Effexor

Generic Name: Venlafaxine

US Brand Name: Effexor

Other Brand/Trade Names: Venlafaxine is marketed under the trade name Effexor

Uses

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

This medicine works by increasing the amounts of serotonin and norepinephrine, natural substances in the brain that help maintain mental balance.

Active Ingredients: venlafaxine hydrochloride

Inactive Ingredients: titanium dioxide, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, iron oxide, ethylcellulose, gelatin, and cellulose

Dosage and Forms

Venlafaxine is available in tablets or extended-release capsules.

Take Venlafaxine exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take this medication with a full glass of water. Venlafaxine should be taken with food. Try to take venlafaxine at the same time each day.

An overdose of venlafaxine can be fatal, especially if taken together with alcohol. Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medication. Symptoms of a venlafaxine overdose may include dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, and numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.

Contraindications and Precautions

Venlafaxine should not be taken by persons who are allergic to venlafaxine hydrochloride. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of venlafaxine. Using too much of this medicine in addition to drinking alcohol can cause death.

Side Effects

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. Other serious side effects may include: seizure (convulsions); easy bruising or bleeding; increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision).

Interactions

Before taking venlafaxine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines: almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig) cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB); warfarin (Coumadin); ketoconazole (Nizoral); tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan); haloperidol (Haldol) or risperidone (Risperdal . Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.