Venlor: Effective Relief for Depression and Anxiety Disorders
| Product dosage: 75mg | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Package (num) | Per pill | Price | Buy |
| 60 | $1.10 | $66.30 (0%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 90 | $1.04 | $99.44 $93.42 (6%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 120 | $1.00 | $132.59 $120.54 (9%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 180 | $0.98 | $198.89 $175.78 (12%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 270 | $0.96 | $298.33 $258.15 (13%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 360 | $0.94
Best per pill | $397.77 $339.51 (15%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
Synonyms | |||
Venlor (venlafaxine hydrochloride) is a prescription antidepressant medication belonging to the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class. It is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and panic disorder. By increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine—two crucial neurotransmitters in the brain responsible for mood regulation—Venlor helps restore chemical balance, alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety. This medication is available in both immediate-release and extended-release formulations, allowing for tailored treatment plans under strict medical supervision to optimize therapeutic outcomes and improve patient quality of life.
Features
- Contains venlafaxine hydrochloride as the active pharmaceutical ingredient.
- Available in immediate-release (IR) tablets and extended-release (XR) capsules.
- Dosage strengths include 25 mg, 37.5 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg for IR tablets, and 37.5 mg, 75 mg, and 150 mg for XR capsules.
- Manufactured under stringent Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
- Requires a prescription and professional medical oversight.
Benefits
- Effectively reduces symptoms of major depressive disorder, including low mood, loss of interest, and fatigue.
- Alleviates excessive worry and physical symptoms associated with generalized anxiety disorder.
- Helps manage social and performance-related anxieties in social anxiety disorder.
- Reduces the frequency and severity of panic attacks in panic disorder.
- Extended-release formulation allows for once-daily dosing, improving adherence.
- Contributes to overall functional improvement and enhanced quality of life for patients.
Common use
Venlor is primarily prescribed for the management of major depressive disorder (MDD) and several anxiety disorders. In clinical practice, it is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), characterized by persistent and excessive worry; social anxiety disorder (SAD), which involves intense fear of social situations; and panic disorder, marked by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. Off-label uses may include the management of certain neuropathic pain conditions, such as diabetic neuropathy, and adjunctive treatment in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), though these applications require careful clinical evaluation and are not formally approved in all regions.
Dosage and direction
Dosage must be individualized based on patient response, tolerance, and the specific condition being treated. For major depressive disorder, the recommended starting dose for the immediate-release tablets is 75 mg per day, administered in two or three divided doses. This may be increased gradually, in increments of 75 mg per day, at intervals of no less than 4 days, up to a maximum of 375 mg per day in divided doses. For the extended-release capsules, the usual starting dose is 75 mg once daily, which may be increased to 150 mg once daily, and further to a maximum of 225 mg per day if needed and tolerated.
For generalized anxiety disorder, the recommended starting dose for extended-release capsules is 75 mg once daily. Some patients may benefit from starting at 37.5 mg once daily for 4–7 days to improve tolerability before increasing to 75 mg. Dosage may be increased in increments of up to 75 mg per day at intervals of no less than 4 days, to a maximum of 225 mg per day.
Venlor should be taken with food to minimize the potential for nausea. The extended-release capsules must be swallowed whole and not crushed, chewed, or dissolved. Dosage adjustments are necessary in patients with hepatic or renal impairment, and the medication should not be discontinued abruptly due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Precautions
Patients should be closely monitored for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior, especially during the initial few months of therapy or following dosage changes. Venlor may increase the risk of bleeding; caution is advised in patients taking anticoagulants or with inherent bleeding tendencies. It may also cause an increase in blood pressure; regular monitoring of blood pressure is recommended, particularly during dose escalation. Use with caution in patients with a history of seizures, mania, or hyponatremia. Venlor can affect glycemic control in diabetics. Patients should be advised about the potential for impaired judgment, thinking, or motor skills and cautioned about operating hazardous machinery, including driving, until they are reasonably certain that Venlor does not adversely affect them.
Contraindications
Venlor is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to venlafaxine hydrochloride or any excipients in the formulation. It must not be used concomitantly with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or within 14 days of discontinuing MAOI treatment due to the risk of serious, sometimes fatal, drug interactions with symptoms such as hyperthermia, rigidity, myoclonus, autonomic instability, and mental status changes. Concomitant use with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue is also contraindicated.
Possible side effect
Common side effects include nausea, headache, drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, insomnia, constipation, sweating, nervousness, and asthenia. Many of these are dose-dependent and may diminish over time. Sexual dysfunction, including abnormal ejaculation, impotence, and decreased libido, has been reported. Less common but more serious adverse effects can include sustained increases in blood pressure, seizures, serotonin syndrome (especially when used with other serotonergic drugs), manic episodes, hyponatremia, interstitial lung disease, eosinophilic pneumonia, and angle-closure glaucoma. Abrupt discontinuation may lead to withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, sensory disturbances, agitation, anxiety, nausea, and sweating.
Drug interaction
Venlor has a significant potential for drug interactions. Concomitant use with MAOIs is contraindicated. It may interact with other serotonergic drugs (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tramadol, tryptophan) increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome. Venlor is a moderate inhibitor of CYP2D6 and may increase plasma levels of drugs metabolized by this enzyme, such as certain antipsychotics (risperidone), beta-blockers (metoprolol), and Type 1C antiarrhythmics (flecainide, propafenone). Drugs that inhibit CYP2D6 (e.g., quinidine) or CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole) may increase venlafaxine levels. Concurrent use with NSAIDs, aspirin, or warfarin may increase the risk of bleeding. Venlor may reduce the efficacy of tamoxifen. Caution is advised with drugs that affect platelet function or increase the risk of hyponatremia.
Missed dose
If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped, and the regular dosing schedule resumed. Patients should not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Consistency in dosing is important to maintain stable plasma levels and therapeutic effect.
Overdose
Overdose experience with venlor includes symptoms such as tachycardia, changes in level of consciousness (ranging from somnolence to coma), seizures, vomiting, and ECG changes (e.g., prolonged QT interval, bundle branch block, QRS prolongation). Fatalities have been reported, primarily with mixed overdoses involving other drugs. Suspected overdose constitutes a medical emergency requiring immediate attention. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive; there is no specific antidote. Ensuring a patent airway, oxygenation, and ventilation is crucial. Gastric lavage with a protected airway may be considered if performed soon after ingestion. Activated charcoal may be administered. ECG and vital signs monitoring is essential. Due to the large volume of distribution of venlafaxine, forced diuresis, dialysis, hemoperfusion, and exchange transfusion are unlikely to be of benefit.
Storage
Store at room temperature, between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), with excursions permitted between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Keep the medication in its original container, tightly closed, and protect from moisture and light. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Dispose of unused or expired medication properly through a medicine take-back program or according to local guidelines; do not flush down the toilet or pour into a drain.
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medication. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. The content provided is based on general medical knowledge and may not reflect the most recent research or regulatory approvals in your specific region.
Reviews
Clinical studies and meta-analyses consistently demonstrate the efficacy of venlafaxine in the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, showing significant improvement in symptom scores compared to placebo. It is often noted for its dual mechanism of action, which may offer an advantage for patients with comorbid anxiety and depression or those who have not responded adequately to SSRIs. Patient-reported outcomes frequently highlight improvements in energy levels, motivation, and reduction in anxious preoccupation. However, reviews also commonly cite the side effect profile, particularly initial nausea and the potential for discontinuation symptoms, as significant considerations. Overall, it is regarded as a valuable option within the antidepressant armamentarium, particularly for moderate to severe cases.