Use the medicine exactly as directed.Venlafaxine should be taken with food. DESCRIPTION. Off-label drug use is when a drug that’s approved for one use is used for a different one that’s not approved.Effexor XR is not approved by the FDA to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). If you and your doctor determine that Effexor XR is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.Abruptly stopping treatment with Effexor XR can cause withdrawal symptoms. In Your headaches may also be a symptom of hyponatremia (low sodium levels), which is another side effect of Effexor XR.Talk with your doctor if you have headaches while taking Effexor XR. How to Prepare for the COVID-19 and Flu ‘Twindemic’10 Things You Need to Know About Plague (But Were Afraid to Ask)© 1996-2020 Everyday Health, Inc. The maximum dosage for panic disorder is 225 mg once daily.If you miss a dose of Effexor XR, take it as soon as you remember. A second-degree black belt and certified taekwondo instructor, Asheim also writes the Seattle Fitness Examiner column. These include:Using more than the recommended dosage of Effexor XR can lead to serious side effects.If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. The tablet is usually taken two or three times a day with food. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Effexor XR is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI) and Wellbutrin is an aminoketone. These include:Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Below are details of how these medications are alike and different.Effexor XR and Pristiq are both approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.Effexor XR is also FDA-approved for use in adults with:Effexor XR contains the drug venlafaxine. Some Effexor, USP may pass into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while taking Effexor, USP. Effexor is also sometimes prescribed to treat anxiety and panic attacks. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. She has more than 25 years of experience writing ad copy for anything from Fortune 500 to small businesses in high-tech, health care and consumer industries. Lexapro can be taken with or without food.Effexor XR and Lexapro have many similar side effects and a few that differ. There is just no way to definitively know and it is a risk that you should not take due to the serious consequences of taking Effexor that is no longer as potent as it … They are both extended-release forms of the active drugs.Effexor XR comes as a capsule that’s taken by mouth once a day. There is maximum score of 144 points, with higher scores meaning worse social anxiety disorder. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Effexor is not approved for use in children.You should not take Effexor if you are allergic to venlafaxine or desvenlafaxine (Pristiq).Do not use Effexor within 7 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine. Before taking Effexor XR, tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you take or plan to take, including those to treat migraines or psychiatric disorders (including other antidepressants or amphetamines) to avoid a potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.© 2004-2020 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. In If you have trouble sleeping while taking Effexor XR, talk with your doctor.