Before taking Effexor (venlafaxine), tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
Before using Effexor (venlafaxine), tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: personal or family history of psychiatric disorders (e.g., bipolar/manic-depressive disorder), personal or family history of suicide attempts, bleeding problems, severe loss of body water (dehydration), glaucoma, high blood pressure, heart problems (e.g., chest pain, irregular heartbeat, heart failure, heart attack, QT prolongation in the EKG), high cholesterol, kidney disease, liver disease, seizure disorder, history of stroke, thyroid problems, low sodium in the blood (hyponatremia).
Effexor (venlafaxine) may make you dizzy or drowsy. Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any other activity that requires alertness. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Caution is advised when using this product in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects. The elderly are more likely to lose too much salt (hyponatremia), especially if they are also taking "water pills" (diuretics) with Effexor (venlafaxine).
Caution is advised when using Effexor (venlafaxine) in children because it may affect weight, growth rate, and final height. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Effexor (venlafaxine) is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Also, babies born to mothers who have used Effexor (venlafaxine) during the last 3 months of pregnancy may infrequently develop withdrawal symptoms such as feeding/breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, or constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn, tell the doctor promptly.
Since untreated depression can be a serious condition, do not stop taking Effexor (venlafaxine) unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately discuss the benefits and risks of using Effexor (venlafaxine) during pregnancy with your doctor.
Effexor (venlafaxine) passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using Effexor (venlafaxine). Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using Effexor (venlafaxine) and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take Effexor (venlafaxine) with food, usually 2 to 3 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Dosage of Effexor (venlafaxine) is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. The usual maximum dose for an adult is 375 milligrams each day.
To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start taking Effexor (venlafaxine) at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not take more or less medication or take it more frequently than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. Use Effexor (venlafaxine) regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day.
It is important to continue taking Effexor (venlafaxine) even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Effexor (venlafaxine) without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
Effexor (venlafaxine) may cause dependence, especially if it has been used regularly for an extended time or if it has been used in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal reactions (e.g., nausea, vomiting, headache, numbness, tingling, nightmares) may occur if you suddenly stop Effexor (venlafaxine). To prevent withdrawal when stopping extended/regular treatment with Effexor (venlafaxine), gradually reduce the dosage as directed. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.
It may take several weeks to feel the full benefit of Effexor (venlafaxine). Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
See also Warning section.
Headache, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, weakness, dry mouth, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, blurred vision, tiredness, nervousness, trouble sleeping, sweating, or yawning may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor promptly.
Effexor (venlafaxine) may increase blood pressure. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly while you are taking Effexor (venlafaxine).
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Effexor (venlafaxine) because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Effexor (venlafaxine) do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, severe/pounding headache, unusual or severe mental/mood changes (e.g., extreme anxiety, unusual high energy/excitement, rare thoughts of suicide), shakiness (tremor), decreased interest in sex, changes in sexual ability, difficulty urinating, change in the amount of urine.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: stomach/abdominal pain, chest pain, persistent cough, shortness of breath, bloody/black/tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, easy bruising/bleeding, fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat, muscle weakness/cramps, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, seizures, unusual tiredness.
Effexor (venlafaxine) may rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome. The risk increases when Effexor (venlafaxine) is used with certain other drugs such as "triptans" used to treat migraine headaches (e.g., sumatriptan, eletriptan), certain antidepressants including SSRIs (e.g., citalopram, paroxetine) and other SNRIs (e.g., duloxetine), lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, or a certain drug to treat obesity (sibutramine). See also Drug Interactions section. Before taking Effexor (venlafaxine), tell your doctor if you take any of these medications. Serotonin syndrome may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of any of these medications. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop some of the following symptoms: hallucinations, restlessness, loss of coordination, fast heartbeat, severe dizziness, unexplained fever, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitchy muscles.
For males, in the very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using Effexor (venlafaxine) and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur.
A very serious allergic reaction to Effexor (venlafaxine) is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Click HERE to learn more about Effexor side effects.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
If you miss a dose of Effexor (venlafaxine), take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Taking certain medications with this product could result in serious (rarely fatal) drug interactions. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) with Effexor (venlafaxine) for 2 weeks before treatment, during treatment, and at least 7 days after your last dose of Effexor (venlafaxine). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Effexor (venlafaxine) should also not be used with the following medications because very serious (possibly fatal) interactions may occur: weight loss drugs (e.g., sibutramine, phentermine), tryptophan.
If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Effexor (venlafaxine).
Certain drugs that may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include amiodarone, dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, thioridazine, and erythromycin, among others. Effexor (venlafaxine) may increase the risk of this effect. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in a serious (rarely fatal) irregular heartbeat. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details and for instructions on how you may reduce this risk of this effect.
Before using Effexor (venlafaxine), tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: drugs removed from your body by certain liver enzymes (e.g., antipsychotics such as clozapine/ haloperidol, HIV medications such as indinavir, tricyclic antidepressants-TCAs such as desipramine), drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove Effexor (venlafaxine) from your body (e.g., cimetidine, azole antifungals such as ketoconazole, itraconazole), "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide), drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (e.g., aspirin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, "blood thinners" such as heparin/warfarin).
Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding when used with Effexor (venlafaxine) (see above). If your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), you should continue taking it unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Also tell your doctor if you take any other drugs that increase serotonin, such as buspirone, dextromethorphan, lithium, meperidine, propoxyphene, SSRIs, other SNRIs, St. John's wort, drugs used to treat migraines such as "triptans" and dihydroergotamine, street drugs such as MDMA/"ecstasy," amphetamine. (See also Side Effects section.)
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., allergy, cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Cimetidine is a nonprescription drug that is commonly used to treat extra stomach acid. Because it may cause undesirable interactions when used with Effexor (venlafaxine), ask your pharmacist about other products to treat stomach acid.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.