Venlafaxine belongs to a class of antidepressants called serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs. It is thought to work by increasing the levels of mood-enhancing chemicals called serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain.
It is used to treat depression and sometimes anxiety and panic attacks.
Venlafaxine can help people recover from depression and has fewer side effects than some older antidepressants.
It comes in tablet form and capsules are available by prescription only.
Uses of Venlafaxine
Venlafaxine is used to treat depression. It can improve your mood and energy levels, and can help you restore interest in everyday life. Venlafaxine is known as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain.
How to take venlafaxine orally?
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using venlafaxine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication as directed by your doctor, usually 2 to 3 times daily with food.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Take this medicine regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may get worse when this medicine is suddenly stopped. In addition, you may experience symptoms such as confusion, mood swings, blurred vision, headache, fatigue, sleep changes, and a transient feeling similar to an electric shock. Your dose may need to be gradually reduced to reduce side effects. Report any new or worsening symptoms immediately.
Side Effects
Nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, loss of appetite, blurred vision, nervousness, trouble sleeping, unusual sweating, or yawning may occur. If any of these effects persist or get worse, tell your doctor right away.
Remember that this medicine was prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people who use this drug have no serious side effects.
This medicine may increase your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and let your doctor know if the results are high.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: easy bruising/bleeding, decreased sex drive, changes in sex drive, muscle cramps/weakness, tremor (( run).
Precautions while using Venlafaxin
Before taking venlafaxine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or desvenlafaxin ; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which may cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding problems, personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type), high blood pressure, heart problems (such as heart failure, previous heart attack), high cholesterol, kidney disease, liver disease, seizure disorder, thyroid disease.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that requires alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (marijuana).
Before surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially dizziness when standing. Older adults are also more likely to develop a type of salt imbalance (hyponatremia), especially if they are taking “water pills” (diuretics). Dizziness and salt imbalance can increase the risk of falls. Older adults may also have a higher risk of bleeding while using this medicine.
Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug, especially loss of appetite and weight loss. Monitor weight and height in children taking this medicine.
During pregnancy, this medicine should be used only when clearly needed. It can harm an unborn baby. In addition, babies born to mothers who have used this medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy may rarely develop withdrawal symptoms such as difficulty feeding/breathing, seizures, muscle stiffness, or fussiness. continuous. If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn, tell your doctor right away.
Because untreated mental/mood problems (such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks) can be a serious condition, do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. . If you are planning to become pregnant, are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, discuss with your doctor right away the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy.
This medicine passes into breast milk and may have unwanted effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
- It usually takes 4 to 6 weeks for venlafaxine to fully work, although you should start to feel better after 1 to 2 weeks.
- Side effects such as feeling nauseous, headache, sweating, and dry mouth are common. They are usually mild and go away after a few weeks.
- If you and your doctor decide to stop taking venlafaxine, your doctor will recommend that you reduce your dose gradually to help prevent withdrawal symptoms.
- Venlafaxine can make your heart beat faster or cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), so your doctor may think this medicine is not suitable if you are taking medicine for your heart.
- Venlafaxine won’t change your personality, it just makes you feel like yourself again.
