Like all medications, APO-VENLAFAXINE XR can cause someside effects. You may not experience any of them. For mostpatients these side effects are likely to be minor and temporary.However, some may be serious. Some of these side effects may bedose related. Consult your doctor if you experience these or otherside effects, as the dose may have to be adjusted.
If you experience an allergic reaction (including red skin, hives,itching, swelling of the lips, face, tongue, throat, trouble breathing,wheezing, shortness of breath, skin rashes, blisters of the skin,sores or pain in the mouth or eyes) or any severe or unusual sideeffects, stop taking the drug and contact your doctor immediately.
Some side effects of APO-VENLAFAXINE XR are:
- headache
- nausea
- dry mouth
- constipation
- loss of appetite
- vomiting
- sleepiness
- dizziness
- insomnia
- sexual problems
- weakness
- sweating
- nervousness
- abnormal vision
- abnormal dreams
Particularly in the first few weeks or when doses are adjusted, asmall number of patients taking drugs of this type may feel worseinstead of better; for example, they may experience unusualfeelings of agitation, hostility or anxiety, or have impulsive ordisturbing thoughts such as thoughts of self-harm or harm toothers. Should this happen to you, or to those in your care if youare a caregiver or guardian, consult your doctor immediately; donot discontinue your medication on your own.
APO-VENLAFAXINE XR does not usually affect people’s normal activities. However, some people feel sleepy while takingit, in which case they should not drive or operate machinery.
Although psychiatric disorders may be associated with decreasesin sexual desire, performance and satisfaction, treatment with thismedication may also affect sexual functioning
APO-VENLAFAXINE XR may increase blood pressure in somepeople. You should have your blood pressure measured prior tostarting APO-VENLAFAXINE XR and during treatment. Highblood pressure should be controlled before starting APOVENLAFAXINE XR. Blood pressure changes may sometimes besudden and without warning. Consult your doctor if you havesymptoms that may indicate a sudden rise in your blood pressure,such as headache (particularly in the back of head/neck whenwaking up); stronger, possibly more rapid, or irregular heart beat;chest pain; dizziness; excessive tiredness; or blurred vision.
APO-VENLAFAXINE XR may raise cholesterol levels in somepatients. Blood cholesterol tests may be required by your doctorduring treatment with APO-VENLAFAXINE XR.
Discontinuation Symptoms
Contact your doctor before stopping or reducing your dosage ofAPO-VENLAFAXINE XR. Your doctor may lower your dosagegradually depending on your dose and how long you have beentaking APO-VENLAFAXINE XR. Symptoms such as anorexia(loss of appetite, loss of weight), anxiety, agitation (restlessness),aggression, confusion, convulsions, coordination problems,diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, headache, hypomania(rapid mood swings), insomnia, nausea, nervousness, nightmares,paresthesia (sensation of tingling, burning or crawling of the skin),electric shock sensations, sleep disturbances, somnolence(drowsiness), sweating, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo(sensation that the world is spinning), vomiting and othersymptoms have been reported after stopping treatment, reducingthe dosage of APO-VENLAFAXINE XR, or when a dose ismissed. These symptoms usually disappear without needingtreatment. Tell your doctor immediately if you have these or anyother symptoms. Your doctor may adjust the dosage of APOVENLAFAXINE XR to alleviate the symptoms
Effects on Newborns
Some newborns whose mothers took an SSRI (Selective SerotoninReuptake Inhibitor) or other newer anti-depressant, such as APOVENLAFAXINE XR, during pregnancy have shown suchsymptoms as breathing and feeding difficulties, jitteriness andconstant crying. If your baby experiences any of these symptoms,contact your doctor as soon as you can. See WARNINGS ANDPRECAUTIONS section for more information.
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional Only if severe | Talk to your healthcare professional In all cases | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | |||
| Increased bloodpressure that persists[see also SevereHypertension below] | ✔ | ||
| Fast heartbeat | ✔ | ||
| Uncommon | |||
| Allergic reactions[red skin, hives,itching, swelling ofthe lips, face, tongue,throat, troublebreathing, wheezing,shortness of breath,skin rashes, blistersof the skin, sores orpain in the mouth oreyes] | ✔ | ||
| Low sodium level inblood [symptoms oftiredness, weakness,confusion combinedwith achy, stiff oruncoordinatedmuscles] | ✔ | ||
| Mania/hypomania[elevated or irritablemood, decreased needfor sleep, racingthoughts] | ✔ | ||
| Akathisia [feelingrestless and unable tosit or stand still] | ✔ | ||
| Hallucinations[strange visions orsounds] | ✔ | ||
| Uncontrollablemovements of thebody or face | ✔ | ||
| Inability to urinate | ✔ | ||
| Gastrointestinalbleeding [vomitingblood or passingblood in stools] | ✔ | ||
| ✔ | |||
| Unknown | |||
| Low Platelets:Bruising or unusualbleeding from theskin or other areas | ✔ | ||
| Rare | |||
| Seizures [loss ofconsciousness withuncontrollableshaking “fit”] | ✔ | ||
| Serotonin syndrome[a combination ofmost or all of thefollowing; confusion,restlessness,sweating, shaking,shivering, high fever,sudden jerking of themuscles,hallucinations, fastheartbeat] | ✔ | ||
| Liver disorder[symptoms includenausea, vomiting, lossof appetite combinedwith itching,yellowing of the skinor eyes, dark urine] | ✔ | ||
| Glaucoma: swellingor redness in oraround the eye, eyepain and changes invision | ✔ | ||
| SeeWarningsandPrecautions | |||
| New or worsenedemotional orbehavioural problems | ✔ | ||
| Severe Hypertension[symptoms includeheadache, strongerand possibly fasterheartbeat, chest pain,dizziness, excessivetiredness, blurredvision] | ✔ | ||
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpectedeffects while taking APO-VENLAFAXINE XR, contact yourdoctor or pharmacist.
