Effexor
Major Depressive Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder
Effexor Resources
Resources for Patients
Contains important product information including warnings, precautions, interactions, and dosing.
Tips and tools to help your patients receive Viatris original brand Effexor XR, as well as information about their medication and health.
Some insurers limit full-cost coverage for higher-cost interchangeable drugs to patients who meet certain criteria and that, in some instances, documentation from the prescriber is required. There is a possibility that the patient may need to contribute out-of-pocket where those conditions are not met.
Use this interactive tool to help your patients find their local Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and get information about the programs and services offered.
Supporting someone with a mental health problem isn't easy. Resources and support are available for the caregivers of those living with a mental illness.
Visit Anxiety Canada to explore their anxiety management tools based on cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). From an app to a lifestyle modification anxiety plan, your patients will find practical lifestyle and CBT strategies and tools.
The Mood Disorders Society of Canada has depression-specific support for your patients. Encourage them to use the depression symptom checklist to facilitate future discussions.
Safety Information
Safety Information
Indications and clinical use:
EFFEXOR® XR (venlafaxine hydrochloride) is indicated for the symptomatic relief of:
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Anxiety causing clinically significant distress in patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
- Panic Disorder, with or without agoraphobia, as defined in DSM-IV
Depression: Short-term efficacy has been demonstrated in placebo-controlled trials of up to 12 weeks. Efficacy in maintaining an antidepressant response for up to 26 weeks, following response to 8 weeks of acute treatment, was demonstrated in a placebo-controlled trial.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic. The effectiveness in long-term use has been evaluated for up to 6 months in controlled clinical trials.
Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia): Efficacy was demonstrated in four 12-week, multicentre, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose studies and one 6-month, fixed/flexible-dose study in adult outpatients.
Panic Disorder: Efficacy was established in two 12-week, placebo-controlled trials in adult outpatients. The efficacy in prolonging time to relapse for up to 6 months, in responders of a 12-week acute treatment, was demonstrated in a placebo-controlled trial.
The physician who elects to use EFFEXOR XR for extended periods should periodically re-evaluate the long-term usefulness of the drug.
Caution should be exercised in the elderly.
Not indicated for use in children under 18 years of age.
Contraindications:
- In combination with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) or within two weeks of terminating treatment with MAOIs.
Most serious warnings and precautions:
- Risk of potential association with behavioural and emotional changes, including self-harm:
Rigorous clinical monitoring for suicidal ideation or other indicator of potential for suicidal behaviour is advised in patients of all ages. This includes monitoring for agitation-type emotional and behavioural changes.
Patients, families, and caregivers should watch for the emergence of unusual behavioural changes, depression worsening, and suicidal ideation, especially during treatment initiation or change in dose/dose regimen.
- Discontinuation symptoms: suicide/suicidal thoughts and aggression have been observed in patients during changes in venlafaxine dosing regimen, including during discontinuation. It is therefore recommended that the dosage of venlafaxine be tapered gradually and individually and the patients be closely monitored during discontinuation.
- Aggression: may occur in some patients who have received antidepressants, including venlafaxine treatment, dose reduction, or discontinuation.
- Sexual dysfunction: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) may cause symptoms of sexual dysfunction. There have been reports of long-lasting sexual dysfunction where the symptoms have continued despite discontinuation of SNRIs.
- Bone fractures: increased risk of bone fractures have been shown with some antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors/serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs/SNRIs).
- Hepatic and renal impairment: dosage adjustments required.
Other relevant warnings and precautions:
- Risk of allergic reaction
- Risk of hypertension, including acute severe and sustained hypertension; monitor blood pressure regularly in all patients
- Caution in the treatment of pregnant women, especially during the third trimester
Exposure late in the third trimester may result in discontinuation symptoms and complications requiring prolonged hospitalization, respiratory support and tube feeding
- Caution in patients operating machinery or engaging in tasks requiring alertness
- Caution in patients with a history of myocardial infarction or unstable heart disease
- Increases in heart rate may occur; caution in patients whose underlying conditions may be compromised
- Risk of QTc prolongation, Torsade de Pointes (TdP)
Caution in patients with cardiovascular disease or family history of QT prolongation, or in patients taking medicines known to increase QT interval, especially for patients with increased risk of QT prolongation
- Caution in patients with diseases or conditions that could affect hemodynamic responses or metabolism
- Risk of serum cholesterol elevations; monitor levels, especially during long-term treatment
- Potential for changes in appetite and weight
- Risk of hyponatremia and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion, usually in volume-depleted or dehydrated patients
- Risk of bleeding; concomitant use with NSAIDs, ASA or other drugs affecting coagulation may add to the risk; caution in patients with a history of bleeding disorder or predisposing conditions
- Caution in patients with a history of seizures; promptly discontinue if seizure develops
- Risk of serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
Careful observation if concomitant treatment with other agents affecting serotonergic and/or dopaminergic neurotransmitter systems is clinically warranted
Concomitant use with serotonin precursors is not recommended
- Can cause mydriasis; caution in patients with raised intraocular pressure or narrow angle glaucoma
- Treatment-emergent insomnia and nervousness
- Mania/hypomania: caution in patients with a history or family history of bipolar disorder
- Lactating women should not nurse their infants
For more information:
Please consult the Product Monograph for important information relating to adverse reactions, drug interactions, and dosing information which have not been discussed in this piece. The Product Monograph is also available by calling 1-800-463-6001.