EFFEXOR XR
Chemical Name: VENLAFAXINE.
Effexor XR is a prescription medication used to treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety
disorder, allowing you to get back to your life again.
Effexor XR is known as an SNRI (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) and is believed to help treat
depression and the associated symptoms of anxiety by affecting the level of two chemicals in the brain,
serotonin and
norepinephrine. These two chemicals are thought to play a key role in depression and the associated symptoms of
anxiety. Correcting the imbalance of these two chemicals may help relieve depression symptoms and the associated
symptoms of anxiety, which can be a positive step toward getting your life back.
GENERIC EFFEXOR functions the same way as Effexor, but at a lower cost. To learn more about generic Effexor,
please follow the information we have provided below.
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Before using Generic Effexor
Before starting
generic Effexor XR (venlafaxine HCl) Capsules, tell your doctor about any medicines you’re taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. People taking MAO inhibitors should not take
generic Effexor XR. Pregnant or nursing women shouldn’t take any antidepressant without consulting their doctor.
generic Effexor XR may raise blood pressure in some patients, so blood pressure should be monitored regularly. When people suddenly stop using or quickly lower their daily dose of
generic Effexor XR, discontinuation symptoms may occur. Talk to your doctor before discontinuing or reducing your dose of
generic Effexor XR. Ask your doctor for additional information about
generic Effexor XR.
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How to use Generic Effexor
•
Generic Effexor XR can be prescribed in different dosage strengths (37.5 mg, 75 mg, and 150 mg).
The usual starting dose is 75 mg, but only your doctor can tell
you which dose is right for you and whether it will need to be adjusted over time.
• Generic Effexor XR should be taken as a single dose with food at about the same time every day,
either in the morning or evening.
• The capsule should be swallowed whole; it should not be divided, crushed, chewed,
or placed in water.
• The capsule can also be carefully opened and its contents sprinkled onto a spoonful of applesauce.
This should be swallowed immediately and followed by drinking a glass of water. Do not chew this mixture
before swallowing.
• If you miss a dose of generic Effexor XR, it can be taken later that day. Don't try to "make up"
for the missed dose by taking two doses the next day.
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Cautions
Some people should not take
generic Effexor XR. Discuss this with your doctor. People taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) should not take
generic Effexor XR. MAOIs can cause a very serious reaction or even death if taken at the same time as
generic Effexor XR. You must stop taking your MAOI at least 14 days before beginning
generic Effexor XR. Similarly, you should wait 7 days after stopping
generic Effexor XR before starting an MAOI. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if a medicine you are
taking is an MAOI.
• Don’t stop taking this medicine until you have consulted with your doctor first.
• Stopping this medicine abruptly can cause agitation, dizziness, nausea and fatigue.
• Patients who have been taking this medicine for 6 weeks or more should taper down their dose over a 2 week period.
• Generic Effexor should NOT be taken with alcohol.
• It is important that you know how you react to this medicine before driving or performing other tasks that require your full attention.
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Possible side effects
Generic Effexor XR may cause side effects in some people. In clinical studies,
few people had to stop taking generic Effexor XR because of side effects.
In clinical studies, the most common side effects included:
•
Nausea
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Abnormal ejaculation
• Sweating
• Dry mouth
• Gas
• Abnormal vision |
•
Nervousness
• Insomnia
• Anorexia
• Constipation
• Confusion/agitation
• Tremor
• Yawning
• Palpitation |
Tell your doctor right away if you have:
• increases in heart rate.
• extreme confusion or seizures, which may indicate very low levels of sodium in the blood.
• abnormal bleeding or bruising.
• sudden, unexpected eye pain, eye redness, or changes in vision, which may indicate increased eye pressure.
• symptoms of mania or hypomania, such as persistently elevated or irritable mood, a decreased need for sleep, racing
thoughts, hyperactivity, and rapid, excessive speech.
Generic Effexor XR may cause an increase in your cholesterol. Your doctor may want to do blood tests to check
your serum cholesterol periodically.
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