For more information about EFFEXOR XR,
you can continue to the site here.



See full Prescribing Information, including boxed warning,
and Medication Guide for patients.

Important Safety Information

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs

Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, teens, and young adults. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. EFFEXOR XR® (venlafaxine HCl) is not approved for use in children and teens.


  • People taking MAOIs should not take EFFEXOR XR.
  • All patients taking antidepressants should be watched closely for signs that their condition is getting worse or that they are becoming suicidal, especially when they first start therapy, or when their dose is increased or decreased. Patients should also be watched for becoming agitated, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, or restless. Such symptoms should be reported to the patient's doctor right away.
  • Before starting EFFEXOR XR, tell your doctor if you're taking or plan to take any prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including migraine headache medication, herbal preparations, and nutritional supplements, to avoid a potentially life-threatening condition.
  • EFFEXOR XR may raise blood pressure in some patients. Your blood pressure should be controlled before starting treatment and should be monitored regularly.
  • Taking EFFEXOR XR with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, warfarin, or other drugs that affect coagulation may increase the risk of bleeding events.
  • Mydriasis (prolonged dilation of the pupil of the eye) has been reported with EFFEXOR XR. You should notify your physician if you have a history of glaucoma or increased eye pressure.
  • When people suddenly stop using or quickly lower their daily dose of EFFEXOR XR, discontinuation symptoms may occur. Talk to your doctor before discontinuing or reducing your dose of EFFEXOR XR.
  • Pregnant or nursing women shouldn't take any antidepressant without consulting their doctor.
  • Until you see how EFFEXOR XR affects you, be careful doing such activities as driving a car or operating machinery. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking EFFEXOR XR.
  • In clinical studies, the most common side effects with EFFEXOR XR (reported in at least 10% of patients and at least twice as often as with placebo) were constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, sexual side effects, sleepiness, sweating, and weakness. Ask your doctor if EFFEXOR XR is right for you.

PRISTIQ, introduced in 2008, is another product from
Wyeth approved by the FDA for the treatment of
major depressive disorder in adults. Find out more.


See full Prescribing Information, including boxed warning,
and Medication Guide for patients.

Important Safety Information

PRISTIQ® (desvenlafaxine) is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults.

Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs

Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, teens, and young adults. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. PRISTIQ is not approved for use in children under 18.


  • People taking MAOIs should not take PRISTIQ.
  • All patients taking antidepressants should be observed closely for signs that their condition is getting worse or that they are becoming suicidal. This is very important when an antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed. Patients should be watched for becoming agitated, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, or restless. These symptoms should be reported to the patient’s health care professional right away.
  • Tell your health care professional about all prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking or plan to take, including:
  • Medicines to treat migraines or mood disorders, to avoid a potentially life-threatening condition
  • Aspirin, NSAID pain relievers, or blood thinners because they may increase the risk of bleeding
  • PRISTIQ may cause or make some conditions worse, so tell your health care professional about all your medical conditions, including if you:
  • Have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure should be controlled before you start taking PRISTIQ and monitored regularly
  • Have heart problems, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, or a history of stroke
  • Have glaucoma or increased eye pressure
  • Have kidney or liver problems
  • Have or had mania, bipolar disorder, or seizures or convulsions
  • Have low sodium levels in your blood
  • Are nursing, pregnant, or plan to become pregnant
  • Discontinuation symptoms may occur when stopping PRISTIQ, especially when therapy is stopped suddenly. Talk to your health care professional before you stop taking or reduce the dose of PRISTIQ.
  • Until you see how PRISTIQ affects you, be careful driving a car or operating machinery. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking PRISTIQ.
  • Side effects when taking PRISTIQ 50 mg may include nausea, dizziness, sweating, constipation, and decreased appetite.
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EFFEXOR XR: A Depression and Anxiety Disorders Treatment

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