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Venlafaxine

Venlafaxine is from of a group of antidepressants called serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs. It is thought to work by increasing the levels of mood-enhancing chemicals called serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain.

It’s used to treat depression and sometimes anxiety and panic attacks.

Venlafaxine can help people recover from depression, and has fewer side effects than some older antidepressants.

It comes as tablets and capsules which are available only on prescription.

Who can take venlafaxine

Most adults can take venlafaxine.

If you have diabetes, venlafaxine can make it more difficult to keep your blood sugar stable. Your doctor may recommend that you monitor your blood sugar level more often for the first few weeks of treatment so they can adjust your diabetes treatment if necessary.

Venlafaxine is not suitable for everyone. Check with your doctor before taking it if you:

  • have ever had an allergic reaction to venlafaxine or any other medicine
  • have a heart problem – venlafaxine can make your heart beat faster or cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
  • are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant or you are breastfeeding
  • have glaucoma – venlafaxine can increase the pressure in your eye
  • have epilepsy or are having electroconvulsive treatment – venlafaxine may increase your risk of having a fit or seizure

Dosage and strength

The usual starting dose for venlafaxine is 75mg a day but your doctor may gradually increase it to a maximum dose of 375mg.

If you have problems with your liver or kidneys your doctor might prescribe a lower dose.

Standard tablets come as 37.5mg or 75mg tablets. Slow release tablets and capsules come as 75mg and 150mg.

You will usually take standard tablets twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

You will usually take slow release tablets or capsules once a day. You can take them at any time as long as you stick to the same time every day. If you have trouble sleeping, it's best to take it in the morning.

How long to take it for

Once you're feeling better it's likely that you will continue to take venlafaxine for several more months. Most doctors recommend that you take antidepressants for 6 months to 1 year after you no longer feel depressed. Stopping before that time can make depression come back.

The decision to stop your treatment or carry on will depend on what symptoms you have and how serious they are. It will also depend on whether it's a one-off problem or one that keeps coming back, how well venlafaxine works for you, and whether you have had any bad side effects.

If you forget to take it

If you occasionally forget to take a dose, just take your next dose at the usual time. Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

Stopping venlafaxine

Your doctor will recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks, if you have been taking venlafaxine for a long time.

This is to help prevent any withdrawal symptoms you might get as a reaction to coming off the medicine. These include:

  • feeling dizzy
  • feeling sick
  • numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
  • trouble sleeping
  • feeling agitated or anxious
  • headaches
  • shaking

If you take too much

The amount of venlafaxine that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.

Taking too much can cause symptoms such as:

  • feeling sleepy
  • feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
  • a faster heartbeat
  • feeling dizzy
  • fits or seizures
  • you take more than your prescribed dose of venlafaxine

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111 .

If you need to go to a A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the venlafaxine packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you.

Common side effects

These common side effects of venlafaxine happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

If this advice does not help and any of these side effects bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

It's not common, but some people (less than 1 in 100) may have serious side effects when taking venlafaxine.

Book an appointment with your doctor if:

  • you gain weight or lose weight without trying
  • you have changes in your periods such as heavy bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between periods

Call your doctor or contact 111 now if:

  • you get constant headaches, long-lasting confusion, weakness, or frequent muscle cramps – these can all be signs of low sodium levels in your blood you have feelings of overwhelming happiness (euphoria), excessive enthusiasm or excitement, or a feeling of restlessness that means you cannot sit or stand still
  • you have unexplained muscle pain or weakness
  • the whites of your eyes or skin turn yellow, although this may be less obvious on black or brown skin – this can be a sign of liver problems
  • you have any changes in your eyesight, like blurred vision or dilated pupils
  • you cough up blood or have blood in your pee
  • you have black or red poo, or blood in your vomit – these can be signs of bleeding in the stomach
  • you are bleeding from the gums, or have bruises that appear without a reason or that get bigger
  • you get shortness of breath, or a fast or irregular heart beat
  • you have thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

  • you get chest pain or pressure in your chest, shortness of breath, or a fast or irregular heart beat

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to venlafaxine.

For most people, venlafaxine is safe to take for a long time and there are no lasting effects.

A few people may get sexual side effects, such as problems getting an erection or a lower sex drive. In some cases these can continue even after stopping the medicine. Speak to your doctor if you are worried.

Other side effects

These are not all the side effects of venlafaxine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Venlafaxine and pregnancy

There’s no good evidence that taking venlafaxine in early pregnancy will affect your baby’s development.

When venlafaxine is taken in the weeks before delivery it can sometimes cause short-term withdrawal symptoms and, very rarely, breathing problems in the baby. Your baby will be checked after birth and given additional care if needed.

Taking venlafaxine in the last month of pregnancy may slightly increase your risk of bleeding after delivery. However, because this side-effect is rare, it's not a reason to stop taking venlafaxine for most pregnant women.

It’s important that your mental health is treated since this can impact on yours and your baby’s wellbeing. Depression and anxiety can sometimes get worse during pregnancy and after your baby has been born.

Speak to your doctor if you become pregnant. They will talk through the risks and benefits so you can decide on the best treatment for you and your baby.

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take venlafaxine while breastfeeding.

Venlafaxine passes into breast milk in small amounts and has been linked with side effects in very few breastfed babies. It has been used by many breastfeeding mothers without any problems.

It's important you keep taking venlafaxine to keep you well. Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby.

If you notice that your baby seems unusually sleepy, is not feeding as well as usual, seems irritable, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, then talk to your health visitor, midwife, doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.

Venlafaxine and fertility

There's no clear evidence to suggest that taking venlafaxine reduces fertility in men, but it may affect the menstrual cycle in women.

Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant. They may want to review your treatment.

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines can affect the way venlafaxine works and increase the chances of you having side effects.

Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start venlafaxine:

  • any medicines that affect your heartbeat – as venlafaxine can make your heart beat faster or cause an irregular heartbeat
  • any other medicines for depression – some rarely used antidepressants can affect venlafaxine and cause very high blood pressure even if they have not been taken few weeks

Do not take St John's wort, a herbal remedy for depression, while you are being treated with venlafaxine because it increases your risk of side effects.

There's not enough information to say that other complementary medicines and herbal remedies are safe to take with venlafaxine. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Related links

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612 public posts

Lithium

Hi I'm Bipolar and I'm on Lithium and venlafaxine .. I'm on 375mg venlafaxine and 300mg of lithuim the psychiatrist increased my dose of Venlafaxine an extra 75mg 3wks ago and my mood is still low , is anybody else on the same dose as me ?
Hi I'm Bipolar and I'm on Lithium and venlafaxine .. I'm on 375mg venlafaxine and 300mg of lithuim the psychiatrist increased my dose of Venlafaxine an extra 75mg 3wks ago and my mood is still low , is anybody else on the same dose as me ?
lifted profile image
lifted
in Anxiety and Depression Support
1 month ago

weened off venlafaxine and put on citalopram

morning everyone Hope your all doing okay My doc decided to take me off venlafaxine 37ng x 2 a day after 22 years of being on them and she’s put me on citalopram 10mg to start with I’m surprised I’ve not had any major problems with the withdrawal of venlafaxine as I had in the past when trying to
morning everyone Hope your all doing okay My doc decided to take me off venlafaxine 37ng x 2 a day after 22 years of being on them and she’s put me on citalopram 10mg to start with I’m surprised I’ve not had any major problems with the withdrawal of venlafaxine as I had in the past when trying to
Natsteveo profile image
Natsteveo
in Anxiety and Depression Support
2 months ago

health anxiety coming back after being weened off venlafaxine

she said she don’t like venlafaxine they not good!!!!
she said she don’t like venlafaxine they not good!!!!
Natsteveo profile image
Natsteveo
in Anxiety Support
2 months ago
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Clomipramine verses Venlafaxine

Hi everyoneDoes anyone know how much Clomipramine would equal 150mgs of Venlafaxine? Which of these drugs perform best if anyone has tried them for a while.
Hi everyoneDoes anyone know how much Clomipramine would equal 150mgs of Venlafaxine? Which of these drugs perform best if anyone has tried them for a while.
Ryanlion profile image
Ryanlion
in Anxiety and Depression Support
14 days ago

upping dose of mertazpine

ive been taking antidepressants since 1998 and was managing well until 2 years ago when my meds ( 225mg venlafaxine 90mg propranolol )stopped working . After 4 months of hell as the doctor tried to wean me off of the venlafaxine ...needless to say it made me worse .
ive been taking antidepressants since 1998 and was managing well until 2 years ago when my meds ( 225mg venlafaxine 90mg propranolol )stopped working . After 4 months of hell as the doctor tried to wean me off of the venlafaxine ...needless to say it made me worse .
Andrea62 profile image
Andrea62
in Anxiety and Depression Support
4 months ago

medication support

I’ve just been prescribed Venlafaxine 37.5 mg and Mirtazapine 15mg. I been on Mirtazapine but not Venlafaxine before, anyone got any tips, does it help what’s it like.
I’ve just been prescribed Venlafaxine 37.5 mg and Mirtazapine 15mg. I been on Mirtazapine but not Venlafaxine before, anyone got any tips, does it help what’s it like.
Spirit-90 profile image
Spirit-90
in Anxiety and Depression Support
6 months ago

medication support

I’ve just been prescribed Venlafaxine 37.5 mg and Mirtazapine 15mg. I been on Mirtazapine but not Venlafaxine before, anyone got any tips, does it help what’s it like.
I’ve just been prescribed Venlafaxine 37.5 mg and Mirtazapine 15mg. I been on Mirtazapine but not Venlafaxine before, anyone got any tips, does it help what’s it like.
Spirit-90 profile image
Spirit-90
in Mental Health Support
6 months ago

venlafaxine

has anyone come off venlafaxine. how did you wean yourself of it.
has anyone come off venlafaxine. how did you wean yourself of it.
Hidden profile image
Hidden
in Anxiety and Depression Support
6 months ago

Venlafaxine withdrawal

hi Everyone, i have come down 1 bead out of a 150mg Venlafaxine capsule. It has been 6 weeks & i am still having withdrawal effects. Anger,sensitivity to noise and a feeling of a band around my head.i had a pig of a time going on them but my Dr insisted although i am very sensitive.
hi Everyone, i have come down 1 bead out of a 150mg Venlafaxine capsule. It has been 6 weeks & i am still having withdrawal effects. Anger,sensitivity to noise and a feeling of a band around my head.i had a pig of a time going on them but my Dr insisted although i am very sensitive.
Ryanlion profile image
Ryanlion
in Anxiety and Depression Support
6 months ago

Effexor XR / Venlafaxine

I started on 75mlg of Effexor XR first of August, things were going GREAT for about 2 1/2 weeks. (I feel like this could of been a placebo affect, as I know it wouldn't be fully in my system that quick) I was upped to 150 mlg and then my anxiety came back. I have been up and down with anxiety and depression
I started on 75mlg of Effexor XR first of August, things were going GREAT for about 2 1/2 weeks. (I feel like this could of been a placebo affect, as I know it wouldn't be fully in my system that quick) I was upped to 150 mlg and then my anxiety came back. I have been up and down with anxiety and depression
brittd89 profile image
brittd89
in Anxiety Support
5 months ago

venlafaxine 75mg twice daily

I Have been on the medication now a couple of months But I am suffering really bad with insomnia I cant sleep my appetite has decreased gradually, it was the psychiatrist who put me on the medication as I was having really bad bouts of severe depression ,I also suffer with SADS and was given this too
I Have been on the medication now a couple of months But I am suffering really bad with insomnia I cant sleep my appetite has decreased gradually, it was the psychiatrist who put me on the medication as I was having really bad bouts of severe depression ,I also suffer with SADS and was given this too
maldeeblue profile image
maldeeblue
in Fibromyalgia Action UK
5 months ago

Venlafaxine withdrawal

I was put on Venlafaxine by my psychiatrist a year ago. I feel much better now but still get anxiety on waking up in the morning. I would like to withdraw from Venlafaxine as I have many side effects. Now I’ve read it’s difficult to withdraw from this medication.
I was put on Venlafaxine by my psychiatrist a year ago. I feel much better now but still get anxiety on waking up in the morning. I would like to withdraw from Venlafaxine as I have many side effects. Now I’ve read it’s difficult to withdraw from this medication.
maria68 profile image
maria68
in Anxiety Support
7 months ago

Venlafaxine increase

I use Cerebral and my prescriber is increasing my Venlafaxine (effexor) up to 200 mg. Anything I should look out for when increasing doses?
I use Cerebral and my prescriber is increasing my Venlafaxine (effexor) up to 200 mg. Anything I should look out for when increasing doses?
Carseatheadrest profile image
Carseatheadrest
in Anxiety and Depression Support
7 months ago

Is it my hashimotos or effects of venlafaxine?

I have been taking venlafaxine for 20 plus years and I know it makes me sweat more. Does anything think it could be those mexs rather than my thyroid? I would really appreciate any help.
I have been taking venlafaxine for 20 plus years and I know it makes me sweat more. Does anything think it could be those mexs rather than my thyroid? I would really appreciate any help.
JBLOVELL profile image
JBLOVELL
in Thyroid UK
3 months ago

Coming off meds

I started reducing my venlafaxine medication two weeks ago. I was on 75mg. Today is my second day without any medication at all and I am finding the withdrawal tough. Mostly the headache and dizziness. 
I started reducing my venlafaxine medication two weeks ago. I was on 75mg. Today is my second day without any medication at all and I am finding the withdrawal tough. Mostly the headache and dizziness. 
Sabrina80 profile image
Sabrina80
in Anxiety Support
5 months ago

Sotalol and Anti depressants "venlafaxine"

Hi everyone, I just started an antidepressant and wondering if anyone has mixed that with sotalol? I have done some research and found your not supposed to mix the two ...Please let me know how you made out or are making out. Thanksfor your time and take care out there...
Hi everyone, I just started an antidepressant and wondering if anyone has mixed that with sotalol? I have done some research and found your not supposed to mix the two ...Please let me know how you made out or are making out. Thanksfor your time and take care out there...
Fryguy profile image
Fryguy
in AF Association
5 months ago

Help please

I’m on venlafaxine 150mg and 15 mg mirtzapine at night. I struggle to just survive from day to day. Please can anyone give me some hope that things will get better. I try to distract myself which helps a little sometimes. It’s difficult to ignore the symptoms and function.
I’m on venlafaxine 150mg and 15 mg mirtzapine at night. I struggle to just survive from day to day. Please can anyone give me some hope that things will get better. I try to distract myself which helps a little sometimes. It’s difficult to ignore the symptoms and function.
WBC61 profile image
WBC61
in Anxiety Support
5 months ago

Depression worsening on venlafaxine

I have been taking 150mgs of Venlafaxine for a year and only had minor success with it. Because i am so sensitive my psychiatrist said to go up a little bit.. I was to split a 37.5mg capsule and take 1 of the tablets out of the capsule and take it daily along with my 150mg capsule.
I have been taking 150mgs of Venlafaxine for a year and only had minor success with it. Because i am so sensitive my psychiatrist said to go up a little bit.. I was to split a 37.5mg capsule and take 1 of the tablets out of the capsule and take it daily along with my 150mg capsule.
Ryanlion profile image
Ryanlion
in Anxiety and Depression Support
7 months ago

Venlafaxine nightmare

I have slowley weaned off Effexor 75 mg with the help of my Doctor. I have Cervical Dystonia and am in pain all the time. The side effects from coming off effexor are so horrible. It has been 3 weeks and I feel like it will never get better. The brain fog, nausea, insomnia, weekness in limbs, overwhelming
I have slowley weaned off Effexor 75 mg with the help of my Doctor. I have Cervical Dystonia and am in pain all the time. The side effects from coming off effexor are so horrible. It has been 3 weeks and I feel like it will never get better. The brain fog, nausea, insomnia, weekness in limbs, overwhelming
yello123 profile image
yello123
in Anxiety and Depression Support
8 months ago

Coming off/come off Venlafaxine (Effexor). Advice, words of wisdom, words of comfort needed…

Is anyone currently coming off/ already come off Effexor (Venlafaxine)? I’m on zero and going through hell at the moment. Here’s my story: I took venlafaxine for approx 6 weeks.
Is anyone currently coming off/ already come off Effexor (Venlafaxine)? I’m on zero and going through hell at the moment. Here’s my story: I took venlafaxine for approx 6 weeks.
Taylor2219 profile image
Taylor2219
in Anxiety Support
8 months ago
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