Long Term Side Effects of Effexor

Statistics from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance show that 6.7 percent of the United States population suffers from depression within any given year. Antidepressant medications are in high demand as a result of the increasingly stressful times we live in. Effexor is one of many antidepressants available. While effective in some cases, long-term risks are possible when taking this drug.

Identification

Effexor--also known as Venlafaxine--is classified as an antidepressant medication that's available by prescription only. It belongs to a group a drugs called Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SSNR). This drug is used to treat depression, anxiety and panic attacks. When prescribed, it's intended to improve mood, enhance feelings of well-being, increase energy levels and decrease nervousness. The processes it works on in the brain can affect heart rate, blood pressure and the sympathetic nervous system. Effexor is known to cause a number of side effects, as well as withdrawal symptoms.

Function

Effexor works by altering chemical processes in the brain. Neurotransmitters are secreted by nerve cells, and act as chemical messengers within the brain. Depression, anxiety and panic attacks are believed to be caused by chemical imbalances. As an SSNR, Effexor regulates serotonin and norepinephrine levels so the brain is better able to absorb them. And while this may help to relieve symptoms, other systems in the body may be adversely affected when chemical processes in the brain are realigned.

Features

Effexor is prescribed to be taken on a daily basis. Dosage amounts vary depending on how severe a person's symptoms are. People who use this drug for long periods of time run the risk of becoming dependent on it. Withdrawal effects, which can last as long as 2 to 4 months, can include -
aggression
anxiety
blurred vision
problems concentrating
constipation
fatigue
nervousness

Doctors recommend a gradual tapering off of the dosage amount over a period of time, and provide specific instructions on how to go about it.

Warning

The use of Effexor to treat depression in children and adolescents has shown to increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior. Clinical trials done on 4,400 children diagnosed with major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and other psychiatric disorders showed a 50 percent increase in risk in children who were treated with antidepressants compared to those treated with a placebo drug. Results became apparent within the first few months of treatment. And while antidepressants can be used to treat symptoms of depression, children should be carefully monitored when taking these drugs.

Prevention/Solution

Certain precautions should be taken before going on Effexor. Doctors must be provided with a thorough medical history that includes any history of seizures, liver problems, kidney problems, and heart and blood pressure abnormalities. Other medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, may have adverse effects when taken with Effexor. Women who are pregnant or thinking about become pregnant should not take this drug as it may be harmful to a developing fetus. MAO inhibitors and SSNR inhibitors are a lethal combination, and cannot be taken together.

Resources

• Effexor - Home page
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration - Effexor Information