Posted by Sioux on December 25, 2002, at 19:24:51
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdraw COLD TURKEY, posted by Sioux on December 25, 2002, at 18:55:15
Source: Meoni P, Hackett D. Poster presentation. Data on file, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories.
EFFEXOR® XR (venlafaxine HCl) is indicated for depression, depression with associated anxiety symptoms, and generalized anxiety disorder.
EFFEXOR® XR is contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). EFFEXOR® XR should not be used in combination with an MAOI or within at least 14 days of discontinuing treatment with an MAOI because of potential for serious adverse reactions. Based on the half-life of EFFEXOR® XR, at least 7 days should be allowed after stopping EFFEXOR® XR before starting an MAOI.
The efficacy and safety of EFFEXOR® XR for pediatric use have not been established.
Treatment with venlafaxine is associated with sustained increases in blood pressure (BP) in some patients. Three percent of EFFEXOR® XR patients in depression studies (doses of 75 to 375 mg/day) and 0.4% in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) studies (doses of 75 to 225 mg/day) had sustained BP elevations. The incidence of sustained increases in BP at doses greater than 300 mg/day has not been fully evaluated. Less than 1% discontinued treatment because of elevated BP. Experience with immediate release venlafaxine in depression studies showed that sustained hypertension was dose related, increasing from 3% to 7% at doses of 100 mg/day to 300 mg/day, to 13% at doses above 300 mg/day. Regular BP monitoring is recommended.
The most common adverse events reported in EFFEXOR® XR placebo-controlled depression trials (incidence >10% and >2x that of placebo) were nausea, dizziness, somnolence, abnormal ejaculation, sweating, dry mouth, and nervousness; and in GAD trials were nausea, dry mouth, insomnia, abnormal ejaculation, anorexia, constipation, nervousness, and sweating.
As with any psychotropic drug, EFFEXOR® XR may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills; patients should be advised to exercise caution until they have adapted to therapy.
Patients should not be abruptly discontinued from antidepressant medication, including EFFEXOR® XR.
poster:Sioux
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021223/msgs/133184.html