Nowadays, most people are subject to stress and depression, which not only interfere with a normal life, but also adversely affect health. A strong personality can independently cope with troubles and difficulties. Some do not succeed, and they become depressed, which requires the intervention of a professional and treatment. One of the common and popular antidepressants is Venlafaxine. Instructions, reviews - all this information should be studied before starting therapy.
Drug action
The tool belongs to the group of drugs that are prescribed to eliminate the depressive state. The medicine has a unique chemical composition, which is not similar to other groups of antidepressants. The drug has two active enantiomeric racemic forms.
Once inside, the main substance enhances the neurotransmitter activity in the central nervous system. Together with the metabolite of the drug, they are considered powerful inhibitors of serotonin and norepinephrine and reduce the reuptake of dopamine by neurons and reduce beta-adrenergic reactions.
The drug, getting inside, is rapidly absorbed from the stomach. After a single use in a dose of up to 150 mg, the maximum effect of the drug in plasma is reached after three hours. At the first passage through the liver, Venlafaxine is subjected to a strong metabolism. Reviews of doctors show that the medicine can already show a good result at the beginning of therapy.
Indications and contraindications
The drug is used for depressive conditions. There are contraindications. This includes:
- renal failure;
- pathology of the liver;
- age up to 18 years;
- hypersensitivity to active ingredients;
- pregnancy;
- lactation.
Dosage
The product is intended for oral use. At the beginning of treatment, it is recommended to drink 75 mg of the drug in two divided doses (morning and evening). If the positive dynamics of the disease is not observed, the dosage can be increased to 150 mg per day after a few weeks, also breaking it into two. In severe forms of depression, when the patient is shown treatment in a hospital setting, the dose of the drug can immediately be 150 mg in two divided doses. Then it is necessary to reduce the dose to 75 mg per day and continue treatment to the desired result.
The maximum allowable dosage should not exceed 375 mg per day. The course of treatment depends on the individual characteristics of the body and the severity of the disease. For older people, the dosage should be prescribed in the smallest doses. All patients during the treatment process are under the supervision of a physician. It is impossible to abruptly
cancel the drug, it is necessary to gradually reduce the dose to zero, so as not to cause
the drug
withdrawal syndrome “Venlafaxine”. Instructions for use contain detailed information about the dosage.
Interaction with other drug groups
The medication is not recommended to be taken in conjunction with the following medicines:
- MAO inhibitors;
- "Lithium";
- "Haloperidol";
- Clozapine;
- "Cimetidine";
- Warfarin.
When taken with an antidepressant, women should use reliable methods of protection against unwanted pregnancy. While carrying the fetus and during breastfeeding, it is strictly forbidden to drink Venlafaxine tablets. Reviews show that the drug negatively affects the intrauterine development of the baby. The active ingredient is also transmitted to the baby along with breast milk.
Side effects
Basically, the occurrence of side effects depends on the prescribed dose of the drug and on hypersensitivity to the drug. The most common symptoms of side effects are:
- nausea;
- vomiting
- Loss of appetite;
- dry mouth
- constipation;
- an increase in blood cholesterol;
- weight loss;
- redness of the skin;
- increase in pressure indicators;
- tachycardia;
- nightmares;
- sleep disturbance;
- hand tremor;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- in rare cases, anaphylactic reactions.
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to study all contraindications to the use of Venlafaxine. Patient reviews suggest that the medicine in a short time helps to cope with the symptoms of depression and return to a normal lifestyle. But side effects with improper therapy develop quite often.
With caution, you need to prescribe a medicine in the following conditions:
- recently suffered a heart attack;
- severe heart failure;
- hypertension;
- manic states;
- tachycardia;
- glaucoma;
- reduced body weight;
- tendency to bleeding;
- epilepsy;
- it is not recommended to drive vehicles and perform work associated with danger during treatment.
In a pharmacy, a prescription drug is dispensed. The dosage of the drug can be adjusted and prescribed only by a doctor. It is necessary to store the medicine “Venlafaxine” in a dry place inaccessible to children. Analogs of the drug can be purchased at an affordable price in any pharmacy. The most popular substitutes will be described below.
"Dupfix"
It belongs to the group of antidepressants. The chemical composition of the drug can not be attributed to any type of known remedies for depression. It has two active enantiomeric racemic forms. The medicine within two hours after ingestion reaches the maximum plasma concentration. The main substance and its metabolites are potent inhibitors of the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine and rather weakly inhibit the reuptake of dopamine by neurons. The tool does not inhibit the activity of MAO inhibitors. Basically, the drug is excreted by the kidneys. An identical effect on the central nervous system is exerted by the drug Venlafaxine. Reviews of experts show that the preparations are very similar and can replace each other.
Indications and contraindications
The drug is prescribed for the treatment of depression of a different nature. There are a number of contraindications when the medicine can not be taken:
- severe pathology of the kidneys and liver;
- gestation;
- lactation;
- intake in the complex of MAO inhibitors;
- hypersensitivity to the substance;
- age to 18 years.
The tablets are intended for oral use. The recommended dose is 75 mg per day, in two divided doses. It is advisable to drink the medicine at the same time in the morning and in the evening. If within two weeks the proper therapeutic effect is not observed, the dosage of the drug can be increased to 150 mg per day, dividing it by half. As the symptoms of depression are eliminated, the drug decreases in dose and maintenance therapy remains until recovery is complete. The maximum allowable dose should not exceed 375 mg per day.
The drug is recommended to be withdrawn gradually so that the patient does not develop a sudden withdrawal syndrome. Means "Dupfix" can provoke a decrease in body weight. About this, patients leave reviews about the drug “Venlafaxine”. You can lose weight quickly with these pills. However, using the medicine for this purpose is not recommended.
Interaction with other means
Jointly banned from the following groups:
- MAO inhibitors;
- "Lithium";
- “Clozapine”;
- "Cimetidine";
- Warfarin.
Patients who suffer from chronic diseases and are constantly forced to undergo drug therapy should consult a doctor about the possibility of combining drugs.
The drug is not recommended to drink during pregnancy. Therefore, during the period of therapy, reliable contraception methods must be used. It is also impossible to use the medicine "Dapfix" when breastfeeding, as well as its analogue, the drug "Venlafaxine". Instructions for use of the drug will tell you in detail about the indications and contraindications for use.
Side effects
Basically, the medicine does not cause side effects and is well tolerated by patients. In exceptional cases, the following symptoms may develop:
- nausea;
- vomiting
- dizziness;
- constipation;
- epigastric pain;
- decreased appetite;
- weight loss;
- nightmares;
- urinary retention;
- sleep disturbance;
- manic reactions;
- increased pressure, tachycardia.
If these symptoms occur, you should immediately consult a doctor. The “Venlafaxine” remedy has identical recommendations. Analogues of the drug, such as Dupfix, can fully replace the original and remove the causes of depression in a short time.
The medicine is dispensed in a pharmacy only by prescription. Store the product in a dry and dark place where children can not get it. Do not prescribe medication to patients with severe renal and hepatic insufficiency. Also in old age, the dosage should be minimal.
Efectin
It belongs to the group of new generation antidepressants. In terms of its chemical composition, this remedy cannot be compared with other medicines that are used to treat depression. The main substance of the tablets, venlafaxine, and its direct metabolite are considered to be increased inhibitors of the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine and to a lesser extent dopamine. The medicine can cause increased transmission of impulses to the central nervous system.
After it enters the stomach, the substance is rapidly absorbed. The maximum effect in plasma occurs after 2 hours. Basically, the drug Efektin is excreted as a metabolite with the kidneys, as well as the Venlafaxine drug. Reviews about these two remedies can be heard for the most part positive.
Indications and contraindications
A medicine is prescribed for the treatment and prevention of depression of various etiologies. You can not take the drug in the following cases:
- recent myocardial infarction;
- hypersensitivity to components;
- pregnancy;
- lactation;
- children under 18 years old;
- high blood pressure;
- tachycardia;
- cramps
- tendency to bleeding.
Dosage and overdose
At the beginning of the treatment process, the dose should not exceed 75 mg tablets per day. The medication is administered orally and is divided into two doses, morning and evening. After a week, if there is no improvement, the dosage is increased to 150 mg per day. It is necessary to drink 75 mg twice a day. The daily dosage should not exceed 375 mg. In the future, when receiving a positive result and reducing the causes of depression, the drug should be reduced to a minimum intake.
Continue the course of treatment until complete recovery. It is necessary to cancel the tool gradually. At the same dosage, Venlafaxine Retard is prescribed. Reviews show that substitutes have the same recommendations.
With an overdose of the drug, the following symptoms occur:
- dizziness;
- nausea;
- lowering blood pressure;
- tachycardia;
- cramps.
If untimely assistance is provided, the patient may die. With symptoms of an overdose, you need to rinse the stomach, give an absorbent to drink and use detoxification therapy.
Women after 50 years old are often prescribed Efectin and Venlafaxine. Reviews with menopause make it possible to understand that drug therapy helps to cope with depression that has arisen against the background of hormonal changes. It should be borne in mind that in elderly patients, the medicine should be prescribed in a reduced dosage. Self-medication is undesirable.
Efectin is not compatible with the following drugs:
- MAO inhibitors;
- "Cimetidine";
- Risperidone
- "Caffeine";
- Diazepam
The drug can cause withdrawal syndrome in the newborn, so it is not recommended to take it during pregnancy and feeding.
Improper use of the medication can lead to the development of the following side effects:
- dizziness;
- nausea;
- vomiting
- constipation;
- stomach ache;
- sleep disturbance;
- nightmares;
- weight loss;
- decrease in blood pressure;
- tachycardia;
- urinary retention.
Reviews about the tool "Venlafaxine" and its analogues
Most drugs are well tolerated. With the development of side effects, the medication must be canceled and symptomatic treatment prescribed. Before starting therapy, it is necessary to study all the side effects that drugs can cause.
Many experts recommend using Venlafaxine tablets for depression. Reviews show that the medicine helps to return the patient to normal life in the shortest possible time.
The medications described are not addictive. The drugs are available in the form of tablets that are conveniently taken orally. In a short period of time, you can get rid of various forms of depression and return to normal life. It is worth consulting with a doctor before using Venlafaxine. Reviews show that side effects develop more often if the patient is self-medicating.