Efexor Depot
Efexor Depot is a medicine used to help treat depression and anxiety disorders.
Form
depotkapseli, kova
Strength
150 mg
Active Ingredient
Venlafaxine hydrochloride
Manufacturer
Upjohn EESV
How to Use
Dosage
For depression and anxiety, the usual starting dose is 75 mg once a day. For panic disorder, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of 37.5 mg and gradually increase it.
Method
Swallow the capsule whole with liquid, at the same time each day (morning or evening), with food. Do not open, crush, chew, or dissolve it.
Important
The maximum daily dose for depression is 375 mg, and for anxiety disorders and panic disorder, it is 225 mg.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Dizziness, headache, drowsiness
- •Trouble sleeping
- •Feeling sick (nausea), dry mouth, constipation
- •Sweating a lot (including at night)
- •Loss of appetite
- •Feeling confused or unreal, not having orgasms, low sex drive, feeling restless or nervous, strange dreams
- •Shaking, feeling unable to sit still, tingling or prickly skin, changes in taste, stiff muscles
- •Blurred vision, wide pupils, trouble focusing your eyes
- •Ringing in your ears
- •Fast heartbeat, feeling your heart pound
- •High blood pressure, flushing (red face)
- •Shortness of breath, yawning
- •Vomiting, diarrhea
- •Mild skin rash, itching
- •Needing to pee more often, trouble peeing
- •Period problems (heavier or irregular periods), problems with ejaculation or orgasm, trouble getting an erection
- •Feeling weak, tired, or having chills
- •Weight changes (gain or loss)
- •High cholesterol levels
RARE
- •Allergic reactions: Swelling of your face, mouth, tongue, throat, hands or feet; itchy bumps on your skin; trouble swallowing or breathing
- •Chest tightness, wheezing, trouble swallowing or breathing
- •Serious skin issues: Severe skin rash, itching, hives, blisters, peeling skin
- •Serotonin syndrome: feeling restless, seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations), trouble with balance, fast heartbeat, high body temperature, quick changes in blood pressure, overactive reflexes, diarrhea, coma, feeling very sick
- •Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (severe Serotonin Syndrome): fever, fast pulse, sweating, very stiff muscles, confusion
- •Signs of infection: high fever, chills, shaking, headache, flu-like symptoms. This could be a blood problem.
- •Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
- •Heart problems: Chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, irregular heartbeat (stress cardiomyopathy)
- •Being overly active, having racing thoughts, or needing less sleep than usual (mania)
- •Hallucinations, feeling detached from reality, abnormal orgasm, lack of feelings, over-excitement, teeth grinding
- •Fainting, uncontrolled muscle movements, trouble with coordination or balance
- •Dizziness (especially when standing up quickly), low blood pressure
- •Bleeding: Vomiting blood, black/tarry stools, blood in stools (may be internal bleeding), bruising easily, unusual hair loss, prolonged bleeding, unexpected bleeding (e.g., from gums, blood in urine or vomit, or unexpected bruises/broken blood vessels), very heavy vaginal bleeding after birth
- •Water/Salt imbalance: Unable to control urine, too much water in the body (SIADH), low sodium (salt) levels in the blood
- •Eye/Vision problems: Severe eye pain, vision problems or blurred vision
- •Stomach/Liver issues: Severe stomach or back pain (may be a serious problem with your gut, liver, or pancreas), itching, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, or flu-like symptoms (may be hepatitis, a liver infection), minor changes in liver enzyme levels in blood
- •Seizures
- •Confusion and disorientation (delirium), often with hallucinations
- •Thoughts of self-harm or suicide; aggressive behavior
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to venlafaxine or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not use if you are taking or have taken MAO inhibitors (medicines for depression or Parkinson's disease) in the last 14 days. Wait at least 7 days after stopping Efexor Depot before taking an MAO inhibitor.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines that might increase the risk of 'serotonin syndrome' (a serious condition).
- Tell your doctor if you have eye problems like glaucoma, high blood pressure, or heart problems.
- Tell your doctor if you have had seizures, low sodium levels in your blood, or bleeding issues.
Show 3 more warnings
- Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, contact your doctor or go to the nearest hospital immediately. This is especially important for young adults or when stopping the medicine.
- Do not stop taking this medicine or change your dose without talking to your doctor first, even if you feel better.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Serotonergic. A significant adverse effect is low serum sodium level. Increases risk of falls. Consider the numerous potential interactions, especially with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Reduce the dose already in mild renal impairment. (updated 12.2.2024)