Speaking honestly and openly with your doctor is an important part of treatment for
depression and ultimately reaching your treatment goals.
Talk about your symptoms
Be sure to mention any depression symptoms you have, and
be as specific as you can. Keeping a journal may help you track these symptoms, some of
which you may have been feeling for some time. Also, visit the Depression
Symptom Inventory on this website. It may help you prepare for a discussion
with your doctor about depression symptoms you may have.
Talk about your medication
Always tell your doctor about all medications that you are taking, both over-the-counter
and prescription medicines.
Talk about your treatment goals
The goal of treatment is relief from symptoms of depression. If you have symptoms, there are treatment options that may help you reach
your treatment goals.
You may want to talk with your doctor about EFFEXOR XR®, an SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) approved for the treatment of depression. EFFEXOR XR is believed to help treat depression by affecting the levels of 2 chemicals in the brain—serotonin and norepinephrine.
Questions
for your doctor
Here are a few questions you may want to ask your doctor during your next office visit if you have depression symptoms:
- What can I expect to get out of treatment?
- Should I see a psychiatrist or other type of therapist?
- Which medication is right for me? Why?
- What are the benefits of this medication?
- What should I know about side effects?
Tell your
doctor
Be sure to tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Specific symptoms you are experiencing, such as constant sadness, worry, or low energy
- If you've lost interest in your favorite activities
- If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- If you're less involved with family and friends than you once were
- Your previous treatment history, if any
- Medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) that you are currently taking
- Whether you drink alcohol
- If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are nursing
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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. |
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- 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.
- Taking EFFEXOR XR with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, warfarin, or other drugs that affect coagulation may increase the risk of bleeding events.
- EFFEXOR XR may raise blood pressure in some
patients. Your blood pressure should be controlled before starting treatment and should
be monitored regularly.
- 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.
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| Depression Symptoms? |
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Complete the Depression Symptom
Inventory for a printed list to share with your doctor.
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Talking With Your Doctor
