What is Venlafaxine?
Venlafaxine, also known as Effexor, is an antidepressant drug that belongs to the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor class. Severe depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social phobia are all treated with it. Chronic pain is also treated from it.
Venlafaxine Uses
Venlafaxine is a medication used to treat depression. It has the potential to boost your mood and energy level, as well as rekindle your interest in everyday activities. Venlafaxine is a reuptake inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine (SNRI). It functions by assisting in the restoration of the brain's normal chemical balance (serotonin and norepinephrine).
How to use Venlafaxine HCL?
- Before you start taking venlafaxine, and any time you get a refill, read the Medication Guide given by your pharmacist. Inquire with your doctor if you have any concerns.
- Take this medicine by mouth, normally 2 to 3 times a day with food, as instructed by your doctor.
- The dosage is determined by your medical condition and treatment reaction. Your doctor may advise you to begin taking this medication at a low dose and gradually raise it to reduce the risk of side effects. Carefully follow the doctor's orders. To get the most advantages and benefits from this drug, take it on a daily and regular basis. Take it at the same time daily.
- Even if you feel fine, keep taking this drug. Do not quit taking this drug without first consulting your doctor. When this medication is abruptly stopped, some conditions can worsen. You can also experience symptoms including confusion, mood swings, headaches, tiredness, sleep shifts, and brief electric shock-like sensations. To minimize side effects, the dosage can need to be progressively reduced. Any new or deteriorating symptoms should be reported right away.
Venlafaxine Side Effects:
- Agitation
- Lack or loss of strength
- Severe headache
- Sweating
- Bloody stool or urine
- Dark urine
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Fever
- A general feeling of tiredness or weakness
- Headache
- Increased thirst
- Muscle cramps, spasms, or pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Nosebleeds
- Overactive reflexes
- Poor coordination
- Red or purple spots on the skin
- Restlessness
- Shivering
- Stomach pain
- Trembling or shaking
- Twitching
- Unusual bruising
- Unusual tiredness
- Weakness
- Vomiting of blood
- Yellow eyes or skin
Precautions
- If you are allergic to venlafaxine or desvenlafaxine, or if you have any other allergies, alert your doctor or pharmacist before taking it. Inactive ingredients can be present in this product, causing allergic reactions or other issues.
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any prior medical issues you've had, particularly if you've had bleeding problems, glaucoma (angle-closure type), high blood pressure, heart problems (such as heart failure, previous heart attack), high cholesterol, kidney disease, liver disease, seizure disorder, or thyroid disease.
- This medication can cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. You can get dizzy or sleepy if you consume alcohol or marijuana (cannabis). Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform any other activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can do so safely. Alcoholic drinks should be avoided.
- The drug's side effects, especially dizziness while standing, may be more pronounced in older adults. Elderly people are also more likely to develop a salt imbalance, especially if they take water pills. Dizziness and a salt deficiency will make you more vulnerable to falling. When taking this medication, older adults could be at a higher risk of bleeding.
- Children are more prone to this drug's side effects, especially appetite loss and weight loss. In children who are taking this medication, keep track of their weight and height.
- This drug should only be taken during pregnancy if it is very necessary. It has the potential to hurt an unborn child. In addition, babies born to mothers who used this medication during the last three months of pregnancy may experience withdrawal symptoms such as feeding/breathing problems, seizures, muscle weakness, or excessive crying. Notify your doctor right away if you find any of these signs in your newborn.
- Do not quit taking this drug until the doctor tells you to. Untreated mental/mood disorders (such as depression, anxiety, or panic attacks) can be dangerous. If you are considering pregnancy, are pregnant, or suspect you are pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the advantages and dangers of taking this drug during pregnancy.
- This medication will pass into breast milk and have unfavorable effects on a nursing baby. Before breastfeeding, talk to your doctor.
Overdose
If someone has taken an overdose of this medicine, call a poison control center right away. Symptoms of overdose may include- severe drowsiness, seizures, irregular heartbeat.
Note
Do not share this medication with anyone. Keep all regular medical and psychiatric appointments. Laboratory and medical tests such as blood pressure, cholesterol should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
Missed Dose
If you miss or forget to take any of the doses, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is already near to the time of the next dose, skip the forgotten dose. Take your next doses at the regular time only. Do not double the dose..
Storage
Store this medication at room temperature only, away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Do not store it in the bathroom or toilets. Keep all medications far away from children. Never flush medications down the toilet or pour them into drainage unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it gets expired or no longer needed.
Venlafaxine Vs Duloxetine
Venlafaxine |
Duloxetine |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula: C17H27NO2 | Molecular Formula: C18H19NOS |
| Molecular Weight: 277.4 g/mol | Molar mass: 297.4146 g/mol |
| Brand name Effexor | Brand name Cymbalta |
| Venlafaxine is a medication used to treat depression. | Duloxetine is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, major depressive disorder, and neuropathic pain |
| An antidepressant medication of the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor class. | Drug class: Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor |
