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May 27, 2012

Effexor

Antidepressants: Get the Facts »

What does the new study say about the ineffectiveness of antidepressants?

In findings published in the February issue of the journal PloS Medicine, researchers conclude that when taken as a whole, the data show that only a small group of the most severely depressed patients benefit from taking one of the antidepressants.

For less severely depressed patients, the antidepressants were found to work no better than placebos, leading the researchers to conclude that most patients who take antidepressants probably shouldn't be on them.

Does this study contradict numerous positive studies on antidepressants?

Yes, it does. In a statement, American Psychiatric Association President-elect Nada Stotland, MD, maintains that studies like this one, which compare a single drug to placebo, do not accurately reflect the way doctors prescribe antidepressants today.

Stotland says many people who are depressed do n...

Read the Antidepressants: Get the Facts article »

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Effexor

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Effexor Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: Effexor, Effexor XR

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

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

pentagonal, peach, imprinted with W 100, 705

Effexor 25 mg

pentagonal, peach, imprinted with W 25, 701

Effexor 37.5 mg

pentagonal, peach, imprinted with W 37.5, 781

Effexor 50 mg

pentagonal, peach, imprinted with W 50, 703

Effexor 75 mg

pentagonal, peach, imprinted with W 75, 704

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-TEV

round, peach, imprinted with 9 3, 7383

Venlafaxine 25 mg-TEV

round, peach, imprinted with 9 3, 199

Venlafaxine 37.5 mg-TEV

round, peach, imprinted with 9 3, 7380

Venlafaxine 50 mg-TEV

round, peach, imprinted with 9 3, 7381

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.

Contact your doctor promptly if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse: mood changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, severe restlessness, mania (mental and/or physical hyperactivity), thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision);
easy bruising or bleeding;
severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination; or
headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops.

Less serious side effects may include:

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

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.

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

Do 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 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.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of venlafaxine.

It may take 4 weeks or more for your symptoms to improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Do not stop using venlafaxine without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly.

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