Can you take effexor (venlafaxine) on empty stomach as having hard time eating swallowing feels like lump in throut is possible nervous is doing this thank you?

Talk w/ Dr: One reason for directions to take a pill w/ food is to prevent stomach upset. If that's the only reason you might decide that's not as bad as what you feel. BUT some pills need food to allow full absorption and effectiveness by slowing down passage through system. Then, no food could mean you're wasting the drug and that's very foolish - so ask the Dr for why. Don't waste $.