Effexor XR

Effexor XR No Extended-release capsule 37.5-75 75-225 Once daily... 

Venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR). Venlafaxine works by blocking the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. Because of this dual action, some believe that venlafaxine may be more effective than the SSRIs when treating severe depression. Its side effects and toxicity are similar to the SSRIs with abdominal discomfort, sexual dysfunction, and anxiety being commonly reported. At higher doses, it may mildly elevate blood pressure therefore, blood pressure should be checked periodically. When stopping venlafaxine, serotonin discontinuation symptoms may be especially problematic. Therefore, gradually tapering of the dose every 2-4 weeks is recommended. 

Newer Generation Antidepressants. All SSRIs have been shown effective in the treatment of panic disorder. Of these, flnoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft), as well as the SNRI venlafaxine ER (Effexor XR), have received FDA approval for the treatment of panic disorder. Because they are safer and easier to tolerate, SSRls/SNRls have largely supplanted the MAOIs and TCAs as standard treatments (along with benzodiazepines) for panic disorder. 

Venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR). Venlafaxine, a dual serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, has only recently been used to treat ADHD with a few case reports suggesting it may provide modest benefit for both inattention and impulsivity. Effexor XR is generally well tolerated, though it can elevate blood pressure somewhat at higher doses. This should be monitored especially when venlafaxine is coadministered with a stimulant. Controlled trials are needed. 

Antidepressants. The most widely used psychiatric medicines with the broadest range of application in TBI patients are undoubtedly the SSRI antidepressants. They are well tolerated, unlikely to worsen any of the preexisting deficits associated with TBI, and offer relief from not only depression but also impulsivity and virtually all variants of anxiety in these patients. As such, SSRIs are the preferred first-line treatment for all anxiety disorders after TBI. Other newer antidepressants that also work (at least in part) by boosting serotonin activity, namely, mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), venlafaxine (Effexor XR), and duloxetine (Cymbalta) can also be considered, but they have not been well studied in patients with TBI. In... 

Sertraline (Zoloft) Trazodone (Desyrel) Venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR)... 

Compiled from Bandelow et alf Lexapro package insert/ Paxil package insert/ Effexor XR package insert/ and Vistaril package insert. ... 

Effexor XR package insert. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Philadelphia, December 2003. 

To make Effexor more convenient, Wyeth-Ayerst developed an extend-release version, called Effexor XR, which only needs to be taken once a day. 

---