Precautions and Warnings With Venlafaxine XR

Some precautions and warnings to be aware of with venlafaxine XR involve serotonin syndrome, a dangerous group of symptoms that can occur when the medication is taken with certain other drugs. A few other precautions and warnings with venlafaxine XR to be aware of concern the medication's potential effect on one's ability to drive a car, the safety of taking venlafaxine XR while pregnant, and people who should not take this drug at all (like those who have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor within the past two weeks).

Venlafaxine Sustained Release

Venlafaxine XR: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

Before taking

venlafaxine XR (Effexor XR^®), let your healthcare provider know if you have:

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) or a family history of bipolar disorder
A history of suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts
A recent history of a heart attack (or if you have unstable heart disease)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Seizures or epilepsy
Glaucoma (a condition of the eyes)
Liver disease, including liver failure or cirrhosis
Kidney problems, including kidney failure (renal failure)
A bleeding disorder
Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:

Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
Are breastfeeding
Drink alcohol regularly.

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be currently taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

(Precautions and Warnings With Venlafaxine XR Continued: Page 2)