Efexor

by AGP

Active ingredient: Venlafaxine

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About Venlafaxine

Antidepressant

Uses

Treatment of depressive illness.

How to take it

Adults: Generalized Anxiety Disorder/Social Anxiety Disorder: Initial: 75 mg/day, or 37.5 mg/day increase to 75 mg/day after 4-7 day. Titrate: Increase by 75 mg/day at intervals of no less than 4 days. Max: 225 mg/day. Depression: Initial: 37.5 mg twice daily or 25 mg three times daily. Titrate: Increase by 75 mg/day every 4 day to 150-225 mg/day. Max: 375 mg/day. Panic disorder: Initially 37.5 mg once daily for 1 wk, may increase to 75 mg once daily after 1 wk, may then be increased by =75 mg/day increments at intervals of at least 1 wk. Usual dose: 75-225 mg once daily. Max: 225 mg daily. Children: Not recommended.

Side effects

Dry mouth, insomnia, nervousness, somnolence, agitation, anxiety, confusion, hypertonia, paraesthesia, tremor, nausea, sweating, sexual dysfunction. anorexia, depersonalisation, agitation, insomnia, abnormal dreams, dizziness, headache, akathisia, visual disturbances, tinnitus, tachycardia, palpitations, hypertension, vasodilatation, dyspnoea, yawning, GI upset, rash, pruritus, urinary disorders, menstrual disorders, asthenia, fatigue, chills, raised cholesterol, wt change. Rarely, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, GI bleeding. Reports of hyponatraemia, SIADH.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Very high risks of serious cardiac ventricular arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension. Precautions: Moderate to severe renal or hepatic impairment, hepatic cirrhosis, heart disease. History of epilepsy, drug abuse, mania. Bleeding tendencies. Monitor BP and serum cholesterol. Re-evaluate patients on long term therapy. Dose increases may be detrimental in patients who develop akathisia. Risk factors for QT prolongation or serious arrhythmia. Hypovolaemia, raised IOP, risk of narrow angle glaucoma, micturition disorders. Elderly.

Advice

Take with meals at same time daily. Do not chew or crush or divide or dissolve extended release capsules in water, swallow whole. Capsule contents may also be sprinkled onto a spoonful of applesauce and swallowed whole without chewing. Do not stop taking medication abruptly, gradually lower the dose and then stop. Contact prescriber if there is anxiety, abnormal thoughts, confusion, lack of sleep, restlessness, fatigue, change in personality, change in memory, confusion, chest pain, palpitations, fast heartbeat, muscle cramps or tremors, severe dizziness, swelling of extremities, unrelieved urinary retention, change in vision, eye pain, change in hearing, ringing in ears, skin rash, skin…

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Interactions with Venlafaxine

MAOIs, lithium, CNS active drugs, SSRIs, potent inhibitors of CYP3A4 or drugs combinations that inhibit CYP3A4 and 2D6, warfarin, indinavir, linezolid, St John's wort, imipramine, metoprolol, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, wt loss preps, diuretics, SNRIs, 5HT1 agonists, tramadol, tryptophan suppl, other serotonergic agents, drugs that prolong QT interval, alcohol.

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Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

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