Brand Names: Effexor, Effexor XR

Generic Name: venlafaxine (Pronunciation: VEN la fax een)

• What is venlafaxine (Effexor)?
• What are the possible side effects of venlafaxine (Effexor)?
• What is the most important information I should know about venlafaxine (Effexor)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking venlafaxine (Effexor)?
• How should I take venlafaxine (Effexor)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Effexor)?
• What happens if I overdose (Effexor)?
• What should I avoid while taking venlafaxine (Effexor)?
• What other drugs will affect venlafaxine (Effexor)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is venlafaxine (Effexor)?

Venlafaxine is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). Venlafaxine affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression.

Venlafaxine is used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, and panic disorder.

Venlafaxine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Effexor 100 mg

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Effexor 25 mg

pentagonal, peach, imprinted with W 25, 701

Effexor 37.5 mg

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Effexor 50 mg

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Effexor 75 mg

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Effexor XR 150 mg

orange, imprinted with W Effexor XR, 150

Effexor XR 37.5 mg

gray/peach, imprinted with W Effexor XR, 37.5

Effexor XR 75 mg

peach, imprinted with W Effexor XR, 75

Venlafaxine 100 mg-MYL

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Venlafaxine 100 mg-TEV

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Venlafaxine 150 mg ER-TEV

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Venlafaxine 25 mg-MYL

round, yellow, imprinted with V 1, M

Venlafaxine 25 mg-TEV

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Venlafaxine 37.5 mg ER-TEV

gray/yellow, imprinted with 93 7384

Venlafaxine 37.5 mg-MYL

round, yellow, imprinted with V 2, M

Venlafaxine 37.5 mg-TEV

round, peach, imprinted with 9 3, 7380

Venlafaxine 50 mg-MYL

round, yellow, imprinted with V 3, M

Venlafaxine 50 mg-TEV

round, peach, imprinted with 9 3, 7381

Venlafaxine 75 mg ER-TEV

yellow, imprinted with 93 7385

Venlafaxine 75 mg-MYL

round, yellow, imprinted with M V4

Venlafaxine 75 mg-TEV

round, peach, imprinted with 9 3, 7382

What are the possible side effects of venlafaxine (Effexor)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• seizure (convulsions);
• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out;
• agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination;
• headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, feeling unsteady, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, shallow breathing or breathing that stops;
• cough, chest tightness, trouble breathing; or
• easy bruising.

Less serious side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness, feeling nervous;
• strange dreams;
• increased sweating;
• blurred vision;
• dry mouth;
• changes in appetite or weight;
• mild nausea, constipation; or
• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Effexor (venlafaxine hydrochloride) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about venlafaxine (Effexor)?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to venlafaxine, or if you are also using a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before you can take venlafaxine. After you stop taking venlafaxine, you must wait at least 7 days before you start taking an MAOI.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of venlafaxine.

Do not stop using venlafaxine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid these symptoms when you stop using venlafaxine.