What is venlafaxine?
Venlafaxine (generic Effexor) is a prescription drug used to treat major depressive disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and even social phobias.
While effective in treating a range of mental health conditions, venlafaxine has been shown in rare cases to increase suicidal thoughts and actions in patients under the age of 24. If you are feeling suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text them at 741741, or dial 911.
Talk to your doctor about whether venlafaxine is right for you.
What are common side effects of venlafaxine?
While adverse reactions to venlafaxine are rare, some patients who take the drug may experience mild side effects, including nervousness, muscle weakness, numbness, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, constipation, urination changes, heartburn, headaches, loss of appetite, tremors, dry mouth, dizziness, sweating, ringing in the ears, changes in libido, and enlarged pupils.
Rare, more serious adverse events have been known to occur. If you are concerned that venlafaxine is causing any number of these side effects, contact your doctor immediately.
This is not a complete list of side effects. For more information on adverse effects you may experience while taking venlafaxine, please visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage.
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Venlafaxine is an antidepressant drug, used for the treatment of major depressive disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and general anxiety disorder.
Venlafaxine belongs to a class of medications known as SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) that help maintain and regulate your mental health. In some cases, venlafaxine is used to treat hot flashes due to menopause, or to those who are taking medication to treat breast cancer.
Doctors prescribe venlafaxine to treat a range of mental health disorders. It is often used, for example, to treat major depressive disorder, which is characterized by a persistently depressed mood and a loss of interest in everyday activities. Venlafaxine can also be prescribed to treat panic disorder, a sudden feeling of intense fear - often leading to a panic attack - that manifests even though there is no real danger.
Venlafaxine also treats generalized anxiety disorder, which causes prolonged feelings of anxiousness and worry that can impair everyday function. In some cases, doctors may even use venlafaxine to treat social phobias, in which social situations cause patients anxiety.
Venlafaxine belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Serotonin and norepinephrine are chemical messengers (called neurotransmitters) that are responsible for regulating your mood and helping you feel happy. These hormones are produced naturally by the neurons in your brain and are used to send signals between neurons (or nerves). Once a signal has been sent, the neuron reabsorbs the serotonin and epinephrine to be recycled.
Sometimes neurons reabsorb these hormones too quickly - before they can tell your brain to feel happy - resulting in low levels of these mood-regulating chemicals. Reducing the brain’s reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine can help balance your mood and relieve a number of conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression.
While there are some common side effects associated with venlafaxine, it is important to remember that your doctor prescribed this medication because they believe that its ability to balance your mental health outweighs any adverse effects it may cause.
There are, however, some common side effects you may experience while taking venlafaxine. These may include:
Nervousness Muscle tightness, weakness, and/or lack of energy Burning, numbness, and/or pain in part of the body Insomnia, yawning, drowsiness, and/or nightmares Burping, nausea, and/or vomiting Stomach pain, gas, constipation, frequent urination, difficulty urinating, and/or diarrhea Heartburn Headaches Loss of appetite, and/or weight loss Tremors, and/or twitching Dry mouth Dizziness Sweating, hot flashes, and/or flushing Ringing in the ears Changes in sexual ability and desire Enlarged pupils
Some side effects may be serious. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following: loss of consciousness, hallucinations, difficulty with coordination, fever, sweating, confusion, severe muscle stiffness, fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, pain or redness of the eyes, unusual bruising, bleeding, or small purple spots on the skin, seizures, itching, hives, rash or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
This is not a complete list of side effects. For more information on adverse effects you may experience while taking venlafaxine, please visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage.
Venlafaxine may take up to 6 to 8 weeks to reach its full effect on your mood. You should continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Talk to your doctor before stopping the use of venlafaxine, as stopping suddenly can cause symptoms of withdrawal.
The typical recommended starting dose for venlafaxine is 75 mg a day, divided into two or three doses, and should be taken with food. The pill should be swallowed whole, not crushed, split, or placed in water to ingest. Depending on how your body responds to venlafaxine, your doctor may gradually increase your dosage. Tell your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms while taking venlafaxine.
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