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Venlafaxine is an antidepressant drug with an innovative structure. This substance is a very strong inhibitor of serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake. Venlafaxine is used in the treatment of all types of depression and various depressive disorders related to, inter alia, with anxiety or social phobias.
Venlafaxine is an antidepressant drug. The indication for its use is the treatment of depression and the prevention of its recurrence. Venlafaxine is recommended only when treating adults. Check how to use venlafaxine.
Venlafaxine – action
Venlafaxine is a medicine that belongs to the group of antidepressants. It is a strong serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and a weak dopamine reuptake inhibitor. Thanks to this action, the level of this substance in the central nervous system increases, and this makes it more strongly influencing the receptors. The decrease in serotonin and norepinephrine levels is considered to be the main factor in the development of depression.
Venlafaxine therefore affects the regulation of the bioelectrical activity of the cerebral cortex, learning and memory, sleep and wakefulness, as well as concentration and attention. It will also help regulate motor activities, appetite, hormonal disorders, sexuality and even pain sensation.
Venlafaxine – indications
Venlafaxine is used to treat depression and other depressive disorders (anxiety, anxiety disorders, social phobias, panic disorder with or without agoraphobia). The substance is also used prophylactically in order to prevent the recurrence of depression or the emergence of new episodes.
Please note that this medicine is only for use by adults.
Venlafaxine – dosage
Venlafaxine may be taken orally and preferably with a meal. You can get it in the form of drugs in tablets and capsules. They should be swallowed whole. To avoid side effects and the development of tolerance to venlafaxine, take the drug under medical supervision and gradually increase and decrease the doses. The dose of the drug is always determined by the doctor.
Venlafaxine – precautions
If venlafaxine has been used for 6 weeks, it should be discontinued for another 2 weeks. Venlafaxine is effective in the long-term treatment of depression for up to 12 months.
Caution should be exercised when driving or operating machinery while taking venlafaxine. Although no interaction of venlafaxine with alcohol has been reported, its consumption during treatment is not recommended.
This substance is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and meals consumed in the meantime do not affect the absorption of the drug and its maximum concentration in the blood.
Venlafaxine – side effects
Venlafaxine, like any other substance, may cause certain side effects. Most often they start early in treatment and go away on their own. They are also more common in patients taking higher doses of venlafaxine. Most often it appears:
- weakness, fatigue;
- hypertension and increase in blood cholesterol;
- decreased appetite and weight loss;
- sweating;
- sleep disturbances, dreams, decreased libido, insomnia, nervousness;
- erectile dysfunction and orgasm.
Discontinuation of venlafaxine may lead to the development of discontinuation syndrome. Many patients develop “brain zap” or “brain shivers”. It consists of unpleasant short electrical pulses running through the brain. They appear every few seconds. This effect disappears after about 3 weeks.
Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.