INTRODUCTION
VENIZ XR 150MG contain venlafaxine which belongs to a group of medicine called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It is used to treat depression and other conditions, such as anxiety disorders. Depression is a mental health disorder characterised by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life. It is also called as major depressive disorders or clinical depression.
Anxiety disorder is a chronic condition characterized by an excessive and persistent sense of apprehensions, with physical symptom such as sweating, palpitations and feelings of stress. It works by increasing the levels of chemical messengers (serotonin and noradrenaline), natural substances in the brain that help maintain mental balance.
Always take VENIZ XR 150MG exactly as your doctor has told you. This medicine must be taken with food. This medicine is strictly not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years. Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney disease, heart disease, liver problems. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking this medicine.
USES OF VENIZ XR 150MG
- Treat depression and other conditions, such as anxiety disorders
HOW VENIZ XR 150MG WORKS
VENIZ XR 150MG works by increasing the levels of chemical messengers (serotonin and noradrenaline), natural substances in the brain that helps in maintaining mental balance.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Always take VENIZ XR 150MG exactly as your doctor has told you. It must be taken with food. Try to take this medicine at the same time each day. It should be swallowed whole with water. Do not crush or chew the medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS OF VENIZ XR 150MG
SERIOUS
- Chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, trouble swallowing or breathing
- Severe skin rash, itching or hive (elevated patches of red or pale skin that often itch)
- Serotonin syndrome (symptom include restlessness, hallucinations, loss of coordination, fast heartbeat, increased body temperature, fast changes in blood pressure, overactive reflexes, diarrhoea, coma, nausea, vomiting)
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (symptoms include fever, fast heartbeat, sweating, severe muscle stiffness, confusion, increased muscle enzymes)
- Signs of infection such as high temperature, chills, shivering, headaches, sweating
- Rhabdomyolysis symptoms such as unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness
- Black (tarry) stools or blood in stools
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) (symptoms include itchiness, yellow skin or eyes, or dark urine)
- Psychiatric problem such as hyperactivity and feeling unusually overexcited
- Withdrawal effects
COMMON
- Drowsiness, headache, dizziness
- Insomnia
- Nausea, dry mouth, constipation
- Sweating (including sweats night)
- Appetite decreased
- Confusions, feeling separated (or detached) from yourself, lack of orgasm, decreased libido, agitation, nervousness, abnormal dream
- Tremor, pins and needles, altered taste, increased muscle tonus
- Visual disturbance including blurred vision, dilated pupil, inability of the eye to automatically change focus from distant to near object
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Palpitations
- Increase in blood pressure, flushing
- Shortness of breath, yawning
- Vomiting, diarrhoea
- Mild rash, itching
- Weakness (asthenia), fatigue, chills
- Weight gain, weight loss
- Increased cholesterol
RARE
- Excessive water intake (known as SIADH)
- Decrease in blood sodium levels
- Severe abdominal or back pain (which could indicate serious problem in the gut, liver, pancreas)
HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Headache:
Apply hot or cold-water bag on your head. Take rest in a quiet and dark room. Drink tea or coffee.
Dizziness:
Get up and move around to feel awake, take small naps to edge off the sleepiness. Give your eyes a break to avoid fatigue and eat a healthy food to boost energy.
Nausea and Vomiting:
Try taking this medicine with, or just after, a meal or snack and stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food.
Constipation:
Take fibre rich foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals, and drink plenty of water. Exercise more regularly.
Diarrhoea:
Drink lot of fluid such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Do not take any other medicines without talking to a doctor.
Abdominal pain:
Try to rest and relax. Eat and drink slowly or have smaller and frequent meals. Applying heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach. If still pain persists, speak to your doctor.
WARNING & PRECAUTIONS
PREGNANCY
VENIZ XR 150MG is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
BREASTFEEDING
VENIZ XR 150MG is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Do not drive or use any tools or machines until you know how this medicine affects you.
ALCOHOL
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with VENIZ XR 150MG.
KIDNEY
VENIZ XR 150MG should be used with caution in patients suffering from active kidney diseases. Consult your doctor for advice.
LIVER
VENIZ XR 150MG should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver function impairment or active liver diseases. Consult your doctor for advice.
ALLERGY
Do not take VENIZ XR 150MG if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to venlafaxine or any other ingredients in this medicine.
HEART DISEASE
VENIZ XR 150MG should be used with caution in patients suffering from active heart diseases. Consult your doctor for advice.
OTHERS
Tell your doctor if you have or had a condition such as,
- Certain kinds of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
- History of high blood pressure
- History of fits (seizures)
- History of low sodium levels in your blood (hyponatraemia)
- Tendency to develop bruises or bleed easily (history of bleeding disorders)
- Mania or bipolar disorder (feeling over-excited or euphoric)
- Sensation of restlessness or an inability to sit or stand still during the first few weeks of treatment
- Sexual problems
INTERACTIONS
Talk to your doctor if you are taking,
- Medicines used to treat depression
- Triptans (used to treat migraine)
- Amphetamines (used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy and obesity)
- Antibiotic such as linezolid, erythromycin or moxifloxacin, clarithromycin, telithromycin (used to treat bacterial infections)
- Sibutramine (used for weight loss)
- Tramadol, fentanyl, tapentadol, pethidine, or pentazocine (used to treat severe pain)
- Dextromethorphan (used to treat coughing)
- Methadone (used to treat opioid drug addiction or severe pain)
- Methylene blue (used to treat high levels of methaemoglobin in the blood)
- Herbal medicine such as St John’s-wort (hypericum perforatum) (used to treat mild depression)
- Antipsychotics such as thioridazine, haloperidol, risperidone
- Antihistamines (used to treat allergy)
- Antiviral medicines such as atazanavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir
- Antifungal medicine such as itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, ketoconazole (used to treat fungal disease)
- Medicines used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems
- Oral contraceptives
