Alventa 75 mg and 150 mg prolonged-release capsules – venlafaxine for depression and anxiety disorders

Alventa is an antidepressant containing the active substance venlafaxine and belongs to the group of serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). In Serbia it is authorised as hard prolonged-release capsules of 75 mg and 150 mg, in packs of 28 capsules.

According to the official leaflet, Alventa is used to treat adults with depression, generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. It is available only on prescription, and the dose and duration of treatment are decided by the doctor.

What is Alventa (venlafaxine) used for and how is it taken correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Alventa used for?

According to the official leaflet, Alventa is used to treat adults with:

• depression;
• generalised anxiety disorder;
• social anxiety disorder (fear and avoidance of social situations);
• panic disorder (panic attacks).

Proper treatment of depression or an anxiety disorder is important, because an untreated condition can get worse and become harder to treat.

How is it used and dosed?

• The usual starting dose for depression, generalised and social anxiety disorder is 75 mg daily; the doctor may increase the dose gradually – for depression up to a maximum of 375 mg daily.
• For panic disorder the doctor starts with a lower dose (37.5 mg) and then increases it gradually.
• The maximum dose for generalised anxiety, social anxiety and panic disorder is 225 mg daily.
• Take the capsule once a day at about the same time (morning or evening) with food.
• Swallow the capsule whole with liquid – do not open, crush, chew or dissolve it.

White granules (pellets) sometimes seen in the stool are empty shells – the medicine has been absorbed. This is the general dosage from the leaflet; the individual dose is decided by the doctor.

Special patient groups

• Children and adolescents under 18: the medicine should normally not be used; young people have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and hostile behaviour.
• Liver or kidney impairment: talk to your doctor – a different dose may be needed.
• Patients with diabetes: venlafaxine can change blood sugar levels, so diabetes medicines may need adjustment.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• allergy to venlafaxine or any of the excipients;
• concomitant use of irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or their use within the last 14 days (medicines for depression or Parkinson's disease).

After stopping Alventa, wait at least 7 days before taking any MAO inhibitor.

Precautions and warnings

Before starting treatment tell your doctor:

• if you take medicines that increase the risk of serotonin syndrome;
• if you have certain types of glaucoma (raised eye pressure);
• if you have or have had high blood pressure, heart problems or a heart rhythm disorder;
• if you have had convulsions (epileptic seizures);
• if you have had low blood sodium;
• if you tend to bleed or take medicines that increase the risk of bleeding (e.g. warfarin), or are pregnant;
• if you or a family member have had mania or bipolar disorder, or you tend to behave aggressively.

During the first weeks restlessness and inability to sit or stand still may occur. Medicines in this group can cause sexual dysfunction, which in some patients continues after treatment is stopped. Dry mouth (reported in about 10% of patients) increases the risk of tooth decay, so regular dental hygiene is important.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

Serotonin syndrome (a potentially life-threatening condition) can occur especially with:

• triptans (migraine medicines);
• other antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants) and lithium;
• amphetamines, linezolid, moclobemide, sibutramine, methylene blue;
• opioids (e.g. buprenorphine, tramadol, fentanyl, tapentadol, pethidine, pentazocine), methadone and dextromethorphan (a cough medicine);
• St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) and tryptophan;
• antipsychotics.

Also tell your doctor if you take medicines that affect heart rhythm (e.g. quinidine, amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide, thioridazine, erythromycin, moxifloxacin, some antihistamines), or ketoconazole, haloperidol, risperidone or metoprolol.

Take Alventa with food. Do not drink alcohol – it can cause extreme tiredness and fainting and worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Use in pregnancy is decided by the doctor after weighing benefits and risks. Similar medicines taken in pregnancy may increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, and use near the end of pregnancy the risk of heavy bleeding after delivery. Venlafaxine passes into breast milk – the doctor decides whether to stop breastfeeding or the treatment.

Driving and using machines

The medicine may affect psychophysical abilities. Do not drive or use machines until you know how the medicine affects you.

Possible side effects

• Very common (more than 1 in 10): dizziness, headache, sedation, insomnia, nausea, dry mouth, constipation, sweating (including night sweats).
• Common (up to 1 in 10): decreased appetite, confusion, reduced libido and orgasm/ejaculation disorders, nervousness, abnormal dreams, tremor, visual disturbances, ringing in the ears, fast heartbeat, raised blood pressure, yawning, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, urination and menstrual disorders, tiredness, weight change, raised cholesterol.
• Uncommon (up to 1 in 100): mania, hallucinations, fainting, drop in blood pressure on standing, gastrointestinal bleeding, sensitivity to sunlight, bruising, hair loss, changes in liver enzymes.
• Rare (up to 1 in 1,000): convulsions, low blood sodium, heart rhythm disorders (including torsade de pointes), inflammation of the liver or pancreas, sharp eye pain with reduced vision.

Report any suspected side effect to your doctor, pharmacist or ALIMS.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: contact a doctor immediately – overdose can be life-threatening, especially with alcohol or certain medicines. Possible symptoms are fast heartbeat, altered consciousness (from drowsiness to coma), blurred vision, convulsions and vomiting.
• Missed dose: take it as soon as you remember; if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take a double dose.
• Stopping: do not stop treatment or reduce the dose without your doctor. Sudden stopping can cause dizziness, nausea, headache, insomnia, agitation, ringing in the ears, electric shock-like sensations and other symptoms; the doctor reduces the dose gradually, sometimes over several months.

Related information

• Anxiety and anxiety disorders
• How to treat anxiety and what are the prevention measures
• Tips for good sleep: how to improve sleep quality

Composition, packaging and manufacturer

• Active substance: venlafaxine, 75 mg or 150 mg per capsule (as venlafaxine hydrochloride).
• Excipients: sugar spheres (sucrose and maize starch), hydroxypropylcellulose, povidone, ethylcellulose, dibutyl sebacate, talc; capsule: gelatin, red and yellow iron oxide, titanium dioxide.
• Appearance: 75 mg – light pink capsules; 150 mg – orange-brown capsules, filled with white pellets.
• Pack: 2 unit-dose blisters of 14 capsules (28 capsules).
• Marketing authorisation holder: KRKA-FARMA D.O.O. BEOGRAD, Jurija Gagarina 26/V/II, Belgrade.
• Manufacturer: KRKA, D.D., NOVO MESTO, Šmarješka cesta 6, Novo mesto, Slovenia.
• The medicine contains sucrose – people who cannot tolerate some sugars should consult their doctor.

Storage

• This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
• Do not use after the expiry date.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take for Alventa to work?

Antidepressants usually take about two weeks, sometimes longer, to start working. During this time regular use and contact with your doctor are important.

Can I stop taking Alventa myself when I feel better?

No. Sudden stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms; the doctor reduces the dose gradually over several weeks or months.

May I drink alcohol while taking Alventa?

No. Alcohol with venlafaxine can cause extreme tiredness and fainting and worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Why do I see white granules in my stool?

These are the shells of the pellets from the capsule, which do not dissolve. The venlafaxine has already been released and absorbed, so there is no reason to worry.

Sources

• ALIMS – Package leaflet Alventa®, 75 mg and 150 mg, prolonged-release capsules, hard (August 2024, in Serbian)
• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics Alventa®, 150 mg, prolonged-release capsules, hard (in Serbian)

Date sources were checked: 24.10.2026.