Venlafaxine (Effexor) is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

Venlafaxine (Effexor) affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression.

Take this medication with a full glass of water. Venlafaxine (Effexor) should be taken with food. Swallow the controlled-release capsule (Effexor XR) whole, without crushing or chewing.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

skin rash or hives
difficulty breathing
swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Contact your doctor promptly if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse:

mood changes
anxiety
panic attacks
trouble sleeping
irritability
agitation
aggressiveness
severe restlessness
mania (mental and/or physical hyperactivity)
thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision);

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, fast heartbeat; hallucinations, loss of coordination, fainting, coma;

seizure (convulsions);

extreme thirst with headache, nausea, vomiting, and weakness; or

easy bruising or bleeding.

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.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Venlafaxine (Effexor). Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Before taking Venlafaxine (Effexor), tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:

cimetidine
warfarin
ketoconazole
tryptophan
haloperidol
risperidone
almotriptan
frovatriptan
sumatriptan
naratriptan
rizatriptan
zolmitriptan
any other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Ascendin), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), protriptyline (Vivactil), sertraline (Zoloft), or trimipramine (Surmontil).

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include sleepiness, irregular heartbeat, and seizures

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Venlafaxine (Effexor). Using too much of this medicine in addition to drinking alcohol can cause death.

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures, other medication for depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Venlafaxine (Effexor).

Venlafaxine (Effexor) can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

If you take Venlafaxine (Effexor) once a day at bedtime and do not remember to take it until the next morning, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

If you take several doses per day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.

Venlafaxine (Effexor) is used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, and panic disorder.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more infromation.

Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture.

Before taking Venlafaxine (Effexor), tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medications, or if you have:

bipolar disorder
cirrhosis or other liver disease
kidney disease
high blood pressure
glaucoma
seizures or epilepsy
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder
high cholesterol

If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may not be able to take Venlafaxine (Effexor), or you may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.