Medication Guide
Venlafaxine (ven-la-fax-een) Tablets, USP
Read the Medication Guide that comes with venlafaxine tablets, USP before you start taking it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. Talk with your healthcare provider if there is something you do not understand or want to learn more about.
What is the most important information I should know about Venlafaxine Tablets, USP?
Venlafaxine tablets, USP and other antidepressant medicines may cause serious side effects, including:
1. Suicidal thoughts or actions:
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Venlafaxine tablets, USP and other antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, or young adults within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Depression or other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts or actions.
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- Watch for these changes and call your healthcare provider right away if you notice:
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- New or sudden changes in mood, behavior, actions, thoughts, or feelings, especially if severe.
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- Pay particular attention to such changes when venlafaxine tablets, USP is started or when the dose is changed.
Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider and call between visits if you are worried about symptoms.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, or call 911 if an emergency, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:
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- attempts to commit suicide
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- acting on dangerous impulses
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- acting aggressive or violent
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- thoughts about suicide or dying
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- new or worse depression
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- new or worse anxiety or panic attacks
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- feeling agitated, restless, angry or irritable
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- trouble sleeping
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- an increase in activity or talking more than what is normal for you
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- other unusual changes in behavior or mood
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, or call 911 if an emergency. Venlafaxine Tablets, USP may be associated with these serious side effects:
2. Serotonin Syndrome
This condition can be life-threatening and may include:
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- agitation, hallucinations, coma or other changes in mental status
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- coordination problems or muscle twitching (overactive reflexes)
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- racing heartbeat, high or low blood pressure
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- sweating or fever
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- nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
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- muscle rigidity
3. Changes in blood pressure. Venlafaxine Tablets, USP may:
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- increase your blood pressure. Control high blood pressure before starting treatment and monitor blood pressure regularly
4. Enlarged pupils (mydriasis).
5. Sexual problems (dysfunction). Taking serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), including venlafaxine tablets, USP, may cause sexual problems.
Symptoms in males may include:
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- Delayed ejaculation or inability to have an ejaculation
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- Decreased sex drive
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- Problems getting or keeping an erection
Symptoms in females may include:
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- Decreased sex drive
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- Delayed orgasm or inability to have an orgasm
Talk to your healthcare provider if you develop any changes in your sexual function or if you have any questions or concerns about sexual problems during treatment with venlafaxine tablets, USP. There may be treatments your healthcare provider can suggest.
6. Anxiety and insomnia.
7. Changes in appetite or weight.
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- children and adolescents should have height and weight monitored during treatment
8. Manic/hypomanic episodes:
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- greatly increased energy
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- severe trouble sleeping
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- racing thoughts
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- reckless behavior
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- unusually grand ideas
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- excessive happiness or irritability
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- talking more or faster than usual
9. Low salt (sodium) levels in the blood.
Elderly people may be at greater risk for this. Symptoms may include:
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- headache
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- weakness or feeling unsteady
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- confusion, problems concentrating or thinking or memory problems
10. Seizures or convulsions.
11. Abnormal bleeding: venlafaxine tablets, USP and other antidepressant medicines may increase your risk of bleeding or bruising, especially if you take the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs, like ibuprofen or naproxen), or aspirin.
12. Elevated cholesterol.
13. Lung disease and pneumonia: venlafaxine tablets, USP may cause rare lung problems. Symptoms include:
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- worsening shortness of breath
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- cough
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- chest discomfort
14. Severe allergic reactions:
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- trouble breathing
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- swelling of the face, tongue, eyes or mouth
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- rash, itchy welts (hives) or blisters, alone or with fever or joint pain
15. Visual problems:
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- eye pain
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- changes in vision
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- swelling or redness in or around the eye
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- Only some people are at risk for these problems. You may want to undergo an eye examination to see if you are at risk and receive preventative treatment if you are.
Do not stop Venlafaxine Tablets, USP without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping venlafaxine tablets, USP too quickly or changing from another antidepressant too quickly may cause serious symptoms including:
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- anxiety, irritability
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- feeling tired, restless or problems sleeping
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- headache, sweating, dizziness
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- electric shock-like sensations, shaking, confusion, nightmares
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- vomiting, nausea, diarrhea
What is Venlafaxine Tablets, USP?
Venlafaxine tablets, USP is a prescription medicine used to treat depression. It is important to talk with your healthcare provider about the risks of treating depression and also the risks of not treating it. You should discuss all treatment choices with your healthcare provider.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you do not think that your condition is getting better with venlafaxine tablets, USP treatment.
Who should not take Venlafaxine Tablets, USP?
Do not take venlafaxine tablets, USP if you:
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- are allergic to venlafaxine tablets, USP or any of the ingredients in venlafaxine tablets, USP. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in venlafaxine tablets, USP.
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- have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma
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- take a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI). Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if you take an MAOI, including the antibiotic linezolid.
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- Do not take an MAOI within 7 days of stopping venlafaxine tablets, USP unless directed to do so by your physician.
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- Do not start venlafaxine tablets, USP if you stopped taking an MAOI in the last 2 weeks unless directed to do so by your physician.
People who take Venlafaxine Tablets, USP close in time to an MAOI may have serious or even life-threatening side effects. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms:
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- high fever
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- uncontrolled muscle spasms
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- stiff muscles
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- rapid changes in heart rate or blood pressure
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- confusion
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- loss of consciousness (pass out)
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking Venlafaxine Tablets, USP? Ask if you are not sure.
Before starting venlafaxine tablets, USP, tell your healthcare provider if you:
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- Are taking certain drugs such as:
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- Amphetamines
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- Medicines used to treat migraine headaches such as:
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- triptans
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- Medicines used to treat mood, anxiety, psychotic or thought disorders, such as:
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- tricyclic antidepressants
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- lithium
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- SSRIs
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- SNRIs
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- antipsychotic drugs
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- Medicines used to treat pain such as:
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- tramadol
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- Medicines used to thin your blood such as:
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- warfarin
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- Medicines used to treat heartburn such as:
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- Cimetidine
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- Over-the-counter medicines or supplements such as:
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- Aspirin or other NSAIDs
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- Tryptophan
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- St. John’s Wort
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- have heart problems
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- have diabetes
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- have liver problems
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- have kidney problems
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- have thyroid problems
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- have glaucoma
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- have or had seizures or convulsions
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- have bipolar disorder or mania
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- have low sodium levels in your blood
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- have high blood pressure
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- have high cholesterol
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- have or had bleeding problems
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- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if venlafaxine tablets, USP will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of treating depression during pregnancy
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- are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. Some venlafaxine tablets, USP may pass into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while taking venlafaxine tablets, USP.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Venlafaxine tablets, USP and some medicines may interact with each other, may not work as well, or may cause serious side effects.
Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can tell you if it is safe to take venlafaxine tablets, USP with your other medicines. Do not start or stop any medicine while taking venlafaxine tablets, USP without talking to your healthcare provider first.
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If you take venlafaxine tablets, USP, you should not take any other medicines that contain (venlafaxine) including: venlafaxine HCl.
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How should I take Venlafaxine Tablets, USP?
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- Take venlafaxine tablets, USP exactly as prescribed. Your healthcare provider may need to change the dose of venlafaxine tablets, USP until it is the right dose for you.
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Venlafaxine tablets, USP is to be taken with food.
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- If you miss a dose of venlafaxine tablets, USP, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of venlafaxine tablets, USP at the same time.
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- If you take too much venlafaxine tablets, USP, call your healthcare provider or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.
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- When switching from another antidepressant to venlafaxine tablets, USP your doctor may want to lower the dose of the initial antidepressant first to avoid side effects.
What should I avoid while taking Venlafaxine Tablets, USP?
Venlafaxine tablets, USP can cause sleepiness or may affect your ability to make decisions, think clearly, or react quickly. You should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how venlafaxine tablets, USP affects you. Do not drink alcohol while using venlafaxine tablets, USP.
What are the possible side effects of Venlafaxine Tablets, USP?
Venlafaxine tablets, USP may cause serious side effects, including:
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- See "What is the most important information I should know about Venlafaxine Tablets, USP?"
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- Increased cholesterol- have your cholesterol checked regularly
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- Newborns whose mothers take venlafaxine tablets, USP in the third trimester may have problems right after birth including:
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- problems feeding and breathing
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- seizures
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- shaking, jitteriness or constant crying
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- Narrow-angle glaucoma/enlarged pupils. Check eye pressure regularly if you:
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- have a history of increased eye pressure
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- are at risk for certain types of glaucoma
Common possible side effects in people who take venlafaxine tablets, USP include:
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- unusual dreams
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- sexual problems
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- loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, or dry mouth
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- feeling tired, fatigued or overly sleepy
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- change in sleep habits, problems sleeping
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- yawning
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- tremor or shaking
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- dizziness, blurred vision
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- sweating
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- feeling anxious, nervous or jittery
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- headache
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- increase in heart rate
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of venlafaxine tablets, USP. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR MEDICAL ADVICE ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS. YOU MAY REPORT SIDE EFFECTS TO THE FDA AT 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store Venlafaxine Tablets, USP?
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Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) excursions permitted 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].
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- Keep venlafaxine tablets, USP in a dry place.
Keep Venlafaxine Tablets, USP and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General information about venlafaxine tablets, USP.Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use venlafaxine tablets, USP for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give venlafaxine tablets, USP to other people, even if they have same condition. It may harm them.
This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about venlafaxine tablets, USP. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You may ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about venlafaxine tablets, USP that is written for healthcare professionals.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. at 1-800-818-4555.
What are the ingredients in Venlafaxine Tablets, USP?
Active ingredient: (venlafaxine)
Inactive ingredients:
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Tablets: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate
This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for all antidepressants.
Manufactured by:
ALKALOIDA Chemical Company Zrt.
4440 Tiszavasvári
Kabay János u. 29.
Hungary
Distributed by:
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.
Cranbury, NJ 08512
Revised: 06/2021