Common antidepressant is ‘out of stock’ in UK with major shortage set to last until NOVEMBER

A COMMON antidepressant is reportedly out of stock across the country. The drug, which is available in different doses, is expected to be in short supply until later this year. A commonly used antidepressant will be in short supply until November Credit: PA Venlafaxine 75mg immediate-release tablets is set to be unavailable across the country until November. This comes after a Tier 2 medium-impact alert was issued by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) warning of the short supply. Sign up for the Health newsletter Thank you! The shortage does not affect modified-release venlafaxine tablets, with 37.5mg, 75mg and 150mg capsules recommended to support the increased demand. Prescribers of the medication have been told not to issue any new prescriptions of the 75mg tablet until the shortage has ended. This specific warning only relates to immediate-release venlafaxine tablets, which are prescribed to be taken twice a day, in comparison to the modified-release capsues which are only taken once. Venlafaxine is a type of antidepressant called a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI, mainly used to help treat depression. It is thought to work by increasing seratonin and noradrenaline levels, which help to reduce stress and negative thoughts. It can also be used to help with anxiety, panic attacks and menopause symptoms such as hot flushes in women with breast cancer. Most read in Health Venlafaxine works differently to SSRIs, such as sertraline, fluoxetine and citalopram, which are prescribed much more frequently. A copy of the supply notice has subsequently been sent to all NHS pharmacy email addresses. Comment now