Venlafaxine
About Venlafaxine
Venlafaxine is used to treat Major Depressive Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder. Major depressive disorder is a mental health disorder characterised by a persistent and intense feeling of sadness for an extended duration of time.
Venlafaxine contains Venlafaxine, which works by increasing the levels of mood-enhancing chemicals called serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain.
You may experience nausea, sweating and hot flushes, headaches, a dry mouth, dizziness, and constipation. Most of these side effects of Venlafaxine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not take Venlafaxine if you are allergic to any of its components. Before starting Venlafaxine, please inform your doctor if you are pregnant and breastfeeding. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side effects.
Uses of Venlafaxine
Medicinal Benefits
- Venlafaxine is used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and panic attacks. It contains Venlafaxine, which belongs to the class of antidepressants called serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
- Venlafaxine works by increasing the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline, the natural mood-enhancing chemicals in the brain.
- By restoring the balance of these neurotransmitters, it helps improve mood, energy levels, and overall sense of well-being.
- Venlafaxine also helps reduce feelings of anxiety, restlessness, and tension, promoting better emotional stability.
- Venlafaxine helps in the management of major depressive disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.
Directions for Use
- Venlafaxine should be taken with food as advised by a doctor.
- It should be taken once daily, in the morning or evening, at the same time each day for best effect.
- Swallow Venlafaxine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Venlafaxine
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Sweating and hot flushes
- Headaches
- A dry mouth
- Feeling dizzy
- Feeling sleepy
- Being unable to sleep (insomnia)
- Constipation
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Venlafaxine if you are allergic to any of its contents, if you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or have taken them in the last 14 days, or if you are taking antipsychotic medicines.
- Consult your doctor immediately if you have suicidal thoughts, such as killing or harming yourself.
- Avoid driving or operating machinery as Venlafaxine may cause dizziness, confusion, sleepiness and blurred vision.
- Venlafaxine is not recommended for children below 18 years, as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking Venlafaxine as it may worsen your symptoms or side effects.
- Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Let your doctor know if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements and herbal products.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Venlafaxine may have interactions with various drugs, including antiplatelet drugs (clopidogrel), blood thinners (warfarin), pain killers (ibuprofen), cough relievers (codeine, hydrocodone), and drugs for sleep (lorazepam, alprazolam).
Drug-Food Interactions: Venlafaxine may react with alcohol, so one should limit the consumption of it as it may increase the chances of liver disease.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor about your past medical history and other ongoing diseases if you have any, as the use of medicine is restricted in some conditions that include: manic-depression, suicidal thoughts, alcoholism, liver and kidney disease, high blood pressure, and glaucoma (increased pressure of eye causes vision loss).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeTaking the drug along with alcohol may increase the side effects such as confusion, drowsiness, and trouble in concentration. A few people may find it difficult in doing mental tasks. A person needs to limit the use of alcohol while being treated with this medicine.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease visit your doctor. There are no competent and well-controlled pregnancy studies. Your doctor will only provide a prescription if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor; there has been no significant research on the use of Venlafaxine in breastfeeding/nursing moms.
Driving
unsafeVenlafaxine can cause dizziness or may affect a person's ability to drive so one should avoid driving or doing any work that needs clear attention.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Venlafaxine if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending on your current liver conditions.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Venlafaxine if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust yo ur dose depending upon your current kidney conditions.
Children
cautionThe usage of Venlafaxine is not allowed in children below 18 years old. However, this medicine can be used in children above 18 years after a doctor's recommendation
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly helps improve overall health and boost self-esteem.
- Regularly attend therapy sessions.
- Perform meditation and yoga. This helps in relieving stress and provides relaxation.
- Follow a regular sleep pattern to improve the amount and quality of sleep you get.
- Include foods rich in omega fatty acids such as fish, nuts, fresh fruits, vegetables and olive oils.
- Neurotransmitters are made up of amino acids. Amino acid-rich foods such as meat, dairy products, and certain fruits and vegetables help properly maintain neurotransmitters.
- Complex carbohydrates help stimulate Serotonin (a feel-good neurotransmitter). These include whole grains, legumes, spinach, broccoli, oranges and pears.
- Exercising helps in the production of the body’s natural antidepressants. It also relieves stress, improves mood, boosts self-esteem, and provides restful sleep.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Learn about your condition, understand the risk factors and follow the doctor’s treatment plan.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Major depressive disorder (MDD): Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression, is a mental health disorder characterised by a persistent and intense feeling of sadness for an extended duration of time. It mainly impacts mood, behaviour, and other physical functions like sleep and appetite. Symptoms include sadness, loss of interest, appetite changes, sleep problems, restlessness, lack of energy, feeling worthless or guilty, thoughts of harming oneself, difficulty concentrating, making decisions, and thinking. The exact cause of depression is unknown. However, factors such as stress, changes in hormone levels, alcohol or drug abuse, abuse during childhood, certain medical conditions and medications might increase the risk of developing depression.
Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD): Generalised anxiety disorder, or GAD, is a mental illness that makes a person worry more than normal. Common signs and symptoms of GAD include Fatigue, Shaking, restlessness, problems focusing, trouble sleeping, feeling jumpy or dizzy, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or shortness of breath.
Social anxiety disorder: Social anxiety disorder is a chronic mental health condition that causes extreme fear, anxiety, embarrassment, and self-consciousness in social gatherings. Symptoms include excessive fear, humiliation or embarrassment, concern about offending someone, and fear of being judged.
Panic disorder: Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that causes panic attacks. In this condition, a person experiences a sudden feeling of fear when, in reality, there is no danger. Symptoms include fast heartbeat, breathing difficulty, chest or stomach pain, weakness or dizziness, and sweating.
FAQs
Venlafaxine is primarily used to treat Major Depressive Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder.
Venlafaxine works by increasing the levels of mood-enhancing chemicals called serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain.
Tell your doctor if you are taking painkillers like ibuprofen, aspirin, celecoxib, etc. as taking these medicines with Venlafaxine may cause you to bleed easily.
Report it to your doctor on an urgent basis, as they will either change the dosing strength or change the medicine.
Venlafaxine is a psychotropic drug. Any medicine capable of affecting the emotions, mind, and behaviour is known as a psychotropic drug.
Venlafaxine can cause sedation. You should talk to your doctor if you are taking any other sleep-stimulating drug before starting Venlafaxine.
No, Venlafaxine, which contains Venlafaxine, is not a narcotic. Venlafaxine is an antidepressant.
Both formulations are designed to release the active ingredient, Venlafaxine, slowly over time, but there's a subtle difference: The immediate-release tablet provides a quick boost, taking effect faster, but it may wear off faster, requiring 2-3 daily doses. In contrast, the extended-release (ER) tablet provides a slow and steady release, lasting longer and providing consistent relief with just one daily dose.
Taking Venlafaxine and mirtazapine together can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called serotonin syndrome. This potentially life-threatening condition can cause a range of symptoms, including confusion, hallucinations, seizures, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasms or stiffness, tremors, incoordination, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Using citalopram together with Venlafaxine can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called serotonin syndrome. This potentially life-threatening condition may cause a range of symptoms, including confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, serotonin syndrome can lead to coma and even death. It's essential to consult a healthcare provider before combining these medications to avoid this potentially dangerous interaction.
Venlafaxine, which contains Venlafaxine, is affected by p-glycoprotein, a protein that helps move drugs through cells. P-glycoprotein can limit how much Venlafaxine gets into the brain and other organs. It can also affect how the body breaks down and eliminates it. This means that people with high or low levels of p-glycoprotein may need adjusted doses or may experience different side effects from Venlafaxine. Talking to a healthcare provider about how this interaction might affect you is important.
Venlafaxine contains Venlafaxine, which is primarily absorbed in the small intestine and transported across the intestinal epithelial cells into the bloodstream.
Venlafaxine is a prescription medication used to treat depression, anxiety, and panic disorder. If your doctor prescribes this medication, taking it exactly as directed is essential. Follow the recommended dosage and administration instructions, and do not take more or less than prescribed. Do not stop taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
Yes, Venlafaxine may cause sustained increases in blood pressure in some people. If you are taking Venlafaxine, you should monitor your blood pressure regularly. If your blood pressure increases, your doctor may reduce your dose or discontinue the medication.
Venlafaxine can cause constipation by slowing down bowel movements and leading to dehydration, which can make constipation worse. To manage constipation, it is important to eat more fibre, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and take a stool softener or laxative if needed. If you experience persistent or severe constipation, consult your doctor, as they may adjust your dosage or recommend alternative treatments to help alleviate this side effect.
Venlafaxine can cause weight loss in some people, but not everyone. If you're worried about weight changes, talk to your doctor.
Venlafaxine is generally not considered addictive in the same way as substances like alcohol or opioids, and it is essential to note the following: Individuals can develop a physical dependence on this medication. Over time, the body may rely on Effexor for normal functioning.
Only take Venlafaxine instead of a capsule if directed by your physician. You should not change it yourself, as the different formulations of a medication may have different actions, as drug release would be different in both. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before making any changes to your medication to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Venlafaxine and Gabapentin can be taken together, but there's a moderate interaction. Venlafaxine can increase Gabapentin levels, leading to increased sedation and respiratory depression. To manage this, start with low doses, monitor for excessive sedation, and gradually increase as needed under medical guidance.
Venlafaxine and desvenlafaxine are related antidepressant medications, but they have some key differences. Desvenlafaxine is the active metabolite of Venlafaxine, has a longer half-life, and a stronger effect on serotonin levels. It's also dosed once daily, compared to Venlafaxine's twice daily. Both medications treat depression, anxiety, and other conditions, but desvenlafaxine is also used to treat menopause symptoms.
Venlafaxine can help treat fibromyalgia symptoms like pain, fatigue, and depression, but it's not the first choice of treatment. Studies show it can reduce pain, improve sleep, boost mood, and increase energy. However, it's not specifically approved for fibromyalgia by the FDA, so your doctor may prescribe it off-label as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, including pain management, exercise, and counselling. It's essential to follow their instructions and monitor your response to the medication.
Venlafaxine isn't primarily for nerve pain but may help ease pain. However, please do not take it unless your doctor advises you to do so. It's essential to consult your doctor first, as they will assess your individual needs and determine if Venlafaxine is right for you. Only take it under their guidance and supervision.
Venlafaxine may decrease appetite by affecting brain chemicals that regulate hunger. This can lead to reduced food intake and potential weight loss. Additionally, it may cause stomach upset, making eating uncomfortable. If you experience significant appetite loss or weight loss, consult your doctor for guidance and support.
If you're experiencing reduced sex drive as a side effect of Venlafaxine, please seek medical attention. Consult your doctor or healthcare provider to discuss your concerns and determine the best course of action. They will help you address this issue and ensure your overall well-being.
Venlafaxine use during pregnancy and breastfeeding requires caution. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your healthcare provider. They'll help weigh the benefits against potential risks, such as congenital disabilities, neonatal withdrawal syndrome, postpartum haemorrhage during pregnancy, sedation, withdrawal symptoms, and other adverse effects in breastfed infants. Do not take Venlafaxine unless your healthcare provider recommends it after a careful assessment of your individual circumstances.
Venlafaxine is not approved for children under 18. Consult a healthcare provider for guidance. Alternative treatments are available for children's mental health conditions.
Venlafaxine can cause dizziness or may affect a person's ability to drive, so one should avoid driving or doing any work that needs clear attention.
Common side effects of Venlafaxine may include feeling sick (nausea), sweating and hot flushes, headaches, a dry mouth, dizziness, sleep, unable to sleep (insomnia) and constipation. Most of these side effects of Venlafaxine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, contact your doctor.
