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Venlafaxine XR
Venlafaxine XR inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, increasing their availability at synaptic sites.
Venlafaxine XR 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 XR |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Efexor XR, Effexor XR, Escitalopram Oral Tablet, EFFEXOR, Effexor |
| Sponsor | Ministry of Health & Welfare, Korea |
| Drug class | Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) |
| Target | Serotonin transporter (SERT); 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 neurotransmitter concentrations in the synaptic cleft. The extended-release (XR) formulation provides sustained drug delivery over 24 hours, allowing for once-daily dosing. This dual mechanism is thought to enhance mood regulation and reduce anxiety and pain symptoms.
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
- Venlafaxine as Adjunct Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis (PHASE2)
- Prospective Clinical Trial of Crisugabalin Capsules in the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (PHASE2)
- A Comparison of Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Pharmacotherapy, and Their Combination for PTSD (PHASE4)
- Multiple Ascending Dose Phase 1 Study of ALA-3000 (PHASE1)
- Feasibility Trial of Tele-IPT and Tele-Pharmacotherapy for Patients With Depression and Non-Metastatic Breast Cancer (PHASE3)
- A Safety and Efficacy Study of JNJ26489112 in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder (PHASE2)
- A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Fixed Doses of Intranasal Esketamine Plus an Oral Antidepressant in Adult Participants With Treatment-resistant Depression (PHASE3)
- A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Tolerability of Flexible Doses of Intranasal Esketamine Plus an Oral Antidepressant in Adult Participants With Treatment-resistant Depression (PHASE3)
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 XR CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Venlafaxine XR updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Ministry of Health & Welfare, Korea portfolio CI