Effexor 

What is Effexor?

Effexor (generic name Venlafaxine) is one of a group of anti-depressants known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI).  Effexor is used for major depressive disorder (MDD) and depression resulting from withdrawal from heroin and opium.  Effexor is often prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder, and comorbid indications in various other anxiety disorders with depression. Effexor should only be used under close supervision of your physician and in dosages as prescribed. 

How Effexor Work?

Effexor acts on serotonin levels in the brain, which are believed to bear directly on moods and moods swings.

Precautions When Taking Effexor:

Do not take Effexor if you are currently taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as Marplan, Nardil, Azilect, Eldepryl, Parnate, or Emsam.  You must wait a minimum of two weeks after your last MAOI dose before you can safely take Effexor.

If you are under twenty-four years old, Effexor may cause thoughts of suicide, so your doctor should see you regularly for the first three-months of treatment.  Adolescents and younger children should not take Effexor, unless specifically directed by their doctor.

If while taking Effexor you experience symptoms of behavioral change or mood swings, contact your doctor.  While using Effexor, you may develop panic attacks or have problems going to sleep or remaining asleep.   In some cases, Effexor can cause agitation, aggressiveness, restlessness, irritability, mental and physical hyperactive traits, or more depression.

While taking Effexor, refrain from the use of alcohol as it can result in side effects.  Do not take other drugs unless they have been approved by your doctor.

You should continue to take Effexor even if you feel better and are not depressed.  Your doctor will tell you when and how to stop taking Effexor.  Suddenly stopping the use of Effexor may cause drastic and rapid reoccurrence of depression as well as other withdrawal problems.  Your doctor will give you a plan for tapering off Effexor. 

Side Effects of Effexor:

While Effexor is used without problems by many people, some experience minor side effects.  The most common side effects with Effexor are headaches, dry mouth, drowsiness, and nausea.  Less than 1% of all users may experience liver problems, hair loss, and/or seizures.  Report all serious side effects from Effexor to your healthcare provider, which might include chest palpitations, sleeplessness, and aggressiveness. 

Effexor may cause dependency if it is used for long periods or the dosage has been very high.  It is not unusual to develop withdrawal reactions of nausea, vomiting, numbness, nightmares, tingling sensations, and headaches.  Effexor does not usually cause withdrawal symptoms when it is gradually reduced until to the point of being totally discontinued. 

Some individuals report no side effects from the use of Effexor and no withdrawal symptoms when they stop using Effexor.  Some side effects occur with 23% of the people who take Effexor regularly, but the severity of the effects is not always that great.  Many of the withdrawal symptoms and side effects for Effexor have an occurrence rate of less than 1%, and Effexor has proven to be one of the safer anti-depressants of those used.