Brand Name

Effexor XR {Pfizer}

Generic Name

venlafaxine hydrochloride, pronounced VEN la fax een HY dro Klo ride

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Effexor XR?

Effexor XR is the brand name of an antidepressant medicine made by Pfizer. The generic name of the drug is venlafaxine hydrochloride. It is pronounced as ven-la-fax-een hy-dro-klo-ride. The medicine is also known as Venlafaxine XR or simply as Venlafaxine.

The antidepressant is used to regulate symptoms of clinical depression. Adults suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and social anxiety disorder may also take the medicine to regulate systems. Effexor XR is recommended for people who have agoraphobia. There are other uses of the drug.

Key Facts About Effexor XR

Effexor XR is an SSNRI drug. SSRNRI is a select group of medicines that act as selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Effexor XR aims to neutralize the chemical imbalance in the brain that causes anxiety, depression and panic disorder. The drug is usually recommended for those suffering from anxiety disorder and clinical depression.

Effexor XR should not be taken with Pristiq or desvenlafaxine, Mellaril or thioridazine, Furoxone or furazolidone, Marplan or isocarboxazid, Nardil or phenelzine, Azilect or rasagiline, Eldepryl or selegiline, Emsam or Zelapar and Parnate or tranylcypromine. These medicines react with Effexor XR and cause dangerous side effects.

Many people, especially young adults, report having suicidal thoughts after they start to take Effexor XR. If you have such experiences then you should immediately speak with your doctor. It is better if you regularly consult with your physician during the first twelve weeks of the course.

Effexor XR has some side effects and the symptoms of depression or anxiety may not subside immediately after you start taking the drug. You may experience panic attacks, impulsiveness, aggression, irritability, mood swings, hyperactivity and you could have trouble sleeping. All such symptoms should be reported, urgently if they get worse. New symptoms should also be reported to the doctor.

Once you start taking the drug, do not indulge in alcohol consumption. The drug can also interfere with your reasoning, thinking and reactions. It is imperative that you remain meticulous while driving or when you are doing anything that demands complete focus or attention. The first few weeks are the most trying for most people.

Before You Take Effexor XR

Don’t take the drug if you have had allergic reactions to venlafaxine or you are presently on a course of Pristic, generic name desvenlafaxine. You should stop taking Furoxone, Marplan, Nardil, Azilect, Eldepryl, Zelapar, Emsam and Parnate. You cannot switch from any of these MAO inhibitors to Effexor XR immediately. You should wait for a fortnight. If you have to resume taking any of these inhibitors, then you should speak with your doctor. Usually, you would have wait for five days or longer before you can switch from Effexor XR to the inhibitors.

Effexor XR should not be taken by adults suffering from glaucoma, liver disease and kidney disease. Anyone with a history of bipolar disorder, manic depression, drug abuse and suicidal tendencies or even thoughts of self harm should share the same with the doctor. If you have epilepsy or have had seizures in the past, if you have a blood clotting or bleeding disorder, then Effexor XR may not be ideal for you.

Effexor XR is classified as pregnancy category C by the United States Food and Drug Administration. This effectively means that Effexor XR is not safe for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Effexor XR is not prescribed to minors, anyone younger than eighteen years of age at the time of recommending the drug. The side effects of the drug are much more profound in older adults and senior citizens.

You should consult with the doctor if you are presently taking any medicines for allergy, cold, pain, to help you sleep, for relief from anxiety or for seizures. Any medicine that makes you feel sleepy or lethargic and has the effect of a sedative will interact with Effexor XR

Effexor XR Drug Interactions

Don’t combine Effexor XR with Axert or almotriptan, Elavil or amitriptyline, Asendin or amoxapine, Celexa or citalopram, Anafranil or clomipramine, Norpramin or desipramine, Lexapro or escitalopram, Prozac or fluoxetine, Luvox or fluvoxamine, Tofranil or imipramine, Pamelor or nortriptyline, Paxil or paroxetine, Vivactil or protriptyline, Zoloft of sertraline and Surmontil or trimipramine.

You should tell your doctor if you are taking aspirin, Tagamet or cimetidine, Cipro or ciprofloxacin, any over the counter medications for allergy or cold, Voltaren or diclofenac, water pills or diuretics, Lodine or etodolac, Frova or frovatriptan, Motrin and Advil or ibuprofen, indomethacin, Zyvox or linezolid, Eskalith and Lithobid or lithium, Relafen or nabumetone, Naprosyn and Aleve or naproxen, Amerge or naratriptan, Feldene or piroxicam, Maxalt or rizatriptan, Imitrex or sumatriptan, Ultram or tramadol, tryptophan, Coumadin or warfarin and Zomig or zolmitriptan.

Effexor XR may interact with health supplements, vitamins and any type of herbal products. You should consult your doctor before consuming any such product. You should not start any new course of medication without the approval of your doctor. If you have to resume any old medication, your doctor must be made aware of it and should approve.

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• almotriptan (Axert)
• antidepressants like amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), protriptyline (Vivactil), sertraline (Zoloft), and trimipramine (Surmontil).
• aspirin
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• diclofenac (Voltaren)
• diuretics (water pills)
• etodolac (Lodine)
• fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• frovatriptan (Frova)
• haloperidol (Haldol)
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• indomethacin
• ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• linezolid (Zyvox)
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith)
• nabumetone (Relafen)
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
• naratriptan (Amerge)
• piroxicam (Feldene)
• risperidone (Risperdal)
• rizatriptan (Maxalt)
• St. John’s wort
• sumatriptan (Imitrex)
• tramadol (Ultram)
• tryptophan (sometimes called L-tryptophan)
• warfarin (Coumadin)
• zolmitriptan (Zomig)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Effexor XR. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Effexor XR

Your doctor will provide you with all the instructions including course details, dosage and when & how to take Effexor XR. Follow these instructions stringently. Do not make any changes to the course, dosage or timing of taking the drug. In most cases, the medicine must be taken every day, morning or evening. You should take it at the exact same time with food or you can have a glass of water.

Keep the medicine in a dry place away from light and heat. Refrigeration is not necessary. You should give it four weeks to experience substantial relief from symptoms. You should not miss a dose of Effexor XR. If you do, try to take it whenever you remember but you should not combine two doses. Do not make changes to your course or dosage without the approval of your doctor. There would be side effects if you stop taking Effexor XR abruptly. Don’t chew, crush or bite the capsule. It is to be swallowed. Effexor XR is a controlled release capsule.

Effexor XR Side Effects

There are many side effects of Effexor XR. You may experience allergies such as hives, breathing problem and swelling in your lips, face, tongue or throat. Aggression, hostile behavior and a sense of agitation are common. Panic attacks and anxiety, bruising, bouts of depression, itching sensations, lack of concentration, trouble recollecting memories, fever, headaches, hallucinations, sleeping problem including insomnia, overactive reflexes, restlessness and jaundice are other known side effects. Regardless of the type of side effect you experience, if it is discomforting or substantial serious, you should immediately contact your doctor and opt for emergency medical care.

You may also experience a burning sensation in the eyes, pain in your skin accompanied by rash, reddishness or tinges of purple and that would spread across the torso and face, resulting in peeling and blisters. You might feel rigidity or stiffness in your muscles, breathing may be shallow, gait may be unsteady and your urine may be darker than usual. Some of the milder side effects of Effexor XR are drowsiness, constipation, appetite loss, dry mouth and nausea, blurred vision, reduced sex drive, impotence, excessive sweating, strange dreams and changes in weight

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Effexor XR and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction such as breathing difficulties, hives, swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• aggressive, agitated or hostile behavior
• anxiety or panic attacks
• bruising easily or more often
• depression that has increased
• difficulty concentrating and memory problems
• feeling faint
• fever
• hallucinations
• headaches
• increased heart rate
• insomnia or trouble sleeping
• jaundice
• overactive reflexes
• restlessness or hyperactivity
• skin reaction that is severe and accompanied by a fever, sore throat, swelling of your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, and culminating with a red or purple skin rash that spreads in your face or upper body and causes blistering and peeling.
• stiff or rigid muscles
• trouble breathing or shallow breath
• suicidal thoughts or thoughts about hurting yourself
• unsteady gait or difficulty walking
• unusual bleeding

Less serious side effects of Effexor XR may include:

• blurred vision
• constipation
• decreased sex drive
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• impotence
• increased sweating
• loss of appetite
• mild nausea
• nervous feeling
• strange dreams
• weight changes

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Effexor XR. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Effexor XR Description and Dosing

Effexor XR is available in capsules of 37.5mg, 75mg and 150mg.

Effexor XR is supplied as a 37.5mg capsule, with a grey cap and peach body with “Effexor XR” on the cap and “37.5” on the body.

The 75mgEffexor XR capsule is a peach cap and body with “Effexor XR” on the cap and “75” on the body.

The 150mg Effexor XR capsule has a dark orange cap and body with “Effexor XR” on the cap and “150” on the body.

Your doctor will prescribe your dose of Effexor based on your specific condition and individual medical needs. You should take Effexor exactly as it is prescribed for you.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Effexor XR you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Effexor XR

The primary active ingredient in Effexor XR is venlafaxine. Inactive ingredients consist of cellulose, ethylcellulose, gelatin, hypromellose, iron oxide, and titanium dioxide.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.