Search The Medical Knowledge Base

Drug Details

EFEXOR XL (depression)

• Drug Class Description
  5HT/noradrenaline (norepinephrine) reuptake inhibitors (antidepressants).
• Generic Name
  Venlafaxine
• Presentation
  Efexor Tablets: Venlafaxine (as hydrochloride) 37.5mg , 50mg , 75mg . Efexor XL: Venlafaxine (as hydrochloride) 75mg , 150mg .
• Description
  Efexor Tablets: peach, shield- shaped tablets marked with strength and logo. Efexor XL: 75 mg sustained- release peach capsules marked W75; 150 mg sustained-release orange capsules marked W150.
• Indications
  Treatment of depressive illness including depression accompanied by anxiety.
• Adult Dosage
  Efexor Tablets: 37.5 mg twice daily with food. If necessary, titrate after several weeks to 150 mg daily. Severe depression: initially 75 mg twice daily with food. If necessary, titrate in increments of up to 75 mg every 2 or 3 days; max. 375 mg daily. Reduce dose gradually according to response. Efexor XL: 75 mg once daily with food. After 2 weeks, if necessary, increase to 150 mg once daily. Maximum 225 mg once daily.
• Child Dosage
  Not recommended.
• Contra Indications
  Pregnancy, lactation.
• Special Precautions
  Moderate to severe renal or hepatic impairment. History of epilepsy, drug abuse, myocardial infarction or unstable heart disease. Monitor BP at high doses. Re-evaluate patients on long term therapy. Withdraw gradually.
• Interactions
  MAOIs, CNS active drugs.
• Adverse Drug Reactions
  somnolence, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, asthenia, sweating, nervousness, impotence, rash, raised BP, postural hypotension, reversible changes in liver enzymes. Rarely, hyponatraemia.