Velaxin tablets: instructions for use

Velaxin is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.

It is one of the drugs that is beneficial for depressive and anxiety disorders of various genesis. Mildly removes the main manifestations of depression, stimulating the body to include biological protection functions.

On this page you will find all information about the Velaxin: the full instructions for use for this medicine medium, average prices in pharmacies, complete and incomplete analogs of the drug, as well as reviews of people who have already applied Velaxin. Want to leave your opinion? Please write in the comments.

Clinical and pharmacological group

Antidepressant.

Conditions of leave from pharmacies

It is released on prescription.

Price list

How much does Velaxin cost? The average price in pharmacies is at the level of900 rubles.

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Form of issue and composition

The form of the preparation is a small tablet. The color is white (there may be a slight tint). The shape is flat with a depression (chamfer) in the middle. There is engraving (E741). The smell is absent.

The composition is the active ingredient venlafaxine hydrochloride. Also present are cellulose, magnesium stearate, lactose and other auxiliary substances. It is dispensed in pharmacies in cardboard packages and blisters for 14 or 28 pieces of tablets in a package.

Pharmacological effect

The drug prevents the re-uptake of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin, thereby increasing their concentrations and potentiating their effect. Unlike other antidepressants, it does not show cholinergic, muscarinic and adrenergic effects, so it can also be used to treat elderly patients. Does not affect the activity of monoamine oxidase, nor is it akin to opiate and non-dosage peptides.

Absorbed in the blood in the digestive tract, maximum concentrations are observed within four hours after ingestion. After taking the tablets during meals, the detection time of the maximum concentrations of the drug in the blood rises by half an hour.

Indications for use

Why do we need such a tool as Velaxin? The use of this drug is indicated for depression of various origins (for treatment and prevention).

Contraindications

Contraindications to the prescription of the drug are:

• Age to 18 years.
• Expected or established pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding period.
• Severe violations of the liver.
• Severe violations of the kidneys.
• Simultaneous use of MAO inhibitors.
• Individual intolerance of the active substance or one of the auxiliary components of the preparation.

With care, tablets and capsules are prescribed for unstable angina, increased intraocular pressure, seizures and manic conditions in the history, suicidal inclinations, predisposition to bleeding, recently transferred myocardial infarction, tachycardia, arterial hypertension, heart failure, hypovolemia, hyponatremia, dehydration, ECG changes, coronary artery disease, angle-closure glaucoma, hepatic and renal insufficiency, and also with simultaneous the use of diuretics.

Application in pregnancy and lactation

The safety of venlafaxine during pregnancy is not proven, so the use during pregnancy (or expected pregnancy) is possible only if the potential benefit to the mother exceeds the possible risk for the fetus. Women of childbearing age should be warned about this before starting treatment and should immediately seek medical attention in the event of pregnancy or pregnancy planning during treatment drug.

Venlafaxine and EFA are excreted in breast milk. The safety of these substances for newborn babies is not proven, therefore, the use of venlafaxine during breastfeeding is not recommended. If you need to take the drug during lactation, you should decide whether to stop breastfeeding. If the mother's treatment was completed shortly before the birth, a newborn can have withdrawal symptoms.

Instructions for use

The instructions for use indicate that Velaxin is taken orally. Both forms of release should be consumed during meals. It is recommended to start therapy with a dosage of 75 mg / day with a dose division into two doses (for a tablet form of release). Capsule is taken whole, not broken. In capsule form, the entire dosage is taken 1 time / day.

1. After the development of the therapeutic effect, the dosage should decrease. At the same time, it is necessary to select the lowest effective dosage and carry out maintenance therapy. Treatment of a supportive nature can last more than six months.
2. In the absence of a sufficient therapeutic effect, the dosage is increased to 150 mg / day with the dose divided into two doses. It is possible to increase the daily dosage to 375 mg / day. In severe depression, starting therapy with a dosage of 150 mg / day with titration of the dose every 3 days for 75 mg is possible.

Features of the reception in different groups of people:

1. Dosage adjustments are not performed in patients with renal insufficiency with QC greater than 30 ml / min. If the kidneys of medium severity (KK equal to 10-30 ml / min) are disrupted, a dosage is prescribed, reduced by 25-50%. In this case, the whole dose is taken at a time.
2. In the treatment of patients with mild liver disease, correction of doses is not carried out. If violations of the liver moderate degree prescribed 50% of the standard daily dosage.
3. In gerontological patients only the lowest effective dosages are used.
4. Patients who are on hemodialysis are assigned 50% of the standard daily dosage. The dose should be taken after hemodialysis.

In elderly patients, the drug should be used with caution in connection with the possibility of impaired renal function. The lowest effective dose should be used. When the dose is raised, the patient should be under careful medical supervision.

Discontinuation of the drug

At the end of the use of Velaxin, it is recommended to gradually reduce the dose of the drug, at least in for a week and observe the patient's condition in order to minimize the risk associated with drug cancellation.

The period necessary for complete discontinuation of the drug depends on the size of the dose, the duration of the course of treatment and the individual characteristics of the patient.

Side effects

When using Velaxin, headaches, chills, fatigue, abdominal pain, weakness, fever and the following side effects may occur:

1. Decreased body weight, hepatitis, hyponatremia and increased prolactin levels (metabolism);
2. Erectile dysfunction, galactorrhea, decreased libido, urinary retention, menorrhagia, anorgasmia, and menstrual cycle disorders (genitourinary system);
3. Mydriasis, taste disorders, tinnitus, visual impairment and accommodation (sensory organs);
4. Rhabdomyolysis, myalgia, muscle spasm and arthralgia (musculoskeletal system).
5. Photosensitivity reactions, pruritus and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, sweating, maculopapular rashes and eruption, erythema multiforme, angioedema, alopecia and urticaria (dermal integuments).

The drug can also cause side effects from various body systems, namely:

1. Nausea, constipation, vomiting, decreased appetite, dry mouth, bruxism and pancreatitis (gastrointestinal tract);
2. Aplastic anemia, ecchymosis, neutropenia, prolonged bleeding time, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia and agranulocytosis (hematopoiesis system).
3. Ventricular tachycardia, arterial hypertension, QT interval elongation, heart palpitations, fainting, ventricular fibrillation, tachycardia and orthostatic hypotension (cardiovascular system);
4. Insomnia, confusion and dizziness, unusual dreams, paresthesia and arousal, tremor, drowsiness and anxiety, apathy, increased muscle tone and ataxia, hallucinations, convulsive seizures and myoclonus, extrapyramidal disorders and speech disorders (nervous system).

After reducing the dose or abrupt withdrawal of the drug may appear the following adverse reactions: nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, diarrhea, anorexia, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, disorientation, irritability, paresthesia, hypomania, sweating. These side effects are usually mild. In most cases, they pass by themselves.

Overdose

Overdose of Velaxin is manifested by changes in the ECG, bradycardia, sinus or ventricular tachycardia, arterial hypotension, depression of consciousness, convulsive conditions, lethal outcome (with simultaneous reception of psychotropic drugs and alcohol).

In such cases, symptomatic treatment with continuous monitoring of vital functions is required. Vomiting is not recommended because of the risk of aspiration.

special instructions

When using Velaxin, it should be borne in mind that:

1. At the beginning of treatment with the drug and when it is withdrawn, aggression may occur;
2. During treatment, alcoholic beverages are not recommended;
3. Patients taking the drug, because of the high risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts, must constantly be under medical supervision;
4. The drug is cautiously prescribed to patients with mania or hypomania;
5. The drug when taken together with haloperidol enhances the effects of the latter;
6. Patients are recommended regular monitoring of blood pressure (especially at the beginning of treatment);
7. When taking the drug, it is possible to reduce the ability to make judgments, worsen thinking, attention, and performance of motor functions;
8. In elderly patients, the drug is used in the lowest effective dose;
9. With the simultaneous administration of the drug with clozapine, convulsive seizures may develop;
10. Carefully prescribe Velaxin concomitantly with antipsychotic drugs, since it is possible to develop symptoms reminiscent of neuroleptic malignant syndrome;
11. During the first weeks of therapy, psychomotor agitation may develop in patients, which is characterized by anxiety and a constant desire to move. In such cases, the question of whether to continue treatment with the drug is considered;

A sharp discontinuation of taking Velaxin can lead to the development of withdrawal symptoms in the form of dizziness, a feeling of passing an electric current, paresthesia, sleep disturbances, agitation or anxiety, tremor, nausea and vomiting, headache, sweating, diarrhea, emotional instability, rapid and increased palpitation.

Drug Interactions

With the simultaneous use of Velaxin with certain drugs, the following effects can occur:

• Clozapine: the development of side effects (eg, epileptic seizures) and an increase in its level in the blood plasma;
• Lithium: raising its level;
• Haloperidol: an increase in its effects, which is associated with an increase in its concentration in the blood;
• Anticoagulants: enhance their effect.

The combined use of Velaxin with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors is contraindicated. Initiate therapy with the drug can be no earlier than 14 days after the end of the use of MAO inhibitors. If moclobemide (reversible MAO inhibitor) was used, this break may be shorter (24 hours). Treatment with MAO inhibitors can begin no earlier than 7 days after Velaxin's withdrawal.

When combined with drugs that are inhibitors of the enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, care must be taken.

Reviews

We picked up some of the people's feedback on the Velaxin drug:

1. Stas. I drink velaxin 75 mg per day. There was energy, began to feel the muscles. Before that, taking venlaxor was worse in this regard.
2. Irina. I drink velaxin for half a year. First 75 twice a day. After 4 months to 37.5, also two times. Today, do not drink for two days, then buy. Tachycardia, sweat stream, head spinning. I will send my son for the drug. with them I feel better. Gone are pressing pains in the heart. Calm down, a mammoth. The truth all the time I sleep. Let it be so, but the pressure was high, now it does not rise above 135. The truth to the doctor is a reluctance. How much can you drink them? Without a doctor's recommendation.
3. Stepan. Survived a severe depression. As a supporting therapy, the doctors assigned me a course of taking Velaxin. After treatment, there is no deterioration for six months, but they suffer from drowsiness and headaches.

According to reviews of people, especially this drug causes such negative reactions as drowsiness, weakness, insomnia, convulsions, mental disorders, depression and confusion. In addition, some patients claim that such effects remain after the treatment is completed. Also, many users complain about the appearance of withdrawal syndrome and dependence.

Analogues

Velaxin's analogues are: Alventa, Velafax, Velafax MV, Venlafaxine, Venlaksor, Venlift OD, Newvelong, Efektin depot.

Before using analogues, consult your doctor.

Storage conditions and shelf life

Store in a dry place inaccessible to the sun and protected from children, at room temperature not exceeding 30 ° C. Shelf life of the tablets is 5 years; capsules - 4 years from the date of release.

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