What is Effexor (venlafaxine)?

What is Effexor (venlafaxine)?

Effexor (Venlafaxine) is every antidepressant, belonging to the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class of drugs, used for the handling of depression and anxiety disorders.

The physic, currently marketed by Pfizer, is the numerous prescribed SNRI in the U.S. and the same of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants.

As an SNRI, Effexor works by increasing and regulating the levels of sum of units different neurotransmitters in the brain: norepinephrine and serotonin. These couple neurotransmitters are thought to play some important role in in controlling folks's happiness and feelings of well-heart.

At low doses Effexor inhibits serotonin reuptake and at higher doses inhibits the one and the other serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake.

Medical uses of Effexor

Effexor - the greatest part commonly prescribed SNRI
in the U.S.

Venlafaxine was originally synthesized by Wyeth in the 1980s. The visitors first launched the immediate-release formulation of the put s into in the American market in 1994 - because of the treatment of depression.

The extended-free (XR) formulation of Effexor was approved means of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a not many years later, in 1997.

Effexor® (venlafaxine HCl) Tablets are indicated despite the treatment of major depressive derangement.

EFFEXOR XR® (venlafaxine HCl) Extended-Release Capsules are indicated despite the treatment of major depressive commotion, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social fear disorder (SAD), and panic disorder (PD) by or without agoraphobia.

Some doctors may appoint the drug "off label" for the method of treating of diabetic neuropathy and migraine prophylaxis. Research published in Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain concluded that "venlafaxine was again effective than placebo and was trustworthy and well tolerated as migraine prophylaxis."

Depression

The effectiveness of using Effexor to gratification depression has been examined in a reckon of studies. A research review of the "antidepressant efficacy of venlafaxine", published in Depression and Anxiety, concluded that "venlafaxine is a sole antidepressant medication with well documented potency and safety in the acute manipulation of major depressive disorder."

Effexor is notion to be just as effective (granting that not more) than SSRIs such viewed like Zoloft (sertraline). A randomized trial of sertraline versus venlafaxine XR in major depression revealed that "sertraline and venlafaxine XR demonstrated worthy of comparison effects on quality of life and energy in treatment of major depression".

Anxiety

Effexor is commonly prescribed as being anxiety (particularly when SSRIs fail to operate), its efficacy is well established. The authors of a double-indiscriminate study, which included a total of 271 participants with generalized social anxiety disorder, said "venlafaxine ER is reliable, well tolerated, and efficacious in the compendious-term treatment of generalized social trouble disorder."

Effexor is effective at reducing symptoms of perplexity among people with or without dejectedness. Research published in the British Journal of General Practice concluded that "venlafaxine was efficient in the treatment of patients through GAD with and without depression from beginning to end a 24-week period."

Precautions

Before pleasing Effexor, patients should discuss their medicinal history with their doctor to end whether the drug is appropriate. In some cases, Effexor may worsen depression and fair cause suicidal thoughts. If you outset experiencing any of these effects it is influential to contact your doctor immediately.

Effexor should not subsist taken by people who suffer from retention disorders or those who are allergic to its in action ingredients, which include: gelatin, titanium sub-oxide, hypromellose, iron oxide, ethylcellulose, and cellulose. In addition, people on MAO inhibitors (such as Parnate and Nardil) should not take Effexor.

The Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) published a study suggesting that with child women who take Effexor may have existence at a higher risk of failure. Therefore, the drug should only subsist taken by pregnant women if positively necessary. As the drug can undergo into breast milk, mothers on Effexor should theme to their doctor before breastfeeding.

Side personal estate

Common side effects of Effexor take in:

Blurred vision

Headache

Drowsiness

Dry vociferate

Loss of appetite

Trouble sleeping

Excessive sweat

Irregular bowel movements

Numbness

Rare espouse a cause effects of Effexor include:

High Blood Pressure

High cholesterol

Serotonin syndrome

Mental impairment

Mania

Thoughts of self-slaughter

Lockjaw

Withdrawal

Sudden discontinuation of Effexor have power to result in severe withdrawal symptoms, and uncorrupt missing one dose can even create symptoms of withdrawal, which include: dysphoria (a position of anxiety, depression, or unease), tremulousness, nausea, headache, hallucinations, paresthesia (a feeling of pricking, tingling, or creeping up the body the skin), impaired concentration, fatigue, dizziness, and swimming of the head.

Alexander Glassman, MD, talks about going away syndrome from Effexor.

Written by Joseph Nordqvist

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