EFFEXOR XR

	Generic Name: Venlafaxine (VEN-la-fax-een) Typical Brand Names: Effexor XR Classification: Anti Depressants
Effexor XR is an antidepressant and helps regulate brain chemicals that can cause depression. It helps with symptoms such as feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or guilt; loss of interest in daily activities; changes in appetite; tiredness; sleeping too much; insomnia; and thoughts of death or suicide. This medication may also be prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder.

(These are common indications for Effexor. There may be additional conditions not listed here. Check with your doctor if you have questions about your specific condition).

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Effexor XR Uses:
Effexor XR is a potent inhibitor of the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine-two neurotransmitters thought to play important roles in the pathophysiology of depression. Correcting the imbalance of these two chemicals may help relieve symptoms of depression. The antidepressant Effexor XR is used to balance natural brain chemicals that may cause depression. This eases symptoms such as changes in appetite; feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or guilt; loss of interest in daily activities; tiredness; sleeping too much; insomnia; and thoughts of death or suicide, as well as generalized anxiety disorder.

Effexor XR How Taken:
Effexor XR comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken two or three times a day and should be taken with food. Each capsule should be swallowed whole with fluid and not divided, crushed, chewed, or placed in water, or it may be administered by carefully opening the capsule and sprinkling the entire contents on a spoonful of applesauce. This drug/food mixture should be swallowed immediately without chewing and followed with a glass of water to ensure complete swallowing of the pellets.

Effexor XR Warnings/Precautions:
Before starting Effexor XR, tell your doctor about any medicines you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. People taking MAOIs should not take Effexor XR. Patients taking antidepressants should be watched closely for signs that their condition is getting worse or that they are becoming suicidal, especially when they first start therapy, or when their dose is increased or decreased. Patients should also be watched for becoming agitated, irritable, hostile, impulsive, or restless. Such symptoms should be reported to the patient?s doctor right away. Effexor XR may raise blood pressure in some patients, so blood pressure should be monitored regularly. When people suddenly stop using or quickly lower their daily dose of Effexor XR, discontinuation symptoms may occur. Talk to your doctor before discontinuing or reducing your dose of Effexor XR. Pregnant or nursing women shouldn?t take any antidepressant without consulting their doctor. Until you see how Effexor XR affects you, be careful doing such activities as driving a car or operating machinery. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Effexor XR. You should not use Effexor XR if you have used monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the last two weeks. Make sure your doctor knows your complete medical history, especially any high blood pressure, heart disease, liver or kidney disease, or seizures or epilepsy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Effexor XR Missed Dose:
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Effexor XR Side Effects:
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Effexor XR and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); seizures; or an irregular heartbeat or severely high blood pressure (blurred vision, headache). Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Effexor XR and talk to your doctor if you experience nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, abdominal pain, or loss of appetite or weight; dry mouth; drowsiness or dizziness; mild tremor, anxiety, or agitation; insomnia; abnormal dreams; sexual problems such as impotence, abnormal ejaculation, difficulty reaching orgasm, or decreased libido; sweating; yawning; or increase in blood cholesterol levels (detected by blood tests); Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Effexor XR Overdose:
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of an Effexor XR overdose may include dizziness, drowsiness, numbness, nausea, irregular heartbeats, seizures, and unconsciousness.

Effexor XR Storage:
Store Effexor XR at room temperature (68F to 77F or 20C to 25C). Keep Effexor XR away from children.

Effexor XR More Information:
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Effexor XR may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion Do not stop taking Effexor XR without first talking to your doctor. Your doctor may need to gradually reduce the dose before stopping the medication completely. Stopping the medication suddenly may cause unpleasant side effects to occur.

Anything Else I Should Know About Effexor XR:
Effexor regulates chemicals in the brain that trigger depression. It treats depression and eases symptoms social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.