Why effexor is prescribed

It's important to not stop taking Effexor on your own. If you and your doctor decide it's best for you to stop Effexor, they can provide you with a tapering strategy to minimize any withdrawal symptoms.

Before prescribing Effexor, your doctor will take a thorough medical history. Even so, it's important for you to play an active role in your care. Be sure to share every detail of your health history, regardless of whether or not you think it's important. Overall, Effexor is a well-tolerated medication that has helped many people cope with a variety of mental health conditions. You deserve to get well. The good news is that if Effexor doesn't help, there are lots of other options to try.

Dealing with racing thoughts? Always feeling tired? Our guide offers strategies to help you or your loved one live better with bipolar disorder.

Sign up for our newsletter and get it free. Shelton RC. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Handb Exp Pharmacol. Food and Drug Administration. Effexor label. Updated December Seizure induced by a therapeutic dose of Venlafaxine ER: A case report. J Psychiatr Pract. Do antidepressants increase the risk of mania and bipolar disorder in people with depression?

A retrospective electronic case register cohort study. BMJ Open. Suicidality in children and adolescents being treated with antidepressant medications.

Published February 5, Risk of suicide during treatment with venlafaxine, citalopram, fluoxetine, and dothiepin: retrospective cohort study.

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These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. The doctor will advise about dosage. People with liver or kidney problems will have a lower dose. One review suggests that it is comparable to other major antidepressants in treating generalized anxiety disorder GAD , obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD , panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD , and social anxiety disorder.

Before taking venlafaxine, patients should discuss their medical history with their doctor to determine whether the drug is appropriate. Patients with major depressive disorder may experience a worsening of depression, agitation and other symptoms, including thoughts of suicide, especially at the beginning of the treatment.

Those caring for these patients are urged to monitor carefully for these signs and to contact a physician at once if they occur. A major depressive episode can sometimes be the first manifestation of bipolar disorder , so patients should be screened for bipolar disorder before being prescribed venlafaxine. Seizure disorders : Venlafaxine should not be taken by patients who experience seizures.

Interactions have led to serious adverse effects. Allergies : Anyone who is allergic to its ingredients should not take it. These include venlafaxine hydrochloride, gelatin, titanium dioxide, hypromellose, iron oxide, ethylcellulose, and cellulose. High blood pressure : Venlafaxine has been linked to raised blood pressure , or hypertension , in some patients, so regular monitoring of blood pressure is recommended.

Glaucoma : Anyone with a history of glaucoma should let their doctor know about this first. Pregnancy : One study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal CMAJ , has suggested that pregnant women who take venlafaxine may be at a higher risk of a miscarriage, so pregnant women should only take it if absolutely necessary. Breastfeeding : As the drug can pass into breast milk, mothers taking venlafaxine should talk to their doctor before breastfeeding.

Diet : The medication should be taken with food, but there are no specific dietary restrictions, unless a doctor advises otherwise.

Age : Venlafaxine is not approved for use by anyone under the age of 18 years. In those aged 18 years and under, it has been linked to weight gain and, like other depressants, an increase in suicidal thinking.

It has been found to increase the risk of suicidal thinking, especially in children, teenagers, and young adults. A missed dose should be taken as soon as the person remembers to take it, but if it is nearly time for the next dose, they should skip the missed dose. Other effects include tremor, vertigo , headache, hallucinations, impaired concentration, fatigue , and paresthesia, which is a sensation of pricking, tingling, or creeping on the skin.

If anyone takes too much venlafaxine, someone should call their local poison control center for advice on Venlafaxine has not been properly tested with recreational drugs.

Talk to your doctor if you think you might take any while taking venlafaxine. Page last reviewed: 11 December Next review due: 11 December Venlafaxine On this page About venlafaxine Key facts Who can and can't take venlafaxine How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About venlafaxine Venlafaxine is a type of antidepressant often used to treat depression. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today?

It usually takes 4 to 6 weeks for venlafaxine to work. Side effects such as feeling sick, headaches, sweating, and dry mouth are common. They are usually mild and go away after a couple of weeks. If you and your doctor decide to take you off venlafaxine, your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually to help prevent extra side effects. Venlafaxine has lots of different brand names including Efexor XL. Check with your doctor before starting to take venlafaxine if you: have had an allergic reaction to venlafaxine or any other medicines in the past have a heart problem - as venlafaxine can speed up or change your heartbeat are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant or you are breastfeeding have an eye problem called glaucoma because venlafaxine can increase the pressure in your eye have epilepsy or are having electroconvulsive treatment - venlafaxine may increase your risk of having a seizure If you have diabetes , venlafaxine can make it more difficult to keep your blood sugar stable.

How much to take The usual starting dose of venlafaxine is 75mg a day. What if I forget to take it? What if I take too much? Urgent advice: Call your doctor straight away if:. Common side effects These side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Keep taking the medicine, but tell your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away: feeling sick headaches sweating dry mouth trouble sleeping feeling dizzy feeling sleepy constipation Serious side effects It is not common, but some people less than 1 in may have serious side effects when taking venlafaxine.

Information: You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. What to do about: feeling sick - try taking venlafaxine with or after food. It may also help if you avoid rich or spicy food. If it carries on, tell your doctor. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking venlafaxine. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe.

If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you don't faint, then sit until you feel better. Do not drive or use tools or machines if you feel dizzy or if you just feel a bit shaky. Cut down the amount of alcohol you drink as this will make you feel more tired. If this symptom does not go away after a week or 2, ask your doctor for advice.

Try to exercise , for example, by going for a daily walk or run. If this doesn't help, talk to your pharmacist or doctor. Watch this short video about how to treat constipation. Venlafaxine and breastfeeding If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, venlafaxine can be used during breastfeeding. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start venlafaxine : any medicines that affect your heartbeat - as venlafaxine can speed up or change your heartbeat.

Some rarely used antidepressants can interact with venlafaxine to cause very high blood pressure even when they have been stopped for a few weeks. Mixing venlafaxine with herbal remedies and supplements Do not take the herbal remedy for depression, St John's wort, while you are being treated with venlafaxine as it will increase your risk of side effects.

Important Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements. How does venlafaxine work? When will I feel better? How will it make me feel? How long will I take it for? Is it safe to take it for a long time? For most people, venlafaxine is safe to take for a long time.

How do I come off venlafaxine? These include: dizziness feeling sick numbness or tingling in the hands or feet trouble sleeping feeling agitated or anxious headaches shaking Important Do not stop taking venlafaxine suddenly, or without talking to your doctor first.

Is venlafaxine better than other antidepressants? Are there other treatments that will help? Other potential treatments for depression include: talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy exercise programmes help to get a good night's rest if sleep is a problem Other potential treatments for anxiety include: talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy joining a self-help group using relaxation techniques Choosing a treatment that's most suitable for you depends on: how long you've had depression or anxiety and your symptoms whether previous treatment has worked how likely you are to stick with your treatment the potential side effects your preferences and priorities If you're interested in any of these treatments, talk to your doctor.

Will it affect my fertility? Is there any food or drink I need to avoid? You can eat and drink normally while taking venlafaxine. Will I gain or lose weight? Will it affect my sex life? Some of the possible negative effects include: men might have problems with getting an erection, or with ejaculating women might have some vaginal bleeding both men and women might find they don't reach orgasm the same way as before you may have a lower sex drive Sexual side effects usually pass after the first couple of weeks.