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Efexor
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What is in your medicine?
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The name of your medicine is Efexor. The active ingredient in these tablets is venlafaxine hydrochloride. The peach coloured tablets contain either 37.5 mg or 75 mg venlafaxine and are marked with "37.5" or "75" accordingly.
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Other ingredients in these tablets are:—lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate, yellow and brown iron oxide (E172).
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The 37.5 mg and 75 mg tablets come in calendar packs of 56 tablets.
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Efexor is one of a group of medicines called antidepressants which are used to relieve the symptoms of depressive illness.
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The product licence holder:
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 Wyeth Laboratories, Huntercombe Lane South, Taplow, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 0PH.
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The manufacturer:
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 Wyeth Laboratories, New Lane, Havant, Hants PO9 2NG.
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What does your medicine do?
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You have been given Efexor tablets because you are suffering from the symptoms of depressive illness. Efexor is a treatment which can relieve these symptoms and help you get better.
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Before you take your medicine
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You should not take Efexor if:
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You are pregnant.
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You are breast feeding.
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You are sensitive to any of the ingredients in Efexor tablets.
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You are younger than 18 years.
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You are taking or have recently taken (within the last two weeks) another antidepressant drug known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
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You should tell your doctor or pharmacist if:
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You have liver or kidney disease. Your dose of Efexor may be lowered.
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You have a history of epilepsy or heart disease.
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Your doctor will supervise you carefully while you are taking Efexor.
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You are taking cimetidine (a stomach drug), since if you are elderly or have liver problems, this may affect the way Efexor works.
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You are, or have recently taken any other antidepressant drugs particularly those known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOls).
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You are taking, or have recently taken, any other medicines.
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Attention
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When you take Efexor, make sure your judgement or co-ordination is not affected before you drive or use machinery. If you are a woman of childbearing age, you should use contraception whilst taking Efexor.
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Taking your medicine
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The usual starting dose is one 37.5 mg tablet twice a day. You should take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening. However, your doctor may decide a different dose is better for you.
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You should swallow your tablets whole with a drink of water after food. Do not crush or chew them.
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The 37.5 mg tablets and 75 mg tablets come in special "calendar" packs which help you remember to take your tablets when you should.
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The following instructions (which are also on the label) will help you:
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Remove a card
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Go to the correct day of the week
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Take the tablet marked with a sun symbol in the morning <CB n=2>
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Your next tablet marked with a moon symbol should be taken in the evening
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Continue taking a tablet every morning and evening by following the arrows round until. you are back where you started.
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When you have finished a card, move on to the next one.
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It will take several days or more before you feel your medicine is having an effect.
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Don't worry—this is quite normal
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.
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You may need to take Efexor for several months. If so, don't worry, this is not uncommon.
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If you accidentally take too many tablets you must seek immediate medical attention.
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Do not worry if you forget to take a tablet. Do not take extra tablets to make up any you have missed; just take your next tablet as usual.
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Do not stop taking your tablets without the advice of your doctor. If your doctor thinks you no longer need Efexor, he may ask you to reduce your dose before stopping altogether.
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Things to be aware of while taking your medicine
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A few people are allergic to Efexor. If a rash appears, tell your doctor as soon as possible.
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Your doctor may wish to monitor your blood pressure and heart rate regularly if you require treatment with high (greater than 200 mg) doses of Efexor.
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Efexor may cause unwanted effects in some people. If unwanted effects do occur, they are usually not serious and do not last long. However, if any of the following symptoms are severe or become troublesome you should tell your doctor:
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Skin rash, allergic reaction: tell your doctor without delay.
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Headache abdominal discomfort.
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Rapid or irregular heart beat.
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Changes in appetite, changes in bowel habits, indigestion, wind, nausea and vomiting.
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Weight gain.
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Changes in mood, anxiety, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, loss of sexual desire, impotence, weakness, drowsiness, tremor.
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Sweating, dry mouth.
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Strange feeling on the skin such as "pins and needles" or burning.
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Changes in vision.
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Abnormal ejaculation/orgasm.
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Some patients have occasionally felt dizzy or unsteady on standing due to a fall in blood pressure. Increases in blood pressure and slight changes in blood cholesterol levels have also been seen in come patients.
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You should also tell your doctor if you have any other unwanted effect not mentioned above.
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Tell your doctor or pharmacist you are taking Efexor before taking any other drug, if you become pregnant, or you enter hospital for treatment.
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Storing your medicine
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You should not use this medicine after the expiry date shown on the packaging.
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Keep your Efexor tablets at room temperature (at or below 30°C) in a dry place.
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Keep this medicine in a safe place where children cannot reach it. Your medicine could harm them.
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If your doctor decides to stop treatment, return any left over tablets to your pharmacist. Only keep them if your doctor tells you to.
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REMEMBER
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 this medicine is only for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to others. It may harm them even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
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Leaflet prepared: March 1995.
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