Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S

Description

About

Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is an anti-depressant belonging to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).  It is prescribed to adults for the treatment of anxiety or obsessive-compulsive/panic disorders and other major depressive disorders. Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is chemically composed of Venlafaxine, available as oral tablets to be taken strictly under doctor’s prescription.

Venlafaxine contained in the Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S imposes mood-elevating effects as it increases the levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine (mood elevators) by blocking their re-uptake by the neuron, thereby maintaining its availability for a longer time period than usual. 

Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S can be prescribed to adults 18 years and above, the dosage of which depends on age, the severity of the condition, the patient’s response to medicine, and their comorbidities.  Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is started on low doses which are gradually increased.  It can take 4-6 weeks or sometimes longer for Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S to start showing effects. Abrupt withdrawal of Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S can cause withdrawal symptoms for which reason it is tapered down gradually before stopping the treatment altogether. The most common side effects of this medication are nausea, headache, drowsiness, and dizziness. Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is associated with a greater risk of suicidal attempts, so it must be used with caution. 

Indications

Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is prescribed to adults 18 years and above and it is used in the treatment of:

• Major depressive disorders
• Panic disorder
• obsessive-compulsive
• generalized anxiety disorder

How does Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S work

Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S helps improve mood and restore emotional balance. Venlafaxine contained in the Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S imposes an inhibitory action on the reuptake of neurotransmitters. The reuptake phenomenon is a natural occurrence in neurons, where neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine are reabsorbed by the neuron after their release.  Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S blocks this reuptake and consequently, increases levels of these mood-stabilizing neurotransmitters in the brain.

How to use Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S

Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is available in the form of oral tablets. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water along with a meal. In general, the treatment with Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is started at the lowest effective dose which is gradually increased in dosage over a time period of weeks as tolerance develops. Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is usually prescribed to be taken once a day for depression Tolerance is common to develop with such drugs, dosage is titrated accordingly to match the therapeutic dose. 

Available Potency and forms of Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S 

Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S  is available in tablet and capsule forms in immediate release, sustained/ or extended-release formulations. The difference being in the release timings of the chemical in patient’s body after intake, which consequently affects the therapeutic effects lasting longer. Extended and sustained release have more or less same action since they cause prolonged release in the body and require fewer dose as compared to regular drugs.

The following potencies are available:

• Tablet – 10 mg, 37.5 mg, 50 mg
• Sustained Realease Capsule (SR) – 75 mg
• Extended Realease Capsule (ER) – 75 mg, 150 mg

Adult Dose

Therapy for depression with Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S may be started with a low dose to be increased gradually in increments.

Depression: Starting dose – 37.5 mg/ day, orally twice

Anxiety disorder: 75 mg – orally once a day

The dose may be increased in increments, no sooner than 5-7 days, in increments of 75mg/day over a period of weeks

Maximum Safe  Dose  in Moderate depression 225 mg/day

Maximum Safe Dose in  Severe depression  375 mg/day

Pediatric Dose

Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is not safe to use in children below 18 years of age

Elderly dose 

Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S must be used with caution in patients aged 60 and above. Dose adjustment may be required in case of impaired renal or liver function. Your physician will set the dose most appropriate for your health status. 

Pregnancy use and lactation

Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is FDA pregnancy risk category C therefore if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, please consult your doctor. Also Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is secreted into human milk, if you are breastfeeding, please consult your doctor before taking Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S. It should not be taken during pregnancy due to potential harmful effects. 

Contraindications

Please inform your doctor if you have a history of any before using Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S:

• Allergic reaction to Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S or similar anticonvulsants
• Patients aged below 18 years 
• History of taking MAO inhibitors within last 14 days 
• History of suicidal tendency 
• Severe Liver impairment

Precautions‌ ‌

Please‌ ‌tell‌ ‌your‌ ‌doctor‌ ‌about‌ ‌any‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌following‌ ‌conditions‌ before starting or during the treatment with ‌Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S:‌ ‌

• In case of kidney disease before starting the treatment with ‌Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S check creatinine levels, which must be monitored during the treatment as well.
• Compromised liver function can also reduce the amount of being removed from the body, in case of a liver disease discuss with your doctor
• In case you have been on antidepressants “MAO inhibitors” wait for at least 2 weeks before starting therapy with ‌Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S. 
• Please inform your doctor if you have been taking any other antidepressants, this may put you at risk of serotonin syndrome (characterized by mental confusion, palpitations, restlessness, muscle stiffness, etc.)
• In diabetic patients, ‌Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S  may interfere with blood sugar levels, monitor your sugar levels regularly during the therapy
• Elderly patients (65 years and above) should exercise caution, dose adjustment may be done by the doctor
• Alcohol consumption potentiates the side effects, it must be avoided with ‌Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S
• Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S has a slow onset of therapeutic effects and may take up to 4-6 weeks 
• ‌Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S has sedative effects which may induce drowsiness, avoid driving/riding a bike or operating any heavy machinery, sharp tools till you feel better
• While on treatment with ‌Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S patients must be monitored closely for any unusual behavioral changes
• ‌Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S may increase the risk of suicidal tendency, caution is advised

Interaction with other medications

Certain medications could interact with Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S and may increase or decrease its absorption, in which case, your doctor might alter your dosage. A few of these interacting drugs are given below:

• Other anti-depressants like MAO inhibitors
• Aspirin 
• Anticagulants like clopidogrel, warfarin,coumadin
• Cimetidine 
• Benzodiazepines 
• Lithium 
• Tramadol 
• Herbs affecting brain function like St John’s wort

Adverse Effects

Like most medicines, Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S has some side effects which include:

Common Side effects

• Nausea 
• Headache 
• Drowsiness 
• Dizziness
• Sedation 
• Dry mouth

Rare side effects

• Anaphylactic reaction 
• Blurred vision
• Insomnia
• Muscle stiffness
• Fatigue 
• fever/ chills
• Abnormal or absence of motor coordination
• Arrhythmias 
• Itching/redness of eyes 
• Seizures 
• Palpitations 
• Hallucinations
• Hyponatremia 
• Altered blood cell count
• Behavior changes 
• Photosensitivity
• Mild skin rash  

List Of How To Deal With Adverse Effects

• Dry Mouth- Can be helped by sipping water throughout the day, chewing sugarless gum, using alcohol-free mouthwash, allowing ice to melt in the mouth, or using a saliva substitute.
• Fatigue- Patients experiencing this adverse effect are advised to take deep breaths, intake tea or coffee, get a good night’s rest, and not overburden themselves for a few days.
• Feeling drowsy – If the medication makes you feel drowsy or sleepy, stop what you’re doing and sit or lie down until you feel better and do not rise too fast or immediately from a sitting or lying down position to a standing posture. Do not drive or use tools or machinery in case of any of these effects.
• Headaches – In which case make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid the use of alcohol. Take a prescribed painkiller. Consult your doctor if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe
• Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting) or diarrhea –Avoid eating rich or spicy food. It might help to take medication after food. If you’re sick, try drinking small, frequent sips of water.. 
• Feeling dizzy (lightheaded) or weak – If the medication makes you feel dizzy or weak, stop what you’re doing and sit or lie down until you feel better and do not rise too fast or immediately from sitting or lying down position to a standing posture. Do not drive or use tools or machinery in case of any of these effects.
• Muscular Aches And Pains- A hot or cold compress can be placed at the area of discomfort to bring relief; an over-the-counter pain reliever such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be ingested to bring ease as well. Avoid high-intensity exercise while suffering from muscular pain.
• Flatulence – This can be eased by consuming smaller, more frequent meals that don’t trigger your flatulence. Getting a minimum of 30 minutes of daily exercise has shown great results in combating flatulence. 
• Heartburn – Can be dealt with by chewing on mint-flavored gum that’ll help neutralize the acid in the body. Standing up straighter, adding ginger to the daily diet, elevating the patient’s upper body, and having licorice supplements has shown to provide relief.
• Skin Rash – Can be eased by applying soothing and healing lotions or creams such as calamine lotion/cream. Apply a cold compress to the rash to help reduce itchiness and redness caused by the rash. An antihistamine (prescribed by a doctor) is also recommended as an effective way to combat any skin rash.
• Change in taste – This tends to go away as soon as the patient stops taking the medicine but while treatment; saltwater with baking soda (half a teaspoon of salt and baking soda in water) rinses and chewing on sugar-free gum can help dissipate the change in taste.
• Blurred vision – This side effect tends to go away on its own in a few days; patients are advised to not operate heavy machinery or drive any motorized vehicles in the meantime.If blurred vision persists, please contact your doctor.
• Dehydration – Patients are recommended to always care around a water bottle with them wherever they go and periodically keep sipping to prevent thirst and extremely dry mouth. Ice pops in hot weather and energy drinks (verified by the doctor) are helpful in combating dehydration.
• Flu-like symptoms – To manage symptoms, patients are advised to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest and sleep. Take an antihistamine, a nasal decongestant, or a lozenge to feel better when needed.
• Redness Of The Skin – This can be combated by applying a cold pack to the affected area.
• Photosensitivity – Patients are asked to wear sun-protective clothing when going outside including gloves and hats, to apply generous amounts of broad-spectrum sunblock along with wearing sunglasses. Patients are advised to do all necessary work after sunset so as to reduce or eliminate sun exposure while undergoing treatment with Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S.
• Fever- Patients are asked to ingest over the counter painkillers (such as Paracetamol), partake in plenty of fluids, and rest for a couple of days till the symptoms pass

FAQs

# 1. What Exactly Does Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S Do?

Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is an anti-depressant that helps overcome anxiety and depression by enhancing mood-stabilizing chemicals in the brain. It is prescribed to adults for the treatment of anxiety or obsessive-compulsive/panic disorders and other major depressive disorders.

# 2. How Long Does It Take For Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S To Start Working?

Normally it takes 4-6weeks or more for Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S to show its full effects.

# 3. How Long Will I Have To Take Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S For?

Time duration depends on why you’re taking Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S. Consult your physician for this, Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S can be taken for longer periods of time safely. 

# 4. Can I Stop Taking Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S On My Own?

Do not just stop taking the medicine, make sure to complete your treatment course even if you feel better. Stopping it suddenly may cause withdrawal problems like difficulty sleeping, nausea, vomiting, irritability, sweating, etc. 

# 5. Is Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S Highly Addictive?

No, it is not considered to be highly addictive; but still, drug abuse (self-prescription for emotional healing) and overdosing are possible. Stopping the medicine abruptly can cause undesirable withdrawal symptoms.

# 6. Can I Drink Alcohol With Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S?

Consuming alcohol when taking Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S may cause excessive drowsiness and could increase the risk of liver damage, hence should be avoided. 

# 7. What If I Take Too Much Of Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S?

If you have taken too much of the prescribed Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S you may experience symptoms of overdose, for example, fast pounding, irregular heartbeat, upset stomach, blurred vision, fainting, dizziness, seizures, or a life-threatening skin rash. Contact your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms. 

# 8. What If I Forget To Take Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S?

Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S is taken once a day you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless it’s less than 12 hours until your next dose, in which case you should skip the missed dose. If it helps to remind you, set an alarm or use a pill organizer or a mobile application so you do not miss any dose. Make sure to complete your course of treatment even if you feel better and think you do not need to take it anymore.

# 9. Can I Take Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S DURING Pregnancy Or Breastfeeding?

Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S has a safety concern for pregnant and lactating females. If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, please consult your doctor before using Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S. If you are breastfeeding, please consult your doctor before taking Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S. 

# 10. Can The Use Of Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S Cause Drowsiness?

It causes drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue (tiredness), and visual disturbances. If you experience any of these symptoms avoid driving or operating heavy machinery or sharp tools.

# 11. Can I Drive Or Ride A Bike After Taking Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S?

Usually  Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S  is known to cause drowsiness and dizziness so make sure you know how your body reacts while using ‘product’. Do not drive or use any machinery until you feel normal again

# 12. How Should Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S Be Stored?

Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat, direct sunlight, and moisture. Make sure it is not consumed by pets, children, and other people. Dispose of the unused medicine. 

# 13. Can Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S Affect My Sexual Activity?

Sexual dysfunction may occur with Vendep 50mg Tablet 20 ‘S in some patients. It may cause a decrease in libido in some patients. You must discuss this with your consultant before starting.