Venlafaxine, 1-{α[(Dimethylamino)methyl]-4-methoxybenzyl}cyclohexanol, C17H27NO2, M=277,41 g/mol
Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)
Brand name: Efexor®, Trevilor®
Treatment of moderate to severe major depressive disorder
Venlafaxine should not be used in patients with: heart disease, electrolyte imbalance or untreated or uncontrolled hypertension.
After treatment with MAO-inhibitors, Venlafaxine should be taken only after expiration of a 14 days period, in order to avoid an occurrence of the serotonine syndrome.
At the beginning of the treatment nausea arises (approx. 1/3 of all patients). Somnolence, dizziness, dry mouth and insomnia are relatively common. With daily doses over 200 mg an increase of the blood pressure is often observed. Discontination symptoms have been reported, ncluding nausea, dizziness, shock-like sensations and diarrhoea.
Venlafaxine and its main metabolite O-Desmethylvenlafaxine can be analyzed after blood- extraction by means of HPLC/DAD. Therapeutic level 0.2-0.4 µg/ml.