Venaxin

Indications

Venlafaxine is an antidepressant used to treat major depression, generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. It may also be used to help prevent depression from coming back.

How It Works

Venlafaxine is a serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It increases the levels of two natural brain messengers, serotonin and noradrenaline, which help regulate mood and anxiety. It usually takes 2 to 4 weeks before the full benefit is felt.

Dosage and Administration

Take exactly as prescribed. Your doctor will start with a low dose and adjust it slowly according to your response. Swallow tablets or capsules whole with food, at about the same time each day. Extended-release forms are taken once daily and must not be crushed or chewed.

Do not stop suddenly. Stopping too quickly can cause withdrawal effects such as dizziness, nausea, irritability and electric-shock feelings, so the dose is reduced gradually under medical advice.

Interactions

• Never take with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as Selegiline or Linezolid, or within 14 days of stopping an MAOI.
• Other medicines that raise serotonin (Tramadol, Triptans, other antidepressants, Lithium, St John's Wort) increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
• Aspirin, NSAIDs, Warfarin and other blood thinners increase the risk of bleeding.
• Alcohol can worsen drowsiness and mood problems.

Contraindications

• Allergy to Venlafaxine.
• Use with an MAOI, now or in the past 14 days.
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure (use only with great caution and doctor supervision).

Side Effects

Common side effects include nausea, dry mouth, headache, sweating, dizziness, sleep problems, drowsiness, constipation, loss of appetite and sexual problems. Many of these settle after the first few weeks. Blood pressure may rise, especially at higher doses.

Get urgent medical help if you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, worsening depression or agitation, a fit (seizure), unusual bleeding, severe allergic reaction, or signs of serotonin syndrome such as confusion, fever, fast heartbeat, muscle stiffness or twitching.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Use in pregnancy only if your doctor decides the benefit is greater than the risk; use late in pregnancy can cause problems in the newborn. Venlafaxine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before breastfeeding, and do not stop the medicine suddenly on your own.

Precautions and Warnings

• Young people under 25 may have more suicidal thoughts in the first weeks; family should watch for mood changes.
• Blood pressure should be checked regularly.
• Use with care in heart disease, glaucoma, epilepsy, bipolar disorder, bleeding problems, and kidney or liver disease (lower doses may be needed).
• It may cause drowsiness; do not drive until you know how it affects you.

Overdose

Overdose can cause drowsiness, fast heartbeat, changes in blood pressure, seizures, abnormal heart rhythm and coma. It can be life threatening. Seek emergency medical help immediately.

Therapeutic Class

Antidepressant, serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children.