Venlor (Venlafaxine)

Description

Venlor XR is a generic brand name for the antidepressant venlafaxine. Venlor is available in capsule form and requires a prescription to obtain. Venlor may also be used to treat patients suffering from anxiety disorders.

Drug Information

Venlafaxine, the active ingredient in Venlor, belongs to a group of antidepressants called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). SNRIs inhibit the reuptake of neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, both of which play a major role in regulating mood. SNRIs are different from more common Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), which only act on serotonin. SNRIs like venlafaxine helps elevate mood thus relieving the symptoms of conditions such as depression.

Venlafaxine is the most commonly prescribed SNRI. The efficacy of Venlafaxine is dose dependent. At lower doses less than 150 milligrams, venlafaxine only works on the neurotransmission of serotonin. At higher doses, it also works on norepinephrine and dopamine release and reuptake.

Venlor XR normally contains 37.5 milligrams of venlafaxine per capsule, but are also available at higher doses of 75 or 150 milligram capsules. Venlor is mainly prescribed for major depressive disorder, but can also be prescribed for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social phobia and similar psychological conditions that induce depression-like symptoms.

Dosage

Dosage of Venlor depends on the severity of the condition and recommendations of healthcare practitioners. Venlor capsules should be swallowed with a glass of water as instructed daily.

Strictly follow all instructions on the patient information leaflet that is included in the package before taking Venlor.

Do not take more or less of the prescribed dosage as that can harm the effectiveness of the drug or possibly lead to an overdose.

Side Effects

Common side effects of venlafaxine include:

 Dry mouth
 Dizziness
 Nausea
 Excessive sweating
 Feeling tired or weak
 Decreased sex drive and inability to achieve orgasm
 Headaches
 Trouble urinating
 Constipation
 Insomnia
 Loss of appetitive
 Agitation
 Restlessness
 Exacerbated anxiety
 Fever and sore throat
 Hypertension
 Weight fluctuations
 Diarrhea
 Drowsiness
 Vasodilation (hot flashes)

Consult a physician if any of the above side effects worsen over time.

Take Venlor as directed to avoid an accidental overdose.

Precautions

Antidepressants can increase the risk of suicidal behavior and thought in children, teens and young adults. Therefore, caregivers should pay close attention to mood swings and unusual behavior in patients who begin Venlor treatments.

 Do not take Venlor if allergic to SNRIs or similar drugs.

Venlafaxine reacts strongly with certain other medications such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and warfarin. Some medications taken concurrently with Venlor can increase the risk of bleeding, hypertension or could possibly lead to a life-threatening condition called Serotonin Syndrome. Do not take Venlor without discussing other prescription medication with a healthcare practitioner first.

 Do not take venlafaxine if pregnant, breastfeeding or suspected to be pregnant without explicit instructions from a physician.

 Do not drive or operate machinery late into the night if venlafaxine causes side effects such as drowsiness or restlessness.

Venlor is not recommended for patients with a history of heart disease, myocardial infarction and liver disease. Disclose complete medical history to the healthcare practitioner prescribing Venlor.