What is Venlafaxine: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Venlafaxine

• Take your medicine as directed. The dose may need to be changed to find what works best for you.

• Please read the Medication Guide that comes with this medicine.

• Take doses with food.

• How to take immediate-release tablets:

  • Follow the dosing schedule given by the prescriber.

  • Swallow the tablet with a drink of water.

  • Store venlafaxine tablets at room temperature in a dry place.

• How to take extended-release tablets or capsules:

  • Take only one dose daily.

  • Take doses at the same time every day in the morning or evening.

  • Swallow the capsule or tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not crush, break, chew, or divide it.

  • If you have problems swallowing the capsule, carefully open it and sprinkle it on a spoonful of applesauce. Immediately swallow the mixture without chewing. Drink a glass of water when done. 

  • Extended-release capsules store the medicine in tiny spheres. These tiny spheres may appear in stools. This is normal and nothing to worry about.

  • Store venlafaxine ER tablets at room temperature, protected from moisture and humidity.

  • Store venlafaxine ER capsules at room temperature.

What to do if you miss a dose of Venlafaxine

• Take the missed dose when remembered.

• Skip the missed dose if it’s almost time for the next dose.

• Take the regular dose at its normal time.

• Do not take two doses to make up for a missed dose.

Venlafaxine contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. 

• Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to venlafaxine or desvenlafaxine.

Venlafaxine warnings

• Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are taking this medication.

• Your doctor may require regular visits and blood tests to monitor treatment and side effects. Keep all appointments.

• Before starting venlafaxine, inform the prescribing healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, particularly:

  • A history or family history of bipolar disorder, depression, mania, or hypomania

  • A history or family history of suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts

  • Kidney problems

  • Liver problems

  • Heart problems

  • High blood pressure

  • High cholesterol or high triglycerides

  • A history of stroke or similar blood vessel problems

  • A history of bleeding problems

  • A history of seizures

  • Lung problems

  • Glaucoma or high eye pressure

  • Low sodium levels

  • Diabetes

• Tell the prescriber if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed.

• Venlafaxine can cause serious problems, including:

  • Serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening side effect of taking two or more drugs like venlafaxine

  • Increased risk of bleeding

  • High blood pressure

  • Elevated cholesterol levels

  • Angle-closure glaucoma

  • Manic episodes

  • Seizures

  • Low sodium

  • Serious lung problems

  • Sexual dysfunction

• Venlafaxine increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens, and young adults. Call a doctor immediately if you notice signs of worsening depression and suicidal thoughts, including:

  • Thoughts or talk about suicide

  • Suicide attempts

  • New or worse depression

  • New or worse anxiety

  • Agitation

  • Panic attacks

  • Significant increase in activity

  • Sleeplessness

  • Other unusual changes in mood or behavior

• Venlafaxine can impair judgment or cause dizziness or drowsiness. Do not drive or do anything else that’s risky until you are familiar with the effects of this medication.

• Do not stop taking venlafaxine doses without first talking to the doctor. Stopping venlafaxine suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms.

Venlafaxine interactions

• Do not use venlafaxine and an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) together or within 14 days of each other. The combination could cause severe side effects.

• To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, make sure the doctor knows about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you are using, particularly:

  • Drugs that treat mood disorders or other mental health problems, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotics, amphetamines, buspirone, or lithium

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen

  • Blood thinners such as warfarin

  • Drugs that treat high blood pressure

  • Drugs that make you urinate (diuretics)

  • Migraine headache drugs called triptans

  • The supplements St. John‘s wort or tryptophan

  • Cimetidine, ketoconazole, phentermine

• Tell the doctor before taking any drugs that make you sleepy, such as narcotic pain medications, benzodiazepines, sleeping pills, or allergy medications.

• Avoid drinking alcohol when taking venlafaxine.

• Tell other healthcare providers you are taking venlafaxine before they prescribe new medications.

Find more information about venlafaxine interactions to avoid here.