Venlafaxine what is it

It is not common, but some people less than 1 in may have serious side effects when taking venlafaxine. In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to venlafaxine. You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital. These are not all the side effects of venlafaxine. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme.

It's important for you and your baby that you stay well during your pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking venlafaxine speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Venlafaxine has been linked to a very small increased risk of problems for your unborn baby.

However if your depression is not treated during pregnancy this can also increase the chance of problems. You may need to take venlafaxine during pregnancy if you need it to remain well. Your doctor can explain the risks and the benefits, and will help you decide which treatment is best for you and your baby.

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, venlafaxine can be used during breastfeeding. It has been used in breastfeeding mothers usually without any problems. Venlafaxine passes into breast milk in small amounts. It has been linked with side-effects in very few breastfed babies. It is important to continue taking venlafaxine to keep you well. Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby.

If you notice that your baby isn't feeding as well as usual, or seems unusually sleepy, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, then talk to your health visitor or doctor as soon as possible. Some medicines and venlafaxine can interfere with each other and increase the chances of you having side effects.

Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start venlafaxine :. Do not take the herbal remedy for depression, St John's wort, while you are being treated with venlafaxine as it will increase your risk of side effects. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Venlafaxine is one of a group of antidepressants called serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs. These medicines are thought to work by increasing the levels of mood-enhancing chemicals called serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain. You may see an improvement in your symptoms after a week although it usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks before you feel the full benefits.

That's because it takes around a week for venlafaxine levels to build up in your body, and then a few weeks longer for your body to adapt and get used to it. Do not stop taking venlafaxine just because you feel it is not helping your symptoms. Give the medicine at least 6 weeks to work. Antidepressants like venlafaxine help to jump start your mood so you feel better. You may notice that you sleep better and get on with people more easily because you're less anxious. You will hopefully take little things that used to worry you in your stride.

Venlafaxine won't change your personality or make you feel really happy. It will simply help you feel like yourself again. Don't expect to feel better overnight, though. Some people feel worse during the first few weeks of treatment before they begin to feel better. Once you're feeling better it's likely that you will continue to take venlafaxine for several more months. Most doctors recommend that you take antidepressants for 6 months to 1 year after you no longer feel depressed.

Stopping before that time can make depression come back. A few people may get sexual side effects, such as problems getting an erection or a lower sex drive. In some cases these can continue even after stopping the medicine. Speak to your doctor if you are worried. If you've been feeling better for 6 months or more, your doctor may suggest coming off venlafaxine. Your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks - or longer, if you have been taking venlafaxine for a long time.

This is to help prevent any extra side effects you might get as a reaction to coming off the medicine. These include:. Do not stop taking venlafaxine suddenly, or without talking to your doctor first. Venlafaxine isn't any better or worse than other antidepressants. However, sometimes people respond better to one antidepressant than to another. If you aren't feeling any better after 6 weeks, talk to your doctor.

Antidepressants, including venlafaxine, are just one of several approaches to treating depression or anxiety. If you're interested in any of these treatments, talk to your doctor.

There's no firm evidence to suggest that taking venlafaxine will reduce fertility in men, but it may interfere with the menstrual cycle in women. Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant. They may want to review your treatment.

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People with severe liver disease or cirrhosis may need an even lower dosage. Your doctor can tell you more. People who are on dialysis should take half of the typical dosage. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Venlafaxine oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. Do not stop venlafaxine without talking to your doctor. Stopping venlafaxine too quickly can cause serious symptoms such as:. If this happens, your doctor may have you start taking venlafaxine again and decrease your dosage slowly. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times. If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body.

This can lead to death. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:. But if your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away. What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember.

If you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects. How to tell if the drug is working: The symptoms of your depression or anxiety should be less severe or happen less often. A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled.

Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it. Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. This means your doctor may need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription. There are other drugs available to treat your condition.

Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional.

You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

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