What Is Venlafaxine?

Venlafaxine is a phenethylamine derivative and a bicyclic atypical antidepressant. This product and its active metabolite O-desmethylvenfalasin (ODV) can effectively antagonize the reuptake of 5-HT and NA. It also has a certain effect on the reuptake of DA and has antidepressant effect. Sedation is weak. Oral absorption is good, eating does not affect drug absorption. It is extensively metabolized in the liver. The main metabolite is ODV, which is mainly excreted through the kidneys and can also be secreted from milk.

Basic Information

Chinese name
Venlafaxine
Foreign name
Venlafaxine
Pinyin
Wenlafaxin
category
Antidepressants
Alias
Venlafaxine hydrochloride
Application
Various types of depression

Venlafaxine indication

Suitable for all kinds of depression and general anxiety.

Venlafaxine clinical application

Oral: Start at 25 mg / time, 2 to 3 times / day, gradually increase to 75 to 225 mg / day, and take in 2 to 3 times. Sustained-release capsules should be taken once a day with food at a fixed time in a daily dose. Increase the dose at intervals of not less than 4 days, each time increasing by 75 mg / day. For patients with mild to moderate renal impairment, the total daily dose is reduced by 25% to 50%. For patients with mild to moderate liver injury, the total daily dose is half or less than half of the conventional medication dose, and the medication should be personalized according to the actual situation of the patient.

Venlafaxine adverse reactions

Fewer adverse reactions. May have nausea, drowsiness, sweating, dizziness, sexual dysfunction, hypertension, anxiety, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, etc. It occurs in the initial stage of treatment, and these symptoms gradually decrease as the treatment progresses.

Venlafaxine notes

Hepatic and renal insufficiency, heart disease, hypertension, blood disease, glaucoma, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, bipolar disorder, history of epilepsy should be used with caution. Use with caution in children, the elderly, pregnant women, and lactating women.
Epilepsy may be induced at high doses. Sudden withdrawal may have withdrawal syndromes, such as insomnia, anxiety, nausea, sweating, tremor, dizziness, or paresthesia. It should be gradually reduced rather than abruptly discontinued. If venlafaxine is used for more than 6 weeks, it is recommended to reduce the dose gradually for a minimum of more than two weeks. For patients with severe depression, the condition should be closely observed during medication. Patients driving a motor vehicle or operating a machine during medication should be cautious.

Contraindications to venlafaxine

Those who are allergic to this medicine are prohibited.

Venlafaxine drug interactions

1. Combination with 5-HT active drugs (TCAs, SSRIs, SNRIs, linezolid, lithium, St. John's wort, tryptophan, triptans, dexamphetamine, fenfluramine) will cause 5-HT Syndrome, so be careful with these drugs.
2. Combination with antipsychotic drugs such as triflurazine may cause neurological malignant syndrome. When combined with clozapine and dextromethorphan, they will interact with each other, leading to an increase in the blood concentration of the other party and adverse reactions. This product reduces haloperidol metabolism. Caution should be exercised in combination.
3. Combined with alcohol may increase central nervous system depression.
4. Ketoconazole, cimetidine, ritonavir, etc. can reduce the metabolism of this product and increase the toxicity of this product.
5. This product is a substrate and weak inhibitor of CYP2D6. When combined with TCA drugs metabolized by this enzyme, the two will cause interactions, and the toxicity of both may increase. Metoprolol is also metabolized by CYP2D6. When combined with this product, it may enhance the antihypertensive effect and cause hypotension.
6. When used with warfarin, there is a danger of increasing bleeding tendency.
Note: The above content is only for introduction, the drug use must be carried out by a regular hospital under the guidance of a doctor.

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