Venlafaxine
Alventa Contains the Active Substance Venlafaxine.
Alventa Is an Antidepressant Medication Belonging to a Group of Medications Called Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs). These Medications Are Used to Treat Depression and Other Conditions Such as Anxiety Disorders. It Is Believed That in People with Depression and/or Anxiety, There Is a Lower Concentration of Serotonin and Norepinephrine in the Brain. The Mechanism of Action of Antidepressant Medications Is Not Fully Understood, but They May Help by Increasing the Concentration of Serotonin and Norepinephrine in the Brain.
Alventa Is Used to Treat Depression in Adults. Alventa Is Also Indicated for the Treatment of the Following Anxiety Disorders in Adults: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia (Fear or Avoidance of Social Situations), and Panic Disorder (Panic Attacks). For the Patient to Feel Better, It Is Essential That the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety Disorders Is Carried Out Properly. If the Treatment Is Not Initiated, the Patient's Condition May Not Improve, May Worsen, and Will Be Much More Difficult to Treat.
Before Starting to Take Alventa, the Patient Should Discuss the Following with Their Doctor or Pharmacist:
Alventa May Cause a Feeling of Restlessness or Inability to Sit or Stand Still During the First Few Weeks of Treatment. If Such Symptoms Occur, the Patient Should Inform Their Doctor.
Do Not Consume Alcohol During Treatment with Alventa, as It May Cause Extreme Fatigue and Loss of Consciousness. Taking Alventa with Alcohol and/or Certain Medications May Increase the Severity of Symptoms of Depression and Other Conditions, Such as Anxiety Disorders.
Suicidal Thoughts and Worsening of Depression or Anxiety Disorders
People with Depression or Anxiety Disorders May Sometimes Have Thoughts of Self-Harm or Suicide. Such Symptoms or Behavior May Worsen at the Beginning of Treatment with Antidepressant Medications, as These Medications Usually Start to Work Only After About 2 Weeks, Sometimes Later. Such Thoughts May Also Occur After Reducing the Dose or During Withdrawal of Alventa.
These Thoughts of Suicide or Self-Harm Are More Likely in:
If the Patient Experiences Thoughts of Self-Harm or Suicide, They Should Immediately Contact Their Doctor or Go to the Hospital.
It May Be Helpful for the Patient to Inform Their Relatives or Friends About Their Depression or Anxiety Disorders and Ask Them to Read This Leaflet. The Patient May Ask to Be Informed If They Notice That the Depression or Anxiety Has Worsened or If There Are Concerning Changes in the Patient's Behavior.
Sexual Dysfunction
Medications Like Alventa (So-Called SSRIs or SNRIs) May Cause Symptoms of Sexual Dysfunction (See Section 4). In Some Cases, These Symptoms Persisted After Stopping the Treatment.
Dry Mouth
Dry Mouth Is Reported by 10% of Patients Treated with Venlafaxine. This May Increase the Risk of Tooth Decay. Therefore, It Is Essential to Take Good Care of Oral Hygiene.
Diabetes
Alventa May Cause Changes in Blood Sugar Levels, and Therefore, There May Be a Need to Adjust the Dose of Antidiabetic Medications.
Children and Adolescents
Alventa Should Not Be Used in Children and Adolescents Under 18 Years of Age.
It Should Also Be Emphasized That Patients Under 18 Years of Age Who Take Medications from This Group Are at Increased Risk of Adverse Reactions, Such as Suicidal Attempts, Suicidal Thoughts, and Hostility (Especially Aggression, Defiant Behavior, and Expressions of Anger).
However, the Doctor May Prescribe This Medication to Patients Under 18 Years of Age If They Consider It Beneficial for Them. If the Doctor Prescribes This Medication to a Patient Under 18 Years of Age, in Case of Doubts, the Patient Should Consult Their Doctor Again to Discuss This. The Patient Should Inform Their Doctor If Any of the Above Symptoms or Other Symptoms Worsen in Patients Under 18 Years of Age Taking Alventa. So Far, There Is No Evidence of Long-Term Safety Regarding the Impact on Growth, Maturation, and Development of Cognitive and Behavioral Functions in This Age Group.
The Patient Should Tell Their Doctor or Pharmacist About All Medications They Are Currently Taking or Have Recently Taken, as Well as Any Medications They Plan to Take.
The Doctor Will Decide Whether to Use Alventa with Other Medications.
The Patient Should Not Start or Stop Taking Other Medications, Including Over-the-Counter Medications, Herbal or Natural Products, Without Consulting Their Doctor or Pharmacist First.
The Subjective and Objective Symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome May Include a Combination of the Following Symptoms: Restlessness, Hallucinations, Loss of Coordination, Rapid Heart Rate, Elevated Body Temperature, Rapid Changes in Blood Pressure, Hyperreflexia, Diarrhea, Coma, Nausea, Vomiting.
The Most Severe Form of Serotonin Syndrome May Resemble Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome. The Symptoms of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome May Include Fever, Rapid Heart Rate, Sweating, Muscle Stiffness, Disorientation, Elevated Enzyme Levels in the Muscles (Detected in Blood Tests).
If Serotonin Syndrome Is Suspected, the Patient Should Immediately Inform Their Doctor or Go to the Hospital.
If the Patient Is Taking Medications That May Affect Heart Rhythm, They Should Inform Their Doctor. Examples of Such Medications:
The Following Medications May Also Interact with Alventa, and Therefore, Should Be Used with Caution. It Is Especially Important to Inform the Doctor If the Patient Is Taking Medications Containing:
Alventa Should Be Taken with Food (See Section 3 "How to Take Alventa").
Do Not Consume Alcohol During Treatment with Alventa. Taking Alventa with Alcohol May Cause Extreme Fatigue and Loss of Consciousness, as Well as Increase the Severity of Symptoms of Depression and Other Conditions, Such as Anxiety Disorders.
If the Patient Is Pregnant, Breastfeeding, or Thinks They May Be Pregnant, or Is Planning to Have a Child, They Should Consult Their Doctor or Pharmacist Before Taking This Medication.
Alventa Should Only Be Used After Discussing the Potential Benefits and Risks with the Doctor.
Taking Alventa at the End of Pregnancy May Increase the Risk of Severe Postpartum Hemorrhage, Especially If the Patient Has a History of Bleeding Disorders. If the Patient Is Taking Alventa, They Should Inform Their Doctor or Midwife So They Can Provide Appropriate Advice.
The Patient Should Inform Their Doctor and/or Midwife About Taking Alventa. Taking Similar Medications During Pregnancy (Such as SSRIs) May Increase the Risk of Severe Complications in the Newborn, Called Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN), Which Is Characterized by Rapid Breathing and Cyanosis. These Symptoms Usually Appear in the First Day After Birth. If Such Symptoms Occur in the Newborn, the Patient Should Immediately Contact Their Doctor and/or Midwife.
If the Patient Is Taking This Medication During Pregnancy, Their Child May Experience Difficulty Breathing or Other Symptoms After Birth, Such as Feeding Problems. If the Patient Is Concerned About Such Symptoms in Their Newborn, They Should Contact Their Doctor and/or Midwife, Who Will Be Able to Provide Appropriate Advice.
Alventa Passes into Breast Milk in Nursing Mothers. There Is a Risk of an Effect on the Child. Therefore, the Patient Should Discuss This with Their Doctor, and the Doctor Will Decide Whether to Stop Breastfeeding or Discontinue This Medication.
The Patient Should Not Drive or Operate Machines Until They Know How This Medication Affects Them.
If the Patient Has Been Informed by Their Doctor That They Have an Intolerance to Some Sugars, They Should Consult Their Doctor Before Taking This Medication.
This Medication Should Always Be Taken as Directed by the Doctor or Pharmacist. If the Patient Has Any Doubts, They Should Consult Their Doctor or Pharmacist.
Alventa Is Available in the Following Doses: 37.5 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg.
The Usual Recommended Initial Dose for the Treatment of Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Social Phobia Is 75 mg per Day. This Dose May Be Gradually Increased by the Doctor If Necessary, Up to a Maximum Dose of 375 mg per Day in the Case of Depression. For Panic Disorder, Treatment Should Be Started with a Lower Dose (37.5 mg) and Then Gradually Increased. The Maximum Dose for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, and Panic Disorder Is 225 mg per Day.
Alventa Should Be Taken Once a Day, Approximately at the Same Time, Regardless of Whether It Is Taken in the Morning or Evening. The Capsules Should Be Swallowed Whole, with a Drink of Water. They Should Not Be Divided, Crushed, Chewed, or Dissolved.
Alventa Should Be Taken with Food.
The Patient Should Inform Their Doctor About Any Liver or Kidney Problems, as There May Be a Need to Adjust the Dose.
The Patient Should Not Stop Taking This Medication Without Consulting Their Doctor (See the Section "Stopping Alventa Treatment").
In Case of Taking a Higher Than Recommended Dose of This Medication, the Patient Should Immediately Contact Their Doctor.
Overdose Can Be Life-Threatening, Especially When Taken with Alcohol and/or Certain Medications (See the Section "Alventa and Other Medications").
Symptoms of Possible Overdose May Include Rapid Heart Rate, Disturbances of Consciousness (from Drowsiness to Coma), Vision Disturbances, Seizures or Convulsions, and Vomiting.
If a Dose Is Missed, the Patient Should Take It as Soon as Possible. However, If the Time for the Next Dose Is Near, the Patient Should Skip the Missed Dose and Take Only One Dose at the Usual Time. The Patient Should Not Take a Double Dose of the Medication to Make Up for the Missed Dose. The Patient Should Not Take a Higher Dose in One Day Than the Daily Dose of Alventa Prescribed by Their Doctor.
The Patient Should Not Stop the Treatment or Reduce the Dose Without Consulting Their Doctor, Even If They Feel Better. If the Doctor Decides That It Is Possible to Stop Alventa, They Will Inform the Patient How to Gradually Reduce the Dose Before Completely Stopping the Treatment. In Patients Stopping Alventa, Especially If the Treatment Is Stopped Suddenly or the Dose Is Reduced Too Quickly, Adverse Reactions May Occur, Such as Suicidal Thoughts, Aggression, Fatigue, Dizziness, Headache, Insomnia, Nightmares, Dry Mouth, Loss of Appetite, Nausea, Diarrhea, Nervousness, Excitement, Disorientation, Ringing in the Ears, Tingling or Numbness, Weakness, Sweating, Seizures, or Flu-Like Symptoms, Vision Problems, and Increased Blood Pressure (Which May Cause Headaches, Dizziness, Ringing in the Ears, Sweating, etc.).
The Doctor Will Advise the Patient on How to Gradually Stop Alventa. This May Take Several Weeks or Months. In Some Patients, It May Be Necessary to Stop the Medication Very Gradually Over Several Months or Longer. If Any of the Above Symptoms or Other Symptoms That Are Troublesome to the Patient Occur, They Should Consult Their Doctor.
If the Patient Has Any Further Doubts About the Use of This Medication, They Should Consult Their Doctor or Pharmacist.
Like All Medications, Alventa Can Cause Adverse Reactions, Although Not Everybody Gets Them.
If Any of the Following Adverse Reactions Occur, the Patient Should Stop Taking Alventa and Immediately Contact Their Doctor or Go to the Hospital.
If Any of the Following Adverse Reactions Occur, the Patient Should Consult Their Doctor.
(The Frequency of These Adverse Reactions Is Listed Below in the Section "Other Adverse Reactions"):
Alventa May Sometimes Cause Adverse Reactions That the Patient Is Not Aware Of, Such as Increased Blood Pressure or Abnormal Heart Function; Slight Changes in Sodium, Cholesterol, or Liver Enzyme Levels in the Blood. In Even Rarer Cases, Alventa May Affect Platelet Function, Leading to an Increased Risk of Bruising or Bleeding. Therefore, the Doctor May Recommend Blood Tests from Time to Time, Especially During Long-Term Treatment with Alventa.
If Any Adverse Reactions Occur, Including Any Adverse Reactions Not Listed in This Leaflet, the Patient Should Inform Their Doctor or Pharmacist. Adverse Reactions Can Be Reported Directly to the Department of Medicinal Product Monitoring, Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products, Al. Jerozolimskie 181C, 02-222 Warsaw, Tel.: +48 22 49 21 301, Fax: +48 22 49 21 309, Website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl.
Reporting Adverse Reactions Will Help Gather More Information on the Safety of This Medication.
The Medication Should Be Stored Out of Sight and Reach of Children.
Do Not Use This Medication After the Expiration Date Stated on the Packaging. The Expiration Date Refers to the Last Day of the Specified Month.
There Are No Special Storage Instructions.
Medications Should Not Be Disposed of in Sewers or Household Waste. The Patient Should Ask Their Pharmacist How to Dispose of Medications They No Longer Need. This Will Help Protect the Environment.
Orange-Brown Capsules Filled with White to Almost White Pellets.
30 or 60 Prolonged-Release Hard Capsules in PVC-PVDC/Aluminum Blisters, in a Cardboard Box.
For More Detailed Information, the Patient Should Contact the Marketing Authorization Holder or the Parallel Importer.
KRKA, d.d., Novo mesto, Šmarješka cesta 6, 8501 Novo mesto, Slovenia
KRKA, d.d., Novo mesto, Šmarješka cesta 6, 8501 Novo mesto, Slovenia
InPharm Sp. z o.o.
ul. Strumykowa 28/11
03-138 Warsaw
Pharma Innovations Sp. z o.o.
ul. Jagiellońska 76
03-301 Warsaw
InPharm Sp. z o.o. Services sp. k.
ul. Chełmżyńska 249
04-458 Warsaw
Romanian Marketing Authorization Number:4317/2012/05
Parallel Import Authorization Number:54/19
This Medication Is Authorized for Marketing in the Member States of the European Economic Area Under the Following Names:
Czech Republic | Olwexya |
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden | Venlafaxin Krka |
Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovakia | Alventa |
Spain | Venlafaxina Retard Krka |
Netherlands | Venlafaxine retard Krka |
Portugal | Venlafaxina Krka |
[Information About the Trademark]
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