What is most important to remember? If you have questions: Strong Internal Medicine • It may take a few weeks for you to see the benefits of taking this Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for medicine more information about (Effexor®, Effexor XR®). • Do not suddenly stop taking venlafaxine unless directed to do so by your doctor

• Seek help from a doctor or pharmacist if you have thoughts of or hurting yourself

• Contact your prescriber immediately If you experience any itching or rash, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat Strong Internal Medicine • Do not start any new medications, 601 Elmwood Avenue th over-the-counter drugs or herbal Ambulatory Care Facility, 5 Floor Rochester, NY 14642 remedies without talking to your Phone: (585) 275 -7424 doctor Venlafaxine (Effexor®, Visit our website at: Effexor XR®): Important Patient • If you think there has been an www.urmc.rochester.edu/medicine/ - Information overdose, call your poison control general-medicine/patientcare/ center or get medical care right away

What does venlafaxine do? What could occur with venlafaxine? What are some things that I need to be aware of when taking

• It is in a class of medications called selective and • Dry mouth venlafaxine? • Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to venlafaxine, reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It works by • Nervous and excitable increasing the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in the or any other medicines, foods, or substances • that help maintain mental balance and stop the • It may take a few weeks for you to see the benefits of taking this movement of pain signals in the brain • Feeling lightheaded or sleepy medicine. Do not suddenly stop taking venlafaxine unless • It is used to treat low mood (); anxiety; post- • Upset stomach or throwing up (having small meals may help) directed to do so by your doctor

traumatic stress; hot flashes; diabetic nerve pain; and ease • Hard stools (constipation) • Do not take venlafaxine if you have taken other medicines for long-term pain problems What should I do if I miss a dose? depression such as MAOIs (, ) or How should venlafaxine be used? drugs for Parkinson’s disease ( or ) in the last • Take your dose as soon as you think about it 14 days. Taking those drugs with venlafaxine can cause • For best results, do not miss any doses • If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dangerous high pressure. If you are not sure, ask your • Take with food to avoid upset stomach dose and go back to your normal dose time doctor or pharmacist

• If you take the long-acting capsules swallow them whole. Do • Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses • Call your doctor right away if you have dizziness, very bad not crush, chew, or break • Do not change the dose or stop this medicine unless directed headache, agitation, , fever, fast heartbeat, a • You may open the long-acting capsule and sprinkle on by your doctor heartbeat that does not feel normal, flushing, seizures, applesauce. Do not chew the beads shakiness, sweating a lot, change in balance, change in thinking Are there any interactions with other drugs that I need to clearly with logic, very bad upset stomach and throwing up, or Who should know I am taking venlafaxine? worry about? very bad loose stools. These are signs of a rare but serious • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural • There are many drug interactions that may increase your risk problem called . The risk may be greater if products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) and give it of side effects you take venlafaxine with certain other medicines. Talk with your to your healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, Do not start new prescription, over-the-counter medicines, or doctor or pharmacist pharmacist, or physician assistant) herbal and dietary supplements • Talk with your doctor if you have seizures, high blood pressure

or disease • Talk with your doctor before using products like , blood If you have any of the following side effects, call your doctor or visit the emergency room thinners, garlic, , gingko, (or like products) for immediately: pain medicine, or • If you are planning to hurt yourself • Trouble breathing • Talk with your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You will need to talk about the benefits • Change in thinking clearly • Itching or rash and risks of using this medication • Feeling very tired or weak • Swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat • Avoid drinking (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other • Chest pain or pressure • Twitching, agitation, sweating a lot, drugs and natural products that slow your actions and muscle stiffness • Very upset stomach or throwing up • Store a cool, dry place out of reach of children and pets • Any bruising or bleeding • Very excitable and nervous • A heartbeat that does not feel normal • Big change in balance • Very fast heartbeat