Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Effexor, Effexor XR

Generic Name: venlafaxine (Pronunciation: VEN la fax een)

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

What is venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR)?

Venlafaxine is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). Venlafaxine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression.

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

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

Effexor 100 mg

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Effexor 25 mg

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Effexor 37.5 mg

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Effexor 50 mg

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Effexor 75 mg

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Effexor XR 150 mg

orange, imprinted with W Effexor XR, 150

Effexor XR 37.5 mg

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Effexor XR 75 mg

peach, imprinted with W Effexor XR, 75

Venlafaxine 100 mg-TEV

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Venlafaxine 25 mg-TEV

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Venlafaxine 37.5 mg-TEV

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Venlafaxine 50 mg-TEV

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Venlafaxine 75 mg-TEV

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What are the possible side effects of venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR)?

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

Contact your doctor promptly if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/or physical hyperactivity), thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision);
• easy bruising or bleeding;
• severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination; or
• headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops.

Less serious side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness, feeling nervous;
• dry mouth;
• mild nausea, constipation;
• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;
• blurred vision;
• increased appetite; or
• changes in weight.

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 (Effexor, Effexor XR)?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to venlafaxine, or if you are also using a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms 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.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of venlafaxine.

It may take 4 weeks or more for your symptoms to improve. For best results, 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 medication suddenly.