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Venlafaxine: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Venlafaxine?

Venlafaxine is an antidepressant (mood elevators) drug that belongs to a group of serotonin and norepinephrine. It is mainly used to treat depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. Venlafaxine comes as a tablet in the form of capsules available only through the prescription of a doctor.

Venlafaxine is primarily known as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs), which treats major depressive disorder and social anxiety disorders by restoring the balance of certain natural groups of substances called serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

What are the Uses of Venlafaxine?

Venlafaxine is predominantly used to treat depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. It also helps in improving the mood and increases the interest in everyday life. It restores the natural substances, which help to cause a depressed state.

It decreases the unwanted suicidal thoughts and number of panic attacks.

It may also help to be used during menopause to treat hot flashes. Moreover, some doctors also prescribe this drug for migraines, diabetic naturopathy, and menopause.

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    What are the Side Effects of Venlafaxine?

    Like all types of drugs, Venlafaxine also has some side effects in some people. And some common side effects can be improved as the body gets used to it.

    Some of the common side effects that are normal and can be treated easily are –

    • Headaches
    • Sweating
    • Dry Mouth
    • Insomnia
    • Constipation

    Some severe side effects are –

    • Anaemia
    • Fainting and constant headaches
    • Blurred vision, redness, eye pain
    • High blood pressure and cholesterol

    For more information or expert medical opinion, get in touch with Yashoda Hospitals today.

    What is Venlafaxine

    Uses of Venlafaxine

    Side effects of Venlafaxine

    References

    1. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4870-5047/venlafaxine-oral/venlafaxine-oral/details
    2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263705#how-does-venlafaxine-work
    3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263705

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Venlafaxine

    Antidepressants can cause unwanted side effects and affect memory by causing sedation. Venlafaxine might cause severe memory loss, and it is also expected to produce cognitive side effects into other severe forms.

    Memory slips are constant and aggravating, and sometimes daunting, which can also lead to dementia. About 30-35% of adults taking antidepressant drugs report some degree of memory loss or impairment. And about 54% of reports have difficulty in breathing.

    Venlafaxine is a selective antidepressant that should not be used with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI). MAOI was the first type of antidepressant developed, which is comparatively more effective than any other depressant. They ease depression by affecting the chemical messenger, i.e. neurotransmitters, which communicate between brain cells.

    Venlafaxine is an SNRI that is essentially a group of depressants called serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors which works by increasing and regulating the level of neurotransmitters in the brain. These medicines are proven to increase the level of these two transmitters called serotonin and norepinephrine, which are thought to play an essential role in controlling one's sense of well-being.

    In order to stop taking this antidepressant, there are neurochemical changes that take place in the brain as the brain readjusts to an entirely new environment, so symptoms of withdrawing Venlafaxine may include -
    • Headaches
    • Flu
    • Restlessness
    • Nausea
    • Dizziness
    If you wish to stop this kind of medication, you can consult a doctor and do it under supervision as withdrawal symptoms may occur.

    Using a combination of Venlafaxine and Sertraline can cause a severe but rare condition known as 'Serotonin Syndrome', which includes various symptoms like hallucinations, serious changes in blood pressure, confusion, extreme shivering, blurred vision, diarrhoea, and many more. Even severe cases may cause coma and even lead to death. So seeking immediate medical help from a doctor is necessary.

    Although Venlafaxine does show certain side effects, it is dose-dependent The extended formulation of Venlafaxine results in high blood pressure. It increases blood pressure with 3% of normal doses and changes with dosage amount. So Venlafaxine may increase blood pressure which is a common side effect symptom.

    Venlafaxine is prominently used to treat depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. It elevates the mood and increases the interest in day-to-day living. It eases social anxiety disorders. It also eases the body from certain types of fears and death thoughts. So this depressant drug plays an effective role in treating anxiety and various mental health issues.

    Venlafaxine comes under the antidepressants class of SNRIs with the brand name Effexor and Effexor XR, which shows its action on neurotransmitters. They are used to treat depression, and the extended-release version of the drug is used to treat anxiety, fears, social anxiety disorders, panic attacks and even serious phobias.

    Venlafaxine overall helps in one's well being it makes the body calmer and light and elevates the frame of mind. You get relief from various issues like irritability, agitation, anxiousness, and many more, making the body and mind calmer and restful. Life gets back to normal again with the adequate dosage.

    Effexor is an effective antidepressant happy pill, also called a mood stabilizer pill, which helps build a mental state. It helps to lift your depressed and gloomy mood. Though it won't make the person happy and change one's personality, the person will feel normal again.
    S.no Product Name Dosage Form
    1. Venlor Venlafaxine 75mg(XR) Capsule
    2. Veniz Venlafaxine 75mg(XR) Capsule
    3. Venlift Venlafaxine 75mg(OD) Capsule
    4. Ventab Venlafaxine 75mg (XL) Capsule
    5. Vijoy Venlafaxine 75mg(XR) Capsule