Neuroleptics
Venlafaxine
Venlafaxine

Dosage Forms:

  • 37.5 mg and 75 mg tablets

Drug Group

Anti-depressant

Mechanism

Venlafaxine is in a new class of anti-depressant medications that affects chemical messengers within the brain. These chemical messengers are called neurotransmitters, and some examples are serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Venlafaxine is believed to work by inhibiting the release or affecting the action of these neurotransmitters.

Indications

Venlafaxine is indicated in the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety, panic disorder and Hot flashes.

Dosage and Administration:

  • Adults: The recommended dose for treatment of depression is initially 75 mg in a day, administered in 2-3 divided doses. The dosage may be increased, as needed and tolerated in increments up to 75 mg a day at intervals of not less than 4 days, up to 225 mg a day. Doses over 225 mg a day have not been shown to be useful in moderately depressed out patients, more severely depressed patients may respond to dosage of up to 375 mg a day, administered in 3 divided doses. Pediatric: Safety and efficacy in children up to 18 years of age have not proven.

Precautions and Warnings

In Bipolar disorder may increase likelihood of precipitation of a mixed/ manic episode in this patient. Blood pressure problems or cardiac disease may exacerbate with venlafaxine. Glaucoma, acute narrow-angle, intra ocular pressure, mydriasis should be considered with venlafaxine. In hepatic function impairment, metabolism of venlafaxine may by alter. In these patients may require dose reduction. Dizziness or light headedness may be happened, caution when getting up from allying or sitting down.

Side Effects

The following adverse reactions have been reported following the use of venlafaxine. Headache, hypertension usually asymptomatic, vision disturbances including abnormal accommodation and blurred vision. Cardiovascular effects including chest pain, palpitation, tachycardia. CNS effects including abnormal thinking, agitation, confusion, depersonalization and emotional ability, tinnitus. Dyspnea, edema, itching or skin rash, mania or hypomania menstrual changes, orthostatic hypotension, seizures. Urinary effects including impaired urination, urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, or urinary retention. Abnormal dreams, anorexia, anxiety or nervousness. asthenia, chills, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dryness of mouth dyspnea , increased sweating, insomnia, nausea, paresthesia, rhinitis, sexual dysfunction, somnolence, stomach pain or gas tremor, vomiting, weight loss, yawning may be observed in treatment with venlafaxine Hypertonia, taste perversion or change in sense of taste may be observed.
Interactions: Life-threatening interactions can occur in combination with MAO inhibitors such as Nardil and Parnate. MAO inhibitors and venlafaxine should not be taken together, and a waiting period of 14 days between taking these two classes of medications is strongly advised.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy category C. This drug should be used during pregnancy only if it is clearly needed. Venlafaxine is distributed into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in the infant; a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug.

Packaging

  • 10 tablets in one blister. 10 blisters in a box.