VENLAFAXINE XR 37.5MG   (100 CAPSULES)

Generic Name: venlafaxine
Brand Name: Effexor XR
Drug class: Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

WHAT IS THE DOSAGE OF THIS MEDICATION?

Effexor XR and its generic Venlafaxine XR is available in the strength of 37.5mg, 75mg, 150mg capsules.

WHAT IS THIS MEDICATION USED FOR?

Venlafaxine is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; excessive worrying that is difficult to control), social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life), and panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). It can also be prescribed for chronic pain.

Venlafaxine works by helping to restore the balance of the neurotransmitters (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain causing feelings of well-being and decrease nervousness. Symptoms may begin to improve within 2 weeks of starting venlafaxine, but it may take several weeks before the full beneficial effects of this medication are felt.

Venlafaxine should be taken once daily with food, either in the morning or in the evening. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not crush, chew, or split the capsules.

Depression: The recommended dose of venlafaxine for people with depression is 75 mg once daily. For some people, the doctor may recommend starting with a lower dose of 37.5 mg daily for the first 4 to 7 days of treatment so they can get used to the medication. The dose can then be increased to 75 mg daily. If the expected benefit does not occur after a few weeks, your doctor may gradually increase the dose to a maximum of 225 mg daily, until improvement is seen.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): For people with GAD, the recommended starting dose of venlafaxine is 37.5 mg once daily for 4 to 7 days. Your doctor may gradually increase the dose to a maximum of 225 mg daily, based on your response to the medication.

Social anxiety disorder (social phobia): The usual recommended starting dose of venlafaxine is 75 mg once daily. For some people, the doctor may recommend starting with a lower dose of 37.5 mg daily for the first 4 to 7 days of treatment so they can get used to the medication. The dose can then be increased to 75 mg daily. Your doctor may gradually increase the dose based on your response to the medication, to a maximum of 225 mg daily.

Panic disorder (panic attacks): For people with panic attacks, the recommended starting dose of venlafaxine extended release is 37.5 mg once daily for 7 days. The dose can then be increased to 75 mg daily. Your doctor may gradually increase the dose based on your response to the medication to a maximum of 225 mg daily.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children. Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION

Do not take this medication if you:

• are allergic to venlafaxine or any ingredients of the medication

• are currently taking an MAO inhibitor (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine), have taken one in the last 14 days, or will start treatment with one in the next 14 days

POTENTIAL INTERACTION WITH OTHER MEDICATION

The following medications could potentially interact with this medication:

• acalabrutinib

• alcohol

• alpha-agonists (e.g., clonidine, methyldopa)

• alpha/beta-agonists (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine)

• amphetamines (e.g., dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine)

• anticoagulants (e.g., apixaban, edoxaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, warfarin)

• antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, doxylamine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, loratadine)

• antiplatelet medications (e.g., acetylsalicylic acid [ASA], clopidogrel)

• antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, clozapine, haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)

• "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)

• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, phenobarbital)

• bromocriptine

• bupropion

• buspirone

• carbamazepine

• celecoxib

• crizotinib

• cyclobenzaprine

• dasatinib

• dexmethylphenidate

• dextromethorphan

• ergot alkaloids (e.g., ergotamine, dihydroergotamine)

• glucosamine

• grapefruit juice

• heparin

• linezolid

• lithium

• low molecular weight heparins (e.g., dalteparin, enoxaparin, tinzaparin)

• methadone

• methylene blue

• methylphenidate

• metoclopramide

• mirtazapine

• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs; e.g., moclobemide, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine)

• multivitamins with minerals

• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine, fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone)

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; e.g., ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen)

• obinutuzumab

• pentoxifylline

• phenytoin

• primidone

• propafenone

• pseudoephedrine

• rivaroxaban

• safinamide

• St. John's wort

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline)

• other serotonin / norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; e.g., desvenlafaxine, duloxetine)

• serotonin antagonists (anti-emetic medications; e.g., granisetron, ondansetron)

• tramadol

• trazodone

• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine)

• "triptan" migraine medications (e.g., sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan)

• tryptophan supplements

• vitamin E

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THIS MEDICATION?

Possible side effects include:

• abnormal dreams

• constipation

• dizziness

• drowsiness

• dry mouth

• headache

• increased sweating

• loss of appetite

• nausea

• nervousness

• sweating

• sexual difficulties

• trouble sleeping

• unusual tiredness or weakness

• vomiting

• weakness

• agitation

• difficulty urinating

• fast heartbeat

• hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren't there)

• increased blood pressure

• mood or mental changes

• restlessness or inability to sit still

• severe abdominal pain

• signs of bleeding (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don't stop bleeding)

• signs of liver damage (e.g., yellowing of the skin and eyes, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, loss of appetite, or nausea and vomiting)

• symptoms of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eyes) (e.g., decreased or blurred vision, eye pain, red eye, swelling of the eye)

• signs of low sodium (e.g., tiredness, weakness, confusion, achy, stiff, uncoordinated muscles)

• symptoms of mania (e.g., irritability, elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts)

• unusual or sudden body or facial movements or postures

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