Venlafaxine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Functions & Usage

What is Venlafaxine used for?

Venlafaxine is a drug to treat depression. This medication may improve your mood and energy levels, and may help restore your interest in everyday life. Venlafaxine is known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). This drug works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain.

OTHER USES: This section lists uses for this drug that are not listed on approved labels, but may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Use this medication for the conditions listed below only if it has been prescribed by your doctor and health care professional.

This medication can also be used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, and nerve pain. Venlafaxine can also be used to treat hot flashes that occur with menopause.

What are the rules for using Venlafaxine?

Read the drug's guide and the Patient Information Leaflet provided by the pharmacy, if available, before you get this medication and each time you buy again. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication as directed by your doctor, usually 2 to 3 times daily with meals.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this drug at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow the doctor's instructions carefully. Take this medicine regularly to get the best of it. To help you remember, drink it at the same time every day.

It is highly recommended to continue taking this medicine as prescribed even if you already feel your condition is getting better. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions can get worse when this drug suddenly stops. Also, you may experience symptoms such as confusion, mood swings, headaches, fatigue, sleep changes, and a brief feeling similar to an electric shock. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased, to reduce side effects. Immediately report your condition to your doctor if there are new symptoms or symptoms that can worsen your condition.

It may take several weeks to feel the benefits of this drug. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or gets worse.

How do I store Venlafaxine?

Store at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be considered before using Venlafaxine?

Before using certain drugs, consider the risks and benefits first. This is a decision you and your doctor will have to make. For this drug, pay attention to the following:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.

Children

Studies conducted to date have not shown any benefit to using Venlafaxine in children. Research has shown that some children, adolescents, and young people think about suicide or attempt suicide while taking this medicine. Because of the toxicity, use in children is not recommended.

Elderly

Studies conducted to date have not demonstrated specific geriatric problems that will limit the use of Venlafaxine in the elderly. However, elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug which can cause low levels of sodium in the blood. Elderly patients may also have age-related liver or kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients taking Venlafaxine.

Is Venlafaxine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or nursing women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This medicine is included in the pregnancy risk category C. (A = No risk, B = No risk in some studies, C = Possible risk, D = There is positive evidence of risk, X = Contraindicated, N = unknown)

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of Venlafaxine?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms with your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, restless, irritable, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mental) or physical), is more depressed, or has thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as:

Seizures
Very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeat, tremors, feeling like you might pass out
Agitation, hallucinations, fever, rapid heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination
Headache, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, weakness, feeling unstable, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, shallow breathing or breathing that stops
Cough, chest tightness, difficulty breathing
Bruising easily

Serious side effects may include:

Drowsiness, dizziness, feeling nervous
Weird dream
Sweating more
Blurred vision
Dry mouth
Change in appetite or change in weight
Mild nausea, constipation
Decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions

What drugs can interfere with the drug Venlafaxine?

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur. In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this drug or change some of the other medicines you take.

Amifampridine
Furazolidone
Iproniazid
Isocarboxazid
Linezolid
Methylene Blue
Metoclopramide
Moclobemide
Nialamide
Pargyline
Phenelzine
Piperaquine
Procarbazine
Rasagiline
Selegiline
Toloxatone
Tranylcypromine
Trifluoperazine

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but may be needed in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

Aceclofenac
Acemetacin
Acenocoumarol
Almotriptan
Amitriptyline
Amoxapine
Amoxicillin
Amtolmetin Guacil
Anagrelide
Ancrod
Anisindione
Antithrombin III Human
Apixaban
Aripiprazole
Aspirin
Atazanavir
Bivalirudin
Bromfenac
Bufexamac
Bupropion
Buserelin
Celecoxib
Choline Salicylate
Cilostazol
Clarithromycin
Clomipramine
Clonixin
Clopidogrel
Crizotinib
Cyclobenzaprine
Dabrafenib
Danaparoid
Defibrotide
Delamanid
Dermatan Sulfate
Desipramine
Desirudin
Deslorelin
Desvenlafaxine
Dexfenfluramine
Dexibuprofen
Dexketoprofen
Dextroamphetamine
Dextromethorphan
Dibenzepin
Diclofenac
Dicumarol
Dislunisal
Dipyridamole
Dipyrone
Dolasetron
Domperidone
Dothiepin
Doxepin
Duloxetine
Eletriptan
Entacapone
Epoprostenol
Eptifibatide
Escitalopram
Etodolac
Etofenamate
Etoricoxib
Felbinac
Fenfluramine
Fenoprofen
Fentanyl
Fepradinol
Feprazone
Floctafenine
Flufenamic Acid
Fluoxetine
Flurbiprofen
Fondaparinux
Frovatriptan
Gonadorelin
Goserelin
Granisetron
Haloperidol
Heparin
Histrelin
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen Lysine
Iloprost
Imipramine
Indomethacin
Iobenguane I 123
Itraconazole
Ivabradine
Jujube
Ketoconazole
Ketoprofen
Ketorolac
Lamifiban
Leuprolide
Levomilnacipran
Lexipafant
Lorcaserin
Lornoxicam
Loxoprofen
Lumiracoxib
Meclofenamate
Mefenamic Acid
Meloxicam
Meperidine
Metronidazole
Milnacipran
Mirtazapine
Morniflumate
Moxifloxacin
Nabumetone
Nafarelin
Naproxen
Naratriptan
Nefazodone
Nelfinavir
Nepafenac
Niflumic Acid
Nilotinib
Nimesulide
Nortriptyline
Ondansetron
Oxaprozin
Oxyphenbutazone
Palonosetron
Parecoxib
Pasireotide
Pazopanib
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
Phenindione
Phenprocoumon
Phenylbutazone
Piketoprofen
Piroxicam
Pranoprofen
Proglumetacin
Propyphenazone
Proquazone
Protriptyline
Quetiapine
Ritonavir
Rizatriptan
Rofecoxib
Salicylic Acid
Salsalate
Saquinavir
Sertraline
Sevoflurane
Sibrafiban
Sibutramine
Sodium Salicylate
Sulfinpyrazone
Sulindac
Sulodexide
Sumatriptan
Tapentadol
Telithromycin
Tenoxicam
Tiaprofenic Acid
Ticlopidine
Tirofiban
Tolfenamic Acid
Tolmetin
Toremifene
Tramadol
Trazodone
Trimipramine
Triptorelin
Valdecoxib
Vandetanib
Vasopressin
Vemurafenib
Vilazodone
Vinflunine
Vortioxetine
Warfarin
Xemilofiban
Zolmitriptan

Using this medication with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

Ginkgo
Metoprolol
St. John's Wort
Zolpidem

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the drug Venlafaxine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug Venlafaxine?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

Bipolar disorder (mood disorder with mania and depression), or have a risk of experiencing the disorder
Bleeding problems
Closed angle glaucoma
Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol in the blood)
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood)
Insomnia
Interstitial lung disease, or a history of having the disease
Mania, history has experienced it
Seizures, a history of having had them
Tachycardia (fast heart rate) - Use with caution. Maybe it could make things worse.
Kidney illness
Liver disease - Use with caution. The effect can be increased due to the slower breakdown of the drug from the body.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of the drug Venlafaxine for adults?

Usual adult dose for depression

Immediate release:

Initial dose: 37.5 mg orally twice a day or 25 mg orally 3 times a day

Maintenance dose: May be increased gradually daily to 75 mg in a period of not less than 4 days

Maximum dose: (moderate depression outpatient): 225 mg / day

Maximum dose (major depression inpatient): 375 mg / day

The daily dose can be divided into 2 or 3 doses / day

Extended release:

Initial dose: 75 mg orally once a day

Maintenance dose: May be increased gradually daily to 75 mg in a period of not less than 4 days

Maximum dose (moderate depression outpatient): 225 mg / day

Maximum dose (major depression inpatient): 375 mg / day

Usual Adult Dose for Anxiety:

For generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder:

Extended release:

Initial dose: 75 mg orally once a day

Maintenance dose: May be increased gradually every day by 75 mg in a period of not less than 4 days

Maximum dose: 225 mg / day

Usual Adult Dose for Panic Disorder:

Extended release:

Initial dose: 37.5 mg once daily

Maintenance dose: The dose can be increased gradually every day from 75 mg in a period of not less than 7 days

Maximum dose: 225 mg / day

What is the dose of the drug Venlafaxine for children?

Safety and effectiveness have not been determined in pediatric patients (less than 18 years).

In what dosages and preparations is Venlafaxine available?

Venlafaxine is available in the following dosages.

25 mg tablet; 37.5 mg; 50 mg; 75 mg; 100 mg

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms may include:

Dizzy
Nausea
Gag
Burning, tingling, or numbness in the hands and feet
Increase in pupil size (middle black eye)
Muscle ache
Chills
Drowsiness
Seizures
Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
Coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.