What is the information about Effexor (Venlafaxine)?

From the Guidelines

Effexor (venlafaxine) is an antidepressant medication that should be used with caution due to its potential for increased risk of cardiovascular events and suicidal thoughts, and its common side effects include nausea, headache, and dizziness, as reported in studies such as 1 and 2.

Key Points

• Effexor belongs to the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class of medications.
• Typical starting doses are 37.5 mg or 75 mg once daily, often gradually increased to an effective dose of 75-225 mg daily.
• Common side effects include nausea, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, increased sweating, and insomnia.
• Patients should be aware that Effexor requires gradual discontinuation under medical supervision to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
• The medication works by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which helps regulate mood and reduce anxiety.

Important Considerations

• Patients should inform their doctor about all other medications they take, as Effexor can interact with MAOIs, other antidepressants, and certain pain medications, potentially causing serious side effects, as noted in 3 and 4.
• Effexor may be associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events, and patients with cardiac disease should be prescribed the medication with caution, as reported in 5 and 6.
• The medication may also increase the risk for nonfatal suicide attempts, and patients should be closely monitored for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, as discussed in 7 and 8.

Dosage and Administration

• Effexor is available in immediate-release tablets taken 2-3 times daily or extended-release capsules (Effexor XR) taken once daily.
• The maximum recommended dose is 375 mg daily.
• Patients should follow their doctor's instructions for taking the medication and report any changes in their condition or side effects.

From the FDA Drug Label

Venlafaxine HCl and other antidepressant medicines may cause serious side effects, including:

1. Suicidal thoughts or actions: • Venlafaxine HCl and other antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, or young adults within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed • Depression or other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts or actions.

Venlafaxine HCl may be associated with these serious side effects: 2 Serotonin Syndrome

3. Changes in blood pressure
4. Enlarged pupils (mydriasis).
5. Anxiety and insomnia.
6. Changes in appetite or weight. 7 Manic/hypomanic episodes:
7. Low salt (sodium) levels in the blood. 10.Abnormal bleeding: 11.Elevated cholesterol. 12.Lung disease and pneumonia:
8. Severe allergic reactions:

The information about Effexor (Venlafaxine) includes serious side effects such as:

• Suicidal thoughts or actions
• Serotonin Syndrome
• Changes in blood pressure
• Enlarged pupils (mydriasis)
• Anxiety and insomnia
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Manic/hypomanic episodes
• Low salt (sodium) levels in the blood
• Abnormal bleeding
• Elevated cholesterol
• Lung disease and pneumonia
• Severe allergic reactions It is also known that venlafaxine HCl may cause sleepiness or may affect your ability to make decisions, think clearly, or react quickly 9. Common possible side effects in people who take venlafaxine HCl include:
• Unusual dreams
• Sexual problems
• Loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, or dry mouth
• Feeling tired, fatigued or overly sleepy
• Change in sleep habits, problems sleeping
• Yawning
• Tremor or shaking
• Dizziness, blurred vision
• Sweating
• Feeling anxious, nervous or jittery
• Headache
• Increase in heart rate 10. Venlafaxine HCl is a structurally novel antidepressant for oral administration, with the empirical formula of C17H27NO2 HCl and a molecular weight of 313.87 11.

From the Research

Overview of Effexor (Venlafaxine)

• Effexor, also known as Venlafaxine, is an antidepressant that belongs to the class of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) 12, 13.
• It is used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and some other conditions 12, 14.

Efficacy and Safety

• Studies have shown that Venlafaxine is effective in treating major depressive disorder, with response rates similar to those of other antidepressants 12, 13, 14.
• The efficacy of Venlafaxine has been demonstrated in both immediate release (IR) and extended release (XR) formulations, with the XR formulation offering the convenience of once-daily dosing 13, 14.
• Venlafaxine has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated, with common side effects including nausea, dizziness, and headache 13, 14.

Comparison with Other Antidepressants

• Venlafaxine has been compared to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in terms of its efficacy and safety, with some studies suggesting that it may be more effective in certain patient populations 15.
• However, other studies have found that Venlafaxine and SSRIs have similar efficacy and safety profiles 13, 14.

Predicting Response to Venlafaxine

• Research has identified early response assessment and therapeutic drug monitoring as potential predictors of response to Venlafaxine 16.
• Patients who show an early improvement in symptoms and have higher serum levels of the active metabolite O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV) may be more likely to achieve a full response to treatment 16.

Special Considerations

• Venlafaxine has been associated with a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in some patient populations, particularly those with a history of suicidal behavior 15.
• Patients who take Venlafaxine should be closely monitored for signs of suicidal ideation and behavior, and should receive regular follow-up care to ensure their safety 15.