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. The most popular first-choice medications for panic disorder are sertraline Zoloft , fluoxetine Prozac , and venlafaxine Effexor.
Of these options, fluoxetine Prozac is relatively activating and not the best choice for people who struggle with insomnia in addition to panic disorder. Paroxetine Paxil causes more weight gain compared to other SSRIs and is not an ideal selection for people with diabetes or heart problems. Sertraline Zoloft and venlafaxine Effexor are equally useful for treating panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. They are also overall the most well-tolerated medications for the treatment of panic disorder.
Of the two, sertraline would be a safer choice for people with a history of heart problems. Note that medications like sertraline Zoloft and venlafaxine Effexor must be taken for one to three weeks before beginning to improve the symptoms of panic. Benzodiazepines alprazolam, lorazepam may be prescribed for panic attacks, especially during the initial phase of starting an SSRI or SNRI, which may take a few weeks to start working.
Benzodiazepines are fast-acting and bring relief within 30 to 60 minutes. They promote relaxation and reduce muscular tension and other panic symptoms. Long-term use of benzodiazepines is usually not recommended due to problems related to building up a tolerance and becoming dependent. Anxiety disorders may run in your family. Due to shared genetics, the same medication could be beneficial for you too. Your dose must be taken every day, around the same time each day.
If you miss doses, you may not feel very well due to withdrawal-like symptoms headache, nausea, irritability. You could also experience a sudden return of your anxiety symptoms. It may take time for you to find a doctor, therapist, support network, and medication that helps you manage your symptoms. It is very common to try more than one remedy before finding one that works well for your anxiety disorder and does not cause bothersome side effects.
Work actively with your healthcare provider to craft your personalized treatment plan. Have patience and take one step at a time towards a healthier you. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to access our latest articles as well as free mental health tips and resources. Email Address:. By submitting you agree to be contacted by PACS via mail, phone, text or email. You can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell or distribute your information. Sign in. Log into your account. Forgot your password?
Privacy Policy. Password recovery. Recover your password. Which Anxiety Medication is Best for Me? June 16, Blog Treatments Medication. Each of these drugs are slow to have an effect on the disorders they are treating, sometimes taking anywhere from two to six weeks to show an impact on symptoms.
Patients may experience bothersome side effects before they experience a remission in symptoms of their disorder. This can lead to patients discontinuing therapy too soon, and their disorder goes untreated. It is important for patients to be aware of the potential side effects before starting treatment. Effexor has a much more pronounced effect on sleep than Lexapro. These drugs may also cause somnolence, or excessive drowsiness. Effexor is more likely to cause somnolence with 7.
Sleep affects the quality of life and these side effects are an important consideration prior to starting therapy. Digestive side effects have also been reported with both drugs.
Effexor is more likely to cause incidences of nausea, diarrhea, and constipation than Lexapro, though these side effects can happen with either drug. Decreased libido, or sexual drive, is more likely to be negatively affected by Effexor than by Lexapro. It is important to have quality of life discussions with patients who are experiencing this side effect.
This table is not intended to be a complete list of potential side effects. Please consult a medical professional for a complete list. Effexor and Lexapro each work by increasing available serotonin. When one of these drugs is combined with other drugs that have serotonergic activity, it increases the chance that a patient may experience serotonin syndrome.
Serotonin syndrome is a condition caused by having too much free serotonin and can lead to increased blood pressure and heart rate, agitation, and dizziness. Drugs with serotonergic activity include the pain medication tramadol and a supplement often used by patients for mood, St. Other classes of medication may interact in this manner as well, so it is important for your doctor and pharmacist to have a complete list of medications you are taking.
Ondansetron, when taken with Effexor or Lexapro, may increase the incidence of QT prolongation and a type of arrhythmia known as torsades de pointes TdP.
Each of these drugs carries a risk for these cardiac events, but their combined use increases the risk significantly. These cardiac events can be fatal in some cases, and the combination of these drugs with Ondansetron should be avoided when possible. This is not intended to be a complete list of potential drug interactions. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list. Effexor and Lexapro are used to treat mental health disorders such as major depression and generalized anxiety. The effects of Effexor and Lexapro are not immediate.
It may take between two and six weeks to see any effect from the drugs. It is important to understand that the remission of symptoms may not be immediate, and patients should be encouraged not to discontinue treatment without first consulting their prescriber.
Patients with depression may experience a worsening of symptoms or suicidal thoughts whether or not they are taking antidepressant medications. These conditions may worsen until remission is achieved. Effexor and Lexapro therapy may increase suicidal ideation and thoughts among teens and young adults, especially in the early stages of treatment before any type of remission is achieved.
These patients must be monitored closely, and a change may be necessary if symptoms suddenly arise or get worse. Serotonin syndrome has been associated with the use of Effexor, Lexapro, and other similar antidepressant medications. It is associated with too much free serotonin and can cause increased heart rate, agitation, and dizziness. The risk of serotonin syndrome is increased when other serotonergic drugs are used with Effexor or Lexapro. Stopping these medications suddenly may lead to withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and irritability.
Effexor is a prescription antidepressant medication used in the treatment of major depression and generalized anxiety disorder.
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