From the Guidelines
Venlafaxine can cause stomach pain as a side effect, particularly when first starting the medication or after dose increases, as evidenced by the common adverse events reported in studies, including nausea and gastrointestinal symptoms 1. The most commonly reported adverse events associated with second-generation antidepressants, including venlafaxine, were constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, insomnia, nausea, sexual adverse events, and somnolence, with nausea and vomiting being the most common reasons for discontinuation in efficacy studies 1. Some key points to consider:
- Stomach pain may occur alongside other gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, constipation, or diarrhea
- These side effects often improve within a few weeks as your body adjusts to the medication
- Taking venlafaxine with food can help reduce stomach discomfort
- If you experience severe or persistent stomach pain, you should contact your healthcare provider, as they may recommend taking the medication with meals, adjusting the dosage, switching to the extended-release formulation (Effexor XR), or trying a different antidepressant altogether The stomach pain occurs because venlafaxine affects serotonin levels not only in the brain but also in the gut, where serotonin plays a role in digestive function, as suggested by the association of second-generation antidepressants with various adverse effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms 1. Never stop taking venlafaxine suddenly without medical supervision, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms.
From the Research
Venlafaxine and Stomach Pain
- Venlafaxine, also known as Effexor, is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor used to treat various conditions, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and certain pain syndromes 2.
- While venlafaxine is used to treat pain syndromes, including gastrointestinal pain, it can also cause gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain 3, 4.
- A study on the effects of venlafaxine on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome found that venlafaxine improved gastrointestinal symptoms, but also caused side effects like vomiting, nausea, and sleep disturbance 3.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of gastrointestinal side effects associated with antidepressant treatments, including venlafaxine, found that all considered antidepressants showed higher rates of gastrointestinal side effects than placebo, with venlafaxine being associated with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain 4.
- Another study reported a case of dose-related paresthesias in a patient taking venlafaxine, but did not specifically mention stomach pain as a side effect 5.
- An early review of venlafaxine mentioned that its side-effect profile is similar to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, with mainly nausea as a side effect, but did not provide detailed information on stomach pain 6.