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What is Effexor Xr
VenlafaxineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryVenlafaxine (Effexor) is an antidepressant that works by blocking the transporters for the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, allowing them to stay active in the synapse longer. It is approved to treat major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Venlafaxine has also been used off-label to prevent migraine headaches, reduce menopause symptoms, and treat neuropathic pain.
Effexoris the brand name
Effexor Xr Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Effexor
Venlafaxine
1993
725
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Venlafaxine, also known as Effexor, is approved by the FDA for 3 uses such as Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause and Breast Cancer .Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause
Helps manage Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause
Breast Cancer
Helps manage Breast Cancer
Depression
Effectiveness
How Effexor Xr Affects PatientsVenlafaxine is a type of medicine used to treat mental health disorders. It works by increasing the level of certain chemicals in the brain and does not affect other parts of the body.
How Effexor Xr works in the bodyVenlafaxine works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, two important chemicals in the brain that help regulate mood. This allows these chemicals to remain active in the brain, helping to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and other psychiatric disorders. Venlafaxine has a higher preference for serotonin than norepinephrine, so at low doses it mainly increases serotonin levels. At higher doses, it blocks reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. It also weakly blocks reuptake of dopamine.
When to interrupt dosage
The prescribed dosage of Effexor Xr is contingent upon the diagnosed state, including Social Anxiety Disorder, Neuropathic Pain and Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause. The amount of dosage is subject to change as per the administration technique (e.g. Tablet or Tablet - Oral) highlighted in the following table.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Social Anxiety Disorder
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Postmenopause
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Panic Disorder
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Breast Cancer
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Migraine
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Depression
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Neuropathic Pain
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
prophylaxis of migraine headaches
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Warnings
Effexor Xr ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Venlafaxine may interact with Pulse Frequency
Common Effexor Xr Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Azelastine
Major
Venlafaxine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Azelastine.
Ethanol
Major
Venlafaxine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Ethanol.
Hydroxyzine
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Venlafaxine is combined with Hydroxyzine.
Iobenguane
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of Iobenguane can be decreased when used in combination with Venlafaxine.
Methylene blue
Major
Venlafaxine may increase the serotonergic activities of Methylene blue.
Effexor Xr Toxicity & Overdose RiskTaking too much venlafaxine can be dangerous. In studies, female rats had a toxic dose of 350 mg/kg and male rats had a toxic dose of 700 mg/kg. Common symptoms of an overdose include drowsiness, numbness in the hands and feet, nausea and vomiting, low blood pressure, muscle breakdown, dizziness, confusion, and an irregular heartbeat. There is no cure for overdose and treatment may include hospitalization and activated charcoal. Studies suggest that an overdose of venlafaxine is more likely to be fatal than with other antidepressants, but less likely than with tricyclic antidepressants.
Effexor Xr Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Effexor Xr?
1038 clinical trials are presently underway to research the potential of Effexor Xr in alleviating Neuropathic Pain, preventing migraine headaches, and managing Vasomotor Symptoms related to Menopause.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Depression
199 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 4, Early Phase 1
Breast Cancer
715 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Early Phase 1, Phase 4
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
32 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 1, Phase 4
Postmenopause
5 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable
Social Anxiety Disorder
22 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 2, Early Phase 1, Phase 3
Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3
prophylaxis of migraine headaches
0 Actively Recruiting
Panic Disorder
17 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 2
Migraine
52 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 4, Early Phase 1
Neuropathic Pain
27 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 4
Effexor Xr Reviews: What are patients saying about Effexor Xr?
5Patient Review
9/18/2022 Effexor has been working great for me for over 15 years now. I know that if I were to stop taking it, I would probably experience withdrawal symptoms; however, that's not going to stop me from taking it because it's the only medication that has made me feel like my normal self again.
5Patient Review
8/25/2022 I was on 150mg of this medication, but due to some manic symptoms, my doctor lowered my dosage back to 75mg. After a while, I started having trouble focusing again, so I asked to be raised back up to 150mg. The benefits of this medication (e.g., being interested in activities and being able to focus) outweigh the risks of manic behavior for me.
5Patient Review
10/1/2022 This drug has helped me so much with my ADD. I was really struggling in school, but now I'm getting good grades and doing well. There have been times when I couldn't afford the medicine but I have never suffered any side effects when I didn't have it.
5Patient Review
8/25/2022 I was feeling great on 150mg of Venlafaxine XR, but then my doctor lowered me back to 75mg due to some manic symptoms. However, I started having problems focusing again, so I asked to be raised back up to 150mg. This medication has really helped me be interested in activities and focus on one thing at a time, which used to be a problem for me.
5Patient Review
9/18/2022 I've been on Effexor XR for over 15 years. It's helped me immensely, and I don't plan to stop taking it any time soon even though I know there would be withdrawal symptoms.
5Patient Review
10/1/2022 This medication has helped my focus and attention span so much. I used to really struggle in school, but now I'm doing well and getting good grades. There have been times when I couldn't afford the medicine, but I never experienced any negative side effects from not taking it. In my opinion, this is an amazing drug; however, you should make the decision that's best for you.
4Patient Review
7/26/2022 I've read a lot of reviews talking about the terrible withdrawal symptoms, but I think that if you take this medication as prescribed and have severe enough depression or anxiety, it can really change your life for the better. I do occasionally miss doses because you have to take this with food, but that's my only complaint.
4Patient Review
9/30/2022 I found that I didn't experience any negative side effects when reducing the number of pills I took. You can ask your pharmacist to prepare it for you (to be confirmed). Effexor helped me deal with depression and anxiety. Quitting a medication must be done very slowly, over time, to make it safe. There is no emergency.
4Patient Review
9/30/2022 I had no negative experiences when reducing the number of pills I took per day. You might be able to ask a pharmacy to prepare it for you (not sure). Effexor really helped with my depression and anxiety. Quitting any medication should be done slowly and over time - there's no rush.
4Patient Review
7/26/2022 I've found that as long as I'm consistent with taking this medication, it can really help improve my quality of life. The only downside is that you have to take it with food, which can sometimes be difficult to remember.
3.7Patient Review
6/7/2022 My daughter has been on Effexor for two months and it has helped her, though she constantly feels exhausted and struggles to stay awake. Has anyone else experienced this side effect?
3.7Patient Review
6/7/2022 My daughter has been on Effexor for 2 months and it has helped her, but the side effect of excessive drowsiness has made it hard for her to function. Has anyone else experienced this? And if so, did it improve over time?
3Patient Review
9/1/2022 There is a clear withdrawal problem with Effexor XR because of its short half life. The company needs to either fix this problem or take the drug off the market, as it is too dangerous. Neurological problems such as dizziness, altered gait, and feeling rage are significant. Pfizer needs to acknowledge this and fix the issue or give up on the drug altogether.
3Patient Review
9/1/2022 Effexor XR has a definite withdrawal problem because of its short half life. This creates significant neurological problems like dizziness, an altered gait, and feeling rage. The company should either fix this or take it off the market as it is too dangerous.
2.3Patient Review
6/14/2022 I was really surprised by how quickly this medication made me feel drunk. I had never experienced anything like it before. The next day was even worse, as I couldn't even keep my eyes open and was sweating profusely.
2.3Patient Review
8/29/2022 I experienced some success while taking this medication; however, weaning off the drug was an absolute nightmare. The vertigo and "electrical shocks" to my muscles were very unpleasant. I still have issues with "brain stutters" years later. Any doctor prescribing this medication should be required to take it first.
2.3Patient Review
6/14/2022 I took 37.5mg of this drug for the first time and within a few hours I was more intoxicated than I have ever been in my life. I experienced dizziness, nausea, slurred speech, loss of coordination, total floppyness, vomiting and sweating. The following day I couldnt open my eyes and was on the nod. Diarrhoea galore
2.3Patient Review
8/29/2022 I experienced some success while taking this medication, however upon deciding to wean myself off of it I found the process to be incredibly difficult. The withdrawal symptoms were debilitating and lasted for several months. I still experience negative effects from this drug years later.
1Patient Review
9/19/2022 Effexor was terrible for me. If I even missed a single dose by a couple hours, the effects would last all day. It also took four months for me to get this out of my system. I would never recommend it to anyone.
1Patient Review
9/11/2022 This drug was really terrible and it's hard to believe that it's legal. The side effects were really bad and it's so hard to stop taking it. Don't bother with this drug, it's not worth it.
1Patient Review
9/19/2022 Effexor was terrible. If I missed a single dose by a couple of hours, it would ruin my day. It also took me four months to get this out of my system. I would never recommend it to anyone.
1Patient Review
9/11/2022 This drug is really terrible and I can't believe it's legal. The side effects are awful and it's so hard to stop taking it. Don't bother with this stuff; it's not worth your time or energy.
Patient Q&A Section about effexor xr
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.Is Effexor XR like Xanax?
"Effexor XR is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) and Xanax is a benzodiazepine.
Are Effexor XR and Xanax the same medication? Effexor XR (venlafaxine hydrochloride extended-release) and Xanax (alprazolam) are both used to treat patients with panic and anxiety disorders. Effexor XR is also used to treat patients with major depressive disorders. Effexor XR and Xanax, however, belong to different drug classes. Effexor XR is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) and Xanax is a benzodiazepine."
Answered by AI
Can Effexor XR cause weight gain?
"A lot of patients gain a lot of weight when taking antidepressants like paroxetine and mirtazapine."
Answered by AI
What does Effexor XR do?
"Venlafaxine is known as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).
Venlafaxine is used to treat depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and social anxiety disorder. It can help improve your mood, give you more energy, and help you take an interest in activities you normally don't enjoy. Additionally, it can decrease fear, anxiety, and the number of panic attacks you experience. The drug is classified as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)."
Answered by AI