Alventa

Leaflet accompanying the packaging: patient information

Warning! Keep the leaflet! Information on the immediate packaging in a foreign language.

Alventa, 75 mg, prolonged-release hard capsules

Venlafaxine

You should carefully read the contents of the leaflet before taking the medicine, as it contains important information for the patient.

• You should keep this leaflet, so that you can read it again if you need to.
• In case of any doubts, you should consult a doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed specifically for you. Do not pass it on to others. The medicine may harm another person, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If the patient experiences any side effects, including any side effects not listed in this leaflet, they should tell their doctor or pharmacist. See section 4.

Table of contents of the leaflet

• 1. What is Alventa and what is it used for
• 2. Important information before taking Alventa
• 3. How to take Alventa
• 4. Possible side effects
• 5. How to store Alventa
• 6. Contents of the packaging and other information

1. What is Alventa and what is it used for

Alventa contains the active substance venlafaxine.
Alventa is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of medicines called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Medicines in this group are used to treat depression and other conditions such as anxiety disorders. It is thought that in people with depression and/or anxiety, there is a lower level of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. The mechanism of action of antidepressants is not fully understood, but they may help by increasing the levels 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 correctly. If the treatment is not started, the patient's condition may not improve, may worsen, and will be much more difficult to treat.

2. Important information before taking Alventa

When not to take Alventa

• If the patient is allergic to venlafaxine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• If the patient is taking, or has taken within the last 14 days, any irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors (IMAOs) used to treat depression or Parkinson's disease. Taking irreversible IMAOs with Alventa may cause serious or even life-threatening side effects. Also, before starting to take any IMAO, the patient should wait at least 7 days after stopping Alventa (see also section "Alventa and other medicines" and the information in this section on serotonin syndrome).

Warnings and precautions

Before starting to take Alventa, the patient should discuss the following with their doctor or pharmacist:

• If the patient is taking other medicines that may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome when taken with Alventa (see section "Alventa and other medicines").
• If the patient has eye diseases, such as certain types of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eyeball).
• If the patient has a history of high blood pressure.
• If the patient has a history of heart disease.
• If the patient has a history of heart rhythm disorders.
• If the patient has a history of seizures (epilepsy).
• If the patient has a history of low sodium levels in the blood (hyponatremia).
• If the patient has a tendency to bruise or bleed (bleeding disorders in the past) or if the patient is pregnant (see section "Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility") or if the patient is taking other medicines that may increase the risk of bleeding, such as warfarin (used to prevent blood clots).
• If the patient has increased cholesterol levels.
• If the patient or any of their relatives has a history of mania or bipolar disorder (feeling excessively excited or euphoric).
• If the patient has a history of aggressive behavior.

Alventa may cause feelings of anxiety or inability to sit or stand still during the first few weeks of treatment. If such symptoms occur, the patient should inform their doctor.
The patient should not drink alcohol during treatment with Alventa, as this may cause extreme fatigue and loss of consciousness. Taking Alventa with alcohol and/or certain other medicines may increase the risk of worsening 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 thoughts or behavior may worsen when starting to take antidepressants, as these medicines may start to work only after about 2 weeks, sometimes later. Such thoughts may also occur when reducing the dose or when stopping Alventa.
These thoughts of suicide or self-harm are more likely to occur in:

• patients who have had such thoughts before;
• young adults. Clinical trial data have shown an increased risk of suicidal behavior in people under 25 with mental disorders who were treated with antidepressants.

If the patient experiences thoughts of self-harm or suicide, they should immediately contact their doctor or go to the hospital emergency department.
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 them to tell them if they notice that their depression or anxiety has worsened or if there are any worrying changes in their behavior.
Sexual dysfunction
Medicines like Alventa (SSRIs or SNRIs) may cause sexual dysfunction (see section 4). In some cases, these symptoms have persisted after stopping treatment.
Dry mouth
Dry mouth is reported by 10% of patients treated with venlafaxine. This may increase the risk of tooth decay. Therefore, the patient should pay special attention to oral hygiene.
Diabetes
Alventa may affect blood sugar levels, and it may be necessary to adjust the dose of antidiabetic medicines.
Children and adolescents
Alventa should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
It should also be noted that patients under 18 years of age who take medicines in this group are at increased risk of side effects, such as suicidal attempts, suicidal thoughts, and hostility (especially aggression, rebellious behavior, and manifestations of anger).
However, the doctor may prescribe this medicine to patients under 18 years of age if they consider it beneficial for them. If the doctor has prescribed this medicine 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. There is also no long-term safety data on the effects on growth, maturation, and development of cognitive and behavioral functions in this age group.

Alventa and other medicines

The patient should tell their doctor or pharmacist about all medicines they are taking, have recently taken, or might take.
The doctor will decide whether to prescribe Alventa with other medicines.
The patient should not start or stop taking other medicines, including those available without a prescription, herbal, or natural products, without consulting their doctor or pharmacist first.

• Irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors used to treat depression or Parkinson's disease should not be taken with Alventa. The patient should tell their doctor if they have taken these medicines within the last 14 days (IMAO; see section "Important information before taking Alventa").
• Serotonin syndrome: During treatment with venlafaxine, a potentially life-threatening condition or a neuroleptic malignant syndrome-like reaction (see section "Possible side effects") may occur, especially when taken with medicines such as:
• triptans (used to treat migraine headaches);
• other medicines used to treat depression, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, or lithium-containing medicines;
• medicines containing amphetamine derivatives (used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and obesity);
• medicines containing the antibiotic linezolid (used to treat infections);
• medicines containing the reversible IMAO, moclobemide (used to treat depression);
• medicines containing sibutramine (used for weight loss);
• medicines containing opioids (e.g., buprenorphine, tramadol, fentanyl, tapentadol, pethidine, or pentazocine) used to treat severe pain;
• medicines containing dextromethorphan (used to treat cough);
• medicines containing methadone (used to treat opioid addiction or severe pain);
• medicines containing methylene blue (used to treat high levels of methemoglobin in the blood);
• medicines containing St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum, herbal or natural products used to treat mild depression);
• medicines containing tryptophan (used for sleep problems and depression);
• antipsychotic medicines (used to treat conditions with symptoms such as hearing, seeing, or feeling things that do not exist, delusions, unnatural suspicion, abnormal perceptions, and judgments).

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, increased reflexes (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, increased levels of muscle enzymes (detected in blood tests).
If serotonin syndrome is suspected, the patient should immediately tell their doctor or go to the hospital emergency department.
If the patient is taking medicines that may affect heart rhythm, they should inform their doctor. Examples of such medicines:

• antiarrhythmic medicines, such as quinidine, amiodarone, sotalol, or dofetilide (used to treat heart rhythm disorders),
• antipsychotic medicines, such as thioridazine (see above - serotonin syndrome),
• antibiotics, such as erythromycin or moxifloxacin (used to treat bacterial infections),
• antihistamines (used to treat allergies).

The following medicines may also interact with Alventa, and the patient should take them with caution. It is especially important to inform the doctor if the patient is taking medicines containing:

• ketokonazole (an antifungal medicine);
• haloperidol or risperidone (medicines used to treat mental disorders);
• metoprolol (a beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease).

Alventa with food, drink, and alcohol

Alventa should be taken with food (see section 3 "How to take Alventa").
The patient should not drink alcohol during treatment with Alventa. Taking Alventa with alcohol may cause extreme fatigue and loss of consciousness, as well as worsening of depression and other conditions, such as anxiety disorders.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility

If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, thinks they may be pregnant, or plans to have a baby, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
Alventa should only be used after discussing the potential benefits and risks with the doctor.
Taking Alventa in the last trimester 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 that they can provide appropriate advice.
The patient should inform their doctor and/or midwife about taking Alventa. Taking similar medicines 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 bluish discoloration. These symptoms usually occur within the first day of life. If such symptoms occur in the newborn, the patient should immediately contact their doctor and/or midwife.
If the patient is taking this medicine during pregnancy, their baby may experience, in addition to breathing difficulties, problems with feeding after birth. 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. There is a risk of an effect on the baby. Therefore, the patient should discuss this with their doctor, and the doctor will decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop treatment with this medicine.

Driving and using machines

The patient should not drive or operate machinery until they know how this medicine affects them.

Alventa contains sucrose

If the patient has been told by their doctor that they have an intolerance to some sugars, they should consult their doctor before taking this medicine.

3. How to take Alventa

The patient should always take this medicine exactly as their doctor or pharmacist has told them. If they are not sure, they should ask their doctor or pharmacist.
Alventa is available in the following strengths: 37.5 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg.
The recommended starting dose for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia is 75 mg once daily. The dose may be increased gradually by the doctor if necessary, up to a maximum dose of 375 mg once daily for depression. For panic disorder, treatment should be started with a lower dose (37.5 mg) and then gradually increased. The maximum dose for generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and panic disorder is 225 mg once daily.
Alventa should be taken once daily, at approximately 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 it may be necessary to adjust the dose.
The patient should not stop taking this medicine without consulting their doctor (see section "Stopping Alventa").

Taking more than the recommended dose of Alventa

If the patient has taken more than the recommended dose of this medicine, they should immediately contact their doctor.
Overdose may be life-threatening, especially when taken with alcohol and/or certain other medicines (see section "Alventa and other medicines").
Symptoms of possible overdose may include rapid heart rate, changes in consciousness (from drowsiness to coma), changes in vision, seizures or convulsions, and vomiting.

Missing a dose of Alventa

If the patient misses a dose, they should take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, they should skip the missed dose and take only one dose at the usual time. The patient should not take a double dose of the medicine to make up for the missed dose. The patient should not take more than the prescribed daily dose of Alventa in a single day.

Stopping Alventa

The patient should not stop 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 tell the patient how to gradually reduce the dose before completely stopping treatment. In patients stopping Alventa, especially when treatment is stopped abruptly or the dose is reduced too quickly, side effects may occur, such as suicidal thoughts, aggression, feeling tired, dizziness, feeling empty-headed, headache, insomnia, nightmares, dry mouth, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, nervousness, restlessness, confusion, 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 taking Alventa. This may take several weeks or months. In some patients, it may be necessary to stop the medicine very gradually over several months or longer. If the patient experiences any of the above symptoms or other symptoms that are troublesome, they should consult their doctor.
If the patient has any further questions about the use of this medicine, they should ask their doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Alventa can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If the patient experiences any of the following side effects, they should stop taking Alventa and contact their doctor immediately or go to the hospital emergency department:

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, or feet, and/or a raised, itchy rash (hives), difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

• chest pain, wheezing, difficulty swallowing or breathing,
• severe skin rash, itching, or hives (red or pale raised rash, often itchy),
• symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include: restlessness, hallucinations, loss of coordination, rapid heart rate, elevated body temperature, rapid changes in blood pressure, increased reflexes (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, increased levels of muscle enzymes (detected in blood tests).
• symptoms of infection, such as high fever, chills, shivering, headache, sweating, flu-like symptoms. This may be due to a blood disorder that increases the risk of infection.
• severe skin rash, which may lead to severe blistering and peeling of the skin,
• muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness of unknown cause. These may be symptoms of rhabdomyolysis.

Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

• symptoms of a condition called "stress cardiomyopathy", which may include: chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, irregular heartbeat.

If the patient experiences any of the following side effects, they should contact their doctor.
(The frequency of these side effects has been reported as follows in section "Other side effects"):

• cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath, which may be accompanied by high fever,
• black (tar-like) stools or blood in stools,
• itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or dark urine, which may be signs of liver inflammation,
• heart rhythm disorders, such as rapid or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure,
• eye disorders, such as blurred vision, dilated pupils,
• nervous system disorders, such as dizziness, tingling, coordination problems (muscle spasms or stiffness), seizures or convulsions,
• psychiatric disorders, such as excessive restlessness and feeling unnatural excitement,
• withdrawal symptoms (see sections "How to take Alventa" and "Stopping Alventa"),
• prolonged bleeding time - in case of injury, the bleeding time may be slightly longer than usual.

Other side effects

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

• dizziness, headache, drowsiness,
• insomnia,
• nausea, dry mouth, constipation,
• sweating (including night sweats).

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• decreased appetite,
• confusion, depersonalization (feeling of being detached from reality), lack of orgasm, decreased libido, restlessness, nervousness, unusual dreams,
• tremor, feeling of anxiety or inability to sit or stand still, tingling, taste disturbances, increased muscle tone,
• vision disturbances, including blurred vision, dilated pupils, inability of the eye to accommodate (automatic change in focus from distant to near objects),
• ringing in the ears (tinnitus),
• rapid heartbeat, palpitations,
• increased blood pressure, sudden flushing, especially of the face,
• shortness of breath, yawning,
• vomiting, diarrhea,
• mild skin rash, itching,
• increased frequency of urination, inability to urinate, difficulty urinating,
• menstrual irregularities, such as heavy or irregular bleeding, sexual dysfunction (e.g., erectile dysfunction, anorgasmia),
• weakness (asthenia), fatigue, chills,
• weight gain or loss,
• increased cholesterol levels.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• excessive excitement, racing thoughts, and reduced need for sleep (mania),
• hallucinations, depersonalization (feeling of being detached from reality), orgasm disturbances, apathy, feeling of excessive excitement, teeth grinding,
• fainting, uncontrolled movements, coordination problems,
• dizziness (especially when standing up too quickly), low blood pressure,
• vomiting blood, black (tar-like) stools, or blood in stools, which may be signs of internal bleeding,
• increased sensitivity to light, bruising, excessive hair loss,
• urinary incontinence,
• stiffness, muscle spasms, and involuntary movements,
• mild changes in liver enzyme activity in the blood.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

• seizures,
• cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath, which may be accompanied by high fever,
• confusion and disorientation, often with hallucinations (delirium),
• syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH),
• low sodium levels in the blood,
• severe eye pain and decreased vision or blurred vision,
• abnormal or rapid heartbeat, which may lead to fainting,
• severe abdominal or back pain (which may indicate serious problems with the intestines, liver, or pancreas),
• itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or flu-like symptoms, which may be signs of liver inflammation.

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

• prolonged bleeding, which may be a sign of low platelet count, increasing the risk of bruising or bleeding,
• inappropriate milk production in women,
• unexpected bleeding, such as bleeding from the gums, blood in urine or vomit, or unexpected bruising or broken blood vessels (broken veins).

Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

• suicidal thoughts and behaviors, during treatment with venlafaxine or shortly after stopping treatment, there have been reports of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (see section 2 "Important information before taking Alventa"),
• aggressive behavior,
• dizziness,
• severe postpartum hemorrhage, occurring shortly after delivery (postpartum hemorrhage), for more information, see section 2 "Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility".

Alventa may sometimes cause side effects that the patient may not be aware of, such as increased blood pressure or abnormal heart rhythm; mild changes in sodium, cholesterol, or liver enzyme levels in the blood. In rare cases, Alventa may affect platelet function, leading to an increased risk of bruising or bleeding. Therefore, the doctor may recommend regular blood tests, especially during long-term treatment with Alventa.

Reporting side effects

If the patient experiences any side effects, including any side effects not listed in the leaflet, they should tell their doctor or pharmacist. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Drug Safety, 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.
By reporting side effects, more information can be collected on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Alventa

The medicine should be stored out of the sight and reach of children.
The patient should not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month stated.
There are no special precautions for storage.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. The patient should ask their pharmacist how to dispose of medicines they no longer need. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the packaging and other information

What Alventa contains

• The active substance is venlafaxine. Each prolonged-release hard capsule contains 75 mg of venlafaxine, as venlafaxine hydrochloride.
• The other ingredients are: sucrose, pellets (sucrose, cornstarch), hydroxypropylcellulose, povidone K 30, ethylcellulose, dibutyl sebacate, talc.
• The ingredients of the capsule shell are: gelatin, iron oxide red (E 172), titanium dioxide (E 171), iron oxide yellow (E 172). See section 2 "Alventa contains sucrose".

What Alventa looks like and contents of the pack

Light pink capsules filled with white to almost white pellets.

Packaging:

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.

Marketing authorization holder in Romania, the country of export:

KRKA, d.d., Novo mesto, Šmarješka cesta 6, 8501 Novo mesto, Slovenia

Manufacturer:

KRKA, d.d., Novo mesto, Šmarješka cesta 6, 8501 Novo mesto, Slovenia

Parallel importer:

InPharm Sp. z o.o.
ul. Strumykowa 28/11
03-138 Warsaw

Repackaged by:

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, country of export:4316/2012/05
Parallel import authorization number:53/19
This medicinal product is authorized in the Member States of the European Economic Area under the following names:

Date of revision of the leaflet: 12.02.2024

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