HeadMeds gives young people in the United Kingdom general information about medication. HeadMeds does not give you medical advice. Please talk to your Doctor or anyone else who is supporting you about your own situation because everyone is different. Please read more important details about our site.

Venlafaxine

"ven-la-FAX-een"
Medication type:

serotonin and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor medicine

Other names:
  • Efexor "e-FEX-or"
  • Alventa "Alventa"
  • Depefex "Depefex"
  • Politid "Politid"
  • Sunveniz "Sunveniz"
  • Tonular "Tonular"
  • Venaxx "Venaxx"
  • Venladex "Venladex"
  • Venlalic "Venlalic"
  • Venzip "Venzip"
  • ViePax "ViePax"
Taking antidepressants  anti psychotic and mood stabilisers original listing
Taking anti-depressants, anti-psychotic and mood stabilisers
It feels like being really tired all the time...but it makes me feel less emotional

What can it be used for?

  • 18 & Over
    If you are 18 or over, the doctor can prescribe venlafaxine for you as a licensed medicine for depression (low mood), social anxiety disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, and panic disorders.
  • Under 18
    If you are under 18, there is less research about its use and effectiveness in young people. Even so, specialists might prescribe it 'off label' if it is the best medicine for you.

Ways to take and what's in it?

  • Tablets

    37.5mg and 75mg strengths. The ordinary tablets may not be suitable for you if you have problems eating some sugars or dairy (milk-based) foods, as they contain lactose.

  • Capsules

    Modified-release (long-acting) tablets (37.5mg, 75mg, 150mg and 225mg strengths.)Prolonged-release (long-acting) capsules (75mg and 150mg strengths)

Venlafaxine has been used for a number of conditions.

Venlafaxine can help to adjust the levels of the chemicals in your brain.

If you have any thoughts of suicide, or of other ways of hurting yourself, go straight to a hospital with your medicine. This may be a side-effect, and you need urgent help.

Issues like alcohol, driving, concentration, sports, weight, sex life and fertility