Effexor's Side Effects and Interactions

Effexor is also known as Venlafaxine and is often prescribed to treat patients with anxiety, depression, and panic disorder. It has been classified with other drugs that are selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. It works by affecting the chemicals that may create depression.

Side effects.
Common side effects to those that have taken this drug include changes in appetite, insomnia, chills, tremors, blurry vision, dry mouth, nervousness, anxiety, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Other symptoms include a decreased libido, difficulty achieving an orgasm, and impotence. Increased sweating, drowsiness, and headaches have also been experienced by some users.

Severe side effects.
When first beginning to take the prescription, a patient may have suicidal thoughts or depression. Those under 18 years of age have been more likely to experience these symptoms and should be monitored.

Other side effects that, once severe or worsening, should be reported to the doctor include mania, mood changes, irritability, panic attacks, agitation, severe restlessness, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and aggressiveness.

Patients should not suddenly stop taking the drug because other severe side effects can happen.

Some other serious side effects that have occurred in those taking this drug include severe headache, increased blood pressure, seizure, and easy bleeding or bruising. Other symptoms are nausea, restlessness, fainting, fever, faster heartbeat, hallucinations, coma, diarrhea, overactive reflexes, vomiting, and loss of coordination. Also, some have experienced extreme thirst that has been accompanied by vomiting, nausea, headache, and weakness. Having any of these symptoms should prompt a report to the doctor.

Drug interactions.
This drug should not be taken by people who have been taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), tranylcypromine (Parnate), isocarboxazid (Marplan), or rasagiline (Azilect).

Other drugs to be avoided when taking Effexor include warfarin, cimetidine, tryptophan, ketoconazole, risperidone, haloperidol, frovatriptan, almotriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, naratriptan, or rizatriptan. Antidepressants should also not be taken when using Effexor.

Medical interactions.
If any medical conditions have been present, the doctor should be informed, especially if the patient has had high cholesterol, blood clotting disorder, seizures or epilepsy, kidney or liver disease, bipolar disorder, or glaucoma.

Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should tell their doctor. Women who are breastfeeding should consult with their doctors - the medication has been found in breast milk.

Alcohol interactions.
Drinking alcohol has been known to increase the side effects of the medication and taking too much Effexor and alcohol has caused death in some cases.