Generic Name:(Venlafaxine)
Effexor (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 be unbalanced in people with depression.
Effexor is used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, and panic disorder.
Before Ingesting this medication
You should not take Effexor if you are allergic to venlafaxine or desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), or:
- if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma; or
- if you are being treated with methylene blue injection.
Do not use Effexor if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine. After you stop taking Effexor, you must wait at least 7 days before you start taking an MAOI.
To make sure Effexor is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- bipolar disorder (manic depression);
- cirrhosis or other liver disease;
- kidney disease;
- heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol;
- diabetes;
- narrow-angle glaucoma;
- a thyroid disorder;
- a history of seizures;
- a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
- low levels of sodium in your blood; or
- if you are switching to Effexor from another antidepressant.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Effexor. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Taking an SSRI antidepressant during pregnancy may cause serious lung problems or other complications in the baby. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking Effexor. Do not start or stop taking this medicine during pregnancy without your doctor’s advice.
Venlafaxine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor. Effexor is not approved for use in children.
Effexor side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Effexor: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, 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.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
- easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
- cough, chest tightness, trouble breathing;
- seizure (convulsions);
- high levels of serotonin in the body – agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting;
- low levels of sodium in the body – headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady; or
- severe nervous system reaction – very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.
Common Effexor side effects may include:
- vision changes;
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- changes in appetite or weight;
- dry mouth, yawning;
- dizziness, headache, anxiety, feeling nervous;
- fast heartbeats, tremors or shaking;
- sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams, tired feeling;
- increased sweating; or
- decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
If you or any family members are using this medication you can obtain a Discount Card.
Source: Drugs.com