Venlift: Uses, Administration, Action Mechanism and Secondary Effects

It is a prescription medication for major depression and anxiety disorders.

This medication is a selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It acts by increasing serotonin and noradrenaline in the nerve terminals.

Its most common side effects are dry mouth, reduced sleep, and constipation.

See more anti-depressionDeanxit: Formula, Presentation, Indications, Dosage, Side Effects Warnings, and Interactions.

Uses of the Venlift

This medication is prescribed for depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, such as panic disorder, and social phobia.

Depression is characterized by a persistent mood, difficulty enjoying pleasure, and inability to work due to a lack of energy. In addition, patients with severe depression have suicidal ideas and can end their lives.

Panic disorder is characterized by the sudden onset of anxiety attacks associated with fear of death, fear of suffocation, or fear of heart attacks. It is common for the general medical clinic to receive patients with panic disorder.

Social anxiety disorder is characterized by severe disabling anxiety in social situations. They become severely anxious to talk to strangers and participate in social events.

Administration

This medicine should be taken with a glass of water. In addition, it should be taken with food to minimize side effects. Since this medication comes in a capsule, you should not break or remove the capsule cover.

Always follow your doctor’s advice and do not stop taking this medication without medical advice.

The usual dose range of this medication is 37.5 mg to 375 mg per day. The preparation of Venlift can be administered once a day, but most of the time, it is prescribed twice a day to minimize side effects.

What things should you tell your doctor before you get the prescription?

If you have or have any of the following conditions:

  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease.
  • Bipolar disorder.
  • Hepatic and renal insufficiency.
  • Myasthenia gravis.
  • Hyperthyroidism.

You must tell your doctor if you have hypertension because it is known that this medication increases blood pressure.

Mechanism of action

Venlift increases the neurotransmission of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain by counteracting the changes that occur in depression and other conditions.

Compared to SSRI medications, this medication increases the levels of noradrenaline and serotonin in higher doses, which explains its greater effectiveness.

Side effects

This medicine can cause nausea and, sometimes, vomiting. In addition, it can cause burns to the heart and gastric irritation. It can also cause significant sexual dysfunction, including lack of desire and erectile dysfunction in men.

In the initial part of the therapy, you would experience increased anxiety symptoms, such as dry mouth, increased heart rate, sweating, and mild tremors. However, they usually go out as time goes by.

In addition, you may experience problems sleeping with this medication, and some will experience poor sleep. It is recommended to take this medication in the morning for such patients.

List of common side effects

  • Nausea.
  • Gastric irritation
  • Headache.
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • High blood pressure
  • Problems to sleep.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Perspiration.
  • Increase in anxiety

What are the most severe side effects associated with Venlift?

This medication can cause manic changes in patients with bipolar disorder. It is characterized by an increase in energy, an increase in well-being, and an increase in activity, followed by expressive behavior which is out of place.

In addition, a particular group of people would develop a severe complication called serotonin syndrome. It is characterized by high fever, sweating, tremors, course, and confusion. It usually occurs when you switch from one medication to another or in case of a rapid increase in dose.

List of severe side effects
  • Serotonin syndrome
  • Greater bleeding.
  • Increase in gastric ulceration.
  • Dangerous increase in blood pressure (usually over the dose).

This medication can become toxic in case of overdose, and, therefore, doctors prescribe Venlift carefully to patients at high risk of suicide.

Summary

Venlift is an SNRI-class medication. Its generic name is Venlafaxine. It is prescribed for major depression and anxiety disorders. Its main side effects are nausea, gastric irritation, increased blood pressure, sexual dysfunction, and problems sleeping.