Scores of 17 to 23 indicate moderate depression. Scores of 24 and higher indicate severe depression. In clinical studies , people took either a placebo a treatment with no active drug or Effexor XR. The doses of Effexor XR ranged from 75 mg to mg per day. GAD is a condition characterized by ongoing fear or worry. The anxiety is not related to any certain event. The maximum score on the HAM-A scale is A score above 30 is considered severe GAD.
In clinical studies , people took either a placebo or Effexor XR. The doses of Effexor XR ranged from In two 8-week clinical studies , HAM-A scores decreased improved by up to 2. In these two studies, people took between In two clinical studies that each lasted 6 months, HAM-A scores decreased improved by 2. Social anxiety disorder is a type of anxiety felt during interactions with other people.
Symptoms can include fear of being judged by others, sweating, shakiness, fast heart rate, and avoiding social situations. Effexor XR has been found to be effective for treating social anxiety disorder. There is maximum score of points, with higher scores meaning worse social anxiety disorder.
A decrease in LSAS scores is related to an improvement in symptoms of social anxiety disorder. In clinical studies , people with social anxiety disorder took either Effexor XR or a placebo.
The studies lasted for 3 and 6 months. Doses of Effexor XR ranged from 75 mg to mg once a day. At the end of the studies, LSAS scores decreased improved by This means Effexor XR controlled their symptoms more effectively than a placebo. Panic disorder is a type of anxiety in which you have repeated and unexpected panic attacks feelings of very bad anxiety.
Panic attacks can last anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. Effexor XR has been found to be effective in treating panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. In clinical studies , people with panic disorder took either Effexor XR or a placebo for 3 months. The dosage range of Effexor XR was 75 mg to mg once a day. These studies found that people who took Effexor XR were about 2. A full-symptom panic attack is one that involves all of the usual symptoms, including rapid heart rate, shakiness, nausea, and fear of losing control.
A boxed warning is the strongest warning required by the FDA. It is used to alert healthcare professionals and patients about the risk of serious side effects seen with the drug.
The Effexor XR boxed warning describes an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young people who take Effexor XR. The increased risk is seen in children under 18 years old and in adults ages 24 years old and younger.
All antidepressants carry this warning, not just Effexor XR. In addition to the uses listed above, Effexor XR may be used off-label. However, Effexor XR may be used off-label for this condition.
However, it may be used off-label for this purpose. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends venlafaxine the active drug in Effexor XR as a second-choice option for preventing migraine headaches. Treatment guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology state that venlafaxine is probably effective for preventing migraine headaches and should be considered as a treatment option. Treatment guidelines from the Endocrine Society recommend the use of antidepressants such as venlafaxine the active drug in Effexor XR to treat vasomotor symptoms hot flashes, night sweats, and flushing.
Effexor XR is available as a brand-name and generic medication. The generic form is a venlafaxine extended-release capsule. Effexor XR can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Effexor XR. These lists do not include all possible side effects. For more information on the possible side effects of Effexor XR, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome. Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug.
As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Effexor XR. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:. A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:. Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Effexor XR. Weight gain and weight loss have occurred in clinical studies of Effexor XR. Nausea is a common side effect of Effexor XR. If you have nausea while taking Effexor XR, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about ways to minimize this side effect. Insomnia trouble sleeping is a common side effect of Effexor XR. If you have trouble sleeping while taking Effexor XR, talk with your doctor.
They can recommend ways to reduce this side effect. There is an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in young people up to 24 years old who take antidepressants, including Effexor XR.
This increased risk is seen in young people who have major depressive disorder or other psychiatric conditions. Effexor XR has a boxed warning for this side effect. Young people starting Effexor XR should be monitored closely for worsening depression, unusual behavior, and suicidal thoughts and behavior. There are also other side effect concerns if children take this drug. In clinical studies lasting 8 to 16 weeks, many children who took Effexor XR had a lack of appetite.
This may have contributed to weight loss seen in children within the study. Longer studies lasting up to 6 months showed that children taking Effexor XR did not gain as much weight as other children in the same age group. This was especially true in children under the age of 12 years old. In clinical studies , children who took Effexor XR grew in height more slowly than typical children in their age group.
This difference in growth was more dramatic for children under the age of 12 years old than for those ages 12 years and older.
Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. The maximum dosage for MDD is mg once daily.
However, daily dosages of mg or higher may be needed to treat MDD in some people. This would be considered an off-label nonapproved use. The usual starting dosage of Effexor XR for panic disorder is After 7 days, the dosage can be increased if needed. The maximum dosage for panic disorder is mg once daily. If you miss a dose of Effexor XR, take it as soon as you remember. Never take two doses at once.
This will raise your risk of serious side effects. A medication timer may be useful, too. Effexor XR is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. Abruptly stopping treatment with Effexor XR can cause withdrawal symptoms.
These symptoms can include:. To avoid withdrawal symptoms, your dosage of Effexor XR should be tapered gradually decreased over several weeks. This is because both Effexor XR and alcohol can cause sleepiness and trouble concentrating when taken separately. Drinking alcohol while taking Effexor XR could make these side effects worse. Other drugs are available that can treat your condition.
Some may be a better fit for you than others. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you. Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions.
Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat generalized anxiety disorder include:. Effexor XR can interact with several other medications and cause false results for certain lab tests. It can also interact with certain supplements. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works.
Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their health care provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment.
Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication.
Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions. Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein. The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein. Search Close Menu.
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Other symptoms include: Restlessness Fatigue low energy, feeling tired all the time Difficulty concentrating Irritability Muscle tension Sleep disturbance difficulty falling asleep or waking up in the middle of the night Panic Disorder occurs when a person experiences unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear.
Missing doses of venlafaxine may increase your risk for relapse in your symptoms. Caution is advised with breastfeeding since venlafaxine does pass into breast milk. Symptoms of your condition that bother you the most If you have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself Medications you have taken in the past for your condition, whether they were effective or caused any adverse effects If you experience side effects from your medications, discuss them with your provider.
Some side effects may pass with time, but others may require changes in the medication. Any other psychiatric or medical problems you have, including a history of bipolar disorder All other medications you are currently taking including over the counter products, herbal and nutritional supplements and any medication allergies you have Other non-medication treatment you are receiving, such as talk therapy or substance abuse treatment.
List of Partners vendors. Venlafaxine is an antidepressant drug in a class called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs. It is an oral tablet that comes in both an immediate-release Effexor and extended-release Effexor XR formula. Both are used to treat depression in addition to a variety of other mental health conditions. SNRIs work by blocking the reabsorption or reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine back into the nerve cells that released them.
Blocking their reuptake increases the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain. This improves your focus and alertness and boosts your mood. Effexor has been discontinued in the U. Unlike Effexor, Effexor XR only needs to be taken once a day. Like any medication, side effects may occur while taking Effexor. Be sure to contact your doctor if they don't go away or become bothersome. Common side effects include:. These side effects often improve over the first week or two as you continue taking the medication.
Call your doctor if your symptoms become severe or don't go away. Effexor should not be taken with or within two weeks of taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs. Examples of MAOIs include:. Serious and even fatal complications may result from such a combination. Make sure your doctor knows your complete medical history. Effexor should be used with caution if you have:.
Warnings are established to both ensure the safe use and discontinuation of Effexor. Your doctor should monitor you for the following complications while you're taking Effexor.
Be careful when mixing Effexor with other medicines that also affect serotonin levels, such as other antidepressants, lithium, and St. John's wort. Doing so can lead to an excessive serotonin buildup in the brain. This can cause a condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:.
Some cases of serotonin syndrome can be life-threatening. If you're taking Effexor and experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible. You should always avoid drinking or using other drugs while you're taking Effexor. These substances may decrease the benefits of the medication, or they can result in a toxic overdose. The most common Effexor overdose effects include:.
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