Venlafaxine
Introduction To Venlafaxine
Venlafaxine is used in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorder. It alters the chemicals in the brain that cause symptoms of anxiety such as irritability, restlessness, lack of concentration, fatigue, sweating, increased heart rate, and unwanted or racing thoughts.
Venlafaxine should be taken with food. It is advised to take this medicine at a fixed time each day to maintain a consistent level in the blood. If you miss any doses, take it as soon as you remember. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. This medication mustn't be stopped suddenly as it may worsen your symptoms.
Some common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, insomnia (difficulty in sleeping), decreased appetite, anxiety, constipation, increased sweating, and sexual dysfunction. It may cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. However, these side effects are temporary and usually resolve on their own in some time. Please consult your doctor if these do not subside or bother you.
Before taking Venlafaxine, inform your doctor if you have any problems with your kidneys, heart, liver, or have a history of seizures (epilepsy or fits). Inform your doctor if you develop any unusual changes in mood or behavior, new or worsening depression, or if you have any suicidal thoughts.
Uses of Venlafaxine
- Depression
- Anxiety disorder
Benefits of Venlafaxine
Depression
Venlafaxine helps in maintaining the balance of certain chemicals in the brain
that affect mood and behavior. This improves your mood, relieves anxiety,
tension, helps you sleep better, and increases your energy levels. Venlafaxine
prevents extreme mood changes and helps you feel less agitated. You may
experience fewer episodes of depression and low mood.
Anxiety disorder
Venlafaxine works by stopping your brain from releasing the chemicals that make
you feel anxious so it can reduce the symptoms of excessive anxiety and worry.
It can also reduce feelings of restlessness, tiredness, difficulty
concentrating, irritability, and sleep problems that often come with Anxiety
disorder. It will therefore help you go about your daily activities more
easily and be more productive. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel
well. Stopping suddenly can cause serious problems.
Side effects of Venlafaxine
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Venfine
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
- Decreased appetite
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Increased sweating
- Sexual dysfunction
How to use Venlafaxine
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Venlafaxine is to be taken with food.
How Venlafaxine works
Venlafaxine works by increasing the levels of chemical messengers (serotonin and noradrenaline), natural substances in the brain that help maintain mental balance.
Quick tips
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Venlafaxine helps in treating depression and anxiety.
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It may take 2 to 4 weeks for Venlafaxine to start working. Keep taking it as prescribed.
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It may cause dizziness and sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
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Avoid consuming alcohol when taking Venlafaxine as it may cause excessive drowsiness and increase the risk of liver damage.
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It may cause a sensation of restlessness, especially when you first start taking it. Inform your doctor if this happens to you.
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Talk to your doctor if you notice sudden mood changes or develop suicidal thoughts.
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Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor.
Safety Advice
PregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Venlafaxine if I’m pregnant?
Venlafaxine may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
BreastfeedingCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Venlafaxine if I’m breastfeeding?
Venlafaxine is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby. Babies should be monitored for excessive sleepiness and adequate weight gain.
AlcoholUNSAFE
Is drinking alcohol while taking Venlafaxine safe?
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Venlafaxine.
DrivingUNSAFE
Can I drive after taking Venlafaxine?
Venlafaxine may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive. As side effects of Venlafaxine are dizziness, confusion and eye sight changes such as blurred vision and this may affect your ability to drive.
KidneyCAUTION
Can I take Venlafaxine if I have/had kidney diseases?
Venlafaxine should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Venlafaxine may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
LiverCAUTION
Can I take Venlafaxine if I have/had liver diseases?
Venlafaxine should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Venlafaxine may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can Venlafaxine cause sedation?
Yes. Venlafaxine can cause sedation. You should inform your doctor if you are taking any other sleep inducing medicines before starting Venlafaxine.
Q. Is Venlafaxine a psychotropic drug?
Yes. Venlafaxine is a psychotropic drug. Any medication capable of affecting the mind, emotions, and behaviour are called psychotropic drugs.
Q. Is Venlafaxine a narcotic?
No. Venlafaxine is not a narcotic drug. Narcotics are drugs with sleep inducing properties, usual derivatives of Opium like Heroin and Morphine.
Q. What is the difference between Venlafaxine ER and XR?
Both are same medication. Venlafaxine ER and XR both means extended release preparation which releases the medication slowly into the body and maintains a constant needed medications levels. The advantage of taking ER/XR tablets is the frequency of dosage can be decreased.
Q. Can I take mirtazapine along with Venlafaxine?
No. There can be a serious side effect when mirtazapine is taken with Venlafaxine. It can cause a serious condition called as serotonin syndrome. It is a potentially life-threatening can present as agitation, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia and coma.
Q. Can I take Venlafaxine with citalopram?
No. Citalopram and Venlafaxine both increase serotonin levels. Avoid or use any alternate drug. It can cause a serious condition called as serotonin syndrome. It is a potentially life-threatening can present as agitation, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia and coma.
Q. What is the relation between Venlafaxine and p-glycoprotein?
P-glycoprotein is responsible for the expulsion of Venlafaxine from the brain. Some studies have shown that Venlafaxine and its metabolite inhibit the p-glycoprotein.
Q. Where is Venlafaxine absorbed?
Venlafaxine is absorbed from the intestine after being metabolised by the liver.
Q. When should I take Venlafaxine?
Venlafaxine is a medication to treat generalised depressive disorder or depression. Consult your doctor before taking this medication.
Q. Can Venlafaxine cause high blood pressure?
Venlafaxine treatment is associated with sustained increases in blood pressure in some people. It is recommended that people who are being treated with Venlafaxine should have regular monitoring of blood pressure. For such people, either dose reduction or discontinuation should be considered.
Q. Can Venlafaxine cause constipation?
Yes. Venlafaxine is known to cause constipation in some patients. Take a fiber- rich diet and drink plenty of water. You may consider taking laxatives as well. Your doctor will suggest ways to prevent or manage it. Please consult your doctor if it does not resolve or gets worse.
Q. Can Venlafaxine cause weight loss?
Yes. Venlafaxine is known to cause weight loss in some patients. In research studies, a dose-dependent weight loss was noted in patients treated with Venlafaxine for several weeks. Please consult your doctor if it bothers you.
Q. Can Venlafaxine cause addiction?
No. Venlafaxine does not have habit-forming potential.
Q. Can I take Venlafaxine tablet instead of a capsule?
You can take a tablet instead of the capsule but only under consultation or prescription of a doctor. You should not change it yourself as the different formulation of a medication may have a different action as drug release would be different in both. This can lead to an inappropriate treatment and may lead to side effects or even failure of treatment.
Q. Can gabapentin be given along with Venlafaxine?
Yes. Gabapentin can be given with Venlafaxine but only with a consultation of a doctor. They both, when given together, causes an increase drowsiness, sleepiness and decreased concentration in work. Take with caution.
Q. What is the difference between Venlafaxine and desvenlafaxine?
Desvenlafaxine is an active metabolite of Venlafaxine. It is the same medication in an active form.
Q. Can fibromyalgia be treated with Venlafaxine?
Venlafaxine is not approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Some research studies have shown promising results of Venlafaxine in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Consult your doctor before starting this medication.
Q. Can nerve pain be treated with Venlafaxine?
Venlafaxine is not approved for treatment of nerve pain disorders but some researchers have proved its efficacy in nerve pain. It is currently used off- label for nerve pain.
Q. Why does Venlafaxine cause loss of appetite?
Venlafaxine is known to cause changes in the neurotransmitters levels and chemicals in the brain which leads to decrease in appetite and this loss of appetite is dose dependent.
Q. What are good alternatives to Venlafaxine, particularly when a side effect is reduced sex drive?
If you find any side effects like decreased sex drive or impotence talk to your doctor and then you can have some other drug. Do not stop Venlafaxine by yourself it can lead to increased adverse effects.
References
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
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