Description
Venlafaxine belongs to the class of antidepressant and anxiolytic medications known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It is used to treat depression. It works on the central nervous system (CNS) to elevate mood in people with depression.
Venlafaxine is also used to treat the symptoms of anxiety causing distress in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and panic disorder (panic attacks). SNRIs work by increasing the amount of two chemicals called serotonin and norepinephrine, which are available in certain parts of the brain.
Symptoms may begin to improve within 2 weeks of starting venlafaxine, but it may take several weeks before the full beneficial effects of this medication are felt.
Venlafaxine should be taken once daily with food, either in the morning or in the evening. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not crush, chew, or split the capsules.
Depression: The recommended dose of venlafaxine for people with depression is 75 mg once daily. For some people, the doctor may recommend starting with a lower dose of 37.5 mg daily for the first 4 to 7 days of treatment so they can get used to the medication. The dose can then be increased to 75 mg daily. If the expected benefit does not occur after a few weeks, your doctor may gradually increase the dose to a maximum of 225 mg daily, until improvement is seen.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): For people with GAD, the recommended starting dose of venlafaxine is 37.5 mg once daily for 4 to 7 days. Your doctor may gradually increase the dose to a maximum of 225 mg daily, based on your response to the medication.
Social anxiety disorder (social phobia): The usual recommended starting dose of venlafaxine is 75 mg once daily. For some people, the doctor may recommend starting with a lower dose of 37.5 mg daily for the first 4 to 7 days of treatment so they can get used to the medication. The dose can then be increased to 75 mg daily. Your doctor may gradually increase the dose based on your response to the medication, to a maximum of 225 mg daily.
Panic disorder (panic attacks): For people with panic attacks, the recommended starting dose of venlafaxine extended release is 37.5 mg once daily for 7 days. The dose can then be increased to 75 mg daily. Your doctor may gradually increase the dose based on your response to the medication to a maximum of 225 mg daily.
