ven-la-FAX-een 
Unlabeled Use:
Contraindicated in:
Use Cautiously in:
CV: chest pain, hypertension, palpitations, tachycardia.
Derm: ecchymoses, itching, photosensitivity, skin rash.
EENT: rhinitis, visual disturbances, epistaxis, tinnitus.
GI: abdominal pain, altered taste, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, weight loss.
GU: ↓ libido, delayed/absent orgasm, ejaculatory delay/failure, erectile dysfunction, urinary frequency, urinary retention.
Hemat: BLEEDING.
Neuro: abnormal dreams, anxiety, dizziness, headache, insomnia, nervousness, paresthesia, weakness, abnormal thinking, agitation, confusion, depersonalization, drowsiness, emotional lability, NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME, SEIZURES, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, twitching, worsening depression.
Misc: chills, discontinuation syndrome, SEROTONIN SYNDROME, yawning.
Drug-Drug:
Drug-Natural Products:
(Generic available)
Major Depressive Disorder
Renal Impairment
Hepatic Impairment
General Anxiety Disorder
Renal Impairment
Hepatic Impairment
Social Anxiety Disorder
Renal Impairment
Hepatic Impairment
Panic Disorder
Hepatic Impairment
Renal Impairment
Effexor, Effexor XR
Therapeutic Classification: antidepressants, antianxiety agents
Pharmacologic Classification: selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors-SSNRIs
Absorption: 92–100% absorbed after oral administration.
Distribution: Extensive distribution into body tissues.
Metabolism/Excretion: Extensively metabolized on first pass through the liver (primarily through the CYP2D6 isoenzyme); the CYP2D6 isoenzyme exhibits genetic polymorphism (7% of population may be poor metabolizers and may have significantly ↑ venlafaxine concentrations and an ↑ risk of adverse effects). One metabolite, O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV), has antidepressant activity. 5% of venlafaxine is excreted unchanged in urine; 30% of the active metabolite is excreted in urine.
Half-life: Venlafaxine: 3–5 hr; ODV: 9–11 hr (both are ↑ in hepatic/renal impairment).
NDC Code*
