The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that using Effexor is safe or appropriate for you.

Brand Name: Effexor, Effexor XR

Generic Name: (venlafaxine)

What is Effexor used for? Effexor is in a class of drugs called serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). Effexor is an antidepressant medication used to relieve symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder.

FDA Warnings for Effexor: The FDA issued a public health alert for venlafaxine in March 2004 warning that Effexor can lead to deeper depression and suicide. The FDA recommends that health care providers warn patients, their families and their caregivers to be alert for agitation, irritability, suicide and worsening depression while using Effexor. The FDA also recommends that health care providers closely monitor adult and children treated with Effexor for worsening of depression or suicidal tendencies, especially at the beginning of therapy or when the dose either increases or decreases.
The FDA issued a Public Health Advisory in October 2003 about increased reports of suicidal thinking, suicide attempts, hostility and self-harm in children using Effexor. The FDA urges that Effexor be used with caution in children. Parents of children using Effexor should consult the prescribing physician immediately to discuss the suicide risks involved in taking Effexor.

It should be noted that the safety and effectiveness of Effexor in pediatric patients has not been established. In clinical trials, only Prozac (fluoxetine) has been found effective for children.

General Effexor Precautions:
_ Effexor may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
_ Rise slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position to prevent dizziness or possible falls.
_ Do not take Effexor if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction can occur if Effexor is combined with MAO inhibitors.
_ It is not known whether Effexor will harm an unborn baby or a nursing baby.
_ Effexor may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. Patients using venlafaxine should exercise caution until they have adapted to therapy.
_ If you skip the missed dose and take only the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of Effexor. Overdose is possible.

Effexor can cause serious side effects. Only you can decide if Effexor is the best means of treating depression symptoms. It is important for people currently taking venlafaxine to discuss side effect concerns with their physician.

Effexor Side Effects:
_ Agitation.
_ Irritability.
_ Deepened depression.
_ Increased risk of suicide.
_ Upset stomach.
_ Drowsiness.
_ Weakness.
_ Anxiety.
_ Insomnia or sleeplessness.
_ Nightmares.
_ Anorexia.
_ Dry mouth.
_ Sensitivity to sunlight.
_ Changes in appetite or weight.
_ Headache.
_ Constipation.
_ Difficulty urinating or frequent urination.
_ Ejaculation problems.
_ Impotence.
_ Changes in sex drive or ability.
_ Difficulty reaching orgasm.
_ Decreased libido.
_ Blurred vision.
_ Excessive sweating.
_ Jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms.
_ Slow or difficult speech.
_ Shuffling walk.
_ Tremors.
_ Fever.
_ Severe skin rash.
_ Irregular heartbeat.
_ Increase in blood cholesterol levels.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience: An allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives). Stop taking Effexor and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment if you also experience a fast or irregular heartbeat, jaw, neck or back muscle spasms, shuffling walk, slow or difficult speech, persistent fine tremor or inability to sit still, fever or severe skin rash. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Symptoms of Effexor overdose may include: Symptoms of a Effexor overdose include dizziness, numbness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, tremors, irregular heartbeats, seizures, and unconsciousness.

Before taking Effexor, tell your doctor if you have or have had:
_ Seizures.
_ Liver disease.
_ Kidney disease.
_ Heart disease.
_ High blood pressure.
_ Suicidal thoughts.
_ A history of mania or bipolar disorder.
_ Narrow-angle glaucoma.
_ Bleeding or blood clotting problems.
_ Increased level of cholesterol in the blood.
_ Your doctor may require blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with venlafaxine to monitor possible serious side effects.

What should I avoid while taking Effexor?
_ Use alcohol cautiously while taking Effexor. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness.

What other drugs will affect venlafaxine? Effexor can increase the effects of many other drugs, leading to serious side effects. If taking Effexor, talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking drugs that cause drowsiness including other antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives, pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants.
Drugs other than the above listed may also interact with Effexor. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription, over-the-counter medicines or natural supplements.

People seeking depression relief should carefully evaluate Effexor information and side effects before deciding to take Effexor. Consult your healthcare professional before using venlafaxine.

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*This antidepressant drug information does not endorse Effexor, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible warnings, uses, precautions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse side effects of Effexor. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your health care provider or pharmacist. The information provided should not be construed to indicate that Effexor is safe, effective or appropriate.

Do not stop taking Effexor without first talking to your doctor. Your doctor may need to gradually reduce the dose before stopping Effexor completely. Suddenly stopping Effexor may cause unpleasant and potentially serious side effects.

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