An anti depressant drug, Effexor XR is considered to be effective for the treatment of depressive disorder, anxiety and panic disorder.
How Effexor XR acts
The drug comes under Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SSNRIs). Effexor XR works on the natural substances in brain that are associated with the mood problems.
How Effexor XR is taken
Always use Effexor XR drug according to your prescription. Never go for more amounts of the medicine or use the drug for very long time unless your doctor has asked for it. Well, once you have been given Effexor XR, you should continue to use it till the doctor asks to stop it.
Effexor XR is to be used with food. As Effexor XR is a controlled release medicine, the drug should only be swallowed. Breaking, crushing or chewing will suddenly release the drug into the body, which can be dangerous. In case you have any difficulty in swallowing Effexor XR, the drug can be mixed with some applause and used.
What about missed dose/overdose
A person will get the right impact of Effexor XR only if the right dose is taken at the scheduled time. Well, if any dosage is missed, never worry as you can have it once you realise it. But keep in mind not to go for that missed dose if you have to take Effexor XR soon.
It is not good to take an overdose of any drug. If you suspect of having taken an overdose of Effexor XR, consult the doctor without any delay. Sleepiness, numbness, nausea and dizziness are overdosing Effexor XR symptoms.
Consulting the doctor
Before the doctor can decide on the Effexor XR medication, it is better to talk with him about all your allergies and also about all your ailments.
Tell the doctor if you are allergic to any specific medicine, food or any substance, including the ingredients of Effexor XR. The doctor should have to know if there is any problem with you like cirrhosis, bipolar disorders, glaucoma, kidney diseases, high seizures, blood pressure, bleeding disorders and high cholesterol levels.
Effexor XR is not good for the foetus and the newborn kids. This anti depressant medicine can cause very harmful complications to the unborn. As Effexor XR is traced in breast milk, women who feed should either stop feeding or stop the drug.
Drug interactions
Effexor XR can interact with other medicines. So it is good if your doctor knows about all the medicines, both prescriptive and non-prescriptive drugs, which you are using. The doctors will not prescribe Effexor XR if you using monoamine oxidase inhibitors like phenelzine, isocarboxazid, selegiline and rasagiline. Effexor XR is also not given if you are allergic to venlafaxine.
Important information
Once you have started taking Effexor XR, be under the constant watch of the physician. Effexor XR is known to affect the mood and also induce suicidal thoughts. So it is better not to miss any doctor’s appointments.
In case there is any mood change, sleeping problems, panic attacks, depression and suicidal thoughts, call your doctor without any fail.
Another thing that has to be taken care of is that you should never consume alcohol while taking Effexor XR.
