Brand
name: Venlor
Generic name: Venlafaxine hydrochloride VENLOR (Venlafaxine, Effexor,
Efexor)
Other brand name: Venlor XR
Why is Venlor prescribed?
Venlor is prescribed for the treatment of depression--that is, a
continuing depression that interferes with daily functioning. The symptoms
usually include changes in appetite, sleep habits, and mind/body coordination,
decreased sex drive, increased fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness,
difficulty concentrating, slowed thinking, and suicidal thoughts.
Venlor XR is also prescribed to relieve abnormal anxiety (generalized
anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder). Generalized anxiety
disorder is marked by persistent anxiety for a period of at least 6
months, accompanied by at least 3 of these 6 symptoms: restlessness,
fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep
disturbances.
Social anxiety disorder is marked by a persistent fear (avoidance,
anxiousness, or distress) of social situations, exposure to unfamiliar
people, or possible scrutiny by others. Social anxiety is considered
abnormal if it causes someone to alter an otherwise normal routine
or interferes with daily functioning. The disorder can also cause panic
attacks.
Venlor must be taken 2 or 3 times daily. The extended-release form,
Venlor XR, permits once-a-day dosing.
Most important fact about Venlor
Serious, sometimes fatal reactions have occurred when Venlor is used
in combination with other drugs known as MAO inhibitors, including
the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate. Never take Venlor with one
of these drugs; and do not begin therapy with Venlor within 14 days
of discontinuing treatment with one of them. Also, allow at least 7
days between the last dose of Venlor and the first dose of an MAO
inhibitor.
How should you take Venlor?
Take Venlor with food, exactly as prescribed. It may take several
weeks before you begin to feel better. Your doctor should check your
progress periodically.
Take Venlor XR once at the same time each day. Swallow the capsule
whole with water. Do not divide, crush, or chew it. However, if you
have trouble swallowing pills, you may take Venlor XR by carefully
opening the capsule and sprinkling the entire contents on a spoonful
of applesauce, followed by a glass of water.
If you miss a dose VENLOR (Venlafaxine, Effexor, Efexor)
It is not necessary to make it up. Skip the missed dose and continue
with your next scheduled dose. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Storage instructions VENLOR (Venlafaxine, Effexor, Efexor)
Store in a tightly closed container at room temperature. Protect from
excessive heat and moisture.
Venlor side effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity,
tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine
if it is safe for you to continue taking Venlor.
* Side effects of Venlor may include:
Abnormal ejaculation/orgasm, anxiety, blurred vision, constipation, dizziness,
dry mouth, impotence, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, sleepiness, sweating,
tremor, vomiting, weakness, weight loss
* Side effects of Venlor XR may include:
Abnormal dreams, abnormal ejaculation, constipation, dizziness, dry mouth,
headache, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, sleepiness, sweating, weakness,
weight loss
Why should Venlor not be prescribed?
Never take Venlor while taking other drugs known as MAO inhibitors.
(See "Most important fact about Venlor.") Also avoid Venlor
if it has ever given you an allergic reaction.
Special warnings about Venlor without Rx/prescriptions
In clinical studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal
thinking and behavior in children and adolescents with depression and
other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of Venlor
or any other antidepressant in a child or adolescent must balance this
risk with the clinical need. Venlor has not been studied in children
or adolescents and is not approved for treating anyone less than 18
years old.
Additionally, the progression of major depression is associated with
a worsening of symptoms and/or the emergence of suicidal thinking or
behavior in both adults and children, whether or not they are taking
antidepressants. Individuals being treated with Venlor and their caregivers
should watch for any change in symptoms or any new symptoms that appear
suddenly--especially agitation, anxiety, hostility, panic, restlessness,
extreme hyperactivity, and suicidal thinking or behavior--and report
them to the doctor immediately. Be especially observant at the beginning
of treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.
Your doctor will prescribe Venlor with caution if you have high blood
pressure, heart, liver, or kidney disease or a history of seizures
or mania (extreme agitation or excitability). You should discuss all
of your medical problems with your doctor before taking Venlor.
Venlor sometimes causes an increase in blood pressure. If this happens,
your doctor may need to reduce your dose or discontinue the drug.
Venlor also tends to increase the heart rate, especially at higher
doses. Use Venlor with caution if you've recently had a heart attack,
suffer from heart failure, or have an overactive thyroid gland.
Venlor may also cause cholesterol levels to rise in some patients
who take it for 3 months or longer. This effect is more common among
patients taking higher doses of Venlor.
Antidepressants such as Venlor may cause fluid retention, especially
if you are an older adult.
Venlor may cause you to feel drowsy or less alert and may affect
your judgment. Therefore, avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery
or participating in any hazardous activity that requires full mental
alertness until you know how Venlor affects you.
Your doctor will check you regularly if you have glaucoma (high pressure
in the eye), or you are at risk of developing it.
If you have ever been addicted to drugs, tell your doctor before you
start taking Venlor.
If you develop a skin rash or hives while taking Venlor, notify your
doctor. Venlor may also cause bleeding or bruising of the skin.
Do not stop taking the drug without consulting your doctor. If you
stop suddenly, you may have withdrawal symptoms, even though Venlor
does not seem to be habit-forming. Your doctor will have you taper
off gradually.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking Venlor
Combining Venlor with MAO inhibitors could cause a fatal reaction.
(See "Most important fact about Venlor.")
Although Venlor does not interact with alcohol, the manufacturer
recommends avoiding alcohol while taking Venlor.
If you have high blood pressure or liver disease, or are elderly,
check with your doctor before combining Venlor with cimetidine (Tagamet).
You should consult your doctor before combining Venlor with other
drugs that affect the central nervous system, including lithium, migraine
medications such as Imitrex, narcotic painkillers, sleep aids, weight-loss
products such as phentermine, tranquilizers, antipsychotic medicines
such as Haldol, and other antidepressants such as Celexa, Prozac, Tofranil,
and Zoloft.
Venlor has been found to reduce blood levels of the HIV drug Crixivan.
It's best to check with your doctor before combining Venlor with any
other drug or herbal product.
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
The effects of Venlor during pregnancy have not been adequately studied.
If you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor
immediately. Venlor should be used during pregnancy only if clearly
needed.
If Venlor is taken shortly before delivery, the baby may suffer withdrawal
symptoms. It's also known that Venlor appears in breast milk and could
cause serious side effects in a nursing infant. You'll need to choose
between nursing your baby or continuing your treatment with Venlor.
Recommended dosage for Venlor
Venlor
Overdosage
An overdose of Venlor, combined with other drugs or alcohol, can
be fatal. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
* Symptoms of Venlor overdose include:
Sleepiness, vertigo, rapid or slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, seizures,
coma
