venlafaxine
Efectin ER contains the active substance venlafaxine.
Efectin ER is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of medicines called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These medicines are used to treat depression and other conditions, such as anxiety disorders. 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.
Efectin ER is used to treat depression in adults. Efectin ER 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 patient does not undergo treatment, their condition may not improve, may worsen, and will be much more difficult to treat.
Beforestarting treatment with Efectin ER, the patient should discuss it with their doctor or pharmacist:
Efectin ER may cause feelings of restlessness or an 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 while taking Efectin ER, as it may cause extreme fatigue and loss of consciousness. Taking Efectin ER with alcohol or certain other medicines may worsen symptoms of depression and other conditions, such as anxiety disorders.
Suicidal thoughts and worsening of depression or anxiety disorders
People with depression and/or anxiety disorders may sometimes have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Such thoughts may worsen when first taking antidepressant medicines, as these medicines may start working after 2 weeks, and sometimes later. These thoughts may also occur when reducing the dose or stopping Efectin ER.
The risk of suicidal thoughts is higher if:
If the patient experiences suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm, they should contact their doctor or go to the hospital immediately.
It may be helpful to inform relatives or friends about the depression or anxiety disorder and ask them to read this leaflet. The patient may ask relatives or friends for help and ask them to inform them if they notice that the depression or anxiety has worsened or if there are worrying changes in behavior.
Dry mouth
Dry mouth was reported by 10% of patients treated with venlafaxine. It may increase the risk of tooth decay. Therefore, the patient should take special care of their oral hygiene.
Diabetes
Efectin ER may affect blood sugar levels, and it may be necessary to adjust the dose of antidiabetic medicines.
Sexual function disorders
Medicines like Efectin ER (SNRIs) may cause sexual function disorders (see section 4). In some cases, these disorders persisted after stopping treatment.
Efectin ER 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 of this class are at increased risk of side effects, such as suicidal attempts, suicidal thoughts, and hostility (especially aggression, rebellious behavior, and anger). However, the doctor may prescribe this medicine to patients under 18 years of age if they consider it beneficial. If the doctor has prescribed this medicine to a patient under 18 years of age, and the patient has any doubts, they should discuss it with their doctor again. The patient should inform their doctor if any of these symptoms occur or worsen in patients under 18 years of age taking Efectin ER. The long-term safety of Efectin ER in this age group, regarding effects on growth, maturation, and cognitive and behavioral development, has not been established.
The patient should tell their doctor or pharmacist about all medicines they are taking, have recently taken, or plan to take.
The doctor will decide whether to use Efectin ER with other medicines.
The patient should not start or stop taking other medicines, including those available without a prescription, herbal products, or dietary supplements, without consulting their doctor or pharmacist first.
Subjective and objective symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include: restlessness, hallucinations, loss of coordination, rapid heart rate, elevated body temperature, rapid changes in blood pressure, overreactivity, diarrhea, coma, nausea, vomiting. The most severe form of serotonin syndrome may resemble neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome may include fever, rapid heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness, disorientation, elevated levels of muscle enzymes (detected in blood tests).
If the patient is taking medicines that may affect heart rhythm, they should tell their doctor. Examples of such medicines include:
The following medicines may also interact with Efectin ER, and the patient should use them with caution. It is especially important to inform the doctor if the patient is taking medicines containing:
Efectin ER should be taken with food (see section 3 "How to take Efectin ER").
The patient should not drink alcohol while taking Efectin ER. Taking Efectin ER with alcohol may cause extreme fatigue and loss of consciousness, as well as worsen symptoms of depression and other conditions, such as anxiety disorders.
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. Efectin ER should only be used after discussing the potential benefits and risks to the unborn child with the doctor.
Taking Efectin ER at the end of pregnancy may increase the risk of severe bleeding from the uterus, occurring shortly after delivery, especially if the patient has a history of bleeding disorders. If the patient is taking Efectin ER, they should inform their doctor or midwife so that they can provide appropriate advice.
Similar medicines (SSRIs) taken during pregnancy may increase the risk of a serious condition in children and/or infants, called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, which causes rapid breathing and bluish discoloration. These symptoms usually occur within 24 hours of birth. If the patient notices such symptoms in their child, they should contact the midwife and/or doctor immediately.
If the patient is taking this medicine during pregnancy, after birth, the child may experience, in addition to breathing difficulties, other symptoms such as poor feeding. 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.
Efectin ER passes into breast milk. There is a risk of affecting the child. Therefore, the patient should discuss this with their doctor, who will decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop treatment with Efectin ER.
The patient should not drive or operate machinery until they know how the medicine affects them.
The medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per capsule, which means it is essentially "sodium-free".
The patient should always take this medicine exactly as their doctor has told them. If they are unsure, they should ask their doctor or pharmacist.
Typically, the recommended starting dose for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and social phobia is 75 mg once daily. The doctor may gradually increase this dose 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 gradually increased. The maximum dose for generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and panic disorder is 225 mg once daily.
Efectin ER should be taken once daily, at approximately the same time, either 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.
Efectin ER should be taken with food.
The patient should inform their doctor about any liver or kidney problems, as they may need to adjust the dose.
The patient should not stop taking this medicine without consulting their doctor (see "Stopping Efectin ER").
If the patient has taken more than the recommended dose of Efectin ER, they should contact their doctor immediately.
Overdose can be life-threatening, especially when taken with alcohol and/or certain other medicines (see "Efectin ER and other medicines").
Symptoms of possible overdose may include rapid heart rate, changes in consciousness (from drowsiness to coma), vision disturbances, seizures, and vomiting.
If the patient misses a dose, they should take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for their 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 to make up for a missed dose. The patient should not take more than the daily dose of Efectin ER prescribed by their doctor in a 24-hour period.
The patient should not stop taking Efectin ER or reduce the dose without consulting their doctor, even if they feel better. If the doctor decides that it is possible to stop Efectin ER, they will tell the patient how to gradually reduce the dose before completely stopping treatment. When stopping treatment, especially after sudden discontinuation or too rapid dose reduction, the patient may experience side effects, such as suicidal thoughts, aggressive behavior, fatigue, dizziness, feeling empty-headed, headache, insomnia, nightmares, dry mouth, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, nervousness, agitation, disorientation, ringing in the ears, tingling or numbness, weakness, sweating, seizures, or flu-like symptoms, vision disturbances, 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 Efectin ER. This may take several weeks or months. In some patients, it may be necessary to stop the medicine very slowly over a period of several months or longer. If the patient experiences any of these symptoms or other symptoms that are troublesome, they should consult their doctor.
If the patient has any further doubts about taking this medicine, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, Efectin ER can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If the patient experiences any of the following side effects, they should stop taking Efectin ER and contact their doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency department:
If the patient experiences any of the following side effects, they should contact their doctor(the frequency of these side effects is given below in the "Other side effects" section):
Efectin ER may also cause side effects that the patient may not be aware of, such as increased blood pressure or abnormal heart rhythm; slight changes in liver enzyme activity, sodium, or cholesterol levels in the blood. In rare cases, Efectin ER may affect platelet function, increasing the risk of bruising or bleeding. Therefore, the doctor may recommend regular blood tests, especially during long-term treatment with Efectin ER.
If the patient experiences any side effects, including any side effects not listed in this leaflet, they should tell their doctor or pharmacist. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Drug Safety Monitoring, Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products,
Jerozolimskie Avenue 181C
02-222 Warsaw
Phone: +48 22 49 21 301
Fax: +48 22 49 21 309
Website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl
Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder or its representative.
Reporting side effects will help to gather more information on the safety of this medicine.
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 carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
The patient should not store the medicine above 30°C.
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.
The active substance is venlafaxine.
Efectin ER 37.5
Each prolonged-release hard capsule contains 42.43 mg of venlafaxine hydrochloride, equivalent to 37.5 mg of venlafaxine as a free base.
Other ingredients:
Capsule contents: microcrystalline cellulose, ethylcellulose 50 cps, hypromellose 3 cps, hypromellose 6 cps, talc
Capsule shell: gelatin, iron oxide black, red, and yellow (E 172), titanium dioxide (E 171)
Ink for capsule printing: shellac, iron oxide red (E 172), ammonium hydroxide, simethicone, propylene glycol
Efectin ER 75
Each prolonged-release hard capsule contains 84.85 mg of venlafaxine hydrochloride, equivalent to 75 mg of venlafaxine as a free base.
Other ingredients:
Capsule contents: microcrystalline cellulose, ethylcellulose 50 cps, hypromellose 3 cps, hypromellose 6 cps, talc
Capsule shell: gelatin, iron oxide red and yellow (E 172), titanium dioxide (E 171)
Ink for capsule printing: shellac, iron oxide red (E 172), ammonium hydroxide, simethicone, propylene glycol
Efectin ER 150
Each prolonged-release hard capsule contains 169.7 mg of venlafaxine hydrochloride, equivalent to 150 mg of venlafaxine as a free base.
Other ingredients:
Capsule contents: microcrystalline cellulose, ethylcellulose 50 cps, hypromellose 3 cps, hypromellose 6 cps, talc
Capsule shell: gelatin, iron oxide red and yellow (E 172), titanium dioxide (E 171)
Ink for capsule printing: shellac, sodium hydroxide (see section 2 "Efectin ER 150 contains sodium"), povidone, titanium dioxide (E 171), propylene glycol
Efectin ER 37.5 is a non-transparent, prolonged-release, hard capsule (gelatin) in a light gray and peach color, 15.9 mm x 5.82 mm in size, with a red print "W" and strength "37.5".
Efectin ER 37.5 is available in:
blister packs containing 7, 10, 14, 20, 21, 28, 30, 35, 50, 60, 100 and hospital packs containing 70 (10x7, 1x70) capsules
single-dose blister packs containing 14, 28, 84, 100 capsules
HDPE (high-density polyethylene) bottles containing 7, 14, 20, 21, 35, 50, 100 and hospital packs containing 70 capsules.
Efectin ER 75 is a non-transparent, prolonged-release, hard capsule (gelatin) in a peach color, 19.4 mm x 6.91 mm in size, with a red print "W" and strength "75".
Efectin ER 75 is available in:
blister packs containing 7, 10, 14, 15, 20, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 98, 100 and hospital packs containing 500 (10x50) and 1000 (10x100) capsules
single-dose blister packs containing 14, 28, 84, 100 capsules
HDPE (high-density polyethylene) bottles containing 14, 20, 50, 100 and hospital packs containing 500 and 1000 capsules.
Efectin ER 150 is a non-transparent, prolonged-release, hard capsule (gelatin) in a dark orange color, 23.5 mm x 7.65 mm in size, with a white print "W" and strength "150".
Efectin ER 150 is available in:
blister packs containing 7, 10, 14, 15, 20, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 98, 100 and hospital packs containing 500 (10x50) and 1000 (10x100) capsules
single-dose blister packs containing 14, 28, 84, 100 capsules
HDPE (high-density polyethylene) bottles containing 14, 20, 50, 100 and hospital packs containing 500 and 1000 capsules.
Pack sizes approved for marketing in Poland:
Efectin ER 37.5 – 10 or 30 capsules
Efectin ER 75 – 14, 28, 30 or 100 capsules
Efectin ER 150 – 14, 28, 30 or 100 capsules
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing authorization holder:
Upjohn EESV
Rivium Westlaan 142
2909 LD Capelle aan den IJssel
Netherlands
Manufacturer:
Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals
Little Connell
Newbridge
Co. Kildare
Ireland
Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH
Betriebsstätte Freiburg
Mooswaldallee 1
D-79090 Freiburg
Germany
Austria | Efectin ER 37,5 mg Kapseln Efectin ER 75 mg Kapseln Efectin ER 150 mg Kapseln |
Belgium, Luxembourg | Efexor-Exel 37,5 Efexor-Exel 75 |
Efexor-Exel 150 Efexor-Exel 225 | |
Bulgaria | Efectin ER 75 mg Efectin ER 150 mg |
Czech Republic | Efectin ER 37.5 mg Efectin ER 75 mg Efectin ER 150 mg |
Cyprus, Greece, Estonia, Lithuania, Portugal | Efexor XR |
Latvia | Efexor XR Efexor XR 75 Efexor XR 150 |
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden | Efexor Depot |
France | Effexor L.P. |
Germany | Trevilor retard 37.5 mg Trevilor retard 75 mg Trevilor retard 150 mg |
Ireland, Malta, United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) | Efexor XL |
Netherlands | Efexor XR 37.5 Efexor XR 75 Efexor XR 150 |
Italy | Efexor Faxine |
Poland | Efectin ER 37,5 Efectin ER 75 Efectin ER 150 |
Romania | Efectin EP 37.5 mg Efectin EP 75 mg Efectin EP 150 mg |
Slovenia | Efectin ER 37.5 mg trde kapsule s podaljšanim sproščanjem Efectin ER 75 mg trde kapsule s podaljšanim sproščanjem Efectin ER 150 mg trde kapsule s podaljšanim sproščanjem |
Spain | Vandral Retard 75 mg cápsulas de liberación prologada Vandral Retard 150 mg cápsulas de liberación prologada Vandral Retard 225 mg cápsulas de liberación prologada |
*[Not all medicines and their strengths may be marketed.]
To obtain more detailed information on this medicine, the patient should contact their local representative of the marketing authorization holder:
phone: 22 546 64 00
Date of last revision of the leaflet:07/2023
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