Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: VENLAFAXINE (VEN-la-fax-een)
This medicine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used to treat depression. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: ANTIDEPRESSANTS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF SUICIDAL THOUGHTS OR ACTIONS in children, teenagers, and young adults. However, depression and certain other mental problems may also increase the risk of suicide. Talk with the patient's doctor to be sure that the benefits of using this medicine outweigh the risks. Family and caregivers must closely watch patients who take this medicine. It is important to keep in close contact with the patient's doctor. Tell the doctor right away if the patient has symptoms like worsened depression, suicidal thoughts, or changes in behavior. Discuss any questions with the patient's doctor. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are taking or have taken selegiline, St. John's wort, or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (such as phenelzine) within the last 14 days. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking a fenfluramine derivative (such as dexfenfluramine), methylene blue, nefazodone, sibutramine, or tryptophan. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking anticoagulants (such as warfarin), aspirin, certain diet medicines (such as phentermine), linezolid, lithium, metoclopramide, rasagiline, serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (such as fluoxetine), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (such as duloxetine), 5-HT1 receptor agonists (such as sumatriptan), tramadol, trazodone, tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) (such as ibuprofen), diuretics (such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide), cimetidine, ketoconazole, cyproheptadine, aripiprazole, haloperidol, phenothiazines (such as chlorpromazine or thioridazine), or risperidone. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. TELL YOUR DOCTOR if you will be having electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including dehydration, low blood sodium levels, alcohol use, or a history of seizures, heart problems (such as heart failure, irregular heartbeat), abnormal ECG, recent heart attack, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, liver or kidney problems, lung problems, stomach or bowel bleeding, blood or bleeding problems, increased eye pressure (such as glaucoma), nervous system problems, metabolism problems, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Inform your doctor if you or a family member have a history of bipolar disorder (manic depression), other mental or mood problems, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or alcohol or substance abuse. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE COMES WITH A MEDICATION GUIDE. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. TAKE THIS MEDICINE with food. DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. Side effects, including loss of coordination or balance, mental or mood changes, numbness or tingling of the skin, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, increased sweating, nausea, ringing in the ears, seizures, tremor, trouble sleeping, or unusual tiredness may occur. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), away from heat and light. Taking this medicine at the same time(s) each day will help you to remember. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel better. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LAB APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. CHILDREN, TEENAGERS, AND ADULTS WHO TAKE THIS MEDICINE MAY BE AT INCREASED RISK FOR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS OR ACTIONS. Watch all patients who take this medicine closely, especially at the start of treatment with this medicine and whenever a change in dose is made. CONTACT THE DOCTOR AT ONCE if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR AT ONCE if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur. This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL while you are using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE WILL ADD TO THE EFFECTS of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants. SEROTONIN SYNDROME and NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME (NMS) are possibly fatal syndromes that can be caused by this medicine. Your risk may be greater if you take this medicine with certain other medicines (eg, "triptans", MAOIs, antipsychotics). Symptoms may include blood pressure changes; agitation; confusion; hallucinations; other mental or mood changes; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; tremor; excessive sweating; rigid muscles; and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms. IF YOUR DOCTOR TELLS YOU TO STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE, you will need to wait for a period of time before beginning to take certain other medicines (including MAOI's, nefazodone). Ask your doctor when you should start to take your new medicines after you have stopped taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine, especially low blood sodium levels. This medicine may cause weight and growth changes. CHILDREN and teenagers may need regular weight and growth checks while they take this medicine. FOR WOMEN: This medicine may cause harm to the fetus if it is used during the last 3 months of pregnancy. IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include anxiety, blurred vision, changes in taste, constipation, decreased sexual desire or ability, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, flushing, headache, increased sweating, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, stomach upset, trouble sleeping, vomiting, weakness, weight loss, or yawning. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience loss of balance; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; vision problems; ringing in the ears; or significant weight loss. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience bizarre behavior; blood in the stools; chest pain or discomfort; shortness of breath; severe or persistent cough; confusion; fast or irregular heartbeat; new or worsening agitation, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, restlessness, or inability to sit still; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; memory problems; severe or persistent anxiety, nervousness, or trouble sleeping; severe or persistent headache, dizziness, or stomach pain; suicidal thoughts or actions; tremor; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or severe mental or mood changes; or worsening of depression. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice any unusual effects, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include coma; dilated pupils; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; muscle pain or weakness; new or worsening mental or mood problems; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness, drowsiness, or vomiting; trouble breathing; yellowing of the eyes or skin.
SEVERAL WEEKS MAY PASS before your symptoms improve. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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