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venlafaxine (Effexor)
Venlafaxine inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, increasing their availability at synaptic sites.
Venlafaxine inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, increasing their availability at synaptic sites. Used for Major depressive disorder, Generalized anxiety disorder, Social anxiety disorder.
At a glance
| Generic name | venlafaxine (Effexor) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) |
| Drug class | Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) |
| Target | Serotonin transporter (SERT), norepinephrine transporter (NET), dopamine transporter (DAT, weak) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Psychiatry / Mental Health |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Venlafaxine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that blocks the reuptake transporters for both serotonin and norepinephrine, leading to increased concentrations of these neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft. At higher doses, it also has weak dopamine reuptake inhibition. This mechanism is thought to restore balance in neurotransmitter signaling and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders.
Approved indications
- Major depressive disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Somnolence
- Sweating
- Sexual dysfunction
- Hypertension
- Weight gain
- Withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation
Key clinical trials
- Venlafaxine as Adjunct Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis (PHASE2)
- The Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Venlafaxine for Prevention of Postherpetic Neuralgia in Patients With Acute Herpes Zoster (NA)
- A Study Following Women in Menopause Treated With a Non-hormonal Therapy for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
- Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Commonly Used Drugs in Lactating Women and Breastfed Infants
- The Efficacy and Safety of Short Term S-ketamine Infusion as an Adjunctive Therapy in Patients With Fibromyalgia (NA)
- The Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Desvenlafaxine in Patients With Herpes Zoster (NA)
- Intensified Pharmacological Treatment for Schizophrenia, Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Depression After a First-time Treatment Failure (PHASE3)
- Desvenlafaxine for Preventive Treatment of Frequent Episodic Tension-type Headache (NA)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- venlafaxine (Effexor) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- venlafaxine (Effexor) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) portfolio CI