Key facts about Venlafaxine
What dosages is Venlafaxine available in?
Venlafaxine is available as a 25 mg, 37.5 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg oral tablet.
What is Venlafaxine used for?
Venlafaxine is a SNRI and is used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.
How does Venlafaxine work?
Venlafaxine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It raises serotonin and norepinephrine activity in the brain, which helps adjust your mood.
How do I take Venlafaxine?
Venlafaxine is typically taken by mouth 2 or 3 times daily with a total maximum daily dose of 375 mg.
Is it safe for me to take Venlafaxine?
Venlafaxine is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have a known hypersensitivity to Venlafaxine hydrochloride, desvenlafaxine succinate, or any excipients in the product, or have taken an MAOI in the past 14 days.
Venlafaxine Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Venlafaxine include:
- Nausea
- Feeling tired, fatigued, or sleepy
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Sexual problems
- Loss of appetite
- Sweating
Venlafaxine Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Venlafaxine. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction
- Unusual mood changes
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Blurred vision, eye pain, or changes in vision
- Chest pain
- Seizure
- Shortness of breath
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Blood in urine or stools
- Serotonin syndrome
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Venlafaxine
The following medications may interact with Venlafaxine:
- Other serotonergic drugs – Increases the risk of serotonin syndrome
- Antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs – May increase the risk of bleeding
- CYP3A inhibitors – May increase the risk of toxicity of Venlafaxine
Who makes Venlafaxine?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is Venlafaxine safe in pregnancy?
Venlafaxine may increase the risk for preeclampsia when used during mid to late pregnancy. If you become pregnant while receiving Venlafaxine, talk to your healthcare provider. There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants, including Venlafaxine, during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-844-405-6185 or visiting online at women’s health
