Vexor® (venlafaxine) capsules

Vexor® (venlafaxine)
37.5 and 75 mg scored tablets, 37.5 and 75 mg sustained-release capsules

This medicine has been prescribed for your current condition. Therefore, do not use it in similar cases or recommend its use to others.
General instructions:
If you have a history of allergies to this medicine, foods, food additives, dyes, or animals, inform your doctor.
If you improve, you should continue taking the medicine for up to 6 months, and for improvement, you should take this medicine for at least 4 weeks. You should see your doctor regularly to check the progress of your treatment.
The medicine should be taken with food or on a full stomach. To reduce digestive disorders, and if your doctor prescribes a specific method of use, follow the instructions.
Inform your doctor if you have other diseases such as bipolar disorder, brain injury or mental retardation, seizures, dehydration, eye pressure, heart attack, hyperthyroidism, heart, liver and kidney diseases, high or low blood pressure, mania, weight loss and liver cirrhosis.
Venlafaxine should be used with caution in depressed children. Studies show that taking this drug increases the risk of suicide in children, and more studies are needed to ensure the effect of this drug on children.
This drug may cause blurred vision and drowsiness, so avoid driving or operating machinery that requires full alertness during treatment.
This drug should not be stopped suddenly. Your doctor may reduce the dose over time to reduce unwanted side effects.
In studies conducted on the elderly to date, no different side effects have been observed than in adults.
Use in pregnancy and lactation:
Venlafaxine should not be used during pregnancy and lactation unless advised by a specialist.
Warnings:
During treatment, the patient should see a doctor regularly so that necessary measures can be taken if necessary to change the dose or reduce side effects.
If skin rashes or allergies to this drug occur, consult a doctor.
If side effects such as increased irritability, depression, impatience, and other unusual behaviors occur, inform your doctor.
If you are taking CNS depressants such as antihistamines, cold medicines, sedatives, sleeping pills, painkillers, barbiturates, antiepileptic drugs, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics such as dental cartridges, be sure to inform your doctor before taking this drug.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur when you stand up quickly from a lying or sitting position. If these symptoms do not decrease or worsen, consult a doctor.

Venlafaxine should not be started for at least 14 days after discontinuation of an MAOI due to the risk of serotonin syndrome. Venlafaxine should be discontinued for at least 7 days before initiating an MAOI.
Venlafaxine interacts with linezolid, methylene blue, other SNRIs, triptans, SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, buspirone, methadone, pentazocine, buprenorphine, amphetamines, moclobemide, and valerian root due to the increased risk of serotonin syndrome.
Withdrawal symptoms have been reported with abrupt discontinuation or reduction of SNRIs, including abnormal dreams, headache, insomnia, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, paresthesia,
irritability, fatigue, diarrhea, anxiety, lightheadedness, confusion, seizures, and a slight increase in resting heart rate. Patients should be monitored closely if abrupt discontinuation of venlafaxine is necessary.
Venlafaxine may precipitate mania or hypomania. If manic symptoms occur, venlafaxine should be discontinued and appropriate treatment for manic symptoms should be initiated.
Use with caution in patients with a history of seizure disorder. If a seizure occurs during treatment, venlafaxine should be discontinued.
SNRIs, including venlafaxine, may cause hyponatremia. Patients over 65 years of age, those receiving diuretics, or those prone to dehydration are at greater risk. Hyponatremia may present with headache, difficulty concentrating, memory impairment, confusion, weakness, and unsteadiness, which may lead to falls. Severe manifestations include hallucinations, syncope, seizures, coma, respiratory arrest, and death. Symptomatic hyponatremia may require discontinuation of the SNRI and appropriate medical intervention.
Venlafaxine should be used with caution in patients with cardiac disease, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, or in patients taking medications that increase the risk of QT prolongation due to the risk of QT prolongation. Women, elderly patients, patients with diabetes, thyroid disease, malnutrition, alcoholism, or hepatic insufficiency may also be at risk for QT prolongation.
Venlafaxine clearance is reduced in patients with renal insufficiency. Therefore, dose reduction is recommended in all stages of renal insufficiency, including those with renal insufficiency and those undergoing dialysis.
Venlafaxine is extensively metabolized in the liver and should be used with caution and dose reduction in patients with liver disease.
Concomitant use of venlafaxine with aspirin, NSAIDs, anticoagulant therapy, or thrombolytic therapy increases the risk of bleeding.
Patients taking venlafaxine, as with other drugs that affect the CNS, should exercise caution when driving or operating machinery.
Dosage:
The dosage of the drug is determined by the attending physician for each patient. However, the usual dosage of the drug is as follows:

Immediate-release tablets:
Adults: Initially 75 mg daily in 2 or 3 divided doses, then increased to 375 mg daily if necessary. Maximum 375 mg daily.
Extended-release capsules:
Adults: Initially 75 mg once daily, increased to 225 mg once daily if necessary, dose increased at intervals of at least 2 weeks if necessary. Maximum 225 mg daily.
In some patients, it is better to start with a dose of 37.5 mg once daily for 4 to 7 days and then increase the dose to 75 mg.
Children up to 18 years: Dosage and amount determined by the doctor.
Note: Dosage adjustment in liver and kidney patients is the responsibility of the doctor.
How to take the drug:
It is recommended that venlafaxine be taken with food and a glass of water.
Avoid alcohol while taking venlafaxine.
If you take more than the prescribed dose, see your doctor. Drowsiness, seizures, and vomiting can be signs of drug poisoning.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular medication schedule. Do not double the dose.
Side Effects:
In addition to the desired effects, any medication may have some unwanted side effects. Tell your doctor if any of the following side effects occur.
Common or very common side effects: anxiety, decreased appetite, arrhythmia, weakness and lethargy, tremor, confusion, constipation, depersonalization, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, shortness of breath, headache, hot flashes, blood pressure, menstrual cycle irregularities, movement disorders, increased muscle tone, mydriasis, nausea, palpitations, tingling of the limbs, sexual dysfunction, skin reactions, sleep disorders, taste changes in the mouth, tinnitus, tremor, urinary disorders, visual disorders, vomiting, weight change, yawning. Uncommon side effects: alopecia, angioedema, apathy, abnormal behavior, bleeding, hallucinations, orthostatic hypotension, mood changes, photosensitivity reaction, syncope. Rare or very rare side effects: agranulocytosis, angle-closure glaucoma, bone marrow disorders, delirium, hepatitis, hyponatremia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, neutropenia, pancreatitis, QT interval prolongation, respiratory disorders, Rhabdomyolysis, serotonin syndrome, severe skin side effects, thrombocytopenia,
Unknown side effects: suicidal tendencies, withdrawal syndrome
Storage conditions:
Store the product at a temperature below 25°C, away from light and moisture.
Keep the medicine out of the reach of children.
Do not use venlafaxine capsules after the expiry date which is stated on the carton.
Dosage forms and packaging:

This drug is produced and supplied by Afashimi Pharmaceutical Company in the form of sustained-release capsules containing 37.5 and 75 mg of venlafaxine in boxes of 30, and tablets containing 37.5 and 75 mg of venlafaxine in boxes of 30.