Introduction
Venlax 37.5 is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorder. It alters the chemicals in the brain that cause symptoms of anxiety such as irritability, restlessness, lack of concentration, fatigue, sweating, increased heart rate and unwanted or racing thoughts.
Venlax 37.5 should be taken with food. It is advised to take this medicine at a fixed time each day to maintain a consistent level in the blood. If you miss any doses, take it as soon as you remember. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly as it may worsen your symptoms.
Some common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, insomnia (difficulty in sleeping), decreased appetite, anxiety, constipation, increased sweating, and sexual dysfunction. It may cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. However, these side effects are temporary and usually resolve on their own in some time. Please consult your doctor if these do not subside or bother you.
Before taking Venlax 37.5, inform your doctor if you have any problems with your kidneys, heart, liver, or have a history of seizures (epilepsy or fits). Inform your doctor if you develop any unusual changes in mood or behavior, new or worsening depression, or if you have any suicidal thoughts.
Uses of Venlax 37.5
- Depression
- Anxiety disorder
Side effects of Venlax 37.5
Common
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
- Decreased appetite
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Increased sweating
- Sexual dysfunction
How to use Venlax 37.5
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Venlax 37.5 is to be taken with food.
How Venlax 37.5 works
Venlax 37.5 works by increasing the levels of chemical messengers (serotonin and noradrenaline), natural substances in the brain that help maintain mental balance.
What if you forget to take Venlax 37.5?
If you miss a dose of Venlax 37.5, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Indication
Depression, Anxiety, Panic disorder, Social anxiety disorder
Administration
Take with food
Adult Dose
Oral
Depression
Adult: Conventional tab: Initially, 75 mg/day in 2 or 3 divided doses, may increase in increments of up to 75 mg/day at intervals of 4 days or more. Max: 375 mg/day.
Extended-release: Initially, 37.5-75 mg once daily; in patients initiated at 37.5 mg once daily, may increase to 75 mg once daily after 4-7 days; dose may then be increased in increments of up to 75 mg/day at intervals of 4 days or more. Max: 225 mg/day.
Panic disorder
Adult: Extended-release: Initially, 37.5 mg once daily for a wk, may increase to 75 mg once daily after 7 days; increase in increments of up to 75 mg/day at intervals of 7 days or more. Max: 225 mg/day.
Anxiety
Adult: Extended-release: Initially, 37.5-75 mg once daily; in patients initiated at 37.5 mg once daily, may increase to 75 mg once daily after 4-7 days; dose may then be increased in increments of up to 75 mg/day at intervals of 4 days or more. Max: 225 mg/day.
Hepatic impairment: Mild to moderate: Reduce dose by 50%.
Child Dose
Attention Deficit Disorder
<40 kg: 12.5 mg/day PO initially; increase by 12.5 mg/week; not to exceed 50 mg/day divided twice daily
>40 kg: 12.5 mg/day PO initially; increase by 25 mg/week; not to exceed 75 mg/day divided three times daily
Depression
Children: 37.5 mg/day PO initially
Adolescents: 37.5-75 mg/day PO initially
Maintenance: Children, 75-150 mg/day; adolescents, 150-300 mg/day
Renal Dose
Renal impairment: GFR <30 mL/min and patient requiring haemodialysis: Reduce dose by 50%.
Contraindication
Uncontrolled hypertension; high risk of serious ventricular arrhythmia.
Mode of Action
Venlafaxine and its active metabolite O-desmethylvenlafaxine selectively inhibit the neuronal reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine and to a lesser extent dopamine. It has minimal affinity for muscarinic, histamine, or ?1-adrenergic receptors. It appears to be as effective as standard antidepressants but w/ a lower incidence of anticholinergic, sedative and CV side effects.
Precaution
History of MI or unstable cardiac disease, seizure; hypomania or mania, increased intraocular pressure or at risk of acute narrow-angle glaucoma, at risk of bleeding. Renal and hepatic impairment. Gradual dose reduction is recommended rather than abrupt withdrawal. Pregnancy and lactation. Patient Counselling May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Monitoring Parameters Monitor BP and heart rate regularly, cholesterol, mental status for depression. Closely observe for clinical worsening, suicidality and unusual changes in behaviour. Monitor for emergence of serotonin syndrome. In short-term studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults (<24 years) taking antidepressants for major depressive disorders and other psychiatric illnesses
Lactation: Enters milk; not recommended
Side Effect
>10%
Headache (25-38%),Nausea (21-58%),Insomnia (15-24%),Asthenia (16-20%),Dizziness (11-24%),Ejaculation disorder (2-19%),Somnolence (12-26%),Dry mouth (12-22%),Diaphoresis (7-19%),Anorexia (15-17%),Nervousness (17-26%),Anorgasmia (5-13%)
1-10%
Weight loss (1-6%),Abnormal vision (4-6%),Hypertension (2-5%),Impotence (4-6%),Paresthesia (2-3%),Tremor (1-10%),Vasodilation (2-6%),Vomiting (3-8%),Weight gain (2%),Flatulence (3-4%),Pruritus (1%),Yawning (3-8%),Dyspepsia (5-7%),Twitching (1-3%),Mydriasis (2%)
<1%
Angioedema,Agranulocytosis,Anemia,Anuria,Aneurism,Bacteremia,Myasthenia,Syncope,Suicide ideation/attempt
Potentially Fatal: Blood dyscrasias, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hepatitis.
Interaction
Increased risk of serotonin syndrome w/ TCA, SSRI, SNRI, lithium, sibutramine, tramadol. May increase serum levels w/ CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole, atazanavir, clarithromycin). May increase serum levels of haloperidol. May decrease serum levels of indinavir. May increase bleeding risk w/ aspirin, NSAIDs, warfarin and other anticoagulants.
Potentially Fatal: Increased risk of serotonin syndrome w/ MAOIs, linezolid and methylene blue.