We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Factors Affect Effexor XR® Dosage?

By Valerie Goldberg
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,384
References
Share

Effexor XR® is a prescription medication that may be prescribed to patients who suffer from conditions such as depression, anxiety and panic. Capsules of Effexor XR® are sold in a range of dosages, from a low of 37.5 mg to a high of 150 mg. The Effexor XR® dosage a person needs daily can depend on a variety of factors, including age, diagnosed conditions and other prescription drugs the patient is taking. The lowest effective dose of Effexor XR® is 37.5 mg — hence, the lowest available dosage — and the highest safe dose is around 375 mg.

The age of a person can impact the Effexor XR® dosage prescribed. Teenagers who suffer from depression are typically given lower doses of antidepressants, because higher doses may cause teens to have side effects such as suicidal thoughts. A typical teen may only be prescribed from 37.5 mg to 75 mg a day. The average adult, on the other hand, may need an Effexor XR® dosage of 150 mg to control his or her symptoms. Severely depressed adults can sometimes require doses of 225 mg or above.

A person's medical conditions also affect his or her Effexor XR® dosage. A patient is usually started out on a very low Effexor XR® dosage and may be told to increase his or her dosage after a few days. Many adults suffering from depression or anxiety wind up on a daily dose of 150 mg. Patients prescribed this drug for treatment of panic disorder or as a form of chronic pain management may require a lower dose of around 75 mg. Each patient responds to the medication differently, so only a doctor can determine the best dose needed for a patient.

The other medications a person is taking can help in determining the amount of Effexor XR® needed. If a patient who has both depression and anxiety is responding well overall to the medication, then a doctor may choose to keep the patient on a higher Effexor XR® dosage. A person who has depression that is responding well to the Effexor XR® but has anxiety that is still uncontrolled may be put on a lower Effexor XR® dosage and prescribed a second medication, such as diazepam or alprazolam, to treat anxiety symptoms.

Patients should not stop taking Effexor XR® without consulting their doctors. Medications of this type should not be stopped cold turkey, but a patient should be slowly weaned. A person who stops taking Effexor XR® abruptly may experience unpleasant side effects.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-factors-affect-effexor-xr-dosage.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.