Venlafaxin Orion
Venlafaxin Orion is a medicine used to treat depression and anxiety disorders by helping to balance certain chemicals in the brain.
How to Use
Dosage
The usual starting dose for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder is 75 mg per day. For panic disorder, treatment starts with a lower dose (37.5 mg), which is then gradually increased.
Method
Take the capsules whole with liquid, with food, around the same time each day (morning or evening). Do not open, crush, chew, or dissolve them.
For depression, the maximum daily dose is 375 mg. For generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, the maximum daily dose is 225 mg.
Possible Side Effects
- •Dizziness, headache, drowsiness
- •Trouble sleeping
- •Feeling sick (nausea), dry mouth, constipation
- •Sweating (including night sweats)
- •Loss of appetite
- •Feeling confused, unreal, or strange; trouble having an orgasm; less interest in sex; feeling agitated or nervous; unusual dreams
- •Shaking; feeling restless or unable to sit or stand still; tingling or prickling skin; changes in taste; increased muscle stiffness
- •Vision problems, such as blurred vision, enlarged pupils, or eyes not automatically focusing on distant or near objects
- •Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- •Fast heartbeat, pounding heart
- •High blood pressure, flushing
- •Shortness of breath, yawning
- •Vomiting, diarrhea
- •Mild skin rash, itching
- •Needing to urinate more often, inability to urinate, or difficulty urinating
- •Menstrual problems, such as heavier or irregular bleeding; ejaculation/orgasm problems (in men); erectile dysfunction (impotence)
- •Weakness, tiredness, chills
- •Weight gain, weight loss
- •High cholesterol levels
- •Swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, throat, hands, or feet; itchy rash (hives); trouble swallowing or breathing
- •Seizures
- •Overactivity, racing thoughts, and less need for sleep (mania)
- •Seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations); feeling unreal or strange; trouble having an orgasm; lack of feelings; feeling overly excited; teeth grinding
- •Fainting; jerky muscle movements; poor coordination and balance
- •Dizziness, especially when standing up quickly; low blood pressure
- •Vomiting blood; black, tar-like stools; or blood in stools, which may mean internal bleeding
- •Sensitivity to sunlight; bruising; unusual hair loss
- •Unable to control urine
- •Stiff, cramped, or involuntary muscle movements
- •Small changes in liver enzyme levels in blood tests
- •Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, possibly with high fever
- •Confusion and disorientation, often with hallucinations (delirium)
- •Too much water in the body (SIADH syndrome)
- •Low sodium levels in the blood
- •Severe eye pain and blurred or worsening vision
- •Changes in heart rate, unusually fast or irregular heartbeat, which may lead to fainting
- •Severe stomach or back pain (may be a serious problem with bowels, liver, or pancreas)
- •Itching, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, or flu-like symptoms (may be signs of liver inflammation, or hepatitis)
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to venlafaxine or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not take if you are currently taking or have taken MAO inhibitors (for depression or Parkinson's disease) in the last 14 days, as this can cause serious side effects.
- Do not drink alcohol during treatment, as it can cause extreme tiredness and unconsciousness.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, contact your doctor or go to the nearest hospital immediately.
- If you take this medicine late in pregnancy, there may be an increased risk of heavy vaginal bleeding after childbirth.
Show 4 more warnings
- Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Do not stop taking or reduce the dose of this medicine without first talking to your doctor.
- Venlafaxin Orion 150 mg capsules contain the dyes Sunset Yellow (E110) and Allura Red (E129), which may cause allergic reactions.
- Venlafaxin Orion 225 mg capsules contain the dye Carmoisine (E122), which may cause allergic reactions.
Use in Elderly Patients
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)