Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs
Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, teens, and young adults compared to placebo. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Effexor XR is not approved for use in children and teens.
Do not take EFFEXOR XR if you:
- Are allergic to Effexor XR or any of the ingredients in Effexor XR
- Have uncontrolled angle-closure glaucoma
- Currently take, or have taken within the last 14 days, any medicine known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as linezolid or methylene blue. Do not take an MAOI within 7 days of stopping Effexor XR. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if your medicine is an MAOI
All patients taking antidepressants should be watched closely for signs that their condition is getting worse or that they are becoming suicidal, especially when they first start therapy, or when their dose is increased or decreased. Patients should also be watched for becoming agitated, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, or restless. Such symptoms should be reported to the patient's doctor right away.
Before taking Effexor XR, tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you take or plan to take, including those to treat migraines or psychiatric disorders (including other antidepressants or amphetamines) to avoid a potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome.
Effexor XR may raise blood pressure in some patients. Your blood pressure should be controlled before starting treatment and should be monitored regularly.
Taking Effexor XR with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, warfarin, or other blood thinners may increase the risk of bleeding events.
Some people are at risk for visual problems such as eye pain, changes in vision, or swelling or redness around the eye. You may want to undergo an eye examination to see if you are at risk and get preventative treatment if you are.
Taking serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), including Effexor XR, may cause sexual problems.
Do not stop Effexor XR without first talking to your healthcare provider. When people suddenly stop using or quickly lower their daily dose of Effexor XR, serious discontinuation symptoms may occur and in some patients these symptoms can be severe and last for a long time.
Pregnant or nursing women shouldn't take any antidepressant without consulting their doctor.
Until you see how Effexor XR affects you, be careful doing such activities as driving a car or operating machinery. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Effexor XR.
In clinical studies, the most common side effects with Effexor XR (reported in at least 5% of patients and at least twice as often as with placebo) were constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, sexual side effects, sleepiness, sweating, and weakness.
INDICATIONS
Effexor XR extended-release capsules are a prescription medicine indicated for the treatment, in adults, of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), and Panic Disorder (PD) with or without agoraphobia.
Please see Full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.
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