Venlafaxin Sandoz
Venlafaxin Sandoz is a medicine used to treat depression and anxiety disorders.
Form
depottabletti
Strength
150 mg
Active Ingredient
Venlafaxine hydrochloride
Manufacturer
Sandoz A/S
How to Use
Dosage
The usual starting dose for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and social phobia is 75 mg per day. For panic disorder, your doctor may start with 37.5 mg and gradually increase the dose.
Method
Take the tablets whole with liquid with food, at about the same time each day, either in the morning or evening. Do not divide, crush, chew, or dissolve them.
Important
For depression, the maximum daily dose is 375 mg. For generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and panic disorder, the maximum daily dose is 225 mg.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Dizziness, headache, drowsiness
- •Insomnia
- •Nausea, dry mouth, constipation
- •Sweating (including night sweats)
RARE
- •Decreased appetite
- •Confusion, feeling unreal or detached from self, inability to have an orgasm, decreased sex drive, agitation, nervousness, unusual dreams
- •Tremor, feeling restless or unable to sit still, tingling or prickling sensation, changes in taste, increased muscle tension
- •Vision problems including blurred vision, dilated pupils, and difficulty focusing the eyes
- •Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- •Fast heart rate, palpitations
- •Increased blood pressure, flushing
- •Shortness of breath, yawning
- •Vomiting, diarrhea
- •Mild rash, itching
- •Increased need to urinate, inability to urinate, difficulty urinating
- •Menstrual problems (increased or irregular bleeding), ejaculation/orgasm problems (men), erectile dysfunction (impotence)
- •Weakness, fatigue, chills
- •Weight gain or loss
- •Increased cholesterol levels
- •Swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, throat, hands, or feet, and/or itchy rash (hives), difficulty swallowing or breathing.
- •Chest tightness, wheezing, difficulty swallowing or breathing
- •Severe skin rash, itching, or hives (red or pale, often itchy welts on the skin)
- •Symptoms of serotonin syndrome: restlessness, hallucinations, clumsiness, rapid heartbeat, increased body temperature, rapid changes in blood pressure, overactive reflexes (muscle twitching), diarrhea, coma, nausea, vomiting.
- •Signs of infection, such as high fever, chills, tremors, headache, and flu-like symptoms. This may indicate a blood disorder that increases susceptibility to infection.
- •Severe rash that can lead to severe blistering and skin peeling
- •Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. This may be a sign of rhabdomyolysis.
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to venlafaxine or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not take if you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for depression or Parkinson's disease in the last 14 days.
- This medicine may cause restlessness or difficulty sitting/standing still in the first weeks of treatment. Tell your doctor if this happens.
- Do not drink alcohol during treatment, as it can cause extreme tiredness and unconsciousness, and may worsen your symptoms.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, contact your doctor or go to the nearest hospital immediately.
Show 17 more warnings
- Dry mouth is a common side effect and can increase the risk of tooth decay, so maintain good dental hygiene.
- This medicine can change your blood sugar levels, so your diabetes medication dose might need adjustment.
- This medicine is generally not for use in children and adolescents under 18 years.
- Do not drive or use machines until you know how this medicine affects you, as it may impair your ability.
- If you have liver or kidney problems, talk to your doctor, as your dose may need to be changed.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor before using this medicine.
- Do not stop or reduce your dose without talking to your doctor first, even if you feel better.
- If you have problems swallowing or a stomach/intestinal condition that slows digestion.
- If you have eye problems like certain types of glaucoma (high eye pressure).
- If you have had high blood pressure.
- If you have had heart problems.
- If you have been told you have an abnormal heart rhythm.
- If you have had seizures.
- If you have had low sodium levels in your blood (hyponatremia).
- If you have a history of bleeding problems or take other medicines that increase bleeding risk (e.g., warfarin), or if you are pregnant.
- If you or a close family member have had mania or bipolar disorder (feeling overly excited or euphoric).
- If you have a history of aggressive behavior.
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)