Venlafaxine Dosage Guide + Max Dose, Adjustments

Print

Save

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 12, 2021.

Applies to the following strengths: 25 mg; 50 mg; 75 mg; 100 mg; 37.5 mg; 150 mg; 225 mg; 112.5 mg

Usual Adult Dose for:

• Depression
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Disorder

Additional dosage information:

• Renal Dose Adjustments
• Liver Dose Adjustments
• Dose Adjustments
• Precautions
• Dialysis
• Other Comments

Usual Adult Dose for Depression

Immediate release:

• Initial dose: 37.5 mg orally twice a day OR 25 mg orally 3 times a day
• Maintenance dose: 75 to 150 mg orally per day, given in divided doses
• Maximum dose:
• Moderately depressed outpatients: 225 mg/day
• Severely depressed inpatients: 375 mg/day

Extended release:

• Initial dose: 75 mg orally once a day
• Maintenance dose: 75 to 225 mg orally once a day
• Maximum dose:
• Moderately depressed outpatients: 225 mg/day
• Severely depressed inpatients: 375 mg/day

Comments:

• The daily dosage of immediate-release formulations may be divided into 2 or 3 doses/day.
• Healthcare providers should consider initial extended release doses of 37.5 mg orally once a day for 4 to 7 days (before increasing the dose to 75 mg/day) in patients who may require additional time to adjust to the drug.
• Doses may be increased in daily increments of up to 75 mg orally at intervals of no less than 4 days.
• Patients should be periodically reassessed for the continued need of maintenance treatment and for the appropriate dose of treatment.
• Use of doses exceeding 225 mg/day is limited.

Use: Treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD)

Usual Adult Dose for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Extended release:

• Initial dose: 75 mg orally once a day
• Maintenance dose: 75 to 225 mg orally once a day
• Maximum dose: 225 mg/day

Comments:

• Healthcare providers should consider initial extended release doses of 37.5 mg orally once a day for 4 to 7 days (before increasing the dose to 75 mg/day) in patients who may require additional time to adjust to the drug.
• Doses may be increased in daily increments of up to 75 mg orally at intervals of no less than 4 days.

Use: Treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Usual Adult Dose for Social Anxiety Disorder

Extended release: 75 mg orally once a day

Comment: There is no evidence that doses greater than 75 mg/day confer additional benefit.

Uses:

• Treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD)
• Treatment of social phobia

Usual Adult Dose for Panic Disorder

Extended release:

• Initial dose: 37.5 mg orally once a day for 7 days, then 75 mg orally once a day thereafter
• Maintenance dose: 75 to 225 mg orally once a day
• Maximum dose: 225 mg/day

Comment: Doses may be increased in daily increments of 75 mg orally at intervals of no less than 7 days.

Use: Treatment of Panic Disorder (PD), with or without agoraphobia

Renal Dose Adjustments

Immediate release:

• Mild to moderate renal dysfunction: The total daily dosage should be reduced by 25%.

Extended release:

• Renal dysfunction (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] 10 to 70 mL/min): The total daily dose should be reduced by 25% to 50%.
• Mild to moderate renal dysfunction (CrCl 30 to 89 mL/min): The total daily dose should be reduced by 50%.
• Severe renal dysfunction (CrCl less than 30 mL/min): The total daily dose should be decreased by at least 50%.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Immediate release:

• Mild to moderate liver dysfunction: The total daily dosage should be reduced by 50%.
• Patients with cirrhosis: The dosage should be reduced by at least 50%.

Extended release:

• Mild to moderate liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh 5 to 9): The total daily dose should be reduced by 50%.
• Severe liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh 10 to 15) and hepatic cirrhosis: The total daily dose should be decreased by at least 50%.

Dose Adjustments

Immediate release TO extended release formulations: Patients may be switched to the nearest equivalent daily dosage (e. g., from 37.5 mg [immediate release] orally 2 times a day to 75 mg [extended release] orally once a day)

Treatment Discontinuation:

• Abrupt discontinuation should be avoided when possible.
• Patients should be monitored for adverse events.
• Treatment should be gradually reduced in 75 mg intervals every week.
• Providers should consider resuming the previously prescribed dose in patients who develop intolerable symptoms following a dose reduction or treatment discontinuation; subsequent dose reductions may continue at a more gradual rate.

Switching patients to/from MAOIs:

• Starting treatment with this drug: At least 14 days should elapse between discontinuing MAOI therapy and starting treatment.
• Stopping treatment with this drug: At least 7 days should elapse between stopping treatment and starting an MAOI.

Patients who require urgent treatment with linezolid/IV methylene blue during treatment:

• The potential benefits must outweigh the risks of serotonin syndrome.
• This drug should be stopped promptly before administering linezolid/IV methylene blue.
• Patients should be monitored for serotonin syndrome for 7 days OR 24 hours after the last dose of linezolid/IV methylene blue, whichever comes first.
• Treatment may resume 24 hours after the last dose of linezolid/IV methylene blue.

Precautions

US BOXED WARNINGS:
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS; SUICIDALITY AND ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS:

• Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidality (e.g., suicidal thoughts and behavior) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders.
• These studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in patients over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in patients aged 65 and older.
• Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide.

Recommendations:

• Anyone considering the use of this drug in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need.
• In patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy, monitor closely for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidality or unusual behavior.
• Advise families and caregivers of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber.
• This drug is not approved for use in pediatric patients.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

• Hypersensitivity to the active component, desvenlafaxine, or any of the ingredients
• Starting treatment with this drug in patients already receiving therapy with MAOIs (e.g., linezolid, IV methylene blue)
• The concomitant use of MAOIs or within 7 days of stopping treatment with this drug
• The use of this drug within 14 days of stopping an MAOI

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Hemodialysis:

• Immediate release: The total daily dose should be reduced by 50%.
• Extended release: The total daily dose should be reduced by at least 50%.

Peritoneal dialysis: Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

• This drug should be taken with food at the same time each day.
• The capsules should not be divided, crushed, or chewed.

General:

• Patients should have their treatment regularly reviewed to evaluate for the ongoing efficacy of therapy.
• Individual dose adjustments may be necessary.

Monitoring:

• CARDIOVASCULAR: Regular blood pressure monitoring
• NERVOUS SYSTEM: Signs/symptoms of serotonin syndrome
• PSYCHIATRIC: Discontinuation symptoms, and worsening/emergence of suicidal thoughts

Patient advice:

• The prolonged release capsules contain spheroids. The insoluble portion of these is eliminated and may be seen in the feces.
• Inform patients that this drug may impair judgement, thinking, and motor skills, and they should avoid driving or operating machinery if these side effects occur.
• Advise patients to speak to their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Frequently asked questions

• SSRI’s vs SNRI’s – What’s the difference between them?
• How long do venlafaxine withdrawal symptoms last?

More about venlafaxine

• Check interactions
• Compare alternatives
• Pricing & coupons
• Reviews (2,715)
• Drug images
• Side effects
• Patient tips
• During pregnancy
• Support group
• Drug class: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
• Breastfeeding
• En español

Patient resources

• Drug Information
• Venlafaxine Extended-Release Tablets
• Venlafaxine Tablets
• Venlafaxine Extended-Release Capsules

Other brands

Effexor XR

Professional resources

• Prescribing Information

Related treatment guides

• Anxiety and Stress
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Autism

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Venlafaxine Interactions Checker – Drugs.com

Print

Save

There are 672 drugs known to interact with
venlafaxine, along with
11 disease interactions, and 2 alcohol/food interactions.

Of the total drug interactions,
145 are major, 523 are moderate, and 4 are minor.

Does venlafaxine interact with my other drugs?

Enter other medications to view a detailed report.

• View all 672 medications that may interact with venlafaxine
• View venlafaxine alcohol/food interactions (2)
• View venlafaxine disease interactions (11)

Most frequently checked interactions

View interaction reports for venlafaxine and the medicines listed below.

• Major
• Moderate
• Minor
• Unknown

• Abilify (aripiprazole)
• Adderall (amphetamine / dextroamphetamine)
• Aspir 81 (aspirin)
• Aspirin Low Strength (aspirin)
• Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
• CoQ10 (ubiquinone)
• Crestor (rosuvastatin)
• Cymbalta (duloxetine)
• Eliquis (apixaban)
• Fish Oil (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids)
• Flonase (fluticasone nasal)
• Lipitor (atorvastatin)
• Lyrica (pregabalin)
• Metoprolol Succinate ER (metoprolol)
• Metoprolol Tartrate (metoprolol)
• Nexium (esomeprazole)
• Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone)
• ProAir HFA (albuterol)
• Seroquel (quetiapine)
• Singulair (montelukast)
• Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol)
• Synthroid (levothyroxine)
• Tylenol (acetaminophen)
• Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
• Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol)
• Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
• Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
• Xanax (alprazolam)
• Zyrtec (cetirizine)

Venlafaxine alcohol/food interactions

There are 2 alcohol/food interactions with venlafaxine.

Venlafaxine disease interactions

There are 11 disease interactions with venlafaxine which include:

• depression
• renal disease
• renal/liver disease
• mania
• glaucoma
• hypertension
• hyponatremia
• mania
• seizures
• urinary tract obstruction
• weight loss

Report options

Loading…

QR code containing a link to this page

More about venlafaxine

• venlafaxine consumer information
• Compare alternatives
• Pricing & coupons
• Reviews (2,715)
• Drug images
• Side effects
• Dosage information
• Patient tips
• During pregnancy
• Support group
• Drug class: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
• Breastfeeding
• En español

Related treatment guides

• Anxiety and Stress
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Autism

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.

Major	Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate	Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor	Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown	No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Venlafaxine-ZN analogues tablets 37.5 mg blister №30

Expected

+ 2.58 UAH to the bonus account

The price is valid when ordering on the website on 21.07.2023

Payment

Delivery

Return

Full analogue 004 Venlaxor tablets 37.5 mg blister №30
Grindeks

+ 4.26 UAH to the bonus account

available in 9 pharmacies

UAH 425.6 Price per pack

Analogue in other forms of release

(Coincidence of the composition of active substances and their dosing)

Venlaxor tablets 75 mg blister №30
Grindeks

+ 8.73 UAH to the bonus account

available in 4 pharmacies

UAH 873.2 Price per pack

Venlafaxine-ZN tablets 75 mg blister #30
People’s Health LLC

+ 4. 73 UAH to the bonus account

available in 3 pharmacies

UAH 473 Price per pack

Velaxin tablets 75 mg №28
Egis

+ 8.23 ​​UAH to the bonus account

available in 0 pharmacies

UAH 822.6 Price per pack

Similar therapeutic effect

Similar therapeutic effect

Velaxin long-acting capsules 75 mg blister №28
Egis

+ 8.50 UAH to the bonus account

available in 98 pharmacies

UAH 849.6 Price per pack

Velaxin long-acting capsules 37.5 mg blister №28
Egis

+ 5.54 UAH to the bonus account

available in 96 pharmacies

UAH 553.9 Price per pack

Velaxin long-acting capsules 150 mg blister №28
Egis

+ 12. 59 UAH to the bonus account

available in 81 pharmacies

UAH 1258.6 Price per pack

Lafaxine XR tablets 75 mg N28
Dexcel Pharma Technologies LTD

+ 6.03 UAH to the bonus account

available in 46 pharmacies

UAH 603.4 Price per pack

Doxepin capsules 10 mg blister #30
Teva

+ 1.44 UAH to the bonus account

available in 87 pharmacies

UAH 144 Price per pack

Doxepin capsules 25 mg blister #30
Teva

+ 2.02 UAH to the bonus account

available in 70 pharmacies

201.7 UAH Price per pack

Zalox capsules 50 mg blister #30
pharmaceutical science

+ 2.71 UAH to the bonus account

available in 37 pharmacies

270. 8 UAH Price per pack

Zoloft film-coated tablets 50 mg blister №28
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals

+ 5.52 UAH to the bonus account

available in 164 pharmacies

551.9UAH Price per pack

Clofranil film-coated tablets 25 mg №50
Sun Pharma

+ 5.13 UAH to the bonus account

available in 67 pharmacies

UAH 513.5 Price per pack

Melipramine coated tablets 25 mg #50
Egis

+ 1.91 UAH to the bonus account

available in 3 pharmacies

190.6 UAH Price per pack

Paxil film-coated tablets 20 mg #28
GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals S.A.

+ 6.46 UAH to the bonus account

available in 116 pharmacies

UAH 645.5 Price per pack

Paroxetine tablets 20 mg blister #30
medochemie

+ 6. 24 UAH to the bonus account

available in 77 pharmacies

UAH 623.8 Price per pack

Prodep capsules 20 mg strip #60
Sun Pharma

+ 2.67 UAH to the bonus account

available in 28 pharmacies

UAH 267 Price per pack

Stimuloton film-coated tablets 100 mg blister №28
Egis

+ 6.30 UAH to the bonus account

available in 107 pharmacies

UAH 629.7 Price per pack

Stimuloton film-coated tablets 50 mg blister №30
Egis

+ 3.92 UAH to the bonus account

available in 117 pharmacies

UAH 391.8 Price per pack

Fevarin film-coated tablets 100 mg blister №15
Abbott Lab.

+ 6.24 UAH to the bonus account

available in 57 pharmacies

UAH 624 Price per pack

Fluxen capsules 20 mg №10
Arterium Corporation OJSC

+ 0. 39 UAH to the bonus account

available in 33 pharmacies

UAH 38.9 Price per pack

Fluxen capsules 20 mg №30
Arterium Corporation OJSC

+ 1.03 UAH to the bonus account

available in 120 pharmacies

UAH 102.7 Price per pack

Fluoxetine coated tablets 20 mg №10
OZ GNTsLS OOO

+ 0.23 UAH to the bonus account

available in 9 pharmacies

UAH 22.5 Price per pack

Cipralex film-coated tablets 10 mg №28
H. Lundbeck

+ 10.95 UAH to the bonus account

available in 120 pharmacies

UAH 1094.7 Price per pack

Cipramil film-coated tablets 20 mg №28
H. Lundbeck

+ 10.39 UAH to the bonus account

available in 22 pharmacies

1039. 1 UAH Price per pack

Paroxin film-coated tablets 20 mg blister №30
Acino Pharma

+ 4.93 UAH to the bonus account

available in 164 pharmacies

UAH 493.1 Price per pack

Sertraloft film-coated tablets 50 mg #30
Zdorovye OOO

+ 2.13 UAH to the bonus account

in stock in 1 pharmacies

213.4 UAH Price per pack

Reksetin film-coated tablets 20 mg №30
Gedeon Richter

+ 6.95 UAH to the bonus account

available in 30 pharmacies

UAH 695.3 Price per pack

Melitor coated tablets 25 mg #28
Servier

+ 4.70 UAH to the bonus account

available in 151 pharmacies

UAH 469.8 Price per pack

Serlift film-coated tablets 100 mg blister №28
Sun Pharma

+ 4. 97 UAH to the bonus account

available in 19 pharmacies

UAH 496.6 Price per pack

Neuroplant 300 mg coated tablets №20
Alpen Pharma AG

+ 3.33 UAH to the bonus account

available in 139 pharmacies

UAH 332.5 Price per pack

Mirtazapine Sandoz film-coated tablets 30 mg blister №20
Sandoz

+ 8.18 UAH to the bonus account

available in 147 pharmacies

UAH 818.1 Price per pack

Zalox capsules 50 mg №250
pharmaceutical science

+ 16.97 UAH to the bonus account

available in 1 pharmacies

1696.9 UAH Price per pack

Fluoxetine coated tablets 20 mg №20
OZ GNTsLS OOO

+ 0.45 UAH to the bonus account

available in 163 pharmacies

45. 3 UAH Price per pack

Ezopram film-coated tablets 10 mg №30
Actavis

+ 9.31 UAH to the bonus account

available in 98 pharmacies

UAH 930.9 Price per pack

Ezopram film-coated tablets 20 mg №30
Actavis

+ 10.79 UAH to the bonus account

available in 71 pharmacies

UAH 1078.6 Price per pack

Essobel film-coated tablets 20 mg №28
nobel

+ 6.30 UAH to the bonus account

available in 104 pharmacies

UAH 630.3 Price per pack

Essobel film-coated tablets 10 mg №28
nobel

+ 4.50 UAH to the bonus account

available in 120 pharmacies

UAH 450.3 Price per pack

Paroxin film-coated tablets 20 mg blister №60
Acino Pharma

+ 9. 90 UAH to the bonus account

available in 166 pharmacies

UAH 990.4 Price per pack

Mirtazapine Sandoz film-coated tablets 15 mg blister №20
Sandoz

+ 5.74 UAH to the bonus account

available in 87 pharmacies

UAH 574 Price per pack

Escitalopram-Teva film-coated tablets 10 mg blister №28
Teva

+ 4.44 UAH to the bonus account

available in 163 pharmacies

UAH 443.5 Price per pack

Escitalopram-Teva film-coated tablets 20 mg blister №28
Teva

+ 6.00 UAH to the bonus account

available in 156 pharmacies

UAH 599.8 Price per pack

Lafaxine XR tablets 150 mg №28
Dexcel Pharma Technologies LTD

+ 8.62 UAH to the bonus account

available in 0 pharmacies

UAH 861. 5 Price per pack

Amitriptyline film-coated tablets 25 mg blister №50
Technologist PJSC

+ 0.23 UAH to the bonus account

available in 0 pharmacies

UAH 23 Price per pack

Amitriptyline film-coated tablets 25 mg can #25
Zdorovye OOO

+ 0.16 UAH to the bonus account

available in 0 pharmacies

16.1 UAH Price per pack

Amitriptyline tablets 25mg №25
People’s Health LLC

+ 0.21 UAH to the bonus account

available in 0 pharmacies

UAH 21.4 Price per pack

Anafranil film-coated tablets 25 mg blister №30
Novartis Pharma

+ 2.45 UAH to the bonus account

available in 0 pharmacies

244.8 UAH Price per pack

Saroten film-coated tablets 25 mg container #100
H. Lundbeck

+ 3.10 UAH to the bonus account

available in 0 pharmacies

UAH 309.8 Price per pack

Serlift film-coated tablets 50 mg blister #28
Sun Pharma

+ 3.01 UAH to the bonus account

available in 0 pharmacies

300.9 UAH Price per pack

Amitriptyline tablets 25mg #50
Zdorovye OOO

+ 0.21 UAH to the bonus account

available in 0 pharmacies

21.4 UAH Price per pack

Miaser film-coated tablets 30 mg №20
Acino Pharma

+ 5.55 UAH to the bonus account

available in 0 pharmacies

UAH 554.6 Price per pack

Deprivox film-coated tablets 100 mg blister №20
Stada

+ 3.83 UAH to the bonus account

available in 0 pharmacies

UAH 382.