Consumer medicine information

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR

Venlafaxine

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR

Active ingredient

Venlafaxine

Schedule

S4

 

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using Sandoz Venlafaxine XR.

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules. It does not contain all the available information.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Sandoz Venlafaxine XR against the expected benefits it will have for you.

If you have any questions about Sandoz Venlafaxine XR, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with your Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules. You may need to read it again.

What Sandoz Venlafaxine XR is used for

What it does

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules are used in the treatment and prevention of relapse of depression and panic attacks and in the treatment of anxiety, including avoidance or fear of social situations.

Depression can affect your whole body and may cause emotional and physical symptoms such as feeling low in spirit, being unable to enjoy life, poor appetite or overeating, disturbed sleep, loss of sex drive, lack of energy and feeling guilty over nothing.

Excessive anxiety is a condition in which you feel constantly and uncontrollably worried and distressed. It may also make you feel irritable, and cause difficulty in thinking and sleeping. Other common symptoms associated with anxiety may include a dry mouth, a lump in the throat, cold clammy hands, diarrhoea and nausea.

Depression and anxiety are treatable illnesses. Anxiety or tension associated with the normal stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with medicines.

How it works

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR contains the active ingredient called venlafaxine hydrochloride. It belongs to a class of medications for depression and anxiety, called Serotonin-Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs).

Serotonin and noradrenaline are chemical messengers that allow certain nerves in the brain to work. Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules increase the level of these two messengers. Experts think this is how it helps to restore your feeling of wellness.

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR is not addictive.

It is available only with a doctor's prescription.

Use in Children

Do not give Sandoz Venlafaxine XR to children or adolescents under 18 years of age. The safety and effectiveness of Sandoz Venlafaxine XR in this age group have not been established.

Before you take Sandoz Venlafaxine XR

When you must not take Sandoz Venlafaxine XR

Do not take Sandoz Venlafaxine XR if you are taking other medications for depression known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or reversible MAOIs, even if you have stopped taking them now, but have taken them within the last 14 days.

Do not take Sandoz Venlafaxine XR if you are allergic to it or to any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

  • Rash, itching or hives on the skin
  • Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
  • Shortness of breath, wheezing or troubled breathing; difficulty swallowing.

Do not use Sandoz Venlafaxine XR after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.

Do not use Sandoz Venlafaxine XR if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal. If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.

Before you start to take Sandoz Venlafaxine XR

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Sandoz Venlafaxine XR is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Sandoz Venlafaxine XR if you are pregnant. One of these risks is that newborn babies whose mothers have been taking Sandoz Venlafaxine XR may have several problems including breathing difficulties, seizures and lack of oxygen in their blood.

If you take Sandoz Venlafaxine XR or similar anti-depressants mid to late in your pregnancy, you may develop a condition known as "preeclampsia", which is characterised by persistent high blood pressure during or after pregnancy. Symptoms of preeclampsia can include headaches, abdominal pain, shortness of breath or burning behind the sternum, nausea and vomiting, confusion, heightened state of anxiety, and/or visual disturbances such as oversensitivity to light, blurred vision, or seeing flashing spots or auras.

If you take Sandoz Venlafaxine XR or similar antidepressants in the last month of your pregnancy, you may experience heavy bleeding during and/or after delivery. Continuing treatment with Sandoz Venlafaxine XR or similar antidepressants during pregnancy should be strictly as directed by your doctor. Symptoms of a relapse may occur if treatment is discontinued, even if major depression was previously under control.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed. Sandoz Venlafaxine XR passes into breast milk and there is a possibility that the breast-fed baby may be affected. For this reason, the use of Sandoz Venlafaxine XR is not recommended in breast-feeding women.

Tell your doctor if you have, or have had, any medical conditions, especially the following:

  • A history of fits (seizures or convulsions)
  • A personal history or family history of bipolar disorder
  • A history of aggression
  • A history of restlessness or difficulty sitting still
  • Diabetes
  • Blood pressure problems
  • Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
  • A tendency to bleed more than normal or you are taking medicines to prevent blood clots
  • Raised cholesterol levels or you are taking medicines to lower cholesterol
  • Problems with your kidneys or liver
  • Problems with your heart, especially conditions causing irregular heartbeats.
    Your doctor may wish to do some heart tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or blood tests during treatment with Sandoz Venlafaxine XR.

Tell your doctor if you plan to have surgery.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you take Sandoz Venlafaxine XR.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take any other medicines, including:

  • all prescription medicines
  • medicines for weight loss
  • all medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements or natural therapies you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket, naturopath or health food shop.

Do not start to take any other medicine while you are taking Sandoz Venlafaxine XR, unless it is prescribed or approved by your doctor.

Some medicines may interfere with Sandoz Venlafaxine XR or Sandoz Venlafaxine XR may interfere with these medicines. These include:

  • Medications for depression known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (such as moclobemide, linezolid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine), even if you have stopped taking them now, but have taken them within the last 14 days. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.
  • Allow at least 7 days after stopping Sandoz Venlafaxine XR before starting a MAOI.
    Taking this medicine with a MAOI, or within 7 days of taking a MAOI, may cause a serious reaction with a sudden increase in body temperature, extremely high blood pressure and severe convulsions.
    The appropriate washout period is needed to prevent severe adverse reactions.
  • Any other medications for depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, including St John's Wort
  • Medicines for treating mental disorders such as haloperidol, risperidone, lithium or clozapine
  • Tramadol, fentanyl, tapentadol, pethidine and methadone used to treat strong pain
  • Medicines used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) such as dexamphetamine and lisdexamphetamine
  • Cimetidine for reflux and stomach ulcers
  • Triptans used to treat migraine
  • Amiodarone or quinidine used to treat irregular heart beats
    Your doctor may wish to do some heart tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or blood tests if you are using either of these medicines whilst taking Sandoz Venlafaxine XR.
  • Metoprolol for high blood pressure or angina
  • Medicines used to prevent blood clotting such as anti-coagulants and platelet inhibitors
  • Indinavir for viral infections
  • Antibiotics such as erythromycin and linezolid for bacterial infections
  • Ketoconazole or fluconazole for fungal infections

You may need to use different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.

Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or to avoid while taking Sandoz Venlafaxine XR.

How to take Sandoz Venlafaxine XR

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

Your doctor will tell you how many capsules you need to take each day. This may depend on your age, your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.

Depression and Anxiety
The usual starting dose is 75 mg taken once daily. After 2 weeks, your doctor may increase the dose to 150 mg a day.

Panic attacks
The usual starting dose is 37.5 mg taken once daily for the first 4 to 7 days, then increased to 75 mg taken once daily.

Do not change your dose unless your doctor tells you to.

If you have kidney or liver problems, you may need a lower dose of Sandoz Venlafaxine XR.

If you have heart problems and your doctor wishes to increase your dose of Sandoz Venlafaxine XR, your doctor may first do some blood tests or heart tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG).

How to take it

Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water or other non-alcoholic liquid.

Do not divide, crush, chew or dissolve the capsules in water.

When to take it

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR should be taken once daily with food, at approximately the same time each day. This could be either in the morning or in the evening.

Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are using Sandoz Venlafaxine XR.

How long to take Sandoz Venlafaxine XR

Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.

Although you may begin to feel better after two weeks, it may take several weeks before you feel much better. It is important to give Sandoz Venlafaxine XR time to work.

This medicine helps to control your condition, but does not cure it. It is important to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well.

If you forget to take Sandoz Venlafaxine XR

If it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the dose you missed and then take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre for advice (Tel: 13 11 26), or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Sandoz Venlafaxine XR.

Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.

If you take too many Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules you may:

  • Feel sleepy
  • Vomit
  • Have an increased heart rate or changes in heart rhythm
  • Have a seizure (fits)
  • Have breathing difficulties
  • Become unconscious
  • Have dilated pupils.

Keep the telephone number for these places handy whilst taking any medications.

While you are taking Sandoz Venlafaxine XR

Things you must do

Visit your doctor regularly for a check up so that your progress can be checked. Your doctor may do some tests (such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or blood tests) from time to time to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects.

Always discuss any questions you have about Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules with your doctor.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine. Some agents used to assist your doctor during surgery may interact with Sandoz Venlafaxine XR leading to unwanted side effects.

If you are about to have any urine tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine. It may interfere with the results of some tests.

Take Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules as your doctor has prescribed.

Keep enough Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules to last weekends and holidays.

This medicine helps to control your condition, but does not cure it. It is important to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well.

Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.

Watch carefully for signs that your depression or anxiety is getting worse, especially in the first few weeks of treatment or if your dose has changed. Sometimes people with depression can experience a worsening of their depressive symptoms. This can happen even when taking an antidepressant.

Information from clinical trials has suggested that children, adolescents, and young adults (18-24 years), particularly those with depression, may be at increased risk of suicidal behaviour (including suicide attempts) if treated with venlafaxine, especially during initial treatment.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms, especially if they are severe, you have not had these symptoms before or they happen very suddenly.

  • Anxiety or agitation
  • Panic attacks
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Irritability
  • Aggressiveness
  • Hostility or impulsiveness
  • Restlessness
  • Overactivity or uninhibited behaviour
  • Other unusual changes in behaviour
  • Thoughts of suicide.
  • Tremor, sweating, fast heart rate
  • Muscle rigidity

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes (e.g. agitation, confusion, hallucinations, and coma), autonomic instability (e.g. excessive sweating, fast heart rate, and increased body temperature), neuromuscular aberrations (e.g. overactive reflexes, incoordination, tremor) and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea).

Tell your doctor immediately if you have any thoughts about suicide or doing harm to yourself.

Warning signs of suicide

If you or someone you know is showing the following warning signs, either contact your doctor or a mental health advisor right away or go to the nearest hospital for treatment.

All thoughts or talk about suicide or violence are serious.

  • Thoughts or talk about death or suicide
  • Thoughts or talk about self-harm or doing harm to others
  • Any recent attempts of self-harm
  • An increase in aggressive behaviour, irritability or agitation.

Things to be careful of

Be careful driving or operating dangerous machinery until you know how it affects you. Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules may make you feel drowsy.

If you are feeling drowsy or are uncoordinated, be careful that you do not fall over. Sandoz Venlafaxine XR, like other medicines in this class, may increase your risk of bone fracture.

Things you must not do

Do not suddenly stop taking Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules or lower the dose if you have been taking it for some time.

Check with your doctor for the best way to slowly reduce the amount of Sandoz Venlafaxine XR you are taking before stopping completely.

Side effects from stopping treatment with Sandoz Venlafaxine XR may include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Insomnia
  • Nervousness
  • Anxiety
  • Confusion and agitation
  • Diarrhoea
  • Tremor
  • Sweating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Impaired coordination and balance
  • Tingling or numbness of the hands and feet.

Slowly reducing the amount of Sandoz Venlafaxine XR being taken reduces the possibility of these effects occurring.

Some of these symptoms may impair driving, or the operation of dangerous machinery. These activities should be avoided if you experience these symptoms.

Do not give this medicine to anyone else even if they have the same condition as you.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Sandoz Venlafaxine XR.

All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious; often they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.

It can be difficult to tell whether side effects are the result of taking this medicine, effects of your condition, or side effects of other medicines you may be taking. For this reason it is important to tell your doctor of any change in your condition.

Do not be alarmed by the list of side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor if...

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

  • Stomach, bowel or urinary tract problems such as:
    - Nausea or vomiting
    - Loss of appetite
    - Diarrhoea
    - Constipation
    - Difficulty passing urine, passing urine more frequently, or urinary incontinence.
  • Changes in your behaviour such as:
    - Difficulty sleeping or abnormal dreams
    - Paranoia
    - Aggression
    - Sexual function problems such as delayed ejaculation, problems with erection, decreased sex drive or difficulties achieving orgasm.
    - Nervousness
    - Teeth grinding
    - Impaired coordination and balance
  • Difficulty thinking or working because of:
    - Yawning
    - Feeling sedated or drowsy
    - Fainting or dizziness after standing up
    - Restlessness or difficulty sitting still
    - Headache
    - Rapid heart beat
    - Heavy or irregular menstrual periods.
  • Sweating
  • Hot flushes
  • Rash
  • Hair loss
  • Itchiness
  • Weight loss
  • Weight gain
  • Flow of milk in women who are not breastfeeding
  • Blurred vision
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Altered taste
  • Dry mouth

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if...

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

  • Muscle tremors, spasms, twitching, jerky movements or sustained muscle contractions
  • Abnormal facial movements such as tongue thrusting, repetitive chewing, jaw swinging, or grimacing
  • A feeling of apathy or not caring about things
  • Hallucinations
  • Agitation
  • Confusion
  • Unusually overactive
  • Changes in muscle tone, muscle weakness or fatigue
  • Numbness or pins and needles.
  • Problems with breathing, shortness of breath
  • Cough
  • Bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
  • Sensitivity to sunlight.

Go to hospital if...

Tell your doctor immediately, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:

  • Fits or seizures, which may be accompanied by a sudden fever
  • Signs of allergy such as rash or hives, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, wheezing or difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Symptoms of sudden fever with sweating, rapid heartbeat and muscle stiffness, which may lead to loss of consciousness (symptoms resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
  • Palpitations, shortness of breath, intense chest pain, or irregular heartbeats
  • Dark, red or cola coloured urine, muscle weakness and tenderness, stiffness or aching
  • Stomach pain, yellowing of the skin, nausea, fever, clammy skin and sweating
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyeballs, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark coloured urine or light coloured bowel movements
  • A severe skin reaction with painful red areas and large blisters, accompanied by fever and chills, aching muscles and generally feeling unwell
  • Symptoms of a high fever, agitation, confusion, trembling and abrupt contractions of muscles
  • Signs of an infection such as severe chills, fever, sore throat and mouth ulcers.
  • Black sticky bowel motions or bloody diarrhoea.

These symptoms are usually rare but may be serious and need urgent medical attention.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people. Some of these side effects (for example, increase in blood pressure or blood cholesterol) can only be found when your doctor does tests from time to time to check your progress.

After using Sandoz Venlafaxine XR

Storage

Keep your Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules in their blister pack until it is time to take them. The modified release capsules may not last as well if you take them out of the blister pack.

Keep Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Do not store Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules in the car or on windowsills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules and all medication where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard, at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground, is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.

Product description

What Sandoz Venlafaxine XR looks like

There are two strengths of Sandoz Venlafaxine XR modified release capsules, containing 75 mg or 150 mg of venlafaxine in a modified release formulation, which allows for once-a-day dosing. The modified release capsules have the following appearance:

75 mg, peach opaque cap and body size "1" hard capsule with thick and thin radial circular bands on both the cap and body in red ink.

150 mg, dark orange opaque cap and body size "0" hard capsule with thick and thin radial circular bands on both the cap and body in white ink.

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR 75 mg and 150 mg are available in blister packs containing 28 modified release capsules.

Ingredients

Active ingredients:

  • Sandoz Venlafaxine XR 75 mg - 75 mg venlafaxine hydrochloride
  • Sandoz Venlafaxine XR 150 mg - 150 mg venlafaxine hydrochloride

Inactive ingredients:

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR 75 mg:

  • Microcrystalline cellulose
  • Povidone
  • Purified talc
  • Colloidal anhydrous silica
  • Magnesium stearate
  • Ethyl cellulose
  • Copovidone
  • Gelatin
  • Titanium dioxide
  • Iron oxide black
  • Iron oxide red
  • TekPrint SB-1033 red ink (PI 106948)

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR 150 mg:

  • Microcrystalline cellulose
  • Povidone
  • Purified talc
  • Colloidal anhydrous silica
  • Magnesium stearate
  • Ethyl cellulose
  • Copovidone
  • Gelatin
  • Titanium dioxide
  • Brilliant Blue FCF
  • Allura Red AC
  • Sunset Yellow FCF
  • TekPrint SB-0007P white ink (PI 2216).

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR does not contain gluten, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.

Supplier/Distributor

Sandoz Pty Ltd
ABN 60 075 449 553
54 Waterloo Road
Macquarie Park, NSW 2113
Australia
Tel: 1800 726 369

Sponsor

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd
Level 13 Freshwater Place,
2 Southbank Boulevard,
Southbank, Melbourne VIC 3006,
Australia
Tel: 04 1309 4385

This leaflet was revised in March 2023.

Australian Register Numbers:

75 mg modified release capsules: AUST R 285261 (blisters)

150 mg modified release capsules: AUST R 285262 (blisters)

Published by MIMS May 2023

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR

Active ingredient

Venlafaxine

Schedule

S4

 

1 Name of Medicine

Venlafaxine (as hydrochloride).

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR venlafaxine (as hydrochloride) modified release capsules are available containing 75 mg or 150 mg of venlafaxine (as hydrochloride).

List of excipients with known effect.

Phenylalanine, sulfites.
For the full list of excipients, see Section 6.1 List of Excipients.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

Modified release capsules.
Sandoz Venlafaxine XR capsules are a modified release formulation, which release the active constituent, venlafaxine hydrochloride, from mini-tablets within the capsule. Drug release is controlled by diffusion through the coating on the mini-tablets and is not pH dependent.
Sandoz Venlafaxine XR venlafaxine (as hydrochloride) modified release capsules are available as:
75 mg, peach opaque cap/peach opaque body size "1" hard capsule with thick and thin radial circular bands on both the cap and body in red ink;
150 mg, dark orange opaque cap/dark orange opaque body size "0" hard capsule with thick and thin radial circular bands on both the cap and body in white ink.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR is indicated for the treatment of:
major depression, including prevention of relapse and recurrence where appropriate;
generalised anxiety disorder;
social anxiety disorder;
panic disorder, including prevention of relapse.

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

Dosage.

Major depression, generalised anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder.

The usual recommended dose for the treatment of major depression, generalised anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder is 75 mg per day given once daily. After two weeks, the dose may be increased to 150 mg per day given once daily if further clinical improvement is required. If needed, this can be increased up to 225 mg given once daily. Dose increments should be made at intervals of approximately 2 weeks or more, but not less than 4 days.
The recommended dose is based on results of clinical trials in which modified release venlafaxine was mostly given once daily in doses from 75 to 225 mg. Antidepressant activity with the 75 mg dose was observed after 2 weeks of treatment and anxiolytic activity was observed after one week.
It is recommended that Sandoz Venlafaxine XR be taken with food, at approximately the same time each day. Each capsule must be swallowed whole with fluid. Do not divide, crush, chew, or dissolve. Sandoz Venlafaxine XR should be administered once daily.

Panic disorder.

The recommended dose is 75 mg of Sandoz Venlafaxine XR once daily. Treatment should be started with a dose of 37.5 mg per day of Sandoz Venlafaxine XR for the first 4 to 7 days, after which the dose should be increased to 75 mg once daily.
Patients not responding to the 75 mg/day dose may benefit from dose increases to a maximum of 225 mg/day, although there is no direct clinical trial evidence of any significant increase in efficacy with increase in dose. Dosage increases can be made in increments of 75 mg per day at intervals of approximately 2 weeks or more, but not less than 4 days.

Maintenance/continuation/extended treatment.

The physician should periodically re-evaluate the usefulness of long-term modified release venlafaxine treatment for the individual patient. It is generally agreed that acute episodes of major depression require several months or longer of sustained pharmacological therapy. Whether the dose of antidepressant needed to induce remission is identical to the dose needed to maintain and/or sustain euthymia is unknown.
Usually, the dosage for prevention of relapse or for prevention of recurrence of a new episode is similar to that used during initial treatment. Patients should be regularly re-assessed in order to evaluate the benefit of long-term therapy.
In Social Anxiety Disorder, continuing therapeutic benefit has been established for periods of up to 6 months. The need for continuing medication in patients with Social Anxiety Disorder who improve with venlafaxine treatment should be periodically assessed.
It is generally agreed that acute episodes of panic disorder require several months or longer of sustained pharmacological therapy beyond response to the acute episode. Longer-term efficacy was demonstrated in one study (Study 5) in which patients responding during 12 weeks of acute treatment with modified release venlafaxine were assigned randomly to placebo or to the same dose of venlafaxine (75, 150, or 225 mg/day) during 6 months of maintenance treatment as they had received during the acute stabilization phase (see Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Clinical trials, Panic disorder).

Discontinuing Sandoz Venlafaxine XR.

When Sandoz Venlafaxine XR at a dose of 75 mg/day or greater has been administered for more than 1 week is stopped, it is recommended that the dose be tapered gradually to minimise the risk of discontinuation symptoms. In clinical trials with modified release venlafaxine, tapering was achieved by reducing the daily dose by 75 mg at 1 week intervals. To facilitate tapering below 75 mg of Sandoz Venlafaxine XR, physicians may consider prescribing the 37.5 mg capsules once daily (see also Major depression, generalised anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder above). The time period required for tapering and the amount of dose reduction may depend on the dose, duration of therapy, and the individual patient. Patients should be advised to consult their physician before abruptly discontinuing Sandoz Venlafaxine XR. In some patients, discontinuation may need to occur very gradually over periods of months or longer.

Method of administration.

Oral use.

Dosage adjustment.

Renal impairment.

Patients with renal impairment should receive lower doses of Sandoz Venlafaxine XR. The total daily dose of venlafaxine should be reduced by 25% to 50% in patients with renal impairment with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 10 to 70 mL/min. Haemodialysis clearances of both venlafaxine and ODV in humans are low. The total daily dose of venlafaxine should be reduced by 50% in haemodialysis patients.

Hepatic impairment.

Patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment should also have their dosage reduced by 50%. Further reductions in dosage should be considered for patients with more severe degrees of hepatic impairment.
Because of individual variability in clearance in these patients, individualisation of dosage may be desirable.

Use in the elderly.

No adjustment in the usual dose is recommended for elderly patients solely because of their age. As with any antidepressant, however, caution should be exercised in treating the elderly. When individualising the dosage, extra care should be taken when increasing the dose.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to venlafaxine or any excipients in the formulation.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR should not be used in combination with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or reversible MAOIs (RIMA) (e.g. moclobemide, linezolid and intravenous methylene blue), or within 14 days of discontinuing treatment with a MAOI. Similarly, at least 7 days should be allowed after stopping Sandoz Venlafaxine XR before starting a MAOI. Cases of serious reactions, such as potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome (characterised by neuromuscular excitation, altered mental status and autonomic dysfunction) have been reported in patients receiving an SNRI in combination with MAOIs and RIMA, and in patients who have recently discontinued an SNRI and have been started on a MAOI (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use; Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

Clinical worsening and suicide risk.

Patients with major depression, both adult and paediatric, may experience worsening of their depression and/or the emergence of suicidal ideation and behaviour (suicidality) or unusual changes in behaviour, whether or not they are taking antidepressant medications, and this risk may persist until significant remission occurs. Suicide is a known risk of depression and certain other psychiatric disorders, and these disorders themselves are the strongest predictors of suicide. Antidepressants may have a role in inducing worsening of depression and the emergence of suicidality in certain patients during the early phases of treatment. As improvement may not occur during the first few weeks or more of treatment, patients should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening and suicidality, especially at the beginning of a course of treatment or at the time of dose changes, either increases or decreases.
Pooled analyses of short-term placebo-controlled trials of antidepressant medicines (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors [SSRIs] and others) showed that these medicines increase the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 18-24 years) with major depression and other psychiatric disorders. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults older than 24 years of age; there was a reduction in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 years and older.
The pooled analysis of placebo-controlled trials in children and adolescents with major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or other psychiatric disorders included a total of 24 short-term trials of nine antidepressant medicines in over 4400 patients. The pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials in adults with major depression or other psychiatric disorders included a total of 295 short-term trials (median duration 2 months) of 11 antidepressant medicines in over 77,000 patients. There was considerable variation in risk of suicidality among medicines, but a tendency toward an increase in the younger patients for almost all medicines studied. There were differences in absolute risk of suicidality across the different indications, with the highest incidence with major depression.
No suicides occurred in any of the paediatric trials. There were suicides in the adult trials, but the number was not sufficient to reach any conclusion about the medicine effect on suicide.
It is unknown whether the suicidality risk extends to longer-term use, i.e. beyond several months. However, there is substantial evidence from placebo-controlled maintenance trials in adults with depression that the use of antidepressants can delay the recurrence of depression.
Consideration should be given to changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing the medication, in patients whose depression is persistently worse or whose emergent suicidality is severe, abrupt in onset, or was not part of the patient's presenting symptoms (see Discontinuation effects below).
It is particularly important that appropriate monitoring be undertaken during the initial course of antidepressant treatment or at times of dose increase or decrease.
Patients with co-morbid depression associated with other psychiatric or non-psychiatric disorders being treated with antidepressants should be similarly observed for clinical worsening and suicidality.
Symptoms of anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility (aggressiveness), impulsivity, akathisia (psychomotor restlessness), hypomania and mania, have been reported in adults, adolescents and children being treated with antidepressants for major depression as well as for other indications, both psychiatric and non-psychiatric. Although a causal link between the emergence of such symptoms and either worsening of depression and/or emergence of suicidal impulses has not been established, there is concern that such symptoms may be precursors of emerging suicidality.
Prescriptions for Sandoz Venlafaxine XR should be written for the smallest quantity of capsules consistent with good patient management in order to reduce the possibility of overdosage. This is particularly so at the times of treatment initiation or dosage change. Events reported in overdose include electrocardiogram changes (QRS prolongation, QT prolongation), cardiac arrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation; ventricular tachycardia, including torsade de pointes), convulsions, and death (see Section 4.9 Overdose).

Information for patients and caregivers.

Patients, their families and their caregivers should be alerted about the need to monitor for the emergence of anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, akathisia (psychomotor restlessness), hypomania, mania, other unusual changes in behaviour, worsening of depression, and suicidal ideation, especially when initiating therapy or during any change in dose. Such symptoms should be reported to the patient's doctor, especially if they are severe, abrupt in onset, or were not part of the patient's presenting symptoms (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Paediatric use).

Akathisia/psychomotor restlessness.

The use of venlafaxine has been associated with the development of akathisia, characterised by a subjectively unpleasant or distressing restlessness and need to move, often accompanied by an inability to sit or stand still. This is most likely to occur within the first few weeks of treatment. In patients who develop these symptoms, increasing the dose may be detrimental.

Serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)-like reactions.

As with other serotonergic agents serotonin syndrome a potentially life threatening condition or NMS-like reaction, may occur with venlafaxine treatment, particularly with concomitant use of other serotonergic drugs including SSRIs, SNRIs, amphetamines, triptans, opioids (e.g. fentanyl, dextromethorphan, tramadol, tapentadol, pethidine, methadone and pentazocine), with drugs that impair metabolism of serotonin (e.g. MAOIs, including reversible MAOIs such as moclobemide, linezolid and intravenous methylene blue), or with antipsychotics or other dopamine antagonists (see Section 4.3 Contraindications).
Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes (e.g. agitation, confusion, hallucinations, and coma), autonomic instability (e.g. diaphoresis, tachycardia, labile blood pressure, and hyperthermia), neuromuscular aberrations (e.g. hyperreflexia, incoordination, myoclonus, tremor), and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea). Serotonin syndrome, in its most severe form, can resemble NMS, which includes hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, autonomic instability with possible rapid fluctuation of vital signs, and mental status changes (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).
If concomitant treatment with venlafaxine and other agents that may affect the serotonergic and/or dopaminergic neurotransmitter systems is clinically warranted, careful observation of the patient is advised, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases.
The concomitant use of venlafaxine with serotonin precursors (such as tryptophan supplements) is not recommended.
Treatment with venlafaxine should be discontinued if serotonin syndrome or NMS-like reactions occur and supportive symptomatic treatment initiated.

Bone fractures.

Epidemiological studies show an increased risk of bone fractures in patients receiving serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) including venlafaxine. The mechanism leading to this risk is not fully understood.

Diabetes.

In patients with diabetes, treatment with an SSRI may alter glycaemic control. Insulin and/or hypoglycaemic dosage may need to be adjusted.

Angle closure glaucoma.

Mydriasis may occur in association with venlafaxine. It is recommended that patients with raised intra-ocular pressure or patients at risk for acute narrow-angle glaucoma (angle closure glaucoma) should be closely monitored.

Sustained hypertension.

Dose-related increases in blood pressure have been reported in some patients treated with venlafaxine.
Among patients treated with 75 to 375 mg per day of modified release venlafaxine in pre-marketing depression studies, 3% (19/705) experienced sustained hypertension [defined as treatment-emergent supine diastolic blood pressure (SDBP) ≥ 90 mmHg and ≥ 10 mmHg above baseline for 3 consecutive on-therapy visits]. Among patients treated with 37.5 to 225 mg per day of modified release venlafaxine in pre-marketing GAD studies, 0.5% (5/1011) experienced sustained hypertension. Experience with the immediate-release venlafaxine showed that sustained hypertension was dose-related, increasing from 3 to 7% at 100 to 300 mg per day to 13% at doses above 300 mg per day. An insufficient number of patients received mean doses of modified release venlafaxine over 300 mg per day to fully evaluate the incidence of sustained increases in blood pressure at these higher doses.
In placebo-controlled pre-marketing depression studies with modified release venlafaxine 75 to 225 mg per day, a final on-drug mean increase in supine diastolic blood pressure (SDBP) of 1.2 mmHg was observed for treated patients compared with a mean decrease of 0.2 mmHg for placebo-treated patients. In placebo-controlled pre-marketing GAD studies with modified release venlafaxine 37.5 to 225 mg per day up to 8 weeks or up to 6 months, a final on-drug mean increase in SDBP of 0.3 mmHg was observed for treated patients compared with a mean decrease of 0.9 and 0.8 mmHg, respectively, for placebo-treated patients. In pre-marketing Social Anxiety Disorder studies up to 12 weeks, the final on-therapy mean change from baseline in SDBP was small - an increase of 0.78 mmHg, compared to a decrease of 1.41 mmHg in placebo-treated patients. In a 6-month study, the final on-therapy mean increase from baseline in SDBP with modified release venlafaxine 150 to 225 mg was 1.49 mmHg. The increase was significantly different from the 0.6 mmHg decrease with placebo and the 0.2 mmHg decrease with venlafaxine 75 mg.
In pre-marketing depression studies, 0.7% (5/705) of the modified release venlafaxine treated patients discontinued treatment because of elevated blood pressure. Among these patients, most of the blood pressure increases were in a modest range (12 to 16 mmHg, SDBP). In pre-marketing GAD studies up to 8 weeks and up to 6 months, 0.7% (10/1381) and 1.3% (7/535) of the modified release venlafaxine treated patients, respectively, discontinued treatment because of elevated blood pressure. Among these patients, most of the blood pressure increases were in a modest range (12 to 25 mmHg, SDBP up to 8 weeks; 8 to 28 mmHg up to 6 months).
Cases of elevated blood pressure requiring immediate treatment have been reported in post-marketing experience.
Sustained increases of SDBP could have adverse consequences. Therefore, it is recommended that patients receiving venlafaxine have regular monitoring of blood pressure. For patients who experience a sustained increase in blood pressure while receiving venlafaxine, either dose reduction or discontinuation should be considered. Pre-existing hypertension should be controlled before treatment with venlafaxine. Caution should be exercised in patients whose underlying conditions might be compromised by increases in blood pressure.

Increase in serum cholesterol.

Clinically relevant increases in serum cholesterol were recorded in 5.3% of venlafaxine immediate release tablet-treated patients and 0.0% of placebo-treated patients for at least 3 months in placebo-controlled clinical trials.
Treatment with modified release venlafaxine for up to 12 weeks in pre-marketing placebo-controlled depression trials was associated with a mean final on-therapy increase in serum cholesterol concentration of approximately 0.039 mmol/L (1.5 mg/dL). Modified release venlafaxine treatment for up to 8 weeks and up to 6 months in pre-marketing placebo-controlled GAD trials was associated with mean final on-therapy increases in serum cholesterol concentration of approximately 0.026 mmol/L (1.0 mg/dL) and 0.059 mmol/L (2.3 mg/dL), respectively.
In the 12 week Social Anxiety Disorder studies, small mean increases in fasting levels of total cholesterol (0.20 mmol/L, 4%) were seen in the modified release venlafaxine-treated group at the final on-therapy evaluation; the increases were significantly different from the changes in the placebo group. In a 6-month study, the final on-therapy mean increase in total cholesterol was higher (0.32 mmol/L, 7%) in the venlafaxine 150 to 225 mg group; however, the total cholesterol value was only slightly increased (0.01 mmol/L) for the venlafaxine 75 mg group.
There were also significant mean increases from baseline in LDL, but not HDL for the venlafaxine 150 to 225 mg group. The final on-therapy increase of 0.213 mmol/L from baseline in LDL with venlafaxine 150 to 225 mg was significantly different from the small decrease with placebo (0.079 mmol/L) and the negligible increase with venlafaxine 75 mg (0.006 mmol/L).
Measurement of serum cholesterol levels should be considered during long-term treatment.

Hyponatraemia.

Cases of hyponatraemia, and/or the Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone secretion (SIADH) may occur with venlafaxine, usually in volume-depleted or dehydrated patients. Elderly patients, patients taking diuretics and patients who are otherwise volume depleted, may be at greater risk for this event.
Caution is advised in administering venlafaxine to patients with diseases or conditions that could affect haemodynamic responses or metabolism.

Use in patients with pre-existing heart disease.

Patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable heart disease were excluded from all venlafaxine clinical trials. However, patients with other pre-existing heart disease were not excluded, although they were neither separately analysed nor systematically studied.
Venlafaxine should be used with caution in patients with unstable heart disease (e.g. myocardial infarction; significant left ventricular dysfunction, ventricular arrhythmia). In these patients, assessment of the cardiovascular system (e.g. ECG; serum electrolytes during diuretic treatment) should be considered during treatment with venlafaxine, particularly when the dose is increased beyond 150-200 mg daily.
Evaluation of the electrocardiograms for 769 patients who received immediate release venlafaxine in 4 to 6-week double blind, placebo-controlled trials showed that the incidence of trial-emergent conduction abnormalities did not differ from that with placebo.
The electrocardiograms for patients who received modified release venlafaxine or placebo in the depression GAD and Social Anxiety Disorder trials were analysed. The mean change from baseline in corrected QT interval (QTc) for venlafaxine treated patients in depression studies was increased relative to that for placebo-treated patients (increase of 4.7 msec for venlafaxine and decrease of 1.9 msec for placebo). The mean change from baseline QTc for venlafaxine treated patients in the GAD studies did not differ significantly from placebo. The final on-therapy mean increase from baseline in QTc (3 msec) was significant for venlafaxine treated patients in the Social Anxiety Disorder short-term studies. In the 6 month study, the final on-therapy mean increase from baseline in QTc with venlafaxine 150 to 225 mg (3 msec) was significant, but the increase was not significantly different from the small mean increase (0.5 msec) with placebo. The value for venlafaxine 75 mg was a 0.05 msec decrease.
Increases in heart rate may occur, particularly with higher doses. Therefore, caution is advised in patients whose underlying conditions may be compromised by increases in heart rate.
The mean change from baseline in heart rate for modified release venlafaxine treated patients in both the GAD and depression studies was significantly higher than for placebo (a mean increase of 3-4 beats per minute for venlafaxine and 0-1 beat per minute for placebo in the GAD and depression studies respectively). In the pooled short-term Social Anxiety Disorder studies, the final on-therapy mean increase from baseline in heart rate with venlafaxine was 5 beats per minute. In the 6 month study, the final on-therapy mean increases from baseline in heart rate were significant with venlafaxine 75 (2 beats per minute) and venlafaxine 150 to 225 mg (6 beats per minute); however only the increase with the higher dose was significantly different from the small increase with placebo (0.4 beats per minute). The clinical significance of these changes is unknown.

QTc prolongation/torsade de pointes (TdP).

Cases of QTc prolongation, torsade de pointes (TdP), ventricular tachycardia and sudden death have been reported during the postmarketing use of venlafaxine. The majority of reports occurred in association with overdose or in patients with other risk factors for QTc prolongation/TdP. Therefore, venlafaxine should be used with caution in patients with risk factors for QTc prolongation.

Discontinuation effects.

Discontinuation effects are well known to occur with antidepressants, and sometimes these effects can be protracted and severe (see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)). Suicide/suicidal thoughts and aggression have been observed in patients during changes in venlafaxine dosing regimen, including during discontinuation (see Clinical worsening and suicide risk above and Aggression below). Discontinuation symptoms have been assessed both in patients with depression and in those with anxiety. Abrupt discontinuation, dose reduction, or tapering of venlafaxine at various doses has been found to be associated with the appearance of new symptoms, the frequency of which increased with increased dose level and with longer duration of treatment.
Symptoms reported included agitation, anorexia, anxiety, confusion, dry mouth, fatigue, paraesthesias, vertigo, hypomania, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, convulsion, headache, diarrhoea, sleep disturbance, insomnia, somnolence, sweating and nervousness. Where such symptoms occurred, they were usually self-limiting, but in a few patients lasted for several weeks.
Discontinuation effects were systematically studied in a long-term fixed-dose trial for generalised anxiety disorder; 24% and 11% of patients recorded the appearance of at least three withdrawal symptoms on abrupt discontinuation from 150 mg or 75 mg venlafaxine once daily, respectively, compared with 3% for placebo. The most commonly reported withdrawal symptoms on abrupt discontinuation were nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, and tinnitus from 150 mg venlafaxine once daily, and dizziness from 75 mg venlafaxine once daily.
In this study, severe withdrawal reactions were observed in 1.3% of patients discontinuing from 75 mg once daily (no patients requiring further drug treatment).
There is also a report of a withdrawal syndrome, confirmed by two challenges in a 32-year-old woman who had received venlafaxine 300 mg daily for 8 months. It is, therefore, recommended that the dosage of modified release venlafaxine be tapered gradually and individually and the patients be closely monitored during discontinuation. The time period required for tapering and the amount of dose reduction may depend on the dose, duration of therapy and the individual patient (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration; Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)). In some patients, discontinuation could take months or longer.

Sexual dysfunction.

SNRIs may cause symptoms of sexual dysfunction (see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)). There have been reports of long-lasting sexual dysfunction where the symptoms have continued despite discontinuation of SNRIs.

Altered weight.

Weight changes, either losses or gains, do not appear to present a clinically important feature of venlafaxine treatment. Clinically significant weight gain or loss was seen in less than 1% of patients treated with venlafaxine during clinical trials. A dose-dependent weight loss (mean loss < 1 kg) was noted in some patients treated with venlafaxine during the first few months of venlafaxine treatment. After month 9, the mean weight began to increase slightly but significantly, an effect often seen with tricyclic antidepressant therapy. Significant weight loss (> 7 kg) was seen in 6 (0.3%) of 2,181 patients, compared to no patients treated with placebo and 0.2% of patients treated with a comparative antidepressant.
The safety and efficacy of venlafaxine therapy in combination with weight loss agents, including phentermine, have not been established. Co-administration of venlafaxine and weight loss agents is not recommended. Venlafaxine Sandoz XR is not indicated for weight loss alone or in combination with other products.

Seizures.

Seizures have been reported with venlafaxine therapy and in overdose. Sandoz Venlafaxine XR, as with all antidepressants, should be introduced with care, in patients with a history of seizure disorders. Sandoz Venlafaxine XR should be discontinued in any patient who develops seizures (see Section 4.9 Overdose).

Mania/hypomania and bipolar disorder.

Mania/hypomania may occur in a small proportion of patients with mood disorders treated with antidepressants, including venlafaxine.
A major depressive episode may be the initial presentation of bipolar disorder. It is generally believed (though not established in controlled trials) that treating such an episode with an antidepressant alone may increase the likelihood of precipitation of a mixed/manic episode in patients at risk for bipolar disorder. Whether any of the symptoms represent such a conversion is unknown. However, prior to initiating treatment with an antidepressant, patients with depressive symptoms should be adequately screened to determine if they are at risk for bipolar disorder; such screening should include a detailed psychiatric history, including a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, and depression. It should be noted that Sandoz Venlafaxine XR is not approved for use in treating bipolar depression.
Aggression may occur in a small proportion of patients who have received antidepressants, including venlafaxine treatment, dose reduction or discontinuation.
Venlafaxine should be used cautiously in patients with a history of aggression.

Skin/allergic reactions.

Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they develop a rash, hives, or related allergic phenomena.

Abnormal bleeding.

Drugs that inhibit serotonin uptake may lead to abnormalities of platelet aggregation. Bleeding abnormalities have been reported with venlafaxine ranging from skin and mucous membrane bleeding and gastrointestinal haemorrhage, to life-threatening haemorrhages. The risk may be increased in patients predisposed to bleeding including patients on anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors and venlafaxine should be used cautiously in these patients.

Physical and psychological dependence.

Clinical studies have shown no evidence of drug-seeking behaviour, development of tolerance, or dose escalation over time among patients taking venlafaxine. Consequently, physicians should carefully evaluate patients for a history of drug abuse and follow such patients closely observing them for signs of misuse or abuse of venlafaxine (e.g. development of tolerance, increase in dose, drug-seeking behaviour) (see Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties).

Electroconvulsive therapy.

There are no clinical data establishing the benefit of Sandoz Venlafaxine XR combined with electroconvulsive therapy.

Use in hepatic impairment.

The total daily dose of venlafaxine should be reduced by 50% in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment. Reductions of more than 50% may be appropriate for some patients.
Because of individual variability in clearance in these patients, individualisation of dosage may be desirable.

Use in renal impairment.

The total daily dose of venlafaxine should be reduced by 25% to 50% for patients with renal impairment with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 10 to 70 mL/min.
The total daily dose of venlafaxine should be reduced by 50% in haemodialysis patients.
Because of individual variability in clearance in these patients, individualisation of dosage may be desirable.

Use in the elderly.

No overall differences in effectiveness or safety were observed between elderly (aged 65 years and older) and younger patients. Modified release venlafaxine does not appear to pose any exceptional safety problems for healthy elderly patients.
Effectiveness in elderly patients with social anxiety disorder has not been established.

Paediatric use.

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR is not indicated for use in children and adolescents younger than 18 years of age as safety and effectiveness has not been demonstrated. Therefore, Sandoz Venlafaxine XR should not be used in this age group.
In paediatric clinical trials, the adverse reaction, suicidal ideation, was observed. There were also increased reports of hostility and, especially in major depressive disorder, suicide-related events such as suicidal ideation and self-harm (see also Clinical worsening and suicide risk above; see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)).
As with adults, decreased appetite, weight loss, increased blood pressure and increased serum cholesterol have been observed in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years (see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)).

Effects on laboratory tests.

False-positive urine immunoassay screening tests for phencyclidine (PCP) and amphetamine have been reported in patients taking venlafaxine. This is due to lack of specificity of the screening tests. False positive test results may be expected for several days following discontinuation of venlafaxine therapy. Confirmatory tests, such as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, will distinguish venlafaxine from PCP and amphetamine.

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

Venlafaxine and ODV are 27% and 30% bound to plasma proteins, respectively. Therefore, interactions due to protein binding of venlafaxine and the major metabolite are not expected.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Concomitant use with Sandoz Venlafaxine XR in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or reversible MAOIs (e.g. moclobemide, linezolid and intravenous methylene blue) is contraindicated. (See Section 4.3 Contraindications.)
Severe adverse reactions have been reported in patients who have recently been discontinued from a MAOI and started on venlafaxine or have recently had venlafaxine therapy discontinued prior to initiation of a MAOI or when these two agents are co-administered. Reactions have included tremor, myoclonus, diaphoresis, nausea, vomiting, flushing, dizziness, hyperthermia with features resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome and/or serotonergic syndrome, seizures, and death.
Do not use venlafaxine in combination with a MAOI or reversible MAOIs, or within at least 14 days of discontinuing MAOI treatment. Allow at least 7 days after stopping venlafaxine before starting a MAOI.
The appropriate washout period should take into account the pharmacological properties of venlafaxine, ODV and the MAOI and the clinician's assessment of the individual patient.

CNS active drugs.

The risk of using venlafaxine in combination with other CNS-active drugs has not been systematically evaluated. Consequently, caution is advised when venlafaxine is taken in combination with other CNS-active drugs.

Serotonin syndrome.

As with other serotonergic agents, serotonin syndrome, a potentially life threatening condition, may occur with venlafaxine treatment, particularly with concomitant use of other agents that may affect the serotonergic neurotransmitter system including triptans, SSRIs, other SNRIs, amphetamines, lithium, sibutramine, opioids (e.g. fentanyl and its analogues, tramadol, dextromethorphan, tapentadol, pethidine, methadone, and pentazocine), or St. John's Wort [Hypericum perforatum], with drugs which impair metabolism of serotonin (such as MAOIs, including moclobemide, linezolid [an antibiotic which is a reversible non-selective MAOI] and intravenous methylene blue), or with serotonin precursors (such as tryptophan supplements). Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include mental status changes, autonomic instability, neuromuscular aberrations and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (see Section 4.3 Contraindications; Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Serotonin syndrome has been reported in association with concomitant use with SSRIs. The decision to use venlafaxine in combination with SSRIs should include the advice of a psychiatrist. If concomitant treatment of venlafaxine with an SSRI, an SNRI or a 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonist (triptan) is clinically warranted, careful observation of the patient is advised, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases. The concomitant use of venlafaxine with serotonin precursors (such as tryptophan supplements) is not recommended (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
As with other antidepressants, co-administration of venlafaxine and products containing St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is not recommended due to possible pharmacodynamic interactions.
No information is available on the use of Sandoz Venlafaxine XR in combination with opiates.
There have been reports of elevated clozapine levels in association with adverse events including seizures, following the administration of venlafaxine.

Drugs that prolong QT interval.

The risk of QTc prolongation and/or ventricular arrhythmias (e.g. TdP) is increased with concomitant use of other drugs which prolong the QTc interval (e.g. some antipsychotics and antibiotics) (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, QTc prolongation/torsade de pointes (TdP)).

Ethanol.

Venlafaxine has not been shown to increase the impairment of mental and motor skills caused by ethanol. However, as with all CNS active drugs, patients should be advised to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Sandoz Venlafaxine XR.

Diazepam.

The pharmacokinetic profiles of venlafaxine and ODV were not altered when venlafaxine and diazepam were administered together to healthy volunteers. Venlafaxine had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of diazepam or affect the psychomotor and psychometric effects induced by diazepam.

Lithium.

The steady-state pharmacokinetics of venlafaxine and ODV are not affected when lithium is co-administered. Venlafaxine has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of lithium. (See also CNS active drugs above). However, there have been reports of venlafaxine interaction with lithium resulting in increased lithium levels.

Haloperidol.

Venlafaxine administered under steady-state conditions (75 mg twice daily) to 24 healthy subjects decreased total oral clearance (Cl/F) of a single 2 mg dose of haloperidol by 42%, which resulted in a 70% increase in haloperidol AUC. In addition, the haloperidol Cmax increased 88% when co-administered with venlafaxine, but the haloperidol elimination half-life (t1/2) was unchanged. The mechanism explaining this finding is unknown.

Risperidone.

Venlafaxine increased risperidone AUC by 32% but did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetic profile of the total active moiety (risperidone plus 9-hydroxy-risperidone). The clinical significance of this interaction is unknown.

Indinavir.

A pharmacokinetic study with indinavir has shown a 28% decrease in AUC and a 36% decrease in Cmax for indinavir. Indinavir did not affect the pharmacokinetics of venlafaxine and ODV. The clinical significance of this interaction is unknown.

Cimetidine.

At steady-state cimetidine has been shown to inhibit the first-pass metabolism of venlafaxine but had no apparent effect on the formation or elimination of ODV, which is present in much greater quantity in the systemic circulation. The overall pharmacological activity of venlafaxine plus ODV is expected to increase only slightly in most patients. No dosage adjustment seems necessary when modified release venlafaxine is co-administered with cimetidine. However, for elderly patients or patients with hepatic dysfunction, the interaction could potentially be more pronounced and for such patients clinical monitoring is indicated when Sandoz Venlafaxine XR is administered with cimetidine.

Metoprolol.

Concomitant administration of venlafaxine (50 mg every 8 hours for 5 days) and metoprolol (100 mg every 24 hours for 5 days) to 18 healthy male subjects in a pharmacokinetic interaction study for both drugs resulted in an increase in the plasma concentrations of metoprolol by approximately 30-40% without altering the plasma concentrations of its active metabolite, α-hydroxymetoprolol. Metoprolol did not alter the pharmacokinetic profile of venlafaxine or its active metabolite, ODV.
Venlafaxine appeared to reduce the blood pressure lowering effect of metoprolol in this study. Caution should be exercised with co-administration of venlafaxine and metoprolol.
Venlafaxine treatment has been associated with dose-related increases in blood pressure in some patients. It is recommended that patients receiving Sandoz Venlafaxine XR have regular monitoring of blood pressure (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Sustained hypertension).

Antihypertensive and hypoglycaemic agents.

Retrospective analysis of study events occurring in patients taking venlafaxine concurrently with antihypertensive or hypoglycaemic agents in clinical trials provided no evidence suggesting incompatibility between treatment with venlafaxine and treatment with either antihypertensive or hypoglycaemic agents.

Drugs metabolised by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes.

In vitro studies indicate that venlafaxine is a relatively weak inhibitor of CYP2D6 and that venlafaxine does not inhibit CYP1A2, CYP2C9 or CYP3A4. Some of these findings have been confirmed with drug interaction studies between venlafaxine and imipramine (metabolised by CYP2D6) and diazepam (metabolised by CYP2C19). Therefore, Sandoz Venlafaxine XR is not expected to interact with other drugs metabolised by these isoenzymes.

Imipramine.

Venlafaxine did not affect the CYP2D6-mediated 2-hydroxylation of imipramine or its active metabolite, desipramine, which indicates that venlafaxine does not inhibit the CYP2D6 isoenzyme. However, the renal clearance of 2-hydroxydesipramine was reduced with co-administration of venlafaxine.
Imipramine partially inhibited the CYP2D6-mediated formation of ODV, however, the total concentrations of active compounds (venlafaxine plus ODV) was not affected with imipramine administration. Additionally, in a clinical study involving CYP2D6-poor and extensive metabolisers, the total sum of the two active species (venlafaxine and ODV) was similar in the two metaboliser groups. Therefore, no dosage adjustment is expected when venlafaxine is co-administered with a CYP2D6 inhibitor. However, desipramine AUC, Cmax, and Cmin increased by about 35% in the presence of venlafaxine. There was an increase of 2-OH-desipramine AUC by 2.5 to 4.5 fold. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown.

Potential for other drugs to affect venlafaxine.

The metabolic pathways for venlafaxine include CYP2D6 and CYP3A4.
In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that venlafaxine is metabolised predominantly to its active metabolite ODV by the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2D6, the isoenzyme that is responsible for the genetic polymorphism seen in the metabolism of many antidepressants. Therefore, the potential exists for a drug interaction between drugs that inhibit CYP2D6-mediated metabolism (such as amiodarone and quinidine) and venlafaxine. CYP3A4 is a minor pathway relative to CYP2D6 in the metabolism of venlafaxine.

CYP2D6 inhibitors.

Concomitant use of CYP2D6 inhibitors and venlafaxine may reduce the metabolism of venlafaxine to ODV, resulting in increased plasma concentrations of venlafaxine and decreased concentrations of ODV. As venlafaxine and ODV are both pharmacologically active, no dosage adjustment is required when venlafaxine is co-administered with a CYP2D6 inhibitor.

CYP3A4 inhibitors.

Concomitant use of CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as erythromycin, fluconazole, ketoconazole and grapefruit juice) and venlafaxine may increase levels of venlafaxine and ODV. Therefore, caution is advised when combining venlafaxine with a CYP3A4 inhibitor.
In vitro studies indicate that venlafaxine is likely metabolised to a minor, less active metabolite, N-desmethylvenlafaxine, by CYP3A4. A pharmacokinetic study with ketoconazole (a CYP3A4 inhibitor) in extensive metabolisers (EM) and poor metabolisers (PM) of CYP2D6 resulted in higher plasma concentrations of both venlafaxine and ODV in subjects following administration of ketoconazole. Venlafaxine Cmax increased by 26% in EM subjects and 48% in PM subjects. Cmax values for ODV increased by 14% and 29% in EM and PM subjects, respectively. Venlafaxine AUC increased by 21% in EM subjects and 70% in PM subjects. AUC values for ODV increased by 23% and 33% in EM and PM subjects, respectively.

CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitors.

The concomitant use of venlafaxine with drug treatment(s) that potentially inhibits both CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, the primary metabolising enzymes for venlafaxine, has not been studied. However, this concomitant use would be expected to increase venlafaxine plasma concentrations. Therefore, caution is advised if a patient's therapy includes venlafaxine and any agent(s) that produces simultaneous inhibition of these two enzyme systems. In patients with unstable heart disease receiving these combinations, assessment of the cardiovascular system (e.g. ECG; serum electrolytes during diuretic treatment) should be considered during treatment with venlafaxine (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Use in patients with pre-existing heart disease).

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

Effects on fertility.

Reproduction and fertility studies in rats showed no effects on male or female fertility at oral doses of up to 2 times the maximum recommended human dose on a mg/m2 basis.
Reduced fertility was observed in a study in which both male and female rats were exposed to the major metabolite of venlafaxine (ODV). This exposure was approximately 2 to 3 times that of a human venlafaxine dose of 225 mg/day. The human relevance of this finding is unknown.
Signs of pharmacological toxicity were seen in paternal and maternal rats given venlafaxine doses of 30 and 60 mg/kg/day, but no adverse effect was noted in fertility or general reproductive performance. Decreased fetal size and pup weight at birth with 60 mg/kg/day may be correlated with maternal toxicity.

Teratogenicity.

In a rat teratology study, venlafaxine was given orally at dosages up to 80 mg/kg/day (approximately 11 times the maximum recommended human dose). Fetotoxicity evidenced by growth retardation was slightly increased at 80 mg/kg/day, an effect that may be related to maternal toxicity at this dose level. Fetal survival and morphologic development were not affected. In another teratology study, rabbits were given venlafaxine dosages up to 90 mg/kg/day. Fetotoxicity evidenced by resorption and fetal loss was slightly increased at 90 mg/kg/day (approximately 12 times the maximum recommended human dose). These effects could be correlated with maternal toxicity. No venlafaxine-associated teratogenic effect was noted in either species at any dosage, though there was an increased incidence of 'W'-shaped apex of the heart in the rabbit study. In these studies, animal exposure to the main human metabolite ODV was less, and estimated exposure to venlafaxine was approximately 6-fold more than would be expected in humans taking the recommended therapeutic and maximum doses. In rats, estimated exposure to venlafaxine was more than the expected human exposure. No teratogenic effect was seen.
In a perinatal toxicity study in rats after oral dosing of dams with 30 mg/kg or more, decreased pup survival following birth was observed. This effect is secondary to treatment-decreased maternal care, and is also seen with other antidepressants.
(Category B2)
The safety of venlafaxine in human pregnancy has not been established. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Venlafaxine must be administered to pregnant women only if the expected benefits outweigh the possible risks. Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant during therapy. If venlafaxine is used until or shortly before birth, discontinuation effects in the newborn should be considered.
Some neonates exposed to venlafaxine, other SNRIs (Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors), or SSRIs, late in the third trimester have developed complications requiring prolonged hospitalisation, respiratory support, or tube feeding. Such complications can arise immediately upon delivery. Reported clinical findings have included respiratory distress, cyanosis, apnoea, seizures, temperature instability, feeding difficulty, vomiting, hypoglycaemia, hypotonia, hypertonia, hyper-reflexia, tremor, jitteriness, irritability and constant crying. These features are consistent with either a direct toxic effect of SSRIs and SNRIs or, possibly, a drug discontinuation syndrome.
Epidemiological data have suggested that the use of SSRIs in pregnancy, particularly in late pregnancy, may increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the new born (PPHN). Although no studies have investigated an association of PPHN to SNRI treatment, this potential risk cannot be ruled out with venlafaxine, taking into account the related mechanism of action (inhibition of the re-uptake of serotonin).
A prospective longitudinal study of 201 women with a history of major depression who were euthymic at the beginning of pregnancy showed that women who discontinued antidepressant medication during pregnancy were more likely to experience a relapse of major depression than women who continued antidepressant medication. During pregnancy both major depression and antidepressant medications may present risks to the mother and the neonate. The benefits and choice of specific therapy must be weighed against the risks.
Epidemiological studies suggest that exposure to SNRIs in mid to late pregnancy may increase the risk for preeclampsia. Exposure to SNRIs near delivery may increase the risk for postpartum haemorrhage.
 Venlafaxine and/or its metabolites are secreted in milk of lactating rats at concentrations higher than those found in the plasma of the dam. Venlafaxine and its metabolites have been shown to pass into human milk. The total dose of venlafaxine and ODV ingested by breast fed infants can be as high as 9.2% of maternal intake. Therefore, the use of Sandoz Venlafaxine XR in nursing women cannot be recommended. Exposed infants should be observed closely.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

Although venlafaxine has been shown not to affect psychomotor, cognitive or complex behaviour performance in healthy volunteers, any psychoactive medication may impair judgment, thinking or motor skills, and patients should be cautioned about operating hazardous machinery, including automobiles, until they are reasonably certain that the treatment does not affect them adversely.

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

Clinical trials.

The information included in the Adverse events clinical trials subsection are those that were observed in short-term, placebo-controlled studies with venlafaxine and has been based on data from a pool of three 8- and 12-week controlled clinical trials in major depressive disorder (dose range of 75 - 225 mg/day), on data up to 8 weeks from a pool of five controlled clinical trials in Generalised Anxiety Disorder with venlafaxine (dose range 37.5 - 225 mg/day), on data up to 12 weeks from a pool of five controlled clinical trials in Social Anxiety Disorder (dose range of 75 - 225 mg/day), and on data up to 12 weeks from a pool of four controlled clinical trials in Panic Disorder (dose range of 75 - 225 mg/day). (The adverse events occurring at an incidence ≥ 2% among venlafaxine treated patients or at an incidence greater than the placebo treated patients are provided in Table 1). The table shows the percentage of patients in each group who had at least one episode of an event at some time during the treatment. The prescriber should be aware that these figures cannot be used to predict the incidence of side effects in the course of usual medical practice where patient characteristics and other factors differ from those which prevailed in the clinical trials.
Table 2 lists adverse reactions from combined analyses of the clinical studies for major depression, generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. The adverse reactions have been presented using the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) frequency categories: Common: > 1%; Uncommon: > 0.1% and < 1%; Rare: > 0.01% and < 0.1%; Very rare: < 0.01%.

Discontinuation symptoms.

Discontinuation effects are well known to occur with antidepressants, and it is therefore recommended that the dosage is tapered gradually and the patient monitored (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration). The following symptoms have been reported in association with abrupt discontinuation or dose-reduction, or tapering of treatment: hypomania, anxiety, agitation, nervousness, confusion, insomnia or other sleep disturbances, fatigue, somnolence, paraesthesia, dizziness, convulsion, vertigo, headache, flu-like symptoms, tinnitus, impaired coordination and balance, tremor, sweating, dry mouth, anorexia, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, visual impairment, and hypertension. In pre-marketing studies, the majority of discontinuation reactions were mild and resolved without treatment (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration; Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use). There have been reports of serious discontinuation symptoms, and sometimes these effects can be protracted and severe.
In the Social Anxiety Disorder pooled short-term studies, the most common taper/post-study-emergent adverse events were dizziness (13%), nausea (7%), insomnia (3%), nervousness (3%) and asthenia (2%). In the 6-month study, the most common taper/post-study treatment emergent adverse events were dizziness (21% and 16%) and nausea (7% and 10%) for modified release venlafaxine 75 mg and modified release venlafaxine 150-225 mg, respectively.

Paediatric patients.

(See Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Clinical worsening and suicide risk, Paediatric use.)
In general, the adverse reaction profile of venlafaxine in placebo-controlled clinical trials in children and adolescents (aged 6 to 17) was similar to that seen in adults. As with adults, decreased appetite, weight loss, increased blood pressure and increased serum cholesterol were observed. Additionally, the following adverse reactions were observed: abdominal pain, agitation, dyspepsia, ecchymosis, epistaxis and myalgia. In paediatric clinical trials, there were increased reports of hostility and, especially in major depression, suicide-related adverse events such as suicidal ideation and self-harm.

Post-marketing reports.

Table 3 lists adverse reactions derived from post-marketing spontaneous reports in patients with major depression, generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Adverse reactions are shown in CIOMS frequency categories: Common: ≥ 1%; Uncommon: ≥ 0.1% and < 1%; Rare: ≥ 0.01% and < 0.1%; Very rare: < 0.01%; Not known: cannot be estimated from the available data.

Reporting suspected adverse effects.

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit-risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions at http://www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

4.9 Overdose

In managing overdosage, consider the possibility of multiple medication involvement. (See Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions.)

Signs and symptoms.

During pre-marketing trials, most patients who have overdosed with venlafaxine were asymptomatic. Of the remainder, somnolence was the most commonly reported symptom. Mild sinus tachycardia and mydriasis have also been reported. There were no reports of seizures, respiratory distress, significant cardiac disturbances, or significant laboratory test result abnormalities among any of the cases reported to date. However, seizures and respiratory distress occurred in one patient in an on-going study who ingested an estimated 2.75 g of venlafaxine with naproxen and thyroxine. Generalised convulsions and coma resulted and emergency resuscitation was required. Recovery was good without sequelae.
In post-marketing experience, overdose with venlafaxine was reported predominantly in combination with alcohol and/or other drugs. The most commonly reported events in overdose include tachycardia, changes in level of consciousness (ranging from somnolence to coma), mydriasis, vomiting and seizures. Other events reported included electrocardiogram changes (e.g. prolongation of QT interval, bundle branch block, QRS prolongation), ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia (including torsade de pointes), bradycardia, hypotension, vertigo, and death. Serotonin toxicity has been reported in association with venlafaxine overdose.

Fatal overdoses.

Published retrospective analyses from the United Kingdom (UK) report the rate of antidepressant overdose deaths per million prescriptions. In these analyses, the rate for venlafaxine is higher than that for SSRIs, but lower than that for tricyclic antidepressants.
These analyses did not adjust for suicide risk factors. Epidemiological studies have shown that venlafaxine is prescribed to patients with a higher pre-existing burden of suicide risk factors than patients prescribed SSRIs. The extent to which the finding of an increased risk of fatal outcomes can be attributed to the toxicity of venlafaxine in overdosage as opposed to some characteristics of venlafaxine-treated patients is not clear. Prescriptions of venlafaxine should be written for the smallest quantity of drug consistent with good patient management, in order to reduce the risk of overdose (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Clinical worsening and suicide risk).

Management of overdosage.

General supportive and symptomatic measures are recommended. Ensure an adequate airway, oxygenation and ventilation. Cardiac rhythm and vital signs must be monitored. Administration of activated charcoal may also limit drug absorption. Where there is a risk of aspiration, induction of emesis is not recommended. No specific antidotes for venlafaxine are known. Forced diuresis, dialysis, haemoperfusion and exchange transfusion are unlikely to be of benefit. Venlafaxine and ODV are not considered dialyzable because haemodialysis clearance of both compounds is low.
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poison Information Centre on 131126 (Australia).

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Mechanism of action.

Venlafaxine is a structurally novel antidepressant for oral administration; it is chemically unrelated to tricyclic, tetracyclic, or other available antidepressant agents.
The antidepressant action of venlafaxine in humans is believed to be associated with its potentiation of neurotransmitter activity in the central nervous system (CNS). Preclinical studies have shown that venlafaxine and its major metabolite, O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV), are potent inhibitors of serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake, and also weakly inhibit dopamine reuptake. Venlafaxine is a racemate. The R-enantiomer is relatively more potent than the S-enantiomer with regard to inhibition of noradrenaline reuptake; the S-enantiomer is more potent regarding inhibition of serotonin reuptake. Both enantiomers are more potent on serotonin compared to noradrenaline reuptake. The enantiomers of ODV also inhibit both noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake, with the R-enantiomer being more potent. Venlafaxine and its major metabolite appear to be equipotent with respect to their overall action on neurotransmitter re-uptake and receptor binding. Studies in animals show that tricyclic antidepressants may reduce β-adrenergic receptor responsiveness following chronic administration. In contrast, venlafaxine and ODV reduce β-adrenergic responsiveness after both acute (single dose) and chronic administration.
Venlafaxine has no significant affinity for rat brain muscarinic, H1-histaminergic or α1-adrenergic receptors in vitro. Pharmacological activity at these receptors is potentially associated with various sedative, cardiovascular, and anticholinergic effects seen with other psychotropic drugs. Venlafaxine does not possess monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory activity.
In vitro studies revealed that venlafaxine has virtually no affinity for opiate, benzodiazepine, phencyclidine (PCP), or N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors. Venlafaxine also does not produce noradrenaline release from brain slices. It has no significant CNS stimulant activity in rodents. In primate drug discrimination studies, venlafaxine showed no significant stimulant or depressant abuse liability.

Cardiac electrophysiology.

In a dedicated thorough QTc study in healthy subjects, venlafaxine did not prolong the QT interval to any clinically relevant extent at a dose of 450 mg/day (given as 225 mg twice a day).

Clinical trials.

Major depression.

Three double blind, placebo controlled trials, of up to 12 weeks duration, have examined the clinical efficacy of modified release venlafaxine in the treatment of major depression. One of these studies also incorporated an active comparator, paroxetine. These studies showed venlafaxine to have greater efficacy than both placebo and paroxetine in reducing depression.

Generalised anxiety disorder.

Five placebo-controlled trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of modified release venlafaxine in the treatment of anxiety. Two trials were eight-week studies, utilizing venlafaxine doses of 75 mg, 150 mg and 225 mg/day and of 75 mg and 150 mg/day. In one of these, buspirone was found not to be significantly different to placebo or to venlafaxine. However, venlafaxine was found to be superior to placebo. Two other trials were the first eight-weeks of two long-term studies, utilizing venlafaxine doses of 75 mg-225 mg/day and of 37.5 mg, 75 mg and 150 mg/day.
Four studies demonstrated superiority of modified release venlafaxine over placebo on at least five of the following efficacy scales: HAM-A total score, the HAM-A psychic anxiety factor, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) anxiety subscale, and the CGI severity of illness scale, as well as the HAM-A anxious mood and tension item. Two of these four studies continued for up to six months. These two studies, which utilised venlafaxine doses of 75 mg-225 mg/day and 37.5 mg, 75 mg and 150 mg/day demonstrated superiority of venlafaxine over placebo on the HAM-A total score, HAM-A psychic anxiety factor, the HAD anxiety factor, and the CGI severity of illness scale, as well as the HAM-A anxious mood item.
The fifth trial was a short-term (8-week) comparison of the efficacy of 2 fixed doses of modified release venlafaxine (75 mg and 150 mg) with placebo and diazepam followed by a comparison of the long-term (6-month) efficacy of modified release venlafaxine and placebo in the prevention of relapse. The most important results were the primary efficacy variables at week 8 using an LOCF analysis. These demonstrated no significant differences between either venlafaxine and placebo, or diazepam and placebo for any of the primary efficacy variables. In view of this failure to demonstrate any effectiveness of either venlafaxine or diazepam over placebo, the long-term outcomes of this study are not of clinical or theoretical value. In conclusion, this study showed no anxiolytic effect of either diazepam or placebo in the short-term (8 week phase). See Table 4.

Depression relapse/recurrence.

A long-term study of depressed outpatients who had responded to modified release venlafaxine during an initial 8-week open-label treatment phase and were randomly assigned to continuation on venlafaxine or placebo for 6 months demonstrated a significantly lower relapse rate for patients taking venlafaxine compared with those on placebo.
In a second long-term study, outpatients with a history of recurrent depression who had responded to immediate-release venlafaxine by 8 weeks and maintained improvement during an initial 6-month open-label treatment phase were randomly assigned to maintenance therapy on venlafaxine or placebo for 12 months. Significantly, fewer patients taking venlafaxine compared with those on placebo had a reappearance of depression.

Social anxiety disorder.

The efficacy of modified release venlafaxine as a treatment for social anxiety disorder (also known as social phobia) was established in four double-blind, parallel-group, 12-week, multi-centre, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose studies and one double-blind, parallel-group, 6-month, fixed/flexible-dose study in adult outpatients meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-IV criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder. Patients received doses in a range of 75-225 mg/day. Efficacy was assessed with the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). The LSAS measures the relationship of impairment because of social anxiety disorder symptoms by evaluating a patient's fear and avoidance in a broad range of situations (i.e. 13 performance and 11 social interaction situations). Psychometric studies have shown the LSAS to be a valid and reliable measure of social anxiety.1 The LSAS scale has also been shown to be sensitive to differences between active and placebo treatments.2
The results of these trials are presented in Table 5. In these five trials, venlafaxine was significantly more effective than placebo on change from baseline to endpoint on the LSAS total score.
1 Clark, et al. Systematic assessment of social phobia in clinical practice. Depress and Anxiety 1997; 6:47-61.
2 Davidson JRT, et al. Treatment of social phobia with clonazepam and placebo. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1993; 13:423-428.

Panic disorder.

The efficacy of modified release capsules as a treatment for panic disorder was established in two double-blind, 12-week, multicentre, placebo-controlled studies in adult outpatients meeting DSM-IV criteria for panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia. Patients received fixed doses of 75 or 150 mg/day in one study (Study 1) and 75 or 225 mg/day in the other study (Study 2).
In one flexible-dose study (Study 3) (75 mg to 225 mg daily doses), the primary outcome, the percentage of patients free of full-symptom panic attacks, approached significance (p = 0.056). In this study, venlafaxine was significantly more effective than placebo for the two key secondary outcomes, (1) mean change from baseline to endpoint on the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) total score, and (2) percentage of patients rated as responders (much improved or very much improved) in the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) Improvement scale.
In another flexible-dose study (Study 4) (dose range 75 mg to 225 mg per day), modified release venlafaxine was not significantly more effective than placebo for the primary outcome, the percentage of patients free of full-symptom panic attacks, but it was significantly more effective than placebo for the secondary outcome, percentage of patients rated as responders (much improved or very much improved) in the Clinical Impressions (CGI) Improvement scale.
Efficacy was assessed on the basis of outcomes in three variables: (1) percentage of patients free of full-symptom panic attacks on the Panic and Anticipatory Anxiety Scale (PAAS), (2) mean change from baseline to endpoint on the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) total score, and (3) percentage of patients rated as responders (much improved or very much improved) in the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) Improvement scale. In Studies 1 and 2, venlafaxine was significantly more effective than placebo in all three variables. See Table 6.
Examination of subsets of the population studied did not reveal any differential responsiveness on the basis of gender. There was insufficient information to determine the effect of age or race on outcome in these studies.
In a longer-term study (Study 5), adult outpatients meeting DSM-IV criteria for panic disorder who had responded during a 12-week open phase with modified release venlafaxine (75 to 225 mg/day) were randomly assigned to continue the same venlafaxine dose (75, 150, or 225 mg) or switch to placebo for observation for relapse during a 6-month double-blind phase. Response during the open phase was defined as > 1 full-symptom panic attack per week during the last 2 weeks of the open phase and a CGI Improvement score of 1 (very much improved) or 2 (much improved). Relapse during the double-blind phase was defined as having 2 or more full-symptom panic attacks per week for 2 consecutive weeks or having discontinued due to loss of effectiveness. Patients receiving continued venlafaxine treatment experienced significantly lower relapse rates over the subsequent 6 months compared with those receiving placebo. See Table 7.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

Steady-state concentrations of venlafaxine and ODV are attained within 3 days of oral multiple-dose therapy. Venlafaxine and ODV exhibited linear kinetics over the dose range of 75 to 450 mg/day. Mean ± SD steady-state plasma clearance of venlafaxine and ODV is 1.3 ± 0.6 and 0.4 ± 0.2 L/h/kg, respectively; apparent elimination half-life is 5 ± 2 and 11 ± 2 hours, respectively; and apparent (steady-state) volume of distribution is 7.5 ± 3.7 and 5.7 ± 1.8 L/kg, respectively.

Absorption.

On the basis of mass balance studies, at least 92% of a single oral dose of venlafaxine is absorbed, indicating that absorption of venlafaxine is nearly complete. However, the presystemic metabolism of venlafaxine (which primarily forms the active metabolite, ODV) reduces the absolute bioavailability of venlafaxine to 42% ± 15%.
After administration of venlafaxine modified release (150 mg q24 hours), the peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) of venlafaxine (150 nanogram/mL) and ODV (260 nanogram/mL) were attained within 6.0 ± 1.5 and 8.8 ± 2.2 hours, respectively. The rate of absorption of venlafaxine from the venlafaxine modified release capsule is slower than its rate of elimination. Therefore, the apparent elimination half-life of venlafaxine following administration of venlafaxine modified release (15 ± 6 hours) is actually the absorption half-life instead of the true disposition half-life (5 ± 2 hours) observed following administration of an immediate-release tablet.
When equal doses of venlafaxine, administered either as an immediate-release tablet taken in divided doses or as a modified-release capsule, were taken once a day, the exposure (AUC, area under the concentration curve) to both venlafaxine and ODV was similar for the two treatments, and the fluctuation in plasma concentrations was slightly lower following treatment with the venlafaxine modified release capsule. Therefore, the venlafaxine modified release capsule provides a slower rate of absorption, but the same extent of absorption (i.e. AUC), as the venlafaxine immediate-release tablet.
No accumulation of venlafaxine or ODV has been observed during chronic administration in healthy subjects.

Food-drug interactions.

Administration of venlafaxine modified release capsules with food has no effect on the absorption of venlafaxine or on the subsequent formation of ODV.

Distribution.

The degree of binding of venlafaxine to human plasma proteins is 27% ± 2% at concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 2215 nanogram/mL, and the degree of ODV binding to human plasma proteins is 30% ± 12% at concentrations ranging from 100 to 500 nanogram/mL. Protein-binding-induced drug interactions with concomitantly administered venlafaxine are not expected. Following intravenous administration, the steady-state volume of distribution of venlafaxine is 4.4±1.9 L/kg, indicating that venlafaxine distributes well beyond the total body water.

Metabolism.

Following absorption, venlafaxine undergoes extensive presystemic metabolism in the liver. The primary metabolite of venlafaxine is ODV, but venlafaxine is also metabolised to N-desmethylvenlafaxine, N,O-didesmethylvenlafaxine, and other minor metabolites. In vitro studies indicate that the formation of ODV is catalysed by CYP2D6 and that the formation of N-desmethylvenlafaxine is catalysed by CYP3A3/4. The results of the in vitro studies have been confirmed in a clinical study with subjects who are CYP2D6-poor and extensive metabolisers. However, despite the metabolic differences between the CYP2D6-poor and extensive metabolisers the total exposure to the sum of the two active species (venlafaxine and ODV) was similar in the two metaboliser groups. Therefore, CYP2D6-poor and extensive metabolisers can be treated with the same regimen of venlafaxine (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions, CYP2D6 inhibitors).

Excretion.

Approximately 87% of a venlafaxine dose is recovered in the urine within 48 hours after a single radio-labelled dose as either unchanged venlafaxine (5%), unconjugated ODV (29%), conjugated ODV (26%), or other minor inactive metabolites (27%), and 92% of the radioactive dose is recovered within 72 hours. Therefore, renal elimination of venlafaxine and its metabolites is the primary route of excretion.

Special populations.

Age and gender.

Subject age and sex do not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of venlafaxine. A 20% reduction in clearance was noted for ODV in subjects over 60 years old; this was probably caused by the decrease in renal function that typically occurs with aging.

Renal impairment.

In patients with moderate to severe impairment of renal function, the total clearance of both venlafaxine and ODV was reduced, and t1/2 was prolonged. The reduction in total clearance was most pronounced in subjects with creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min.

Hepatic impairment.

In some patients with compensated hepatic cirrhosis, the pharmacokinetic disposition of both venlafaxine and ODV was significantly altered. The reduction in both the metabolism of venlafaxine and elimination of ODV resulted in higher plasma concentrations of both venlafaxine and ODV.

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity.

There was no evidence of gene mutation or chromosomal change in a series of genotoxicity assays using venlafaxine and the main human metabolite ODV.

Carcinogenicity.

Venlafaxine was given by oral gavage to mice and rats for 18 months and 24 months respectively, at dosages up to 120 mg/kg/day. There were no clear drug-related oncogenic effects in either species. In these studies, animal exposure to the main human metabolite ODV was less, and exposure to venlafaxine was more than would be expected in humans taking the recommended therapeutic and maximum doses.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

Other ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, purified talc, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, ethylcellulose and copovidone. For each strength, the capsule shells contain:
75 mg: gelatin, titanium dioxide, iron oxide black and iron oxide red. The printing uses TekPrint SB-1033 Red Ink (PI 106948).
150 mg: gelatin, titanium dioxide, Brilliant Blue FCF, Allura Red AC and Sunset Yellow FCF. The printing uses TekPrint SB-0007P White Ink (PI 2216).

6.2 Incompatibilities

Incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of this medicine.

6.3 Shelf Life

In Australia, information on the shelf life can be found on the public summary of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The expiry date can be found on the packaging.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

Store below 25°C.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

Sandoz Venlafaxine XR 75 mg and 150 mg are packed in PVC/PVDC/Al or PVC/PCTFE (Aclar)/Al blisters in a carton containing 28 capsules.
Not all presentations may be marketed in Australia.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Venlafaxine hydrochloride is a white to off-white crystalline solid with a solubility of 572 mg/mL in water (adjusted to ionic strength of 0.2 M with sodium chloride).

Chemical structure.

The full chemical name for venlafaxine hydrochloride is 1-[(R/S)-2-(2-dimethylamino)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl] cyclohexanol hydrochloride. Its molecular weight is 313.9 and its molecular formula is C17H27NO2.HCl. Its chemical structure is:

CAS number.

99300-78-4.

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

S4 - Prescription Only Medicine.

Summary Table of Changes