Venlafaxine is a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), indicated for depression primarily.
Dose: 25-150 mg
Route: Oral
Plasma Half-life: 5±2 hour (parent compound for immediate release preparations), 15±6 hour (parent compound for extended release preparations), 11±2 hour (active metabolite)
Duration of action: N/A
Bioavailability: 42±15%
Chemical formula: C17H27NO2
IUPAC name: (RS)-1-[2-dimethylamino-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]cyclohexanol
Trade name: Effexor, Effexor XR, Venlor, Veniz XR, Trevilor, Lanvexin, Viepax
Therapeutic uses:
Venlafaxine has following usage :
- Venlafaxine is primarily indicated as anti-depressant drug for treating depression (major/endogenous depression).
- May be effective in treating depression in patients in whom SSRIs are ineffective. Furthermore, depression is often accompanied by chronic painful symptoms, such as backache and muscle aches, against which SSRIs are also relatively ineffective.
- Off-label uses include autism, binge eating disorders, hot flashes, pain syndromes, premenstrual dysphoric disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorders.
Side effects: Although the SNRIs are considered to have fewer and less severe adverse effects than the TCAs, the SNRIs are not without adverse effects; Venlafaxine may provoke following side effects:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) effects (nausea, vomiting, constipation),
- Sedation,
- Dizziness,
- Anxiety,
- Headache,
- Sweating,
- Sexual dysfunction including loss of libido, delayed ejaculation, and anorgasmia
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia),
- Serotonin syndrome.The immediate release formulation of venlafaxine can induce sustained diastolic hypertension (systolic blood pressure > 90 mm Hg at consecutive weekly visits) in 10-15% of patients at higher doses; this risk is reduced with the extended-release form.
Contraindications:
For detailed query or in case of uncertainty, Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.
