Venlafaxine – what it is, what it is for and side effects!

Venlafaxine is an antidepressant belonging to a group of drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). Additionally, venlafaxine affects chemicals in the brain that may be out of balance in people with depression . This medication  is used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety

Precautions before taking venlafaxine:

Make sure your doctor knows if you also take opiate medications, herbal products, or medication for depression , mental illness, Parkinson’s disease , migraines, serious infections, or preventing nausea and vomiting.

Some young people have thoughts of suicide when taking an antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Venlafaxine . Your family or other caregivers should also be aware of changes in your mood or symptoms.

Venlafaxine can cause serious  lung problems in a newborn if the mother takes the drug late in pregnancy (during the third trimester). However, you can have a relapse of depression  if you stop taking your antidepressant.

Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this medicine. Do not start or stop taking this medication during pregnancy without your doctor’s advice.

Venlafaxine can pass into  breast milk and harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine. Venlafaxine  is not approved for use by anyone under the age of 18.

How should I take venlafaxine?

Take venlafaxine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all instructions on your prescription label. Do not take this medication in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Venlafaxine must be taken with food. So try to take your dose at the same time each day. Do not crush, chew, break or open an extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow it all.

To make the extended-release capsule easier to swallow, you can open the capsule and sprinkle the medicine on a small amount of applesauce. Swallow the entire mixture without chewing and do not save anything for later use.

It may take several weeks for symptoms to improve. Therefore, continue using the medication as directed. Do not stop using venlafaxine without first talking to your doctor. You may experience unpleasant side effects if you suddenly stop taking this medication. Your blood pressure will need to be checked frequently.

This medication may cause a false positive drug screening test. Also, if you provide a urine sample for drug screening, tell laboratory staff that you are taking this medication. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of venlafaxine?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Therefore, do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

What should I avoid while taking venlafaxine?

Drinking alcohol with this medication can cause side effects. Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for pain, arthritis, fever or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam and others.

Using an NSAID with venlafaxine can cause injury or bleeding. Also this medicine  may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Venlafaxine Dosage:

Usual adult dose for anxiety:

Extended release:

• Initial: 75 mg orally once daily
• maintenance: may increase in daily increments of 75 mg orally at intervals of not less than 4 days
• maximum: 225 mg orally per day

Usos:

• Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD);
• Social Anxiety  Disorder (SAD);

Usual Adult Dose for Panic Disorder:

Extended release:

• Initial: 37.5 mg orally once daily
• maintenance: you can increase the dose in daily increments of 75 mg orally at intervals of not less than 7 days
• maximum: 225 mg orally

Use: Treatment of Panic Disorder (PD) with or without agoraphobia.

What other drugs will affect venlafaxine?

Taking this medicine with other medicines that make you sleepy can make this effect worse. Ask your doctor before taking venlafaxine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medication, muscle relaxant, or medication for anxiety , depression ,  or seizures.

Many drugs can interact with venlafaxine . Not all possible interactions are listed here. So tell your doctor about all your current medications and any you start or stop using, especially:

• any other antidepressant;
• cimetidine;
• Saint John’s herb;
• tramadol;
• tryptophan  (sometimes called L- tryptophan );
• a thinner blood – warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven;
• medication to treat mood disorders, thought disorders or mental illness – buspirone, lithium and many others;
• medicine migraine headache – sumatriptan, zolmitriptan and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with venlafaxine . This includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal products. Give a list of all your medications to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Common venlafaxine side effects can include:

• vision changes;
• nausea, vomiting , diarrhea ;
• changes in appetite or weight;
• dry mouth, yawning;
• dizziness, headache , anxiety , feeling nervous;
• fast heartbeat, tremors or tremors;
• sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams, feeling tired;
• increased sweating;
• decreased sexual desire, impotence or difficulty having an orgasm.