What is effexor used to treat

Allergies : Anyone who is allergic to its ingredients should not take it. These include venlafaxine hydrochloride, gelatin, titanium dioxide, hypromellose, iron oxide, ethylcellulose, and cellulose. High blood pressure : Venlafaxine has been linked to raised blood pressure , or hypertension , in some patients, so regular monitoring of blood pressure is recommended.

Glaucoma : Anyone with a history of glaucoma should let their doctor know about this first. Pregnancy : One study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal CMAJ , has suggested that pregnant women who take venlafaxine may be at a higher risk of a miscarriage, so pregnant women should only take it if absolutely necessary. Breastfeeding : As the drug can pass into breast milk, mothers taking venlafaxine should talk to their doctor before breastfeeding.

Diet : The medication should be taken with food, but there are no specific dietary restrictions, unless a doctor advises otherwise. Age : Venlafaxine is not approved for use by anyone under the age of 18 years. In those aged 18 years and under, it has been linked to weight gain and, like other depressants, an increase in suicidal thinking.

It has been found to increase the risk of suicidal thinking, especially in children, teenagers, and young adults. A missed dose should be taken as soon as the person remembers to take it, but if it is nearly time for the next dose, they should skip the missed dose.

Other effects include tremor, vertigo , headache, hallucinations, impaired concentration, fatigue , and paresthesia, which is a sensation of pricking, tingling, or creeping on the skin. If anyone takes too much venlafaxine, someone should call their local poison control center for advice on If the person collapses or stops breathing, call Like all medicines, venlafaxine should be stored in a locked cabinet, out of the reach of children.

It is important also to keep the doctor informed of any other medications, supplements, and health conditions the user might have. People who are using venlafaxine should attend all their medical appointments, because the doctor will need to monitor for blood pressure and other signs.

If you wish to stop taking this medication, you should do so gradually and under medical supervision, because withdrawal symptoms can occur.

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The authors conclude that it…. New research compares rates of depression among adults in the United States before and after the pandemic and finds that COVID may have severely…. Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you. Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions. Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat generalized anxiety disorder include:.

Effexor XR can interact with several other medications and cause false results for certain lab tests. It can also interact with certain supplements. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. Below is a list of medications that can interact with Effexor XR. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Effexor XR.

Before taking Effexor XR, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Serotonin syndrome is a serious reaction that happens when too much serotonin a chemical produced by nerve cells builds up in your body. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include anxiety , shakiness, fever, diarrhea, fast heartbeat, and seizures.

If you experience any symptoms of serotonin syndrome, tell your doctor right away. They may recommend that you stop treatment with any medication that may cause serotonin syndrome until your symptoms are treated. They may recommend that you stop treatment with any supplement that may cause serotonin syndrome until your symptoms are treated.

This means that your drug test can show a positive result for PCP or amphetamines even though you did not use either of these drugs. However, in case of a false-positive result, a second test can be done to rule out the use of PCP and amphetamines.

False-positive results can happen for several days after your last dose of Effexor XR. If you take Effexor XR and need to take a drug test, be sure to tell the test administrator about all medications you take. They will use this information when interpreting your test results. No, the immediate-release form of brand-name Effexor is no longer on the market. An immediate-release form of a drug releases the drug into your system as soon as your body absorbs it. However, a generic form of immediate-release venlafaxine the active drug in Effexor XR is available.

However, it does have several side effects that may make it seem like a stimulant to some people. For example, some people have insomnia trouble sleeping , headache, increased blood pressure, and loss of appetite while taking Effexor XR.

They can recommend ways to relieve these side effects. A taper, or gradual decrease of your dose, is recommended when stopping Effexor XR. This is because stopping Effexor XR suddenly can cause side effects. Some of these side effects include feeling agitated, lack of energy, flu-like symptoms, trouble sleeping, and others. If you and your doctor decide that stopping Effexor XR is right for you, they will likely recommend a gradual decrease of 75 mg per week.

For example, if you were taking mg of Effexor XR per day, then your doctor may recommend that you decrease your dose to 75 mg per day for at least a week. After that week, they may recommend that you stop taking Effexor XR.

If you want to stop taking Effexor XR, talk with your doctor. They can discuss with you the safest way to do it.

You may be able to switch from a short-acting form of venlafaxine to Effexor XR if your doctor recommends that you do. A short-acting form of a drug releases the active ingredient quickly for a faster effect. An extended-release form of a drug, such as the drug in Effexor XR, is released slowly for a more lasting effect. The short-acting form of venlafaxine comes as a tablet.

If your doctor advises you to switch to Effexor XR, they may recommend a different dosage than you were taking of the short-acting form of venlafaxine. Animal studies did show harm to the fetus when the mother received Effexor XR.

There have been reports of complications in newborns who were born to mothers who took Effexor XR. These symptoms were most commonly seen in newborns who were exposed to Effexor XR during the third trimester the last few months before birth.

The complications are generally considered withdrawal symptoms because the baby is no longer receiving Effexor XR after birth. Complications and withdrawal symptoms included the need for tube feeding or breathing support, and an extended stay in the hospital.

Other problems included constant crying, poor feeding, tense or shaky muscles, and vomiting. These complications and symptoms can be treated by healthcare professionals. They typically go away within a few days or weeks. Talk with your doctor if you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant and want to take an antidepressant. They can discuss the safest options with you. Effexor XR does pass into human breast milk. This could cause side effects in nursing children, including unusual sleepiness and trouble gaining weight.

Effexor XR contains the active drug venlafaxine. Drugs in the SNRI class treat depression and other related conditions by affecting the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine. These are two neurotransmitters chemical messengers that play a role in regulating your mood.

An imbalance of serotonin and norepinephrine levels can lead to conditions like depression, anxiety , and panic disorder. This allows the two neurotransmitters to stay active longer, which helps balance communication between nervous system cells in your brain. Restoring the balance of serotonin and norepinephrine is thought to improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and panic disorder.

It may take several weeks before you begin to see your symptoms improve. This is because it takes time for the neurotransmitter levels in your brain to become stable. Talk with your doctor about how long you should wait to know whether or not Effexor XR is working for you.

Your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization before they approve coverage for Effexor XR. This means that your doctor will need to send a request to your insurance company asking them to cover the drug. The insurance company will review the request and let you and your doctor know if your plan will cover Effexor XR. If you need financial support to pay for Effexor XR, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

Pfizer, Inc. Effexor XR is taken once a day. You can take it in the morning or evening, but try to take it at the same time each day. However, if you have trouble swallowing Effexor XR capsules, you can open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto applesauce.

You can mix it together or leave the contents on top. Be sure to empty the entire contents of the capsule. Swallow the applesauce with Effexor XR contents without chewing. Drink a full glass of water after you swallow the applesauce. This will help make sure that you get your full dose of Effexor XR. This drug has a boxed warning. A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Effexor XR has been linked to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and young adults who are 24 years old and younger.

This increased risk has been found for all antidepressants , not just Effexor XR. Caregivers of young people who take Effexor XR should closely watch for signs of worsening depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Effexor XR is not approved for use in children. Before taking Effexor XR, talk with your doctor about your health history. Effexor XR may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:.

You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at or use their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away. When you get Effexor XR from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date helps guarantee the medication is effective during this time. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk to your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it.

How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication. Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms.

This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment. The FDA website provides several useful tips on medication disposal.

You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of your medication. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date.

However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication.

It is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder MDD , generalized anxiety disorder GAD , panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder social phobia. Generalized Anxiety Disorder GAD occurs when a person experiences excessive anxiety or worry for at least six months. Other symptoms include:.

Panic Disorder occurs when a person experiences unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear. These episodes have physical symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness, and nausea. Fear of future episodes is also part of panic disorder. Symptoms include:.

They should be clear about the limits of the research around that medication and if there are any other options. Do not stop taking venlafaxine, even when you feel better. With input from you, your health care provider will assess how long you will need to take the medicine. Depression is also a part of bipolar illness.

People with bipolar disorder who take antidepressants may be at risk for "switching" from depression into mania. Symptoms of mania include "high" or irritable mood, very high self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, pressure to keep talking, racing thoughts, being easily distracted, frequently involved in activities with a large risk for bad consequences for example, excessive buying sprees.

Medical attention should be sought if serotonin syndrome is suspected. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your health care provider to best manage your medications. People living with MDD who wish to become pregnant face important decisions.

Untreated MDD has risks to the fetus, as well as the mother. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers. For women who take antidepressant medications during weeks 13 through the end of their pregnancy second and third trimesters , there is a risk that the baby can be born before it is fully developed before 37 weeks.

Venlafaxine immediate release tablets are usually taken two or three times per day with or without food. The extended release tablets and capsules are taken one time per day with or without food. Typically patients begin at a low dose of medicine and the dose is increased slowly over several weeks.

The dose usually ranges from Only your health care provider can determine the correct dose for you. Extended release capsules: swallow whole or sprinkle onto food, such as applesauce or pudding and eat immediately.

Consider using a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take your medication. You may also ask a family member or friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication. If you miss a dose of venlafaxine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose.

Discuss this with your health care provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed. Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking antidepressant medications.

They may decrease the benefits e. If an overdose occurs, call your doctor or You may need urgent medical care. You may also contact the poison control center at