Get Informed: Venlafaxine
Active Ingredient(s)
Venlafaxine
What does it do?
This product is primarily used for the treatment of depression, anxiety and panic disorder. It works by prolonging the effect of serotonin and norepinephrine, both important chemicals in the brain.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-10 7:58 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-09 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Effexor XR
- Effexor
- Venlafaxine
- Efexor
- Efexor XL
- Viepax
- Viepax XR
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior when used in children, adolescents, and young adults with depression. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, the following national suicide hotlines are available in the U.S. to help you: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 28 Dec 1993
- Est US Patients*
- 5,435,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Venlafaxine or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Venlafaxine
Venlafaxine Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Venlafaxine used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 35,900 patients that use Venlafaxine (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Depression | 75% | 
|
| Anxiety | 47% |
|
| Bipolar Disorder | 12% | 
|
| Menopausal Symptoms | 10% |
|
| Pain-Generalized | 5% |
|
| Migraine/Headache | 4% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 4% |
|
| Neuropathic Pain | 2% |
|
| Other | 5% |
|
How well does Venlafaxine work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 35,900 users taking Venlafaxine (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 87%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Venlafaxine outweigh the bad things.
- 18%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Venlafaxine.
Common Side Effects of Venlafaxine
iGuard regularly polls our more than 35,900 users taking Venlafaxine (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
43% of patients experience side-effects on Venlafaxine
7% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Venlafaxine
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Loss of Libido
-
Drowsiness
-
Fatigue
-
Dizziness
-
Weight Gain
-
Dryness
-
Sweating
-
Constipation
-
Vivid Dreams
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps, Diarrhea, Grogginess/Confusion, Headache, Heartburn/Reflux, High Blood Pressure, Hot Flashes, Insomnia, Mood/Behavior Changes, Numbness/Tingling, Suicidal Thoughts, Tinnitus, Tremor, Vertigo, Vision Changes, Weakness
Global Patient Feedback for Venlafaxine ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
Why haven't the pharmacies been contacted on the recall? The list of lot numbers was extensive and they go through or have on hand a number of lot numbers for Effexor. If this recall by Wyeth is that serious that you sent out an email with all the lots listed then the first places notified should have been the pharmacies. How do you expect them to handle all the questions if they know nothing about it. I just got off the phone with mine and they have heard or received anything from anyone.
57 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-08 20:51:24
Question/Comment:
has anyone else had weight gain with effexor? my dr. is trying to swich me over to prozac to help with the weight, just wondering?
30 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-01 22:34:16
iGuard Answer/Reply:
A small number of patients have experienced weight gain while taking Effexor. However, a small number of patients also experienced weight gain while taking Prozac. Weight loss is a more common side effect. Since all drugs have the potential to affect patients differently, the only way to know what works for you is to try it.
Posted: 2010-03-05 11:32:59
Question/Comment:
The Effexor works great in treating my depression. I would like to stop taking it at some point; I have been on it almost 5 years. What bothers the most is the terrible side effects when trying to wean myself off of it. My head feels really weird, like my brain is expanding (very odd feeling), I get extremely dizzy, and my mood is way off. If I miss more than one day I can really tell it. Don't know if I'll ever be able to stop it all together.
50 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-25 12:40:40
Question/Comment:
I just started Effexor for the second time after having tried Avanza (Remeron), Pristiq and Lexapro in between. Effexor is the only drug that seems to manage my depression and has limited side effects. I'm hoping to lose the 10kgs (22lbs) I gained on Avanza/Lexapro. The side effects of Effexor seem much less pronounced 2nd time around. Currently on 150mg per day, taken just before bed. Exercise seems to help with the drowsiness.
45 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-11 17:37:42
Question/Comment:
Ive been on Effexor now for 8 years and tried going off of it many times and did terribly; no other medication works as well for me. I just found out Im pregnant about 5 weeks. I am very nervous about its affects on my baby but at the same time I know how bad I do when I am off of it so I feel like I am in a bind.
39 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-09 21:35:18
Answer/Reply:
Hi, I've been there. I'm a pharmacist, and through a post-partum depression intervention program came across some good resources about drugs in pregnancy and lactation. Check these out: (1) Tom Hale's website on drugs in breastfeeding, also covers use in pregnancy. http://neonatal.ama.ttuhsc.edu/lact/medicationforumspage.html. He also has a book.
(2) Motherisk - http://www.motherisk.org/women/drugs.jsp
I am running out of room, but feel free to reply to me and we can discuss more.
36 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-10 22:59:52
Answer/Reply:
I took Effexor XR for many years but not until after my pregnancies.
Because up until 2 years after my youngest was born I didn't know I had a problem. Then I was misdiagnosed and prescribed Xanax which was totally useless. You've got to rely on your doctor about which drugs cause birth defects and which don't.
61 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-11 18:08:08
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Effexor is considered a pregnancy class C medication. Animal studies with Effexor have shown no harm to the fetus; However, there are mixed reports about how it affects the human fetus. Currently, the recommendation is to look at each case independently. Untreated depression or other mood problems can also be harmful to a pregnancy. Contact your treating doctor and your obstetrician to review you treatment as soon as possible and discuss your concerns. Together, you and your doctors can weigh the benefits versus the risks of continuing the medication, both to you and your baby.
Posted: 2010-02-11 22:46:36
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments about
Venlafaxine