Dosage form:

Modified release capsules 37.5, 75 mg

What is Alventa (venlafaxine) used for?

• It is used to treat low mood (depression);
• It is used to treat anxiety;
• It is used to treat panic attacks.

It is thought that people who are depressed and/or anxious have lower levels of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain. It is not fully understood how SNRI antidepressants work, but they may help by increasing the levels of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain.

Important notes before taking Alventa (venlafaxine):

• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have an allergy to venlafaxine or any other part of this drug. 
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have high blood pressure.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking a weight loss drug.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of these drugs: Linezolid or methylene blue.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have taken certain drugs used for low mood (depression) like isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine or drugs used for Parkinson’s disease like selegiline or rasagiline in the last 14 days. Taking this drug within 14 days of those drugs can cause very bad high blood pressure.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. Taking this drug in the third trimester of pregnancy may lead to some health problems in the newborn.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Important notes while taking Alventa (venlafaxine):

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how Alventa (venlafaxine) affects you.
• Do not stop taking this drug all of a sudden without calling your doctor. You may have a greater risk of side effects. If you need to stop this drug, you will want to slowly stop it as ordered by your doctor.
• High blood pressure has happened with this drug. Have your blood pressure checked as you have been told by your doctor.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this drug.
• This drug may raise the chance of bleeding. Sometimes, bleeding can be life-threatening. Talk with the doctor.
• Some people may have a higher chance of eye problems with this drug. Call your doctor if you have eye pain, change in eyesight, or swelling or redness in or around the eye.

Alventa (venlafaxine) side effects:

Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat;
• Signs of low sodium levels like headache, trouble focusing, and memory problems, feeling confused, weakness, seizures, or change in balance;
• Signs of bleeding ;
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness;
• Seizures;
• Chest pain or pressure , Shortness of breath, cough;
• Sex problems like lowered interest in sex or ejaculation problems.

Serotonin syndrome may happen, with venlafaxine. The risk may be greater if you use venlafaxine with drugs for depression, migraines, or certain other drugs. Call your doctor if you have agitation; change in balance; confusion; hallucinations; fever; fast or abnormal heartbeat; flushing; muscle twitching or stiffness; seizures; shivering or shaking; sweating a lot; very bad diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up; or very bad headache.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Trouble sleeping ;
• Feeling nervous and excitable;
• Anxiety ;
• Weight loss ;
• Not hungry ;
• Feeling tired, weak or sleepy ;
• Dizziness ;
• Shakiness ;
• Headache ;
• Sweating a lot ;
• Upset stomach ;
• Constipation ;
• Dry mouth ;
• Strange or odd dreams ;
• Yawning .

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. 

Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Keep it out of reach of children. 
• Store at room temperature and in a dry place.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs.