Dosage of Effexor: An Introduction
The dose of
Effexor® (
venlafaxine hydrochloride) that your healthcare provider prescribes will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be currently taking.
As always, do not adjust your Effexor dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Effexor Dosing for Depression
For the treatment of
depression, the usual starting dosage is Effexor 75 mg total per day, divided up into two or three smaller doses. Your healthcare provider may lower your dose if you experience side effects or may increase your dose if needed to control depression symptoms. For most people, the highest recommended dose is 225 mg total per day, although some people may need to take as much as Effexor 375 mg per day.
If you have liver or kidney problems, your healthcare provider might start you on a lower dose of the medication.
General Dosage Information
Some considerations for people taking Effexor include:
- Effexor comes in tablet form. It is taken two or three times a day, depending on how your healthcare provider prescribes it. Effexor should be taken with food.
- Effexor should be taken at the same times each day to maintain an even level of medicine in your system.
- Abruptly stopping medications like Effexor can result in withdrawal symptoms (see Effexor Withdrawal for more information).
- For Effexor to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Effexor will not work if you take it in a way other than how your healthcare provider prescribed it.
- If you are unsure about anything related to Effexor or your Effexor dosage, please talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking Effexor without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
