PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, seizures, glaucoma, any allergies. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy and may affect judgment, thinking, or your physical reactions; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Though uncommon, depression can lead to thoughts or attempts of suicide. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any suicidal thoughts, worsening depression, or any other mental/mood changes (including new or worsening anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, rapid speech). Keep all medical appointments so your healthcare professional can monitor your progress closely and adjust/change your medication if needed. Elderly persons may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication. Use with caution. This medication should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. If this medication is used during the last 3 months of pregnancy, infrequently your newborn may develop symptoms including feeding or breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, jitteriness, or constant crying. However, do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor directs you to do so. Report any such symptoms to your doctor promptly. It is not known if this medication appears in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: MAO inhibitors (e.g., tranylcypromine, phenelzine, isocarboxazid, selegiline, linezolid, furazolidone). If you are currently using or have recently stopped taking an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting venlafaxine. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of any prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: cimetidine, other drugs which can cause bleeding/bruising (e.g., thrombolytic drugs such as TPA, anticoagulants such as heparin or warfarin, antiplatelet drugs including NSAIDs such as ibuprofen), other drugs that increase serotonin effects (e.g., lithium, triptans such as sumatriptan, SSRI antidepressants such as fluoxetine), sedatives, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine, morphine), seizure medication, medicine for weight control. Low-dose aspirin (usually 81-325 mg per day) for heart attack or stroke prevention should be continued unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Aspirin is similar to NSAID drugs, and can increase the risk of bleeding in combination with this medication (see above). Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.