Venlafaxine

Generic name: Venlafaxine

Drug class: Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

Dosage forms: Extended release capsule, Tablet, Extended release tablet

Root of administration: Oral

Dose: Extended release capsule: 37.5, 75, 150 mg, Tablet: 25, 37.5, 50, 75, 100 mg, Extended release tablet: 37.5, 75, 112.5, 150, 225 mg

Mechanism of action: Venlafaxine belongs to in a class of medications called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Venlafaxine works by increasing the amounts of serotonin and norepinephrine, natural substances in the brain that help maintain mental balance.

Drug usage cases: Venlafaxine is used in adults to treat major depressive disorder. Venlafaxine extended-release (long-acting) capsules are also used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; excessive worrying that is difficult to control), social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life), and panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks).

Drug contra indications: You should not take venlafaxine if you are allergic to it or to desvenlafaxine (Pristiq). Do not use venlafaxine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine. Tell your doctor if you also use stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with venlafaxine could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. To make sure venlafaxine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

bipolar disorder (manic depression); heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides; diabetes; lung disease; glaucoma; a thyroid disorder; a seizure; sexual problems; bleeding problems; low blood levels of sodium; or liver or kidney disease. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.

Side effects: Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to venlafaxine: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Tell your doctor right away if you have new or sudden changes in mood or behavior, including new or worse depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more active or talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. Venlafaxine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

blurred vision, eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights; cough, chest tightness, trouble breathing; a seizure (convulsions); unusual bleeding – nosebleeds, bleeding gums, abnormal vaginal bleeding, any bleeding that will not stop; low blood sodium – headache, confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, 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. Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Warnings: You should not take venlafaxine if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma. Do not use venlafaxine within 7 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine. Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavioral 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. Do not stop using venlafaxine without first talking to your doctor. Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor. Venlafaxine is not FDA approved for use in children.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Taking this medicine during pregnancy could harm the baby, but stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop venlafaxine without asking your doctor. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of venlafaxine on the baby. Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.