What Is Venlafaxine? The Role of Effexor XR in Mental Health Treatment

Author:

Jemma Strain

B.S. Psychology

Editor:

Emma Loker

B.S

Mental health conditions can make us feel overburdened and distressed. Emotionally, we might feel hopeless, worthless, or panicked. And the symptoms don’t stop there; physical feelings such as tightness in the chest, stomach pains, and muscle aches can also become commonplace.

If these feelings describe your experience, the thought of medication may have crossed your mind, perhaps leading to the question, What is venlafaxine?

Venlafaxine is a first-line medical treatment for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, as it often successfully provides relief from symptoms. However, it might not be a good fit for everyone. For this reason, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of venlafaxine and how it could work for you.

Mental health providers, such as Mission Connection, can help you determine whether venlafaxine is a good fit for your needs. This guide can also work as a helpful tool for shedding light on venlafaxine, as it discusses…

What venlafaxine is
The conditions venlafaxine is used for
Venlafaxine and Effexor XR dosage guidelines
How long venlafaxine takes to work
Venlafaxine side effects and risks
How to taper off venlafaxine safely
Frequently asked questions about venlafaxine
Where to find professional support for treating mental health conditions with medication

What Is Venlafaxine?

Venlafaxine, known under the brand name Effexor XR, falls into the category of antidepressants called “serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors” (SNRIs). Venlafaxine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of major depressive disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.¹

However, venlafaxine is also commonly prescribed off-label for treating a variety of other conditions. Off-label prescribing simply means a medication could be useful for treating an issue it wasn’t originally created for.

The role that chemical imbalances play in mental health conditions is still under debate. Still, there’s a lot of evidence to suggest that there is a deficit in certain brain chemicals in people with issues like depression and anxiety.²

As an SNRI, venlafaxine works by preventing synapses in the brain from reabsorbing two brain chemicals which are primarily responsible for mood, energy, arousal, and attention: serotonin and norepinephrine.

When these two chemicals are more available, they’re able to continue ferrying messages from brain cell to brain cell. As a result, people with mental health conditions may feel more alert, focused, energized, able to function, and positive.³

While SNRIs like venlafaxine may sound like the solution to all your problems, the same medication can affect two people differently. What’s more, venlafaxine may be more suitable for some mental health conditions than others – which we’ll discuss next.

What Is Venlafaxine Used For?

As mentioned, venlafaxine is approved by the FDA for the treatment of major depressive disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorder. But it’s also frequently prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), hot flashes associated with menopause, or people taking medicine for breast cancer.⁴

Venlafaxine is also commonly prescribed off-label for a variety of other issues, which your provider will be more than comfortable discussing with you. In the meantime, the following information discusses the conditions for which venlafaxine or Effexor XR is most commonly prescribed.

Effexor XR for Depression

Depression is associated with a major health burden – both mentally and physically – for people with it. Recent studies show that venlafaxine should be considered as a first-line defense against the effects of depression, as it effectively reduces low mood, feelings of worthlessness, and suicidal thoughts. Additionally, venlafaxine has also been shown to balance brain chemical levels and activity.⁵

Venlafaxine for Anxiety

Anxiety disorders can lead to highly intense worries and fears about the past, present, and future – which can be debilitating in everyday life. Venlafaxine for social anxiety is commonly prescribed, but it’s also shown to be effective for anxiety in general. For instance, studies have demonstrated that Effexor XR works to reduce symptoms for the majority of people studied. What’s more, it tended to work quickly and caused minimal side effects.⁶

Venlafaxine for Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is a form of anxiety disorder and results in intense, recurring, and unexpected bouts of physical and emotional fear. People with panic disorder also tend to avoid people and places that may lead to an attack. Evidence suggests that Effexor and panic disorder are positively linked, meaning the med works to treat feelings of panic. Plus, venlafaxine appears to be well tolerated with minimal side effects in long-term panic treatment.⁷

Effexor XR Dosage

Venlafaxine dosage comes in tablet form and is also available in extended-release capsules. Whereas the extended-release capsule is taken once a day, usually in the morning or evening, the regular tablet is taken two or three times a day with food.

The Effexor XR dosage varies slightly depending on the condition it’s prescribed for. If you’re considering taking it for off-label reasons, your provider will talk to you about the most suitable dosage for your needs.

As an important note, due to venlafaxine’s link with suicidal thoughts in minors, Effexor XR is typically not prescribed for children, so there are no dosage guidelines provided below for minors. Additionally, there is no evidence that doses higher than 75 mg benefit those with social anxiety disorder.⁸

Effexor Dosage List:⁸

For adults:

Depression:
- Initial Dose: 75 mg
- Maintenance Dose: 75 – 100 mg
- Max Dose: 375 mg
Anxiety:
- Initial Dose: 75 mg
- Maintenance Dose: 75 – 225 mg
- Max Dose: 225 mg
Panic Disorder:
- Initial Dose: 35 – 75 mg
- Maintenance Dose: 75 – 225 mg
- Max Dose: 225 mg

How Long Does Effexor Take to Work?

When mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety are affecting your day-to-day life, it’s very normal to question how long venlafaxine takes to work. In truth, there’s no black and white answer to this. Everyone has unique physical makeups and symptoms, so one person’s response to medication might not mirror another’s.

For instance, some people might see benefits in as little as one or two weeks, but more serious symptoms could take up to six weeks to improve. Additionally, Effexor XR reviews sometimes state that it takes over two months to see proper effects. In other words, try not to be discouraged. If you don’t see early benefits, this doesn’t mean the drug isn’t working. Talk to your provider if you haven’t seen any results after the 4-6 week mark, as they may be able to put your concerns at ease or adjust your dose if necessary.

As the early signs venlafaxine is working can be subtle, we highlight these below.

Signs Effexor Is Working:

Improved sleep patterns
More energy and motivation
Reduced physical symptoms
Boost in appetite
Elevated mood and feelings of positivity
Lower feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, and panic

These last two signs may take longer to see, but if the previous ones start to show, this is a good indicator that the others will follow.

Venlafaxine Side Effects

As with all medications, venlafaxine comes with a number of side effects. According to the FDA’s regulations, all antidepressants carry a “black box warning.” This warning states that there’s a risk of increased suicidal thoughts with SNRIs, especially early in treatment and with people under the age of 24. This side effect is rare, but if you notice any concerning thoughts or actions after starting treatment, consult your provider straight away.

More common venlafaxine side effects should ease after the initial adjustment period, and not everyone will experience them. However, if any of the following side effects persist, contact your provider to discuss your concerns.

Effexor XR Side Effects:⁴

Drowsiness
Fatigue
Headaches
Dizziness
Gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea
Dry mouth
Heartburn
Changes in weight and appetite
Tremors or shakes
Sensory issues, such as numbness or shaking
Constipation
Loss of ability to taste foods
Sweating
Urination changes
Hot flashes
Flu-like symptoms, including a sore throat and chills
Ringing in the ears
Sexual dysfunction

While these symptoms should ease, there are more serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include seizures, irregular heartbeat, fever, hallucinations, and coma. For a full awareness of these risks, consult the information leaflet that comes with the prescription.

How to Taper Off Venlafaxine

There are many reasons why someone might decide to stop taking venlafaxine. They may not see any benefits, find that they’re encountering too many side effects, or decide that their symptoms no longer need medication. If you’re wondering how to taper off Effexor safely, the answer is to do it slowly and under professional guidance.

Stopping Effexor suddenly can lead to a return of mental health issues and venlafaxine withdrawal symptoms. While these withdrawal symptoms are rarely life-threatening, they can be severe and highly uncomfortable. The best way to stop venlafaxine is by tapering. This way, your body can adjust to the lower levels of brain chemicals over time. Mission Connection can help you create a tapering plan that fits your symptoms, dose, and needs.

While not everyone experiences Effexor withdrawal symptoms, keeping an eye out for the following can help ensure you protect your well-being and recovery.

Effexor XR Withdrawal Symptoms

Anxiety
Confusion
Mood shifts
Fatigue
Headache
Irritability
Agitation
Loss of coordination
Sleep disturbances
Intense dreams or nightmares
Blurred vision
Sensory issues, which feel like an electric shock in the brain
Tremors
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Physical sensations such as tingling, burning, or numbness
Seizures

If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to consult your provider so that your dose can be tapered in a way that manages these issues.

Frequently Asked Questions About Venlafaxine

While the aim of this guide is to provide as much information as possible about the potential benefits and risks of venlafaxine, you may still have some questions or concerns. For this reason, we provide answers to some FAQs about venlafaxine to help you determine whether this medication is a good fit for your symptoms and life.

Which SNRI Is Better? Venlafaxine vs Duloxetine

There’s no hard and fast way to determine whether venlafaxine or duloxetine is better for your symptoms and needs. The answer to this question will come from a thorough physical and emotional evaluation with a mental health professional. Both medications have been shown to be effective for treating depression, but duloxetine may be better for chronic pain conditions, and venlafaxine may be more appropriate for panic and social anxiety. They also have varying side effects. A provider can discuss the pros and cons of both for your needs.

Is There a Link Between Venlafaxine and Insomnia?

In general, venlafaxine should improve sleep quality for people who struggle in this area. For instance, studies have shown that Effexor can boost the ability to sleep in women going through sleep disturbances due to menopause.⁹ However, venlafaxine and insomnia are linked in the early stages of treatment, as it can cause trouble falling asleep and nightmares. These issues should settle after a couple of weeks, but if they don’t, it’s good to discuss this with your provider.

Can Effexor Cause Weight Gain?

Truthfully, there is an association between venlafaxine and weight gain. While the initial side effects of Effexor can include weight loss, studies show that at the six-month mark, venlafaxine is one of the antidepressants that can increase weight.¹⁰ This weight gain should be mild to moderate, and not everyone will experience it, but if this is a concern for you, talk to your healthcare provider. Many providers, such as Mission Connection, can help you create a healthy nutrition and lifestyle plan to manage potential weight gain.

Is There a Link Between Effexor and Sexual Side Effects?

Unfortunately, there is a link between Effexor and sexual side effects. In males, this might look like decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, or difficulties ejaculating. In females, the effects might include decreased sex drive and difficulties with orgasm. Not everyone will experience these side effects, but the number of people who do is quite high – especially in the early stages of treatment. Talk to your provider about any issues you encounter, as there may be additional medications or dose adjustments that could manage these problems.

Mission Connection: Professional Mental Health and Medication Guidance

The choice to take a medication can be daunting – especially in light of the information about venlafaxine side effects and risks. Yet, venlafaxine can be highly beneficial as part of a treatment plan. It all comes down to your symptoms, needs, and response to medication.

Mission Connection can be your rock in this process. We provide medication guidance and management, and can also help you understand the importance of therapy in achieving long-term recovery success. We look beyond the prescription pad to see underlying problems and can recommend appropriate treatment packages based on your requirements.

If you’re ready to talk about Mission Connection’s treatment options or just have more questions to ask about medication, our team is here to help. Contact us today via phone call or fill out our confidential contact form.

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