Effexor

Efficacy Profile

Demonstrated reduction of symptoms in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and a long-term effect (6 months)1*

Mean change from baseline in GAD symptoms at week 28

Demonstrated reduction of symptoms in Generalized Anxiety Disorder and a long-term effect (6 months) 

* 28-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose, parallel-group trial in non-depressed outpatients with GAD who were randomized to EFFEXOR XR once daily or placebo.

† HAM-A = Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety

‡ CGI-Improvement = Clinical Global Impression – Improvement scale

Reference:

  1. Gelenberg AJ, et al. Efficacy of venlafaxine extended-release capsules in nondepressed outpatients with generalized anxiety disorder: A 6-month randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2000;283(23):3082-3088.
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Safety Profile

Most commonly observed adverse events (AEs) (incidence ≥2%)1

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Most commonly observed adverse events (incidence ≥2%)
                                                                                       Adapted from Product Monograph1

Reference:

  1. Upjohn Canada ULC. EFFEXOR Product Monograph. Available from:https://www.pfizer.ca/sites/default/files/202005/EFFEXOR-XR_PM_E_237819_2020.05.13.pdf
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Dosing

Recommended dosing1

  • Recommended starting dose: 37.5 mg once daily for 4-7 days
  • Usual dose: 75 mg/day
  • Subsequent dosage increments of up to 75 mg/day may be considered, if clinically warranted; dose increments should be made as needed at intervals of ≥4 days
  • Maximum recommended daily dose: 225 mg/day
  • When treating a pregnant woman with EFFEXOR XR during the third trimester, the physician should carefully consider the potential risks and benefits of treatment.
  • No dose adjustment is recommended for elderly patients solely on the basis of their age. As with any antidepressant or anxiolytic, drug for treatment of social anxiety disorder, or panic disorder, however, caution should be exercised in treating the elderly. When individualizing the dosage, extra care should be taken when increasing the dose.
  • The total daily dose should be reduced by about 50% in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment. For such patients, it may be desirable to start at 37.5 mg/day. Because of individual variability in clearance in these patients, individualization of dosage may be desirable. Since there was much individual variability in clearance between patients with cirrhosis, it may be necessary to reduce the dose by even more than 50%, and individualization of dosing may be desirable in some patients.
  • In patients with renal impairment (GFR = 10-70 mL/min) compared to normal subjects, the total daily dose should be decreased by 25%-50%. In patients undergoing hemodialysis, the total daily dose must be reduced by 50% and the dose be withheld until the dialysis treatment is completed (4 hrs). For such patients, it may be desirable to start at 37.5 mg/day. Since there is so much individual variability in clearance among patients with renal impairment, individualization of dosing may be desirable.

Available doses

Effexor, Venlafaxine, HCI, 37.5, grey cap and peach body capsule

Effexor, Venlafaxine, HCI, 75, peach cap and body capsule

Effexor, Venlafaxine, HCI, 150, dark orange cap and body capsule

Please refer to the Product Monograph for complete dosing instructions.

Reference:

  1. Upjohn Canada ULC. EFFEXOR Product Monograph. Available from: https://www.pfizer.ca/sites/default/files/202005/EFFEXOR-XR_PM_E_237819_2020.05.13.pdf 
    2.