Type of medicine: antidepressant
Generic and brand names: venlafaxine, oral; Effexor; Effexor XR
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat depression. This medicine is also used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The extended-release tablets are used to treat social anxiety disorder.
It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
WARNING: Do not take an MAO inhibitor antidepressant and this medicine within 14 days of each other. Serious side effects can occur. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking this medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy can cause problems for the baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine with food exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. During this treatment, your healthcare provider may adjust your dosage depending on your response. Be sure you understand how much medicine to take and when to take it. Do not take more or take it longer than prescribed.
Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may need to reduce your dose slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
If you are taking the extended release capsules (Effexor XR), take them with food at the same time each day. Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water. Do not divide, crush, or chew them or put them in water.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you miss a dose of the extended release capsules (Effexor XR) one day, do not double the dose the next day. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, fast heartbeat, seizures, flushing, sweating, fever, muscle pain, tremor, uncontrolled movements of the face, hands or feet, coma.
Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. Talk with your provider about this.
Behavior changes may be caused by the medicine or by depression or another mental illness. Contact your provider right away if you or your family notice any disturbing changes in your thoughts or behavior, such as:
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may cause serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening. It may be caused by taking this medicine with other medicines. These medicines include other antidepressants, medicines to treat migraines, pain medicines, some cough medicines, St. John’s wort, and others. Make sure that your providers know ALL of the medicines that you take.
Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have:
This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and can see clearly.
You may need to check your blood pressure regularly to make sure this medicine does not increase your blood pressure.
When taken for a long time, this medicine may cause loss of appetite and weight loss.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Seizures, thoughts of suicide, worsening depression, panic attacks, severe confusion, irregular heartbeat, migraine headache, chest pain, swelling in arms or legs, trouble breathing, chest infection, unusual bruising or bleeding.
Other: Nausea, gas, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, trouble sleeping, nervousness, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, sweating, rash, hives, dry mouth, change in sexual desire or ability.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
