According to the National Education Association Health Information Network, or NEA-HIN, depression is a common condition, with approximately 19 million people across all socioeconomic strata being diagnosed each year in the United States. Depression is a serious condition that, if left untreated, can lead to suicide and can complicate other serious health conditions, such as heart disease, says the NEA-HIN. Medications used to treat depression can also have harmful effects that may increase the risk of heart disease.
Effects
Effexor, or venlafaxine hydrochloride, is used for the treatment of depression and has been shown to affect blood cholesterol levels. According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, research studies with both venlafaxine and the extended-release version of venlafaxine showed important increases in blood cholesterol levels over time that were related to dose. The NIH suggests that periodic measurement of serum cholesterol levels should be considered throughout long-term treatment with venlafaxine.
Cholesterol
According to Drug Information Online, the increase in blood cholesterol levels is classified as an infrequent side effect of venlafaxine, as it has occurred in less than 1 percent of users. The degree of increase in cholesterol levels is directly related to the length of treatment and the dose of venlafaxine, says the NIH. Venlafaxine has been shown to increase cholesterol 50 mg/dL or more and up to a value of 261 mg/dL or more, reports the NIH.
Triglycerides
According to the NIH, both venlafaxine and venlafaxine extended-release have also been shown to raise serum triglyceride levels. In research studies, venlafaxine increased triglyceride levels up to 11.8 mg/dL after six months of treatment, says the NIH. However, these increases in triglyceride levels are not considered to be significant, as are the increased cholesterol levels, reports the NIH. Any increases in cholesterol or triglyceride levels while taking venlafaxine should be discussed with the doctor, suggests the NIH.
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