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Brand Name: Effexor
Generic Name: Venlafaxine
(ven' la fax een)
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Effexor Warning:
Before you take Effexor (venlafaxine), be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking or have taken within the last 2 weeks any MAO inhibitors [phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate)]. You should not take Effexor if you are taking either of these medications.
Why is effexor prescribed?
Venlafaxine (Effexor), is a antidepressant (mood elevator), that is used to treat depression.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
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How should effexor be used properly?
Venlafaxine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken two or three times a day and should be taken with food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take venlafaxine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Continue to take venlafaxine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking venlafaxine without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually. This drug must be taken regularly for a few weeks before its full effect is felt.
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What special precautions should I follow when using effexor?
Before taking venlafaxine,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to venlafaxine or any other drugs.
- in addition to the drugs listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially anticoagulants [warfarin (Coumadin)]; cimetidine (Tagamet); indinavir (Crixivan); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), medication for high blood pressure; muscle relaxants; sedatives; sleeping pills; tranquilizers; and vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had difficulty urinating, elevated intraocular pressure, or liver, kidney, or heart disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking venlafaxine, call your doctor immediately.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking venlafaxine.
- you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
- remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
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What should I do if I forget a dose of effexor?
If you take several doses per day, you should take the missed dose of effexor just as soon as you remember to take it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals.
If you take effexor once a day during bedtime and do not remember to take it until the next morning, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
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What side effects can effexor cause?
Side effects from venlafaxine are common:
- skin more sensitive to sunlight than usual
- changes in appetite or weight
- weakness or tiredness
- excitement or anxiety
- upset stomach
- drowsiness
- nightmares
- dry mouth
- headache
- insomnia
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- changes in sex drive or ability
- excessive sweating
- difficulty urinating
- frequent urination
- blurred vision
- constipation
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- persistent fine tremor or inability to sit still
- jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- slow or difficult speech
- irregular heartbeat
- severe skin rash
- shuffling walk
- fever
» top What storage conditions are needed for effexor?
Always keep the effexor in the same container it came in. Make sure it is tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store this medication at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture; do not store this medication in the bathroom.
Always be sure to dispose of any medication that is no longer needed or outdated. Be sure to ask your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
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What do I do in case of emergency or an effexor overdose?
In case of an accutane overdose, be sure to call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim is not breathing or has collapsed, dial 911 for local emergency services.
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What other information should I know about effexor?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to venlafaxine.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only; please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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