Venlafaxine

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat depression and/or anxiety.
• Another use is treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

How does it work?

• Venlafaxine increases concentrations of certain hormones in the brain that help treat depression and anxiety. Sleep and appetite may improve quickly. Other symptoms may take up to 4-6 weeks to improve.

How is it best taken?

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
• Swallow sustained-release capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this medicine is started. The two together could cause dangerously high blood pressure.
• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution with seizure history. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Talk with healthcare provider.
• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are taking any herbal products.
• Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling sleepy, dizzy, or unable to think clearly. Use caution when driving doing other tasks or hobbies.
• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Inability to sleep or nervousness.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Change in sexual ability or desire. This can return to normal after medicine is stopped. Talk with healthcare provider about other medicines without this side effect.

What should I monitor?

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Agitation, twitching, sweating, fever, increased muscle tone.
• Too tired or sleepy.
• Severe nausea, vomiting.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature. Protect from moisture.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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