Venlafaxine : Before Using - Effexor, Effexor XR

Venlafaxine - Systemic

Brand Names

Effexor, Effexor XR Venlafaxine *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For venlafaxine, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to venlafaxine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Studies have not been done in pregnant women. However, when pregnant rats were given venlafaxine in doses much larger than the usual human dose, some of their pups died before or soon after birth. Before taking this drug, make sure your family doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding problem

This drug passes into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects. It may be necessary for you to take another drug or to stop breast-feeding during treat. Be sure you have discussed the chance and benefits of this drug with your family doctor.

Use for Children

Venlafaxine must be using with caution in child with depression. Studies have shown occurrences of children thinking about suicide or attempting suicide in clinical trials for this drug. More study is needed to be sure venlafaxine is safe and effective in child.

Elderly care

In studies done to date that have included elderly people, venlafaxine did not cause various side effects or problems in older people than it did in adults people.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking venlafaxine, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking the following:

Buspirone - BuSpar
Bromocriptine - Parlodel
Certain tricyclic antidepressants - amitriptyline " Elavil ", clomipramine " Anafranil ", or imipramine " Tofranil "
Dextromethorphan - cough drug
Levodopa - Sinemet
Lithium - Eskalith
Meperidine - Demerol
Nefazodone - Serzone
Pentazocine - Talwin
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors - fluoxetine " Prozac ", fluvoxamine " Luvox ", paroxetine " Paxil ", sertraline " Zoloft "
Street drugs - LSD, MDMA " ecstasy ", marijuana
Sumatriptan - Imitrex
Tramadol - Ultram
Trazodone - Desyrel
Tryptophan Using these medication with venlafaxine may increase the risk of developing a rare, but very serious, unwanted effect known as the serotonin syndrome; symptoms of this syndrome include confusion, diarrhea, fever, poor coordination, restlessness, shivering, sweating, talking or acting with excitement you can't control, trembling or shaking, or twitching; if you experience these symptoms contact your family doctor as soon as possible

Moclobemide - Manerex Taking moclobemide and venlafaxine together or less than 3 days apart may increase the risk of developing serious unwanted effects, including the serotonin syndrome and is not recommended

Monoamine oxidase - MAO inhibitor activity - isocarboxazid " Marplan ", phenelzine " Nardil ", procarbazine " Matulane ", selegiline " Eldepryl ", tranylcypromine " Parnate " Do not take venlafaxine while you are taking or within 2 weeks of taking an MAO inhibitor ; if you do, you may develop confusion, agitation, restlessness, stomach or intestinal symptoms, sudden high body temperature, extremely high blood pressure and severe convulsions; at least 14 days must be allowed between stopping treat with an MAO inhibitor and starting treat with venlafaxine and at least 7 days must be allowed between stopping treat with venlafaxine and starting treat with an MAO inhibit

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of venlafaxine. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Brain disease or damage, or mental retardation
Seizures - history of The risk of seizures may be increased

Heart disease
High or low blood pressure Venlafaxine may make these conditions worse

Kidney disease
Liver disease Higher blood levels of venlafaxine may occur, increasing the risk of side effects; your family doctor may need to adjust your venlafaxine dose

Mania - history of The risk of developing mania may be increased

Weight loss Venlafaxine may cause weight loss; this weight loss is usually small, but if a large weight loss occurs, it may be harmful in some diseaseds