Venlafaxine ER
(Venlafaxine ER)Venlafaxine ER Overview
Venlafaxine is used to treat depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and social anxiety disorder (social phobia). It may improve your mood and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. It may also decrease fear, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and the number of panic attacks. Venlafaxine is known as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain.
Venlafaxine ER Warnings
Antidepressant medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental/mood disorders. These medications can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other important benefits. However, a small number of people (especially people younger than 25) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. It is very important to talk with the doctor about the risks and benefits of antidepressant medication (especially for people younger than 25), even if treatment is not for a mental/mood condition. Tell the doctor right away if you notice worsening depression/other psychiatric conditions, unusual behavior changes (including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts), or other mental/mood changes (including new/worsening anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, very rapid speech). Be especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed.
How to Use Venlafaxine ER
Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using venlafaxine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take Venlafaxine ER by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily with food, either in the morning or evening. Do not crush, chew, or dissolve Venlafaxine ER. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Swallow whole without crushing or chewing. If you are taking the capsules, swallow them whole. If you have trouble swallowing the capsules whole, you may open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow all of the mixture right away without chewing. Drink a glass of water after each dose. The Dosage of Venlafaxine ER is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start Venlafaxine ER at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Take Venlafaxine ER regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Keep taking Venlafaxine ER even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Venlafaxine ER without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when Venlafaxine ER is suddenly stopped. Also, you may experience symptoms such as confusion, mood swings, blurred vision, headache, tiredness, sleep changes, and brief feelings similar to electric shock. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased to reduce side effects. Report any new or worsening symptoms right away. It may take several weeks to feel the benefit of Venlafaxine ER. Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
Venlafaxine ER Precautions
Before taking venlafaxine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to desvenlafaxine; or if you have any other allergies. Venlafaxine ER may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Venlafaxine ER, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,bleeding problems, personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type), high blood pressure, heart problems (such as heart failure, previous heart attack), high cholesterol, kidney disease, liver disease, seizure disorder, thyroid disease. Venlafaxine ER may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Venlafaxine ER, especially dizziness when standing. Older adults may also be more likely to develop a type of salt imbalance (hyponatremia), especially if they are taking "water pills" (diuretics). Dizziness and salt imbalance can increase the risk of falling. Older adults may also be at greater risk for bleeding while using Venlafaxine ER. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug, especially loss of appetite and weight loss. Monitor weight and height in children who are taking Venlafaxine ER. During pregnancy, Venlafaxine ER should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. Also, babies born to mothers who have used Venlafaxine ER during the last 3 months of pregnancy may rarely develop withdrawal symptoms such as feeding/breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, or constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn, tell the doctor promptly. Since untreated mental/mood problems (such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks) can be a serious condition, do not stop taking Venlafaxine ER unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately discuss the benefits and risks of using Venlafaxine ER during pregnancy with your doctor. Venlafaxine ER passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Venlafaxine ER Misdose
If you miss a dose of Venlafaxine ER, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Venlafaxine ER Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.other drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen, blood thinners such as dabigatran/warfarin). Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding when used with Venlafaxine ER. However, if your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention (usually 81-162 milligrams a day), you should continue taking it unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Taking MAO inhibitors with Venlafaxine ER may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with Venlafaxine ER. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before and at least 7 days after treatment with Venlafaxine ER. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking Venlafaxine ER. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin. Examples include street drugs such as MDMA/"ecstasy," St. John's wort, certain antidepressants (including SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, other SNRIs such as duloxetine/milnacipran), tryptophan, among others. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of these drugs. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine). Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely. Venlafaxine is very similar to desvenlafaxine. Do not take medications containing desvenlafaxine while using venlafaxine. Venlafaxine ER may interfere with certain lab tests (including urine tests for amphetamines), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use Venlafaxine ER.
Venlafaxine ER Side Effects
Nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, loss of appetite, blurred vision, nervousness, trouble sleeping, unusual sweating, or yawning may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor promptly. Remember that Venlafaxine ER has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Venlafaxine ER do not have serious side effects. Venlafaxine ER may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects,easy bleeding/bruising, decreased interest in sex, changes in sexual ability, muscle cramps/weakness, shaking (tremor). Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects,cough that doesn't go away, shortness of breath, chest pain, severe/pounding headache, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, eye pain/swelling/redness, widened pupils, vision changes (such as seeing rainbows around lights at night), seizure. Venlafaxine ER may increase serotonin and rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome/toxicity. The risk increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin, so tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take (see Drug Interactions section).fast heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscles, unexplained fever, unusual agitation/restlessness. A very serious allergic reaction to Venlafaxine ER is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction,rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Venlafaxine ER Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Venlafaxine ER when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
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