Effexor/Venlafaxine IS USED FOR:

Treating depression. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Venlafaxine/Effexor is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances in the brain (serotonin and norepinephrine), which helps to improve certain mood problems.

BEFORE USING Effexor/Venlafaxine :

Some medical conditions may interact with Venlafaxine/Effexor . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of seizures, heart problems, (eg, heart failure, irregular heartbeat), abnormal electrocardiogram, recent heart attack, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, liver problems, kidney problems, stomach or bowel bleeding, increased eye pressure (eg, glaucoma), nervous system problems, or metabolism problems
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are dehydrated, have low blood sodium levels, or drink alcohol
• if you will be having electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
• if you or a family member has a history of bipolar disorder (manic-depression), other mental or mood problems, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or alcohol or substance abuse

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Venlafaxine/Effexor . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Diuretics (eg, furosemide/Lasix, hydrochlorothiazide/Esidrix) because the risk of low blood sodium levels may be increased
• Certain diet medicines (eg, phentermine, fenfluramine), linezolid/Zyvox, lithium/Lithobid, MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), metoclopramine, nefazodone, selegiline/Eldepryl, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine/Sarafem) serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine/Cymbalta), serotonin 5-HT receptor agonists (eg, sumatriptan/Imitrex), sibutramine,St. John's wort, tramadol/Ultram, trazodone/Desyrel, or tryptophan because severe side effects, such as a reaction that may include fever, rigid muscles, blood pressure changes, mental changes, confusion, irritability, agitation, delirium, and coma, may occur ₁
• Cyproheptadine/Periactin because it may decrease Venlafaxine/Effexor 's effectiveness
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen/Motrin) because the risk of bleeding, including stomach bleeding, may be increased
• Cimetidine or ketoconazole/Nizoral because they may increase the risk of Venlafaxine/Effexor 's side effects
• Aripiprazole/Abilify, haloperidol, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine/Thorazine, thioridazine/Mellaril), or risperidone/Risperdal because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Venlafaxine/Effexor

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Venlafaxine/Effexor may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

HOW TO USE Effexor/Venlafaxine :

Use Venlafaxine/Effexor as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Continue to take Venlafaxine/Effexor even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• Do not suddenly stop taking Venlafaxine/Effexor without checking with your doctor. Side effects may occur. They may include mental or mood changes, numbness or tingling of the skin, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, headache, increased sweating, nausea, ringing in the ears, seizures, tremor, trouble sleeping, or unusual tiredness. You will be closely monitored when you start Venlafaxine/Effexor and whenever a change in dose is made.
• Venlafaxine/Effexor comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Venlafaxine/Effexor refilled.
• Take Venlafaxine/Effexor by mouth with food.
• Venlafaxine/Effexor works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
• If you miss a dose of Venlafaxine/Effexor , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Venlafaxine/Effexor .

DO NOT USE Effexor/Venlafaxine IF:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Venlafaxine/Effexor
• you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine), selegiline/Eldepryl, or St. John's wort within the last 14 days

• you are taking a fenfluramine derivative (eg, dexfenfluramine), nefazodone, sibutramine, or tryptophan

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Effexor/Venlafaxine :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Anxiety; blurred vision; changes in taste; constipation; decreased sexual desire or ability; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; flushing; headache; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; stomach upset; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness; weight loss; yawning.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bizarre behavior; chest pain or discomfort; confusion; decreased urination; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; new or worsening agitation, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, restlessness, or inability to sit still; persistent or severe ringing in the ears; seizures; severe or persistent anxiety, nervousness, or trouble sleeping; severe or persistent cough; severe or persistent headache, dizziness, or stomach pain; shortness of breath; significant weight loss; suicidal thoughts or attempts; tremor; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or severe mental or mood changes; vision problems; worsening of depression.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• Use Venlafaxine/Effexor with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially low blood sodium levels.
• Several weeks may pass before your symptoms improve. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Lab tests, including blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, may be performed while you use Venlafaxine/Effexor . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Venlafaxine/Effexor may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Take Venlafaxine/Effexor with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Venlafaxine/Effexor may cause harm to the fetus if it is used during the last 3 months of pregnancy. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. Venlafaxine/Effexor is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Venlafaxine/Effexor .
• Serotonin syndrome is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Venlafaxine/Effexor . Your risk may be greater if you take Venlafaxine/Effexor with certain other medicines (eg, "triptans," MAOIs, SSRIs). Symptoms may include agitation; confusion; hallucinations; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; tremor; excessive sweating; and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
• Venlafaxine/Effexor may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.
• Venlafaxine/Effexor may cause weight changes and growth changes. CHILDREN and teenagers may need regular weight and growth checks while they take Venlafaxine/Effexor .
• Caution is advised when using Venlafaxine/Effexor in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions.
• Do not use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Venlafaxine/Effexor without checking with your doctor; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using Venlafaxine/Effexor .
• Venlafaxine/Effexor should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• If your doctor tells you to stop taking Venlafaxine/Effexor , you will need to wait for a period of time before beginning to take certain other medicines (eg, MAOIs, nefazodone, thioridazine). Ask your doctor when you should start to take your new medicines after you have stopped taking Venlafaxine/Effexor .
• Children and teenagers who take Venlafaxine/Effexor may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Adults may also be affected. The risk may be greater in patients who have had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past. The risk may also be greater in patients who have had bipolar (manic-depressive) illness, or if a family member has had it. Watch patients who take Venlafaxine/Effexor closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms, such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual changes in mood or behavior, occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.