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Venlafaxine IR and Venlafaxine XR
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 IR and Venlafaxine XR |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Effexor and Effexor XR |
| Sponsor | North Dakota State University |
| Drug class | Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) |
| Target | Serotonin transporter (SERT) and norepinephrine transporter (NET) |
| 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. The IR (immediate-release) formulation provides rapid onset of action, while the XR (extended-release) formulation delivers the drug over an extended period for once-daily dosing. This mechanism is thought to restore normal mood regulation and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
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
Key clinical trials
- Evaluation of the Safety of Adjunct Brexpiprazole in Elderly Patients With Major Depressive Disorder and an Inadequate Response to Antidepressant Treatment (PHASE3)
- Brexpiprazole as Adjunctive Treatment in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder With an Inadequate Response to Antidepressant Treatment (PHASE3)
- Venlafaxine PK Following Bariatric Surgery (PHASE4)
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 IR and Venlafaxine XR CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Venlafaxine IR and Venlafaxine XR updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- North Dakota State University portfolio CI