Effexor XR for Treatment of Depression and Anxiety

Effexor XR is an antidepressant medication. It affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression. Effexor XR is most commonly used to relieve symptoms of depression such as feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or guilt; loss of interest in daily activities; changes in appetite; tiredness; sleeping too much; insomnia; and thoughts of death or suicide. An Effexor prescription is also used to relieve symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Effexor XR may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

EFFEXOR is known as an SNRI (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) and is believed to help treat depression and the associated symptoms of anxiety by affecting the level of two chemicals in the brain—serotonin and norepinephrine. These two chemicals are thought to play a key role in depression and the associated symptoms of anxiety. Correcting the imbalance of these two chemicals may help relieve depression symptoms and the associated symptoms of anxiety—which can be a positive step toward getting your life back.

Effexor may help you get back to feeling the way you used to—before the symptoms of depression started to interfere with your life. Effexor was proven to help more patients achieve the goal of virtually eliminating the symptoms of depression compared to other SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

Doctors have been prescribing Effexor for years. Effexor is used to treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD).

By relieving your symptoms of depression, you may:

• Feel more like yourself again
• Regain interest in your favorite activities
• Become involved with family and friends the way you used to
• Effexor XR has also been proven to keep depression from coming back. Over a 52-week period, a large majority of patients in studies did not see their symptoms return
  

Questions about Effexor: How Does Effexor Work?

Take Effexor XR exactly as directed by your doctor. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take Effexor XR with food or milk to lessen stomach upset. Each Effexor XR capsule should be swallowed whole with fluid and not divided, crushed, chewed, or dissolved. Do not stop taking Effexor XR without the approval of your doctor.

Stop taking Effexor XR and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment if you experience any of the following: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); seizures; or an irregular heartbeat or severely high blood pressure (blurred vision, headache). Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Effexor XR and talk to your doctor if you experience drowsiness or dizziness; nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, abdominal pain, or loss of appetite or weight; mild tremor, anxiety, or agitation; headache or insomnia. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Do not take Effexor XR if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, heart disease or high blood pressure, or seizures or epilepsy. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding a baby.

Take any missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Store it at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

Effexor is an antidepressant medication. It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression or anxiety. Effexor is used to relieve symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder (social phobia).

NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.

DEPRESSION RESOURCES

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, www.ndmda.org

American Psychiatric Association, www.psych.org

National Institute of Mental Health, www.nimh.nih.gov

Freedom From Fear, www.freedomfromfear.com