Effexor Xr (venlafaxine hcl) Coupons, Discounts & Cost
Effexor Xr (venlafaxine hcl) is a new antidepressant, which acts not like tricyclic, tetracyclic, or other antidepressants. One way to save money on the Effexor Xr (venlafaxine hcl) retail cost regardless of income and insurance status is to use Effexor Xr (venlafaxine hcl) coupons or discount cards from RXCoupons. Use our Effexor Xr (venlafaxine hcl) coupons at your online pharmacy and receive up to 75% off the sale price each time you refill your prescription.
General information about Effexor Xr (venlafaxine hcl)
Effexor Xr (venlafaxine hcl) is a new antidepressant, which acts not like tricyclic, tetracyclic, or other antidepressants. The drug is used to treat depression, including specific types of anxiety (including social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder). It is also used for prevention of relapse and recurrence in depression.
How should I take Effexor Xr (venlafaxine hcl)?
The capsule is taken with food. It should be swallowed whole with water. Do not open the capsules, crush, chew, or put into the water. The capsules should be taken once a day (usually in the morning or evening).
Depression: the usual recommended dose is 75 mg once a day. If necessary, the dose may be increased to 150 mg once a day after 2 weeks of treatment. The dose may be increased even up to 225 mg per day (for mild forms) and up to 375 mg per day (for severe forms of depression).
Anxiety, including social phobia: the usual recommended daily dose is 75 mg once a day. If necessary, the dose may be increased to 150 mg once a day after 2 weeks of treatment. Also, the dose may be increased to 225 mg once a day.
Supportive therapy: continue for several months or longer (for severe depression). Patients may need long-term therapy in social phobia (depression - for 12 months, social phobia - for 6 months).
The attending physician should periodically evaluate the effectiveness of long-term treatment with Effexor Xr.
Cancel the drug gradually (within at least 2 weeks).
The time required for the gradual reduction of the dose depends on the dosage, duration of treatment and the individual patient response.
In renal failure, the daily dose of venlafaxine should be reduced by 25-50%. Hemodialysis patients should reduce the daily dose of venlafaxine by 50%.
The daily dose of venlafaxine should be lowered by 50% in patients with moderate hepatic impairment.
Elderly patients should use the minimal effective dose (such patients should be under close medical supervision).
What are the possible side effects of Effexor Xr (venlafaxine hcl)?
The most common set of side effects: weakness, fatigue, hypertension, loss of appetite, dry mouth, constipation, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, abnormal dreams, dizziness, insomnia, nervousness, paresthesia, drowsiness, tremors, yawning, sweating, disturbance of accommodation, mydriasis, visual disturbances, dysuria, abnormal ejaculation (males), anorgasmia, erectile dysfunction, decreased libido.
Infrequent side effects: photosensitivity, hypotension, postural hypotension, collapse, tachycardia, bruxism, ecchymosis, hyponatremia, apathy, hallucinations, myoclonus, exanthema, alopecia, urinary retention, menorrhagia.
Rare side effects: thrombocytopenia, hepatitis, diarrhea, pancreatitis, convulsions, tinnitus, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, extrapyramidal disorders including dyskinesia and dystonia, tardive dyskinesia, rhabdomyolysis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Very rare side effects: anaphylactic reactions, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, neutropenia, pancytopenia, psychomotor agitation.
What should I discuss with my doctor before taking Effexor Xr (venlafaxine hcl)?
Effexor Xr (venlafaxine hcl) contraindications: hypersensitivity to any component of the drug, combined therapy with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), severe hypertension, glaucoma, diseases of the prostate, severe liver or renal insufficiency, pregnancy and lactation, children and patients under 18 years of age.
Specific precautionary measures
Effexor Xr (venlafaxine hcl) is used with extreme caution in patients with recent myocardial infarction or unstable angina.
Caution should be exercised in patients with high eye pressure and glaucoma.
Some patients treated with antidepressants (including venlafaxine) are at risk of possible activation of mania or hypomania. Like other antidepressants, Effexor Xr should be used with caution in patients with mania. All patients suffering from depression should start the therapy with the lowest possible dose.