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Feel free to give us any other feedback. We appreciate your feedback. Can you tell us more? Your email Optional - in the event we have more questions, it helps to have your email. We promise not to spam you. Abruptly stopping treatment with Effexor XR can cause withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include:. To avoid withdrawal symptoms, your dosage of Effexor XR should be tapered gradually decreased over several weeks.
This is because both Effexor XR and alcohol can cause sleepiness and trouble concentrating when taken separately. Drinking alcohol while taking Effexor XR could make these side effects worse.
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. It can be potentially dangerous to take venlafaxine with:.
Venlafaxine has not been properly tested with recreational drugs. Talk to your doctor if you think you might take any while taking venlafaxine. Page last reviewed: 11 December Next review due: 11 December Venlafaxine On this page About venlafaxine Key facts Who can and can't take venlafaxine How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions. About venlafaxine Venlafaxine is a type of antidepressant often used to treat depression.
Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? It usually takes 4 to 6 weeks for venlafaxine to work. Side effects such as feeling sick, headaches, sweating, and dry mouth are common. They are usually mild and go away after a couple of weeks.
If you and your doctor decide to take you off venlafaxine, your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually to help prevent extra side effects. Venlafaxine has lots of different brand names including Efexor XL. Check with your doctor before starting to take venlafaxine if you: have had an allergic reaction to venlafaxine or any other medicines in the past have a heart problem - as venlafaxine can speed up or change your heartbeat are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant or you are breastfeeding have an eye problem called glaucoma because venlafaxine can increase the pressure in your eye have epilepsy or are having electroconvulsive treatment - venlafaxine may increase your risk of having a seizure If you have diabetes , venlafaxine can make it more difficult to keep your blood sugar stable.
How much to take The usual starting dose of venlafaxine is 75mg a day. What if I forget to take it? What if I take too much? Urgent advice: Call your doctor straight away if:. Common side effects These side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Keep taking the medicine, but tell your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away: feeling sick headaches sweating dry mouth trouble sleeping feeling dizzy feeling sleepy constipation Serious side effects It is not common, but some people less than 1 in may have serious side effects when taking venlafaxine.
Information: You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. What to do about: feeling sick - try taking venlafaxine with or after food. It may also help if you avoid rich or spicy food. If it carries on, tell your doctor. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking venlafaxine. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you don't faint, then sit until you feel better.
Do not drive or use tools or machines if you feel dizzy or if you just feel a bit shaky. Cut down the amount of alcohol you drink as this will make you feel more tired.
If this symptom does not go away after a week or 2, ask your doctor for advice. Try to exercise , for example, by going for a daily walk or run. If this doesn't help, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
Watch this short video about how to treat constipation. Venlafaxine and breastfeeding If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, venlafaxine can be used during breastfeeding. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start venlafaxine : any medicines that affect your heartbeat - as venlafaxine can speed up or change your heartbeat.
Some rarely used antidepressants can interact with venlafaxine to cause very high blood pressure even when they have been stopped for a few weeks. Mixing venlafaxine with herbal remedies and supplements Do not take the herbal remedy for depression, St John's wort, while you are being treated with venlafaxine as it will increase your risk of side effects.
Important Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements. How does venlafaxine work? When will I feel better? How will it make me feel? How long will I take it for? Is it safe to take it for a long time? For most people, venlafaxine is safe to take for a long time. How do I come off venlafaxine?
These include: dizziness feeling sick numbness or tingling in the hands or feet trouble sleeping feeling agitated or anxious headaches shaking Important Do not stop taking venlafaxine suddenly, or without talking to your doctor first.
Is venlafaxine better than other antidepressants? Are there other treatments that will help? Other potential treatments for depression include: talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy exercise programmes help to get a good night's rest if sleep is a problem Other potential treatments for anxiety include: talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy joining a self-help group using relaxation techniques Choosing a treatment that's most suitable for you depends on: how long you've had depression or anxiety and your symptoms whether previous treatment has worked how likely you are to stick with your treatment the potential side effects your preferences and priorities If you're interested in any of these treatments, talk to your doctor.
Will it affect my fertility? Is there any food or drink I need to avoid? You can eat and drink normally while taking venlafaxine. Will I gain or lose weight? Will it affect my sex life?
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