Venlafaxine is a generic name for one of the most frequently used antidepressants. The abbreviation ER means extended release. ER pills release the active component at a predetermined rate.
Important facts about Venlafaxine ER
The antidepressant is taken orally. It increases the level of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the central nervous system.
Due to its mechanism of action, Venlafaxine ER helps patients to:
- Get back their good mood.
- Improve response to stressful situations.
- Get rid of the emotional and behavioral problems.
- Improve long-term well-being.
If you just want to improve your mood, you should not use Venlafaxine ER. This antidepressant agent is approved by the FDA only for patients, who suffer from:
- Panic attacks
- Clinical depression
- Social phobia
- Generalized anxiety disorder.
Recommended dosing schedule
Follow the instructions for using this antidepressant as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Normal starting dosage of Venlafaxine ER amounts to:
• 37.5 mg per day, to reduce the symptoms of panic attacks.
• 75 mg per day, for the remaining conditions listed above.
The maximum dose of 225 mg should not be exceeded. If you are fighting social phobia symptoms, you should not use a dose exceeding 75 mg.
Venlafaxine ER safety & side effect facts
Just like every other antidepressant, Venlafaxine ER can potentially cause side effects. Fortunately, the few people, who suffer unfavorable reactions, usually find them to be brief and mild. The most common events are:
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Excessive sweating.
Venlafaxine ER has a small risk of: increase or reduction in weight, loss of strength, problems with achieving an erection and urine retention. Check out patient information leaflet for a full list of unfavorable reactions.
If you experience any adverse events, caused by the use of your prescribed antidepressant, it is important to inform your doctor about it. Do this immediately, if an allergic reaction occurs.
Venlafaxine ER vs XR
ER and XR tablets dissolve very slowly. They maintain a constant blood concentration of the antidepressant for a certain period of time.
There is no difference between ER and XR tablets. They’re technically the same amount. Indication, method of use, dosage and half-life of Venlafaxine ER are the same.
You need to be careful if you use IR (immediate-release) Venlafaxine. These have a different dosing schedule. Usually, they should be taken 2 or 3 times a day.
Generics vs original antidepressants
Effexor XR is the brand name for Venlafaxine-containing antidepressant. It was approved by the FDA in 1997. The supplier is Wyeth Pharms. Currently, no other brand Venlafaxine-containing drugs are available in the US.
Effexor XR brand is well-advertised and very popular. The only, yet a very serious drawback is its high price. If you are not willing to spend too much money, just go to a pharmacy and compare prices of generics and original antidepressants.
If the price of Effexor XR does not make you happy, you can buy Venlafaxine ER generics, produced by such pharmaceutical companies, as:
- Teva
- Zydus
- Dr Reddys
- Anchen
- Wockhardt
- Aurobindo.
If you are looking for the lowest possible prices, use the services of online pharmacies. You can order cheap Venlafaxine ER online at any time (in the evening, on weekdays or in weekends). Before you pay for the order, you can get a pharmacist’s consultation.