WHAT IS Effexor xr/Venlafaxine TABLETS?

VENLAFAXINE/Effexor xr is used to treat depression, anxiety and panic disorder. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

Effexor/Effexor xr 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.

Sustained-release (SR), extended-release (ER, XR, or XL), time-release or timed-release, controlled-release (CR), or continuous-release (CR or Contin) pills are tablets or capsules formulated to dissolve slowly and release a drug over time. The advantages of sustained-release tablets or capsules are that they can often be taken less frequently than instant-release formulations of the same drug, and that they keep steadier levels of the drug in the bloodstream.

WHERE SHOULD I KEEP Effexor xr/Venlafaxine?

Store at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep out of the reach of children and away from pets.

HOW SHOULD I USE Effexor xr/Venlafaxine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take it with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

WHAT SHOULD I WATCH FOR WHILE USING Effexor xr/Venlafaxine?

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. However, depression and certain other mental problems may also increase the risk of suicide. Talk with the patient's doctor to be sure that the benefits of using Effexor/Effexor xr outweigh the risks.

Family and caregivers must closely watch patients who take Effexor/Effexor xr . It is important to keep in close contact with the patient's doctor. Tell the doctor right away if the patient has symptoms like worsened depression, suicidal thoughts, or changes in behavior. Discuss any questions with the patient's doctor.

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You may have to take this medicine for 4 weeks before you feel better. If you have been taking this medicine for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. You must gradually reduce the dose to avoid side effects. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice.

Patients and their families should watch out for depression or thoughts of suicide that get worse. Also watch out for sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care professional.

This medicine can cause an increase in blood pressure or a faster heart beat. Check with your doctor or health care professional.

You may get drowsy, dizzy or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may increase dizziness or drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

This medicine can make your mouth dry. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water will help.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients may increase possible side effects.

WHAT MAY INTERACT WITH Effexor xr/Venlafaxine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following:

• procarbazine
• duloxetine/Cymbalta
• tryptophan
• medicines called MAO Inhibitors like Nardil, Parnate, Marplan, Eldepryl
• St. John's wort, Hypericum perforatum
• nefazodone
• medicines for weight control or appetite

This medicine may also interact with the following:

• tramadol/Ultram
• clozapine/Clozaril
• medicines for heart rhythm or blood pressure
• cimetidine
• NSAIDS, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen/Motrin or naproxen/Naprelan
• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
• medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin/Coumadin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin
• linezolid/Zyvox
• ritonavir/Norvir
• medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan/Maxalt, sumatriptan/Imitrex, zolmitriptan
• amphetamine or dextroamphetamine
• other medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care providers a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

WHAT SIDE EFFECTS MAY I NOTICE FROM Effexor xr/Venlafaxine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• changes in vision
• breathing problems
• seizures
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• weight loss
• loss of appetite
• increased sweating
• nausea
• change in sex drive or performance
• tremors
• constipation

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BEFORE I TAKE Effexor xr/Venlafaxine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• kidney or liver disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to venlafaxine/Effexor xr , other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• mania or bipolar disorder
• suicidal thoughts or a previous suicide attempt
• glaucoma
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• seizures (convulsions)
• breast-feeding
• high blood pressure, heart problems or a recent heart attack
• thyroid problems
• high cholesterol levels or receiving treatment for high cholesterol
• anorexia or weight loss

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.