Effexor xr what does it look like

Effexor XR is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. Abruptly stopping treatment with Effexor XR can cause withdrawal symptoms.

These symptoms can include:. To avoid withdrawal symptoms, your dosage of Effexor XR should be tapered gradually decreased over several weeks. This is because both Effexor XR and alcohol can cause sleepiness and trouble concentrating when taken separately.

Drinking alcohol while taking Effexor XR could make these side effects worse. Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions. Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat generalized anxiety disorder include:. Effexor XR can interact with several other medications and cause false results for certain lab tests. It can also interact with certain supplements. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works.

Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. Below is a list of medications that can interact with Effexor XR. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Effexor XR. Before taking Effexor XR, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take.

Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Serotonin syndrome is a serious reaction that happens when too much serotonin a chemical produced by nerve cells builds up in your body.

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include anxiety , shakiness, fever, diarrhea, fast heartbeat, and seizures. If you experience any symptoms of serotonin syndrome, tell your doctor right away.

They may recommend that you stop treatment with any medication that may cause serotonin syndrome until your symptoms are treated. They may recommend that you stop treatment with any supplement that may cause serotonin syndrome until your symptoms are treated. This means that your drug test can show a positive result for PCP or amphetamines even though you did not use either of these drugs.

However, in case of a false-positive result, a second test can be done to rule out the use of PCP and amphetamines. False-positive results can happen for several days after your last dose of Effexor XR.

If you take Effexor XR and need to take a drug test, be sure to tell the test administrator about all medications you take. They will use this information when interpreting your test results. No, the immediate-release form of brand-name Effexor is no longer on the market. An immediate-release form of a drug releases the drug into your system as soon as your body absorbs it. However, a generic form of immediate-release venlafaxine the active drug in Effexor XR is available.

However, it does have several side effects that may make it seem like a stimulant to some people. For example, some people have insomnia trouble sleeping , headache, increased blood pressure, and loss of appetite while taking Effexor XR. They can recommend ways to relieve these side effects.

A taper, or gradual decrease of your dose, is recommended when stopping Effexor XR. This is because stopping Effexor XR suddenly can cause side effects. Some of these side effects include feeling agitated, lack of energy, flu-like symptoms, trouble sleeping, and others.

If you and your doctor decide that stopping Effexor XR is right for you, they will likely recommend a gradual decrease of 75 mg per week. For example, if you were taking mg of Effexor XR per day, then your doctor may recommend that you decrease your dose to 75 mg per day for at least a week.

After that week, they may recommend that you stop taking Effexor XR. If you want to stop taking Effexor XR, talk with your doctor. They can discuss with you the safest way to do it. You may be able to switch from a short-acting form of venlafaxine to Effexor XR if your doctor recommends that you do. A short-acting form of a drug releases the active ingredient quickly for a faster effect. An extended-release form of a drug, such as the drug in Effexor XR, is released slowly for a more lasting effect.

The short-acting form of venlafaxine comes as a tablet. If your doctor advises you to switch to Effexor XR, they may recommend a different dosage than you were taking of the short-acting form of venlafaxine.

Animal studies did show harm to the fetus when the mother received Effexor XR. There have been reports of complications in newborns who were born to mothers who took Effexor XR. These symptoms were most commonly seen in newborns who were exposed to Effexor XR during the third trimester the last few months before birth. The complications are generally considered withdrawal symptoms because the baby is no longer receiving Effexor XR after birth.

Complications and withdrawal symptoms included the need for tube feeding or breathing support, and an extended stay in the hospital. Other problems included constant crying, poor feeding, tense or shaky muscles, and vomiting. These complications and symptoms can be treated by healthcare professionals. They typically go away within a few days or weeks. Talk with your doctor if you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant and want to take an antidepressant.

They can discuss the safest options with you. Effexor XR does pass into human breast milk. This could cause side effects in nursing children, including unusual sleepiness and trouble gaining weight.

Effexor XR contains the active drug venlafaxine. Drugs in the SNRI class treat depression and other related conditions by affecting the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine.

These are two neurotransmitters chemical messengers that play a role in regulating your mood. An imbalance of serotonin and norepinephrine levels can lead to conditions like depression, anxiety , and panic disorder. This allows the two neurotransmitters to stay active longer, which helps balance communication between nervous system cells in your brain. Restoring the balance of serotonin and norepinephrine is thought to improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and panic disorder.

It may take several weeks before you begin to see your symptoms improve. This is because it takes time for the neurotransmitter levels in your brain to become stable. Talk with your doctor about how long you should wait to know whether or not Effexor XR is working for you. Your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization before they approve coverage for Effexor XR. This means that your doctor will need to send a request to your insurance company asking them to cover the drug.

The insurance company will review the request and let you and your doctor know if your plan will cover Effexor XR. If you need financial support to pay for Effexor XR, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. Pfizer, Inc. Effexor XR is taken once a day. You can take it in the morning or evening, but try to take it at the same time each day.

However, if you have trouble swallowing Effexor XR capsules, you can open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto applesauce. You can mix it together or leave the contents on top. Be sure to empty the entire contents of the capsule. Swallow the applesauce with Effexor XR contents without chewing. Drink a full glass of water after you swallow the applesauce. This will help make sure that you get your full dose of Effexor XR.

This drug has a boxed warning. A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Effexor XR has been linked to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and young adults who are 24 years old and younger. This increased risk has been found for all antidepressants , not just Effexor XR. Caregivers of young people who take Effexor XR should closely watch for signs of worsening depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Effexor XR is not approved for use in children. Before taking Effexor XR, talk with your doctor about your health history. Effexor XR may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at or use their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away. When you get Effexor XR from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle.

This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication. The expiration date helps guarantee the medication is effective during this time. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk to your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it. How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment. The FDA website provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of your medication. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date.

However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Panic attacks can be sudden and overpowering. Knowing what to do can help people regain control. This article looks at 13 ways to stop a panic attack. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound that comes from the cannabis plant. It is gaining popularity as a natural treatment for many mental health….

Certain situations and events can be anxiety triggers for some people. Strategies are available to help people avoid triggers and get their anxiety…. Previous research has shown that some natural supplements — including vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and herbal remedies such as valerian and…. Antidepressants are a commonly used drug in the United States, but some people find they gain or lose weight when using specific types.

The link is…. Effexor XR venlafaxine. What is Effexor XR? Effexor XR uses. Effexor XR generic. Effexor XR contains the active drug ingredient venlafaxine. Effexor XR side effects. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following: Seizures. Serotonin syndrome high levels of serotonin, a chemical in your brain. Symptoms can include: anxiety shakiness fever diarrhea fast heartbeat seizures High blood pressure. Symptoms can include: headache shortness of breath Abnormal bleeding.

Symptoms can include: bruising easily and often nosebleeds coughing up blood producing vomit that looks like coffee grounds blood in your stool black or tarry stool Hyponatremia low sodium levels. Symptoms can include: headache trouble focusing weakness feeling unsteady fainting seizures Lung disease and pneumonia.

Symptoms can include: shortness of breath cough pain in your chest fever Withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the drug suddenly. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults. Side effect details You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug. Allergic reaction As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Effexor XR.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include: skin rash itchiness flushing warmth and redness in your skin A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible.

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include: swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat trouble breathing Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Effexor XR.

Weight gain or weight loss Weight gain and weight loss have occurred in clinical studies of Effexor XR. Nausea Nausea is a common side effect of Effexor XR.

Insomnia Insomnia trouble sleeping is a common side effect of Effexor XR. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young people There is an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in young people up to 24 years old who take antidepressants, including Effexor XR.

Note: Effexor XR is not approved for use in children younger than 18 years old. Side effects in children Effexor XR is not approved for use in children under 18 years old. Weight loss in children In clinical studies lasting 8 to 16 weeks, many children who took Effexor XR had a lack of appetite. Slowed growth in children In clinical studies , children who took Effexor XR grew in height more slowly than typical children in their age group.

Effexor XR dosage. The Effexor XR dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. You take it with food. It comes in three strengths: Dosage for generalized anxiety disorder The usual starting dosage of Effexor XR for generalized anxiety disorder GAD is 75 mg once daily.

Dosage for social anxiety disorder The standard dosage of Effexor XR for social anxiety disorder is 75 mg once daily. Dosage for panic disorder The usual starting dosage of Effexor XR for panic disorder is What if I miss a dose?

Will I need to use this drug long term? List of Partners vendors. Venlafaxine is an antidepressant drug in a class called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors SNRIs. It is an oral tablet that comes in both an immediate-release Effexor and extended-release Effexor XR formula. Both are used to treat depression in addition to a variety of other mental health conditions. SNRIs work by blocking the reabsorption or reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine back into the nerve cells that released them.

Blocking their reuptake increases the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain. This improves your focus and alertness and boosts your mood. Effexor has been discontinued in the U. Unlike Effexor, Effexor XR only needs to be taken once a day. Like any medication, side effects may occur while taking Effexor. Be sure to contact your doctor if they don't go away or become bothersome. Common side effects include:. These side effects often improve over the first week or two as you continue taking the medication.

Call your doctor if your symptoms become severe or don't go away. Effexor should not be taken with or within two weeks of taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs. Examples of MAOIs include:.

Serious and even fatal complications may result from such a combination. Make sure your doctor knows your complete medical history. Effexor should be used with caution if you have:. Warnings are established to both ensure the safe use and discontinuation of Effexor.

Your doctor should monitor you for the following complications while you're taking Effexor. Be careful when mixing Effexor with other medicines that also affect serotonin levels, such as other antidepressants, lithium, and St.

John's wort. Doing so can lead to an excessive serotonin buildup in the brain. This can cause a condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:. Some cases of serotonin syndrome can be life-threatening. If you're taking Effexor and experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

You should always avoid drinking or using other drugs while you're taking Effexor. These substances may decrease the benefits of the medication, or they can result in a toxic overdose.

The most common Effexor overdose effects include:. To reduce your risk of overdose, your doctor will only prescribe you the lowest possible dose in the smallest quantity. Children and adolescents up to age 25 may experience increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors when taking antidepressant medications. The danger is greatest the first few months of treatment or when changing the dose.

Though this warning is true for all antidepressants, taking Effexor may increase your risk even more. A major study found that Effexor was associated with a higher risk of both completed and attempted suicide compared with other antidepressants, including Celexa citalopram , Prozac fluoxetine , and Prothiaden dothiepin.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor.

If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Stopping Effexor abruptly may result in one of more of the following withdrawal symptoms :. It's important to not stop taking Effexor on your own. If you and your doctor decide it's best for you to stop Effexor, they can provide you with a tapering strategy to minimize any withdrawal symptoms.

Before prescribing Effexor, your doctor will take a thorough medical history. Even so, it's important for you to play an active role in your care.

Be sure to share every detail of your health history, regardless of whether or not you think it's important. Overall, Effexor is a well-tolerated medication that has helped many people cope with a variety of mental health conditions. You deserve to get well.