Generic Name: Venlafaxine (Oral route)

Brand Name: Effexor XR

Uses For Effexor-XR

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription .

Venlafaxine is used to treat mental depression. It is also used to treat certain anxiety disorders or to relieve the symptoms of anxiety. However, it generally is not used for anxiety or tension caused by the stress of everyday life. Venlafaxine is also used to treat panic disorders .

Do NOT use Effexor XR Extended-Release Tablets if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Effexor XR Extended-Release Tablets

you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine), selegiline, or St. John's wort within the last 14 days

you are taking a fenfluramine derivative (eg, dexfenfluramine), methylene blue, nefazodone, sibutramine, tramadol, or tryptophan

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

How Taken

Effexor XR comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day and should be taken with food. Each capsule should be swallowed whole with fluid and not divided, crushed, chewed, or placed in water, or it may be administered by carefully opening the capsule and sprinkling the entire contents on a spoonful of applesauce. This drug/food mixture should be swallowed immediately without chewing and followed with a glass of water to ensure complete swallowing of the pellets.

Warnings/Precautions

Before starting Effexor XR, tell your doctor about any medicines you\'re taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. If you take MAOIs you should not take Effexor XR. If you are taking antidepressants you should be watched closely for signs that your condition is getting worse or that you are becoming suicidal, especially when you first start therapy, or when your dose is increased or decreased. You should also be watched for becoming agitated, irritable, hostile, impulsive, or restless. Such symptoms should be reported to your doctor right away. Effexor XR may raise blood pressure in some patients, so blood pressure should be monitored regularly. When you suddenly stop using or quickly lower your daily dose of Effexor XR, discontinuation symptoms may occur. Talk to your doctor before discontinuing or reducing your dose of Effexor XR. Pregnant or nursing women shouldn\'t take any antidepressant without consulting their doctor. Until you see how Effexor XR affects you, be careful doing such activities as driving a car or operating machinery. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Effexor XR.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Possible Side Effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Effexor XR and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); seizures; or an irregular heartbeat or severely high blood pressure (blurred vision, headache). Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Effexor XR and talk to your doctor if you experience nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, abdominal pain, or loss of appetite or weight; dry mouth; drowsiness or dizziness; mild tremor, anxiety, or agitation; insomnia; abnormal dreams; sexual problems such as impotence, abnormal ejaculation, difficulty reaching orgasm, or decreased libido; sweating; yawning; or increase in blood cholesterol levels (detected by blood tests); Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Storage

Store Effexor XR at room temperature (68F to 77F or 20C to 25C). Keep Effexor XR away from children.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of an Effexor XR overdose may include dizziness, drowsiness, numbness, nausea, irregular heartbeats, seizures, and unconsciousness.

More Information

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Effexor XR may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion Do not stop taking Effexor XR without first talking to your doctor. Your doctor may need to gradually reduce the dose before stopping the medication completely. Stopping the medication suddenly may cause unpleasant side effects to occur.

General information:

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

If you have any questions about Effexor XR Extended-Release Tablets, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Effexor XR Extended-Release Tablets are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

This information is summary only. It does not contain all information about Effexor XR Extended-Release Tablets. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.