Description
Effexor (venlafaxine) is a prescription medication used to treat major depression. It’s in a class of antidepressants known as SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). Effexor balances chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression.
Side Effects
Common Effexor side effects may include:
-anxiety,
-nervousness,
-agitation,
-trouble sleeping,
-dizziness,
-nausea,
-sweating,
dry mouth.
Serious Effexor side effects may include:
-suicidal thoughts or actions;
-bipolar disorder (manic depression);
-seizures or convulsions;
-high blood pressure (hypertension);
heart attack, stroke, or blood clot.”’
Effexor (venlafaxine) is a prescription medication used to treat major depression. It’s in a class of antidepressants known as SNRIs.
Dosages
Effexor is available in Effexor XR and Effexor immediate-release forms.
The usual starting Effexor dosage for depression is 75 mg per day, taken in divided doses.
If you have kidney disease, your Effexor dosage may need to be lower than the usual starting dose.
Effexor should be taken with food. Effexor XR capsules should be swallowed whole and not crushed, chewed, or opened.
Uses
Effexor is used to treat major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder (social phobia).
Warnings
You should not take Effexor if you are allergic to venlafaxine or desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), or if you are being treated with methylene blue injection.
Do not take Effexor within 2 weeks of taking an MAO inhibitor. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.
You should not take Effexor if you have untreated or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma.
Taking Effexor during pregnancy may cause serious lung problems or other complications in the baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
You should not breastfeed while taking Effexor because it may pass into breast milk and cause side effects in a nursing baby.
Effexor may increase your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high.
