How does it work?

Venlafaxine is an antidepressant known as a serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). When depression occurs, there may be a decreased amount of the chemicals noradrenaline and serotonin released from nerve cells in the brain. When these chemicals are released from nerve cells they act to lighten mood. When they are reabsorbed into the nerve cells, they no longer have an effect on mood. Venlafaxine works by preventing this reabsorption of noradrenaline and serotonin back into the nerve cells. Therefore, it helps prolong the mood-lightening effect of any released noradrenaline and serotonin. This helps relieve depression. It may take between two to four weeks for this medicine to have an effect, so it is very important that you keep taking it, even if it doesn't seem to make much difference at first.

What is it used for?

Depression

Depression associated with anxiety

Generalised anxiety disorder (Efexor XL only)

Warning!

This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.

This medicine may cause skin rashes and you should consult your doctor if you develop a rash, skin peeling, itching, or other unexplained skin reaction while taking this medicine.

This medicine may be harmful to an unborn baby. Women of child-bearing age should use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while using this medicine.

This medicine may cause low blood sodium levels (hyponatraemia), which can result in drowsiness, confusion, muscle twitching or convulsions. Consult your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms while taking this medicine.

Avoid abrupt withdrawal of this medication. Suddenly stopping this medicine may cause headaches, nausea and vomiting, nervousness, sweating, fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, diarrhoea and insomnia. When stopping this medicine the dose should be reduced gradually. Your doctor will explain how.

Your doctor may need to monitor your blood pressure and heart rate if you are taking doses of venlafaxine greater than 200mg a day.

This medicine is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age, as there is no information regarding its safety and efficacy in this age group.

This medicine can occasionally cause your blood pressure to drop when you move from a lying down or sitting position to sitting or standing, especially when you first start taking the medicine. This may make you feel dizzy or unsteady. To avoid this try getting up slowly. If you do feel dizzy, sit or lie down until the symptoms pass.

Use with caution in

Closed angle glaucoma

Decreased kidney function

Decreased liver function

Elderly people

History of fits (seizures), eg epilepsy

History of mania

Liver cirrhosis

People who have recently had a heart attack

Raised pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure), eg glaucoma

Unstable heart disease

Not to be used in

Breastfeeding

People who have taken monoamine-oxidase inhibitor antidepressants (MAOIs) in the last 14 days

Pregnancy

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should not be taken by women who are pregnant, and women of child-bearing age who take this medicine should use effective contraception. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine may pass into breast milk. It should not be used by breastfeeding mothers. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

Take this medication with or after food.

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