Effexor 

What is Effexor?

Effexor (generic name Venlafaxine) is one of a group of anti-depressants known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI).  Effexor is used for major depressive disorder (MDD) and depression resulting from withdrawal from heroin and opium.  Effexor is often prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder, and comorbid indications in various other anxiety disorders with depression. Effexor should only be used under close supervision of your physician and in dosages as prescribed. 

How Effexor Work?

Effexor acts on serotonin levels in the brain, which are believed to bear directly on moods and moods swings.

Precautions When Taking Effexor:

Do not take Effexor if you are currently taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as Marplan, Nardil, Azilect, Eldepryl, Parnate, or Emsam.  You must wait a minimum of two weeks after your last MAOI dose before you can safely take Effexor.

If you are under twenty-four years old, Effexor may cause thoughts of suicide, so your doctor should see you regularly for the first three-months of treatment.  Adolescents and younger children should not take Effexor, unless specifically directed by their doctor.

If while taking Effexor you experience symptoms of behavioral change or mood swings, contact your doctor.  While using Effexor, you may develop panic attacks or have problems going to sleep or remaining asleep.   In some cases, Effexor can cause agitation, aggressiveness, restlessness, irritability, mental and physical hyperactive traits, or more depression.

While taking Effexor, refrain from the use of alcohol as it can result in side effects.  Do not take other drugs unless they have been approved by your doctor.

You should continue to take Effexor even if you feel better and are not depressed.  Your doctor will tell you when and how to stop taking Effexor.  Suddenly stopping the use of Effexor may cause drastic and rapid reoccurrence of depression as well as other withdrawal problems.  Your doctor will give you a plan for tapering off Effexor. 

Side Effects of Effexor:

While Effexor is used without problems by many people, some experience minor side effects.  The most common side effects with Effexor are headaches, dry mouth, drowsiness, and nausea.  Less than 1% of all users may experience liver problems, hair loss, and/or seizures.  Report all serious side effects from Effexor to your healthcare provider, which might include chest palpitations, sleeplessness, and aggressiveness. 

Effexor may cause dependency if it is used for long periods or the dosage has been very high.  It is not unusual to develop withdrawal reactions of nausea, vomiting, numbness, nightmares, tingling sensations, and headaches.  Effexor does not usually cause withdrawal symptoms when it is gradually reduced until to the point of being totally discontinued. 

Some individuals report no side effects from the use of Effexor and no withdrawal symptoms when they stop using Effexor.  Some side effects occur with 23% of the people who take Effexor regularly, but the severity of the effects is not always that great.  Many of the withdrawal symptoms and side effects for Effexor have an occurrence rate of less than 1%, and Effexor has proven to be one of the safer anti-depressants of those used.

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) is an SNRI medication predominantly used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. It is also sometimes used to treat nerve pain and other conditions.

The XR in this product indicates it's an extended release formula. Effexor XR is taken just once per day, compared to 2 or 3 times per day with regular Effexor.

Patients under age 16 will require modified dosing if taking Effexor XR, and patients up to 24 years old may require additional monitoring at the start of treatment.

Getting Started with Effexor XR

The medication works by normalizing levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Imbalances of the neurotransmitters are associated with disorders like depression and anxiety, and restoring them to more typical levels often helps patients tremendously.

Effexor XR is most often used to treat:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
• Panic Disorder

Though generally not the preferred treatment in other psychiatric conditions, Effexor XR is sometimes used when preferred treatments fail to produce significant results.

Effexor XR comes in both tablets or capsules, both of which should be taken with food. Tablets must be swallowed whole. Capsules can be opened and the contents sprinkled on soft food, which should then be swallowed immediately without chewing. Integrity is important for both tablets and the pellets inside capsules; they should not be split, crushed, chewed, or otherwise damaged; this destroys the extended-release effects and allows too much medication to be absorbed too quickly.

Effexor XR is taken just once per day. It can be taken at any time of day---usually morning or evening---but once a time has been chosen, it should be adhered to.

Treatment is strikingly similar in most cases, though there are slight differences.

For MDD:

• Treatment starts with 37.5 to 75 mg per day.
• If the initial dose does not produce significant results, dosage may be increased in 75 mg increments every four days, up to 225 mg per day.
• Most patients find 75 to 150 mg sufficient.

For GAD:

• Treatment starts with 37.5 to 75 mg per day.
• If the initial dose does not produce significant results, dosage may be increased in 75 mg increments every four days, up to 225 mg per day.
• Most patients find 75 to 150 mg sufficient.

For SAD:

• Treatment starts with 75 mg per day.
• There is no evidence that higher doses will produce greater benefit.
• If 75 mg per day is insufficient, consider alternative treatments.

For panic disorder:

• Start with 37.5 once per day for 7 days.
• If 37.5 mg is not sufficient after 7 days, increase dosage to 75 mg per day.
• If needed, dosage may be further increased in 75 mg increments every seven days, up to 225 mg per day.

Dosage rarely exceeds 225 per day in any condition outside of a hospital setting.

Treatment should continue for as long as it provides benefit, usually 6 to 9 months. Higher doses and longer duration of treatment are associated with increased risk and severity of side effects.

Ending Treatment

Effexor XR should not be stopped abruptly; withdrawal effects are likely, and can be quite unpleasant. Treatment should be gradually reduced over time, usually in 75 mg increments per week. Some individuals will need a personalized discontinuation plan; speak with a doctor.

Risks & Warnings

The most common side effects from Effexor XR are usually mild and often stop occurring as the body adjusts to treatment, including:

• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Appetite loss
• Constipation
• Insomnia
• Sweating

Effexor XR can interact with a wide range of other medications, both prescription and over-the-counter. Some of these interactions are potentially serious; patients are strongly encouraged to consult a doctor or pharmacist before mixing medications.

In younger patients under 24 years of age, SNRIs sometimes have a paradoxical effect of worsening mental disorders in the first few weeks of treatment. These patients are often monitored more closely than other patients at the start of treatment. Symptoms to watch for include:

• Increased anxiety or depression
• Increased hostility or aggression
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• Irritability
• Agitation
• Hyperactivity

These effects are very unlikely to develop in older patients.