Venlafaxine (Affexor XR 150) 150 mg tablet is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, and panic attacks. It is also considered a second-line option for the management of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Drug =Venlafaxine
Number of Pills Per Order = 10
Strength = 150 mg
Manufacturer = Healing Pharma
How To Take Venlafaxine (Affexor XR 150) 150 mg
This medicine should be taken together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
This medicine is available as a tablet or capsule.
If you are taking the prolonged-release type of capsule (usually labeled as XL, XR), swallow it whole. Do not divide, chew, or crush the capsule.
Venlafaxine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed otherwise, as stopping it suddenly could worsen your condition.
Take Venlafaxine precisely as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Dosage
Adult: Depression: Conventional tab: 75 mg/day in 2 divided doses, increased if necessary up to 375 mg/day. Extended-release: Initial: 75 mg once daily increased if necessary, up to 225 mg/day. All doses may be increased in increments of up to 75 mg at intervals of ≥2 weeks based on clinical evaluation.
Anxiety: Extended-release: Initial: 75 mg once daily, may increase the dose in increments of up to 75 mg at intervals of ≥2 weeks based on clinical evaluation. Max: 225 mg/day.
Panic disorder: Extended-release: Initial: 37.5 mg once daily for seven days, then increase the dose to 75 mg/day. Further increase in doses may be done in increments of up to 75 mg at intervals of ≥2 weeks based on clinical evaluation. Max: 225 mg/day.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and return to your usual dosing schedule. If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not double a dose under any circumstances.
Overdose of Venlafaxine (Affexor XR 150) 150 mg
Signs of overdose may include the following:
- Tachycardia
- Changes in the level of consciousness
- Mydriasis
- Convulsion
- Vomiting
- ECG changes (e.g., prolonged QT interval, QRS prolongation, bundle branch block)
- Ventricular tachycardia
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Vertigo
- Rhabdomyolysis and death
Seek medical help immediately.
Contraindications
People with the following medical conditions should not take Venlafaxine:
- Children
- Concomitant use with MAOIs (including methylene blue, linezolid) or within 14 days of therapy
- Avoid alcohol
Side Effects
Venlafaxine may have the following side effects:
- Withdrawal symptoms (e.g., dizziness, sensory and sleep disturbances, agitation, nausea, vomiting, headache)
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Nervousness
- Central nervous system depression
- Dyslipidemia
- Bone fracture
- Hypertension
- Sexual dysfunction
- Weight loss and anorectic effect
- Mild pupillary dilation
- Suicidal thoughts and behavior
- Mild pupillary dilation
- Rarely, hyponatremia, akathisia, interstitial lung disease, eosinophilic pneumonia, ventricular tachycardia.
- Palpitations
- Dyspnea
- Tinnitus
- Visual impairment
- Accommodation disorder
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea.
- Hyperhidrosis
- Asthenia
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Weight gain
- Increased heart rate
- Increased triglycerides
- Decreased appetite
- Hypertonia
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Sedation
- Tremor
- Paraesthesia
- Dysgeusia
- Insomnia
- Confusional state
- Depersonalization
- Anorgasmia
- Nervousness
- Abnormal dreams
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Urinary retention
- Urinary frequency
- Dysuria
- Urinary incontinence
- Decreased libido
- Metrorrhagia
- Ejaculation disorder
- Menorrhagia
- Impotence
- Rash
- Pruritus
- Hot flush
- Vasodilation
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Bleeding events (e.g., ecchymoses, hematomas, epistaxis, petechiae).
Potentially Fatal:
- Serotonin syndrome (e.g., dizziness, agitation, hallucination, tachycardia, tremor, severe headache)
- Cardiac arrhythmias
Warnings
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- Isocarboxazid
- Phenelzine
- Tranylcypromine
- Linezolid
- Methylene blue
- Phentermine
- Sibutramine
- Warfarin
- Aspirin
- Insulin
- Metoprolol
- Amiodarone
- Sumatriptan
- Zolmitriptan
- Ketoconazole
- Itraconazole
- Atazanavir
- Indinavir
- Ibuprofen
- Clarithromycin
- Moxifloxacin
- Fluoxetine
- Duloxetine
- Lithium
- Haloperidol
- Risperidone
- Thioridazine
- Tramadol
- Fentanyl
- St John’s wort
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and non-prescription medicines.
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Venlafaxine.
How Does Venlafaxine (Affexor XR 150) 150 mg Work?
The exact mechanism of action of Venlafaxine is unknown, but it appears to be related to the potentiation of neurotransmitter activity in the central nervous system. Venlafaxine and its active metabolite, O-desmethylvenlafaxine, inhibits the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine metabolites and has weak inhibitory effects on the reuptake of dopamine. It is not active at histaminergic, muscarinic, or alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors, unlike serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Uses
Venlafaxine is used to treat the following conditions:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic disorder
Special Precautions and Connected Warnings
Take special precautions if you have the following conditions:
- Cardiovascular disease (e.g., recent history of heart attack, unstable heart disease, cerebrovascular conditions or hyperthyroidism)
- Bipolar disorder
- Diabetes
- Suicidal ideation/behavior
- At the risk of acute narrow-angle glaucoma
- History of convulsions
- Predisposing factors of bleeding
- Volume-depleted or dehydrated patients
- Renal and hepatic impairment
- Elderly
- Pregnancy and lactation
- CYP2D6 extensive and poor metabolizers
- Avoid abrupt discontinuation
- Avoid alcohol
Storage Conditions
- Store between 20-25°C. Protect from light and moisture.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
- Do not use Venlafaxine that is expired or out of date.
