Venlafaxine – Effexor

The following information is NOT meant to be used to treat yourself or patients

• Generic name = Venlafaxine

  

• Trade name = Effexor, Effexor XR
• Class = antidepressant (selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• Disadvantages
  • Not been shown to be effective in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)
  • Long titration period
  • Cardiac patients
    • Possible cardiac conduction abnormalities
    • May increase blood pressure
  • Need to be tapered to prevent withdrawal syndrome
• Dosing
  • Starting dose:  37.5mg once or twice daily
  • Titrating:  Increase by 75mg each week (can take 2-4 weeks to get to max dose)
  • Max dose:  225 mg/day
  • Adequate trial period:  4-6 weeks