MedWatch Alert: Fatal Overdoses With Effexor

The FDA has issued a MedWatch Safety Alert to healthcare professionals about the risk of fatal overdoses occurring in patients taking Effexor and Effexor XR. Effexor (venlafaxine HCI) is an SNRI antidepressant.

According to Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, manufacturers of Effexor, patients who overdose on Effexor may have a higher risk of death than patients who overdose on SSRI’s, but a lower risk of death than those who overdose with tricyclic antidepressants. They also point out that reported overdoses usually occurred in combination with alcohol or other drugs.

As with any medication, you should always be careful to take Effexor exactly as prescribed and make sure your doctor knows about all other medications and supplements you take. You should avoid drinking alcohol when you are taking Effexor or any other antidepressant, as it can increase the side effects – sometimes to dangerous levels.