THIS PAGE IS INTENDED FOR UK PATIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBED VENCARM XL^® (VENLAFAXINE)

Vencarm XL^{^®} (venlafaxine)

Prolonged-release capsules

About Vencarm XL^®

Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and Patient Information Leaflet (PIL)

The following links will take you to the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) website.

By using the links below, you will leave the Pathway Portfolio website and be re-directed to an external site. Aspire Pharma is not responsible for the content on external websites.

Vencarm XL 37.5mg prolonged release capsules

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Vencarm XL 75mg prolonged release capsules

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Vencarm XL 150mg prolonged release capsules

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Vencarm XL 225mg prolonged release capsules

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Mental Health Conditions

Clinical Depression

Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days. Most people go through periods of feeling down, but when you’re depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days.¹

Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms. They range from lasting feelings of unhappiness and hopelessness, to losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful. Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety. There can be physical symptoms too, such as feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite or sex drive, and various aches and pains.¹

There are many different factors that can lead to depression, that may occur at any time, even when life is going well.²As depressive disorders become more severe, all the features in depressive episode occur with greater intensity. Difficulties may arise in social, home or work spheres.¹

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD is a long-term condition that causes you to feel anxious about a wide range of situations and issues, rather than one specific event. People with GAD feel anxious most days and often struggle to remember the last time they felt relaxed. As soon as one anxious thought is resolved, another may appear about a different issue.⁴

GAD is a condition that affects slightly more women than men, and the condition is more common in people from the ages of 35 to 55.⁴

The exact cause of GAD isn’t fully understood, although it’s likely that a combination of several factors plays a role. Research has suggested that these may include⁴:

the genes you inherit from your parents
having a history of stressful or traumatic experiences, such as domestic violence, child abuse or bullying
having a painful long-term health condition, such as arthritis
having a history of drug or alcohol misuse

However, many people develop GAD for no apparent reason.

Generalised anxiety disorder is a common condition, estimated to affect 1 in every 25 people in the UK.³

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

SAD, also called social phobia, is a long-lasting and overwhelming fear of social situations. It’s a common problem that usually starts during the teenage years. It can be very distressing and have a big impact on your life. For some people it gets better as they get older. But for many people it does not go away on its own without treatment.⁵

You may have social anxiety if you:⁵

dread everyday activities, such as meeting strangers, starting conversations, speaking on the phone, working or shopping
avoid or worry a lot about social activities, such as group conversations, eating with company, and parties
always worry about doing something you think is embarrassing, such as blushing, sweating or appearing incompetent
find it difficult to do things when others are watching – you may feel like you’re being watched and judged all the time
fear criticism, avoid eye contact or have low self-esteem
often have symptoms such as feeling sick, sweating, trembling or a pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
have panic attacks (where you have an overwhelming sense of fear and anxiety, usually only for a few minutes)

Panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia)

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder where you regularly have sudden attacks of panic or fear.⁶

Panic attacks are a type of fear response. They’re an exaggeration of your body’s normal response to danger, stress or excitement. During a panic attack, physical symptoms can build up very quickly. These can include:⁷

a pounding or racing heartbeat
feeling faint, dizzy or light-headed
feeling very hot or very cold
sweating, trembling or shaking
nausea (feeling sick)
pain in your chest or abdomen
struggling to breathe or feeling like you’re choking
feeling like your legs are shaky or are turning to jelly
feeling disconnected from your mind, body or surroundings

As with many mental health conditions, the exact cause of panic disorder isn’t fully understood. But it’s thought the condition is probably linked to a combination of things, including:⁶

a traumatic or very stressful life experience, such as bereavement
having a close family member with the disorder
an imbalance of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain.

Resources

By using the link below you will leave the Pathway Portfolio website and be re-directed to an external site; Aspire Pharma is not responsible for the content on external websites.