Venlafaxine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Effexor, Effexor XR

Proper Use of This Medicine

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor to benefit your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

You may have to take venlafaxine for 4 weeks or longer before you begin to feel better . Also, you will probably need to keep taking this medicine for at least 6 months, even if you feel better, to help prevent your depression from returning. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits during this time.

Venlafaxine should be taken with food or on a full stomach to lessen the chance of stomach upset. However, if your doctor tells you to take the medicine a certain way, take it exactly as directed.

If you are taking the extended-release capsule dosage form, swallow the capsule whole with fluid ; do not break, crush, chew, or place the capsule in liquid.

Dosing - The dose of venlafaxine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of venlafaxine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on your special needs .

• For mental depression:
  • For oral extended-release capsule dosage form:
    • Adults - At first, 75 milligrams (mg) a day, taken in one dose in the morning or evening. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 225 mg a day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral tablet dosage form:
    • Adults - At first, a total of 75 mg a day, taken in smaller doses two or three times during the day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 375 mg a day.
    • Children up to 18 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

• For anxiety:
  • For oral extended-release capsule dosage form:
    • Adults - At first, 75 mg a day, taken in one dose in the morning or evening. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 225 mg per day.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you are taking the tablet form of venlafaxine and you miss a dose , take it as soon as possible. However, if it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you are taking the extended-release capsule form of venlafaxine and you miss a dose , take it as soon as possible. However, if you do not remember the missed dose until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.