Brand Names

How to Use

Take this drug only as directed by your family doctor to benefit your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often and do not take it for a longer time than your family doctor ordered.

You may have to take venlafaxine for 4 weeks or longer before you begin to feel better . Always you will probably need to keep taking this drug for at least 6 months, even if you feel better, to help prevent your depression from returning. Your family doctor must check your progress at regular appointments during this time.

Venlafaxine must be taken with food or on a full stomach to lessen the risk of stomach upset. However, if your family doctor tells you to take the drug a certain way, take it exactly as directed.

If you are taking the extended-release capsule dosage form, swallow the capsule whole with fluid ; do not break, crush, chew, or place the capsule in liquid.

Dosage

The number of capsules or tablets that you take depends on the strength of the drug. Always the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses and the length of time you take the drug depend on your special needs .

• For mental depression:
  • For oral extended-release capsule dosage form:
    • Adults At first, 75 milligrams - mg a day, taken in one dose in the morning or evening. Your family doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 225 mg a day.
    • Children Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.
  • For oral tablet dosage form:
    • Adults At first, a total of 75 mg a day, taken in smaller doses two or three times during the day. Your family doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 375 mg a day.
    • Children up to 18 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.

• For anxiety:
  • For oral extended-release capsule dosage form:
    • Adults At first, 75 mg a day, taken in one dose in the morning or evening. Your family doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 225 mg per day.
    • Children Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.

Missed dose If you are taking the tablet form of venlafaxine and you miss a dose , take it as soon as possible. However, if it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you are taking the extended-release capsule form of venlafaxine and you miss a dose , take it as soon as possible. However, if you do not remember the missed dose until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.