valium) may impair movement ability.
Avoid using this medicine with MAO inhibitors. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you if you are taking an MAO inhibitor.
- Talk to your doctor if you are taking certain antibiotics such as erythromycin, clarithromycin or azithromycin. This medicine should not be taken with MAO inhibitors.
- Let your doctor know if you are taking any vitamin supplements or herbal products. St. John’s Wort should be avoided while taking fluvoxamine due to the increased side effects of too much serotonin.
- MAO inhibitors should not be taken while taking the following drugs:
- Tell your doctor if you are taking other antidepressants, medications for blood pressure, medications for diabetes, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, vitamins or herbs.
- This medicine may increase the affects antihypertensive drugs, drugs with sedative effects, phenytoin (Dilantin) or fosphenytoin (Celebyx) and tramadol (Ultram).
- Do not take MAO inhibitors type A with this medicine. If you are not sure if you are taking an MAO inhibitor, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Certain other antidepressants, clozapine (Clozaril), haloperidol (Haldol), lithium, trazadone, and others may increase the risk of seizures. BEFORE taking any new prescription or over-the-counter medicine, talk to your health care provider.
- Patients taking MAO inhibitors should not be take this medicine.
- Nafazodone can decrease the effects of clonidine, methyldopa, diuretics (water pills), warfarin and drugs used to lower blood sugar (hypoglycemics). This medicine can increase the toxic effects of; terfenadine, astemizole, fluoxetine (Prozac), triazolam, alprazolam (Xanax) and phenytoin (Dilantin). Do not take this medicine within 14 days of stopping MAO inhibitors. If you are not sure what an MAO inhibitor is, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. If you are currently taking any of these medicines, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if Nefazodone is right for you.
- Possible drug interactions may occur with phenobarbital causing a decrease in the effect of the medications. Severe blood pressure problems and seizure can occur with taken with MAO inhibitors.
- Talk with your physician or pharmacist if you are taking other medications.
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| | Pregnancy/Nursing | If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, before taking this medicine talk to your doctor about the benefits versus the risks to your pregnancy.
In testing with animals, studies show delayed bone development. Use this medicine only if it clearly necessary. It is advised not to take this medicine while nursing. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
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| | More Information | Antidepressant medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental/mood disorders. These medications can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other benefits. However, studies have shown that a small number of people (especially children/teenages) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. Therefore, it is very important to talk with a doctor about the risks and benefits of antidepressant medication, even if the treatment is not for a mental condition. Tell your doctor immediatley if you notice worsening depression, unusual behavior changes, (including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts), or other mental/mood changes. Be especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed.
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