What are the uses of venlafaxine oral. What are the side effects of venlafaxine oral. What are the interactions of venlafaxine oral. What are the pictures of venlafaxine oral. What are the warnings of venlafaxine oral. What is the dosing of venlafaxine oral.

Venlafaxine Oral: Uses

Venlafaxine is used to treat depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and social anxiety disorder (social phobia). It may improve your mood and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. It may also decrease fear, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and the number of panic attacks. Venlafaxine is known as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain.

Venlafaxine Oral: How to Use

Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using venlafaxine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily with food, either in the morning or evening. Do not crush, chew, or dissolve this medication. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Swallow whole without crushing or chewing.

If you are taking the capsules, swallow them whole. If you have trouble swallowing the capsules whole, you may open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow all of the mixture right away without chewing. Drink a glass of water after each dose.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.

Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Also, you may experience symptoms such as confusion, mood swings, blurred vision, headache, tiredness, sleep changes, and brief feelings similar to electric shock. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased to reduce side effects. Report any new or worsening symptoms right away.

It may take several weeks to feel the benefit of this medication. Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

Venlafaxine Oral: Side Effects

Common side effects of venlafaxine oral include nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, loss of appetite, blurred vision, nervousness, trouble sleeping, unusual sweating, or increased heart rate. These side effects are usually mild and may go away as your body adjusts to the medication.

Seek medical attention right away if you experience severe side effects such as severe allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue), severe headache, seizures, severe agitation, hallucinations, or thoughts of suicide.

Venlafaxine Oral: Interactions

Venlafaxine may interact with other medications, including other antidepressants, blood thinners, seizure medications, and some herbal supplements. Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Certain drugs, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), should not be used with venlafaxine. There must be a 14-day gap between stopping an MAOI and starting venlafaxine, and vice versa. Failure to do so can result in serious, potentially life-threatening reactions.

Venlafaxine Oral: Warnings

Antidepressant medications like venlafaxine can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior, especially in people under 25 years old. It is important to monitor for worsening depression, unusual behavior changes, or other mental/mood changes, and report them to your doctor immediately.

Venlafaxine may increase blood pressure, so your doctor will monitor your blood pressure while you are taking this medication. Inform your doctor if you have a history of high blood pressure or heart disease.

Sudden discontinuation of venlafaxine can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as confusion, mood swings, and electric shock-like sensations. Your doctor will gradually decrease your dose to minimize these effects.

Venlafaxine Oral: Dosing

The recommended starting dose of venlafaxine is typically 37.5 mg or 75 mg once daily. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed based on your response and tolerance to the medication. The maximum recommended dose is 225 mg per day.

Take venlafaxine at the same time each day, with food. Do not crush, chew, or dissolve the capsules, as this can increase the risk of side effects. Swallow the capsules whole.

It may take several weeks to see the full benefits of venlafaxine. Continue taking the medication as prescribed, even if you feel well, to maintain the therapeutic effects.

Venlafaxine Oral: Pictures

Venlafaxine is available in various strengths, including 37.5 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg, and 225 mg extended-release capsules. The capsules are typically oblong-shaped and come in different colors depending on the dosage strength.

The 37.5 mg capsules are typically light gray and white in color. The 75 mg capsules are typically peach and white in color. The 150 mg capsules are typically light gray and dark gray in color. The 225 mg capsules are typically dark gray and light gray in color.