Venlafaxine is a drug used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, or panic disorders. Venlafaxine is a class antidepressant serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).
Venlafaxine works by helping to restore the balance of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. This will help restore a good mood or mood and restore interest in daily activities.
Venlafaxine trademark: Efexor XR
What is Venlafaxine
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | class of antidepressants serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) |
| Benefit | Treat depression, anxiety disorders, or panic disorder |
| Consumed by | Mature |
| Venlafaxine for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Venlafaxine may pass into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without telling your doctor. |
| Drug form | Capsule |
Precautions Before Taking Venlafaxine
Venlafaxine should not be taken carelessly. Before taking this drug, you need to pay attention to the following:
- Do not use venlafaxine if you are allergic to this drug.
- Do not use venlafaxine if you are on treatment with class drugs monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI).
- Tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you have liver disease, diabetes, kidney disease, bipolar disorder, heart disease, angle-closure glaucoma, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, bleeding, blood clotting disorders, hyponatremia, or have ever had seizures.
- Do not drive a vehicle or operate equipment that requires alertness while you are taking venlafaxine, as this medicine may cause dizziness and drowsiness.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- Tell your doctor that you are taking venlafaxine before having any surgery, including dental surgery.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic drug reaction, serious side effect, or overdose after taking venlafaxine.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Venlafaxine
Venlafaxine is available in capsule form immediate-release used to treat depression, and in capsule form extended-release which can be used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and panic disorders.
The following is the dosage of venlafaxine extended-release based on the intended use:
- Purpose: Treat depression
Initial dose 75 mg, once a day. If needed, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 225 mg per day.
- Purpose: Treating anxiety disorders
Initial dose 75 mg, once a day. If needed, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 225 mg per day.
- Purpose: Treating panic disorder
The initial dose is 37.5 mg, once a day for 7 days, then the dose is increased to 75 mg per day. If needed, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 225 mg per day.
How to Take Venlafaxine Correctly
Follow the doctor's advice and read the information on the venlafaxine package before starting to take it. Venlafaxine can be taken after meals.
Do not split, chew, or crush the medicine. Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water. If you have trouble swallowing the capsule, you can carefully open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto a spoon. Swallow all the mixture without chewing and then drink a glass of water.
If you forget to take venlafaxine, take it as soon as you remember if the gap between the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor first.
Store venlafaxine in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.
Interactions of Venlafaxine with Other Drugs
Venlafaxine can cause drug interactions when used with other medicines. The following are some of the effects of drug interactions that can occur:
- Increases the risk of developing serotonin syndrome when used with MAOIs, dopamine antagonists, antipsychotics, or other antidepressants
- Increases risk of hyponatremia when used with diuretic drugs
- Increased risk of bleeding if used with antiplatelet drugs, anticoagulants, or NSAIDs
- Increased risk of QT prolongation if used with antiarrhythmic, antipsychotic, macrolide, or quinolone antibiotics
- Increased risk of side effects of venlafaxine when used with clarithromycin, ritonavir, or ketoconazole
Venlafaxine Side Effects and Dangers
Some of the side effects that can occur after taking venlafaxine are:
- Nauseous
- Dizzy
- Drowsiness
- dry mouth
- Constipation
- Blurred vision
- Hard to sleep
- Excessive sweating
- Decreased sexual desire
Consult a doctor if the above side effects do not subside immediately or get worse. You need to see a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic drug reaction or more serious side effects, such as:
- Chest pain
- Severe cough
- Seizures
- Dizzy so heavy that you want to pass out
- Mood swings
- Vomiting blood or having bloody stools
- Very heavy headache
- Fast heart rate
