Effexor XR, a brand name of venlafaxine hydrochloride, is used to treat major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety and panic disorder. Panic disorder is a mental illness marked by recurrent panic attacks, and often includes worry about having future panic attacks. Effexor XR is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI.
Neurochemistry
Effexor affects the levels of two naturally occurring neurotransmitters in the brain, serotonin and norepinephrine, according to eMedTV. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers between neurons. When a message travels through a nerve, it causes the end of the cell to release a neurotransmitter such as serotonin or norepinephrine. The serotonin or norepinephrine then enters the synaptic gap between the cells. When the receptive cell absorbs enough serotonin or norepinephrine, receptors activate and the message continues along the neural pathway. The first nerve cell then absorbs any remaining serotonin or norepinephrine, in a process called "reuptake."
Function
Abnormalities in neurotransmitter activity can affect mood and behavior. Effexor XR increases the levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine by inhibiting the reuptake process in the brain, MayoClinic.com notes. Experts believe that these increased levels of serotonin and norepinephrine enhance the sending and receiving of nerve impulses, and that this has a positive effect on depression, panic, and anxiety. In addition, all antidepressants may increase the effects of brain receptors that help nerve cells regulate sensitivity to glutamate.
Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are sudden bouts of intense fear that may include extremely anxious feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations. They generally appear out of the blue and without warning. Symptoms usually peak within ten minutes, and continue to gradually subside after that. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, rapid heart beat, sweating, hyperventilation, chest pain or tightness, and fear of losing control or going crazy. Hereditary, lifestyle, and brain chemistry factors may all play a role in panic attacks, according to MayoClinic.com.
Panic Disorder
Effexor XR treats panic disorder, not panic attacks per se. It is taken daily to ward off the frequent panic attacks experienced by those with panic disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, panic disorder affects about 6 million American adults, and twice as many women than men. Panic attacks usually begin in late adolescence or early adulthood. Those who experience severe panic attacks often develop great anxiety about having further attacks, a hallmark of panic disorder. Agoraphobia can develop.
Considerations
Effexor XR should be taken in a single dose, with food, according to the drug information website RxList. Generally, psychiatrists prescribe an initial dose of 37.5 mg per day to treat panic disorder, increasing at specific intervals to a dosage of up to 225 mg per day. A clinician should monitor a gradual discontinuation of Effexor XR. Side effects specifically for those taking Effexor for panic disorder can include gastrointestinal complaints, central nervous system complaints problems, difficulties in sexual function, and sweating.
