Side effects at this dose, including mouth dryness, appetite suppression and nausea, were seen in a minority of patients. In most patients, the nausea was a temporary problem that generally resolved after a couple of weeks. In addition, the investigators found that venlafaxine doses of 37.5 to 150 milligrams per day did not seem to cause problems with libido when measured during the four weeks of therapy. Decreased libido recently has been reported as a side effect of some of the newer antidepressant drugs. Hot flashes are described by patients as a transient episode of flushing, sweating and a sensation of heat, often accompanied by palpitations and a feeling of anxiety, and sometimes followed by chills.
Hot flashes can be very disruptive to life.
Patients describe anxiety-producing hot flashes with sweat requiring changes of clothing and bedding, disruption of sleep and a general diminishment of mental and physical quality of life.