Venlafaxine extended-release capsules
What do venlafaxine extended-release capsules do?
VENLAFAXINE (Effexor(R) XR) is an antidepressant, a medicine that helps to lift mental depression. Venlafaxine can help patients whose depression has not responded to other medications. Venlafaxine is also effective for the treatment of anxiety or other nervous conditions. Occasionally it is prescribed for other purposes.
What should my health care professional know before I take venlafaxine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• anorexia or weight loss
• attempted suicide
• high blood pressure or heart problems
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• mania or bipolar disorder
• seizures (convulsions)
• an unusual or allergic reaction to venlafaxine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take venlafaxine capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not cut, crush, or chew the capsules, swallow them whole. Swallow the capsules with a drink of water. Take venlafaxine capsules with food. Try to take your dose at about the same time each day. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking the capsules except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is less than two hours to your next dose, take only that dose and skip the missed dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What other medicines can interact with venlafaxine?
• alcohol
• certain migraine headache medicines (naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan)
• cimetidine
• furazolidone
• linezolid
• lithium
• medicines for heart rhythm or blood pressure
• medications for weight control or appetite
• medicines called MAO inhibitors-phenelzine (Nardil(R)), tranylcypromine (Parnate(R)), isocarboxazid (Marplan(R))
• other medicines for mental depression, mania, or anxiety
• procarbazine
• selegiline
• St. John's wort, Hypericum perforatum
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking venlafaxine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:
• difficulty breathing
• fainting spells
• mania (over-active behavior)
• problems passing urine (increase or decrease in frequency)
• rapid heartbeat, or palpitations
• seizures (convulsions)
More common:
• changes in vision (blurred vision)
• sexual difficulties (abnormal ejaculation or orgasm, difficult or painful erections, impotence)
• vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• anxiety
• dry mouth
• constipation
• dizziness, drowsiness
• increased sweating
• loss of appetite, loss of weight
• nausea
• tremor
• weakness or tiredness