Do you sometimes feel a great burden, sadness, or fear in your heart? As a treatment for such conditions, your doctor may have prescribed you a medicine called Venlafaxine. You may feel a little scared when you hear this name. But, don't worry about it at all. Today, let's talk about this medicine, what it does, and the things you need to be careful about when using it, in a very simple and friendly way.
What kind of medicine is Venlafaxine?
Simply put, Venlafaxine is a medication used to treat conditions such as depression and anxiety . Certain chemicals in the brain help regulate our mood, which is our feelings of happiness, sadness, and fear. This medication works by helping to maintain the balance of two such chemicals , serotonin and norepinephrine, in the brain.
This class of drugs is medically known as SNRI (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor) . You may have been prescribed this by your doctor under a brand name like Effexor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
This is very important. Before starting Venlafaxine, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions below.
| The situation or fact you have |
|---|
| Bleeding disorders or taking medication that prevents blood clotting (e.g. Warfarin) |
| Glaucoma (eye condition) |
| Heart disease or high blood pressure |
| High cholesterol level |
| Kidney or liver disease |
| Decreased sodium levels in the blood |
| Mania or bipolar disorder |
| Seizures |
| If you or a family member has had previous suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts |
| Thyroid diseases |
| If you have an allergic reaction to Venlafaxine, Desvenlafaxine or other medicines, foods, or dyes |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding |
How should I use this medicine?
This is very simple.
- Swallow this tablet with a glass of water. It is best to take it with food.
- Take it exactly as your doctor tells you, when you are told to. Never take more than the prescribed dose.
- This is the most important thing: Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly for any reason without your doctor's advice. Doing so may cause you to experience side effects such as dizziness, nausea, or a relapse of your condition. If you do stop, do so as directed by your doctor, gradually reducing the dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
Imagine you have taken too much medicine. If that happens, don't delay. Go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never give it to a friend or family member, even if they have similar symptoms.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Venlafaxine can interact with other medications and some vitamins, so it's important to tell your doctor about everything you're taking.
| Type of material that may cause problems | Examples |
|---|---|
| Do not take Venlafaxine with these | |
| MAOI-type antidepressants | Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate |
| Other SNRI/SSRI medications | Desvenlafaxine, Duloxetine, Levomilnacipran |
| Linezolid, Methylene blue | These are used for antibiotics and other treatments. |
| Be very careful when taking Venlafaxine with these (tell your doctor). | |
| Aspirin and NSAID-type painkillers | Ibuprofen, Naproxen |
| Anticoagulant | Warfarin, Dalteparin, Enoxaparin |
| Migraine medication | Sumatriptan, Rizatriptan |
| Herbal Supplements | St. John's wort, Kava kava, Valerian |
This list is not exhaustive. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including vitamins, herbal products, and traditional medicines. Also, don't forget to tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Be patient: It can take several weeks to see the full effects of this medication. So don't stop taking it half-way through the first week if you don't see any difference, and continue using it as directed by your doctor.
- Pay attention to your mood: Especially when you first start taking the medication or after changing the dosage, watch for signs of worsening depression or suicidal thoughts . If you notice a sudden change in your behavior or mood (such as extreme anger or agitation) , talk to your doctor right away.
- Blood pressure: This can increase blood pressure in some people. Therefore, it is important to check your blood pressure as advised by your doctor.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: You may feel drowsy and dizzy. So , do not drive or operate machinery until your body gets used to this medicine. Especially if you are elderly, do not get up suddenly from a sitting position.
- Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medication. Alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of the medication and increase side effects.
- Dry mouth: Dry mouth is normal. Chew sugar-free gum and drink more water.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Venlafaxine can cause side effects in some people. Most of these are not serious. However, there are some things we should be aware of.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Things to inform your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Abnormal bleeding | Black stools, dark red/brown urine, blood spots on the skin. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast, dizziness, chest pain. |
| Serotonin Syndrome | Severe restlessness, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, fever, vomiting. |
| Changes in eyesight | Sudden eye pain and blurred vision. |
| Suicidal thoughts | Mood swings, suicidal thoughts. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Restlessness, agitation | Anxiety, nervousness. |
| Changes in sexual desire or function | Change in sex drive or performance. |
| Dizziness, dry mouth, excessive sweating | Dizziness, Dry mouth, Excessive sweating. |
| Nausea, insomnia | Nausea, Trouble sleeping. |
Take-Home Message
- Venlafaxine is a medication for depression and anxiety that should only be used under the advice of a doctor .
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly for any reason without your doctor's advice.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking.
- Seek immediate medical advice if you experience significant mood changes or suicidal thoughts during the initial period of taking the medication.
- Avoid alcohol completely while taking this medicine.
- If you have any questions about this medicine, don't keep it to yourself, but ask your doctor.
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