AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Principal author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 4th Edition published in November 2003 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Expert: Dr Alan Galbraith Date: 3/3/2008 Subject: novo-venlafaxine xr
Question I am experiencing slight changes in my vision with this drug. I have been taking the product for close to a year now, started at 37.5, then 75, now 150 mg. When I have missed a dose in the past (75 mg level) my vision seemed to "skip" or shift rapidly about 1 inch to the right. Its is almost as if you rapidly close one with the other open then switch eyes. Is this normal? Should I be concerned?
Answer Dear Lisa
This type of adverse effect can occur with several drugs that affect the brain but I am not aware nor can find anything in the literature regarding its association with venlafaxine. Visual disturbances can occur with venlafaxine, mainly blurred vision. However, your problem seems to occur with a missed dose rather than it being a direct adverse effect which would be very unusual for this drug and for most drugs. As it is due to a missed dose I would not classify this effect as being a problem but if it occurs repeatedly and becomes a real problem all I can say is that further investigation by your prescriber is necessary.
