Effexor XR and/or Equivalents

Effexor XR (venlafaxine XR)

Effexor XR Description

Effexor XR is the brand name for the medicine Venlafaxine. It is also marketed with other names across different countries. The drug was first produced in 1993 by the company Wyeth. Currently, however the patency rights for Effexor XR have been taken over the international company Pfizer. Effexor XR is a prescription drug given to patients with depression. It is a highly popular drug in the US market and holds the position amongst the top 10 commonly prescribed drugs.

Conditions Treated by Effexor XR

Effexor XR or Venlafaxine is an anti-depressant medicine, meaning it is used to cure clinical depression, severe anxiety and MDD or major depressive disorder. It is also quite useful for treating patients with panic attacks or social anxiety. As mentioned earlier, Effexor XR contains Venlafaxine which is a SNRI or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. SNRIs facilitate the balance of norepinephrine and serotonin that are naturally found in brains. As a result there is an improvement in mood, stabilization of the mind, improved energy levels – all of which contribute to a stable mental state. Although some of the symptoms of a psychological disorder might seem fairly, Effexor XR is not to be taken as a self-medication. The dosage and prescription is derived from a detailed diagnosis, using DSM IV, which is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Effexor XR Dosage Information

a.) Typical Dosage Recommendations

Effexor XR is an oral consumption pill that needs to be taken daily. It can be taken at anytime of the day but needs to be taken with food. Ideally it should be taken at more or less the same time everyday so that the body can get accustomed to the medications easily. Effexor XR is a prescription pill, hence it should never be shared even of two patients have the same medicine. The medicine should be taken with water by swallowing. It should not be dissolved, crushed or chewed as this can impact the efficacy of the medicine. The doctor might start a lower dose of Effexor XR and then gradually build it up so that the patient can adapt to the medicine effectively. Likewise the dose might also be reduced after a sufficient time has elapsed, if the patient is responding well to the drug. However these changes are strictly to be done by the doctor.

b.) Missing A Dose

Effexor XR is a medication prescribed for serious psychological conditions. Hence patients are likely to forget a dose due to the existing mental conditions they are in. However it helps if any friend, family member can assist with the drug schedule for the patient so that there are no missed doses. Medicine alarms are also found to be effective as also linking it with a particular daily activity such as dinner. Effexor XR works best after a certain time period hence the doses must not be missed if the medicine doesn’t seem to have any apparent effect. If a dose is missed, it should be taken whenever the patient remembers and if it is still 12 hours or more for the next dose. If the time is too close to the next dose, then it is better to move on to the subsequent dose itself.

c.) Overdosing

The dosage for Effexor XR is very carefully derived on an analysis of medical history, severity of condition and other parameters. Hence the patient must not tamper with the dosage without seeking the prescribing doctor’s advice. There are certain signs that indicate that there has been an overdose of Effexor XR. These include rapid heartbeats, seizures, feeling unnaturally drowsy. If an overdose is suspected then the patient should immediately get medical help.

Effexor XR Warnings

All antidepressants including Effexor XR is used for treating a range of severe psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression. While these are known to work well in adults, some individuals below the age of 25 might experience worsening of symptoms after taking Effexor XR. This could involves having suicidal thoughts, severe mood swings, impulsive behavior or incoherent speech. The patient and more particularly those around him or her such as friends, coworkers and family members must be on the lookout for any drastic changes in the patient’s behavior after taking Effexor XR and accordingly inform the doctor.

Effexor XR Side Effects

Every drug has some side effects that are desirable in addition to the expected results. in case of drugs to cure psychiatric illness (including Effexor XR) side effects are quite likely as they affect the chemical processes in the brain. However there are ways to manage these and the patient, as well his/her caretakers must seek detailed information before starting a course of Effexor XR. Some of the side effects of Effexor XR are losing weight, insomnia, appetite loss, dryness in the mouth, feeling weak or drowsy, vision-related changes, excessive yawning, sweating and vomiting sensation. As long as the symptoms are short-lived it is acceptable. However if the side effects keep getting worse then a change in dosage might be needed. The patient must keep the doctor informed of all side effects however, irrespective of the severity. Effexor XR could also cause changes in the blood pressure hence it needs to be monitored regularly.

Drug Interactions With Effexor XR

Most drugs have some kind of interaction with other drugs hence patients must inform their doctors of all medicines they might be taking when they start taking Effexor XR. This also includes any herbal medications as these also have an impact on the efficacy of the drug. Moreover certain drugs must be avoided at all costs as these can cause a n adverse reaction to the drug. These include all MAO inhibitors such as Manerix (moclobemide) Marplan (isocarboxazid), Nardil(phenelzine), furazolidone, Zyvox(linezolid) , Matulane (procarbazine) and Azilect(rasagiline) among others. These must be stopped at least 2 weeks before commencing a dose of Effexor XR. There can also be a severe reaction with any weight loss drugs such as Tryptan (tryptophan). There are other drugs that can affect the heartbeats if taken along with Effexor XR. These include dofetilide (Tikosyn), Orap (pimozide), Betapace (sotalol), Cordarone (amiodarone), Quinidine and procainamide (Procan SR).

If you have any questions about buying discount Effexor XR online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.

Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Effexor XR and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information