This first section of our medication database entry focuses on basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits, while part two covers side effects, interactions and additional information.
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Effexor Consumer Information
EFFEXOR
Generic Name: venlafaxine (oral) (ven la FAK seen)
Brand Names: Effexor, Effexor XR
What is the most important information I should know about venlafaxine?
- Do not take venlafaxine if you are currently taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
- Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Venlafaxine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
- Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion
- Do not stop taking venlafaxine without first talking to your doctor. Your doctor may need to gradually reduce the dose before stopping the medication completely. Stopping the medication suddenly may cause unpleasant side effects to occur.
What is venlafaxine?
- Venlafaxine is an antidepressant medication. It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression or anxiety.
- Venlafaxine is used to relieve symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder (social phobia).
- Venlafaxine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking venlafaxine?
- Do not take venlafaxine if you are currently taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
- liver disease;
- kidney disease;
- heart disease or high blood pressure;
- seizures or epilepsy;
- a history of mania or bipolar disorder;
- increased pressure in the eye(s) or narrow-angle glaucoma;
- bleeding or blood clotting problems; or
- increased level of cholesterol in the blood.
- You may not be able to take venlafaxine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
- Venlafaxine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether venlafaxine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
- Venlafaxine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take venlafaxine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take venlafaxine?
- Take venlafaxine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain the instructions to you.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- Take venlafaxine with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
- Venlafaxine should be taken at the same time every day.
- Each Effexor XR capsule should be swallowed whole with fluid and not divided, crushed, chewed, or placed in water.
- If swallowing of the Effexor XR capsules is difficult, a capsule may be carefully opened and the entire contents sprinkled onto a spoonful of applesauce. This drug/food mixture should be swallowed immediately without chewing and followed with a glass of water.
- It is important to take venlafaxine regularly to get the most benefit.
- Do not stop taking venlafaxine without first talking to your doctor. Your doctor may need to gradually reduce the dose before stopping the medication completely. Stopping the medication suddenly may cause unpleasant side effects to occur.
- Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with venlafaxine to monitor progress and side effects.
- Store venlafaxine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
- Symptoms of a venlafaxine overdose may include dizziness, drowsiness, numbness, nausea, irregular heartbeats, seizures, and unconsciousness.
What should I avoid while taking venlafaxine?
- Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Venlafaxine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
- Avoid the use of alcohol. Alcohol may increase drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion while taking venlafaxine.
Please see the end of this document for relevant limitations, full details of our medication information supplier, and revision date or version number.