Last reviewed 2026-05-29 · How we verify

Effexor (venlafaxine)

Effexor (generic name: venlafaxine) is a SNRI (Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) Small molecule drug developed by Generic (originally Wyeth/Pfizer). It is currently FDA-approved (first approved 1993) for Generalized anxiety disorder, Major depressive disorder, Panic disorder. Also known as: Effexor, Effexor XR.

Effexor, also known as venlafaxine, is a serotonin transporter inhibitor used to treat conditions such as major depressive disorder, peripheral neuropathy due to chemotherapy, and marijuana abuse. It belongs to the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class of medications.

At a glance

Approved indications

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Major depressive disorder
• Panic disorder
• Social phobia

Boxed warnings

• Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of venlafaxine tablets or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Venlafaxine tablets are not approved for use in pediatric patients (see WARNINGS: Clinical Worsening and Suicide Risk , PRECAUTIONS: Information for Patients , and PRECAUTIONS: Pediatric Use ).

Common side effects

• Odynophagia
• Mucosal disorder
• Oropharyngeal pain
• Dysphagia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Mucosal inflammation
• Pain
• Decreased appetite
• Musculoskeletal disorder
• Pain in jaw
• Balance disorder

Drug interactions

• Ethanol
• Cimetidine
• Diazepam

Key clinical trials

• The Use of Venlafaxine in Reducing Acute Post-Surgical Pain and Opioid Consumption in Primary Total Knee Replacement (Phase 4)
• A Ten-Week, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo and Active-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Flexible-Dose Study Evaluating the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of GSK372475 (1.5 mg/Day to 2.0 (Phase 2)
• Randomized, 2-way Crossover, Bioequivalence Study of Venlafaxine Hydrochloride 150 mg Extended-Release Capsules and Effexor® XR 150 mg Extended-Release Capsules Administered as 1 x 150 mg Extended-Rel (Phase 1)
• A Controlled Trial of Venlafaxine XR for Major Depression After Spinal Cord Injury: A Multi-site Study (Phase 4)
• A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo Controlled, Multicenter Study To Evaluate The Efficacy And Safety Of Venlafaxine Er In Adult Outpatients With Major Depressive Disorder (Phase 3)
• Efficacy and Safety of Toludesvenlafaxine Hydrochloride Sustained-release Tablets Versus Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Sustained-release Tablets in Patients With Major Depression Disorder: a Multicentre, (NA)
• A Comparison of Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Pharmacotherapy, and Their Combination for PTSD: What Works Best, and for Whom (Phase 4)
• Effects of Antidepressant on Postsynaptic Signal Transduction in Serotonergic System of Depressed Patients (NA)

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• Effexor CI brief — competitive landscape report
• Effexor updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• Generic (originally Wyeth/Pfizer) portfolio CI

Frequently asked questions about Effexor

Related

• Drug class: All SNRI (Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) drugs
• Target: All drugs targeting 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 6, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2C
• Manufacturer: Generic (originally Wyeth/Pfizer) — full pipeline
• Therapeutic area: All drugs in Neuroscience
• Indication: Drugs for Generalized anxiety disorder
• Indication: Drugs for Major depressive disorder
• Indication: Drugs for Panic disorder
• Also known as: Effexor, Effexor XR

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing