Precautions and Warnings for Venlafaxine

Some precautions and warnings for venlafaxine to be aware of include potential drug interactions, the safety of taking venlafaxine while nursing, and the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior in some people taking this drug. A few of the conditions you should let your healthcare provider know about before taking venlafaxine include kidney problems, high blood pressure, and glaucoma. Among the people who should not take venlafaxine are those who are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and those who are allergic to venlafaxine or its inactive components.

Venlafaxine HCl

Precautions and Warnings for Venlafaxine: An Overview

Venlafaxine hydrochloride is a prescription medication used to treat depression and certain types of anxiety disorders. It is sold under the brand name Effexor^®. It is also available as a generic, sold as Venlafaxine tablets. Finally, there is an extended release form of venlafaxine available as Effexor XR^®. There is no generic Effexor XR available.

This article will discuss venlafaxine.

(Click Effexor Warnings and Precautions or Effexor XR Precautions and Warnings for specific information on the other medicines mentioned above.)

Venlafaxine: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking venlafaxine 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 for Venlafaxine Continued: Page 2)