Venlaxor

Venlaxor is an antidepressant.

Indications Venlaxora

It is used to prevent or eliminate depression of various origins.

Release form

The release is made in tablets of 37.5 and 75 mg - 10 pieces inside blister packs. The box contains 3 such tablets.

Pharmacodynamics

The structure of Venlaxor does not allow it to be classified as an antidepressant. The antidepressant effect of the drug and the mechanisms of its action are due to the fact that the drug is able to potentiate the transmission of nerve signals. The active element and its metabolic product ODV are SSRIs, as well as IONS, and in addition to this, substances that weakly slow down the processes of dopamine uptake.

A therapeutic course using the drug (single or multiple use) helps reduce β-adrenergic reactivity. The drug has no tropism for benzodiazepine, opioid, or non-celipod endings.

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Pharmacokinetics

The drug is well absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. The maximum values of the substance in the blood plasma after a single use of portions of 25-150 mg are 33-173 ng / ml. These indicators are maintained in the body for 24 hours.

Metabolic processes are carried out inside the liver. The product of drug metabolism is the substance O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV), which has medicinal properties similar to the active element.

The half-life of the active component that has not undergone metabolism is 5 hours; the same indicator for ODV is 11 hours. Synthesis of the drug with proteins is 30%.

Excretion is mainly carried out by the kidneys.

If the tablet is taken with food, the time it takes to reach peak levels of the drug in the blood is prolonged by 30 minutes.

If the patient suffers from liver cirrhosis, the levels of metabolic products in the blood increase, while the excretion process, on the contrary, becomes slower.

In severe or moderate renal failure, the clearance of Venlaxor and its elements is reduced. The gender and age of patients do not affect the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the drug.

Dosing and administration

The tablets should be taken orally, with food, twice a day (1 tablet of 37.5 mg), in the morning and in the evening. The daily dosage is 75 mg. After 2-3 weeks, if there is no effect from taking the drug, it is allowed to increase the daily dose to 150 mg.

During the treatment of severe forms of depression, it is allowed to use higher dosages - to start therapy with two-time use of 75 mg of the drug. The daily dose, if necessary, can be increased by 75 mg at intervals of 3 days. This should be done until the medicinal result is achieved.

The maximum permissible daily portion size is 375 mg. Once the desired result is achieved, the portion size should be gradually reduced to the minimum values. Maintenance treatment, as well as prevention of the development of negative symptoms with the intake of minimum permissible portions, is allowed to be carried out for six months.

In case of mild kidney failure, the daily dosage does not need to be adjusted. In case of moderate disease, the dosage should be reduced by 25-50% (due to the fact that in this case the half-life will increase). People with severe disease are prohibited from taking the medicine. For people undergoing hemodialysis procedures, half the daily dosage is prescribed upon completion.

Venlaxor should be taken very carefully by elderly people - to prevent negative impact on kidney function. This group of patients is prescribed the minimum effective daily dose, and if there is a need to increase it, the patient should be monitored by a doctor.

The use of the drug should be discontinued gradually - for at least 7-14 days, during which the dose is gradually reduced. The time for completing the medication is determined by the portion size, the duration of the course and the individual needs of the patient.

Use Venlaxora during pregnancy

Venlaxor should not be administered to pregnant women.

Contraindications

Main contraindications:

• the presence of high sensitivity to the drug;
• persons under 18 years of age;
• liver pathologies and severe renal failure;
• breastfeeding period;
• concomitant use with MAOIs.

Caution is required when using in the following cases:

• recent myocardial infarction;
• increased blood pressure;
• unstable angina;
• history of manic states or convulsive syndrome;
• increased IOP values;
• presence of tachycardia;
• the tendency of the skin surface to develop bleeding;
• reduced weight.

Side effects Venlaxora

The development of side effects of the drug depends on the duration of its use and the size of the portions consumed. Often, complications manifest themselves in the form of a feeling of weakness, nausea, increased fatigue, loss of appetite, dry mouth and vomiting; constipation occurs more rarely.

In addition, there may be an increase in cholesterol levels in the blood, weight loss, tachycardia, and increased blood pressure. Less common are disorders in the work of the nervous system: unusual dreams or insomnia, dizziness, a state of stupor or increased excitability, as well as paresthesia, yawning, increased muscle tone, and tremor. Manic symptoms and epileptic seizures are occasionally observed.

Sometimes the disorders affect the urogenital system: dysuric disorders, problems with ejaculation and erection, anorgasmia or menorrhagia develop, and in addition, urinary retention and decreased libido.

Problems with the function of the sense organs are also noted: the development of mydriasis, visual disturbances, accommodation disorders or taste buds. Lesions of the skin surface: the appearance of erythema multiforme, hyperhidrosis, rashes and hyperemia. Disorders affecting the hematopoietic system: the development of thrombocytopenia, and in addition to this, hemorrhages in the area of the skin or mucous membranes.

Anaphylactic symptoms also occur.

A sharp reduction in the dose or withdrawal of the drug may cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, dry mouth, vomiting, anorexia, fatigue, severe irritability, drowsiness, disorientation or anxiety. Diarrhea, hyperhidrosis, insomnia and paresthesia may also occur. Usually, these symptoms are mild and disappear on their own.

Overdose

Poisoning is manifested by the following symptoms: changes in ECG parameters (prolongation of the QT interval, as well as blockade of the bundle branch in the His bundle), ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, convulsions, decreased blood pressure and changes in consciousness.

Intoxication in combination with the use of alcoholic beverages or psychotropic drugs is especially dangerous. There are also reports of fatal outcomes.

The medication does not have any specific antidotes; symptomatic procedures are carried out, accompanied by monitoring of the blood flow and respiratory organs.

To reduce the absorption of Venlaxor, activated charcoal should be used. Induction of vomiting is not recommended because of the risk of aspiration. Dialysis procedures are not effective.

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Interactions with other drugs

It is strictly forbidden to prescribe Venlaxor with MAOIs. If MAOIs were used to treat the patient, Venlaxor can be prescribed only after 2-3 weeks have passed since the end of the previous course.

The combination with haloperidol potentiates the medicinal properties of the drug due to the fact that such a combination increases the plasma level of the drug.

Combination with clozepid increases the level of the drug in the blood, which can cause the development of epileptic seizures.

The use of warfarin together with Venlaxor increases the anticoagulant effect of the former drug.

A change in the medicinal properties of Indivar is observed when it is combined with a drug.

The medication potentiates the effect of ethanol, so it should not be taken in combination with alcoholic beverages.

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Storage conditions

Venlaxor must be kept in a place protected from moisture. The temperature level is a maximum of 25°C.

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Shelf life

Venlaxor can be used for 3 years from the date of release of the drug.

Reviews

Venlaxor usually receives positive feedback on its action during the treatment of severe forms of protracted depression, against the background of which anhedonia, apathy and a feeling of melancholy are observed. Patients report a return of strength and appetite, an improvement in mood and the restoration of a positive perception of the surrounding reality.

But there is also a group of patients who report poor tolerance of the medication and the development of side effects.