Venlafaxine, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antidepressant

Generic and brand names: venlafaxine, oral; Effexor; Effexor XR

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat depression. This medicine is also used to treat a condition called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• seizures (convulsions)
• problems with mania
• liver or kidney disease
• bleeding problems
• a heart attack
• glaucoma.

WARNING: Do not take an MAO inhibitor antidepressant such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or isocarboxazid (Marplan) and this medicine within 14 days of each other. Serious side effects can occur. Discuss this with your health care provider.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine with food exactly as your health care provider prescribes. During this treatment, your health care provider may adjust your dosage depending on your response. Be sure you understand how much medicine to take and when to take it. Do not take more or take it longer than prescribed.

Do not stop taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval. You may need to reduce your dose slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

If you are taking the extended release capsules (Effexor XR), usually you will take them once a day with food. Take them at the same time each day, either in the morning or the evening, to help you remember when to take them. Swallow the capsules whole with water. Do not divide, crush, or chew them or put them in water.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you miss a dose of the extended release capsules (Effexor XL) one day, do not double the dose the next day. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

Tell your health care provider if you have thoughts of suicide.

This medicine can cause bleeding of the skin or mucous membranes (lining of the mouth and nose). If you have had any bleeding problems, talk with your health care provider.

This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and can see clearly.

Your health care provider may want to check you regularly to determine if this medicine causes an increase in your blood pressure.

When taken for a long time, this medicine may cause loss of appetite and weight loss.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Seizures (convulsions), thoughts of suicide, increase in blood pressure.

Other: Nausea, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, trouble sleeping, nervousness, constipation, loss of appetite, loss of weight, sweating, rash, hives, dry mouth.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• desipramine (Norpramin)
• haloperidol (Haldol)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other)
• St. John's wort
• trazodone (Desyrel).

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.