Effexor XR Dosage

Generic name: venlafaxine
Drug class: Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

Medically reviewed by  A Ras MD.

Recommended Adult Dosing

Dosage forms:  ER CAP: 37.5 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg

Major depressive disorder

[75-225 mg PO qd]

Start: 37.5-75 mg PO qd, may incr. by up to 75 mg/day no more frequently than q4 days; Max: 225 mg/day; Info: give w/ food; may open cap, but do not cut/crush/chew/dissolve contents; taper dose by no more than 75 mg/wk to D/C

Generalized anxiety disorder

[75-225 mg PO qd]

Start: 37.5-75 mg PO qd, may incr. by up to 75 mg/day no more frequently than q4 days; Max: 225 mg/day; Info: give w/ food; may open cap, but do not cut/crush/chew/dissolve contents; taper dose by no more than 75 mg/wk to D/C

Social anxiety disorder

[75 mg PO qd]

Info: no proven additional benefit at doses >75 mg/day; give w/ food; may open cap, but do not cut/crush/chew/dissolve contents

Panic disorder

[75-225 mg PO qd]

Start: 37.5 mg PO qd x7 days, then 75 mg PO qd x7 days, then may incr. by up to 75 mg/day no more frequently than q7 days; Max: 225 mg/day; Info: give w/ food; may open cap, but do not cut/crush/chew/dissolve contents; taper dose by no more than 75 mg/wk to D/C

Migraine headache prophylaxis

[150 mg PO qd]

Start: 37.5 mg PO qd, incr. dose q3 days; Max: 150 mg/day; Info: give w/ food; may open cap, but do not cut/crush/chew/dissolve contents; taper dose by no more than 75 mg/wk to D/C

Post-traumatic stress disorder

[37.5-300 mg PO qd]

Start: 37.5 mg PO qd, may incr. by 75 mg/day q4-7 days; Max: 375 mg/day; Info: give w/ food; may open cap, but do not cut/crush/chew/dissolve contents; taper dose by no more than 75 mg/wk to D/C

Neuropathic pain, diabetic

[75-225 mg PO qd]

Start: 37.5 mg PO qd x7 days, then 75 mg PO qd x7 days, then may incr. by 75 mg/day q7 days; Max: 225 mg/day; Info: give w/ food; may open cap, but do not cut/crush/chew/dissolve contents; taper dose by no more than 75 mg/wk to D/C

Cataplexy

[75-300 mg PO qd]

Start: 37.5 mg PO qd, may incr. by 75 mg/day q4-7 days; Max: 375 mg/day; Info: give w/ food; may open cap, but do not cut/crush/chew/dissolve contents; taper dose by no more than 75 mg/wk to D/C

Renal dosing

[adjust dose amount]

CrCl 30-89: decr. usual dose by 25-50%; CrCl <30: decr. usual dose by at least 50%

HD: decr. usual dose by at least 50%; no supplement after dialysis; PD: decr. usual dose by 50%; no supplement

Hepatic dosing

[adjust dose amount]

Child-Pugh Class A or B: decr. dose 50%; Child-Pugh Class C or cirrhosis: decr. dose at least 50%

Recommended Peds Dosing

Dosage forms:  ER CAP: 37.5 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg

Major depressive disorder

[12 yo and older]

Dose: 37.5-150 mg PO qd; Start: 37.5 mg PO qd, may incr. by 37.5 mg/day qwk; Max: 225 mg/day; Info: not 1st line tx; give w/ food; may open cap, but do not cut/crush/chew/dissolve contents; taper dose by no more than 75 mg/wk to D/C

Generalized anxiety disorder

[7 yo and older]

Dose: 75-225 mg PO qd; Start: 37.5 mg PO qd, incr. by 37.5 mg/day q4-7 days; Info: give w/ food; may open cap, but do not cut/crush/chew/dissolve contents; taper dose by no more than 75 mg/wk to D/C

Cataplexy

[5 yo and older]

Dose: 37.5-150 mg PO qd; Start: 37.5 mg PO qd, may incr. by 37.5 mg/day q4-7 days; Max: 300 mg/day; Info: give w/ food; may open cap, but do not cut/crush/chew/dissolve contents; taper dose by no more than 75 mg/wk to D/C

Renal dosing

[not defined]

renal impairment: consider adult renal dosing for guidance

HD/PD: consider adult renal dosing for guidance

Hepatic dosing

[not defined]

hepatic impairment: consider adult hepatic dosing for guidance

SRC: NLM .