Venlafaxine ER, Venlafaxine

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on June 21, 2023

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved venlafaxine to treat adults with:

• major depressive disorder (commonly called depression)
• generalized anxiety disorder
• social anxiety disorder
• panic disorder

These approved uses differ based on the form of venlafaxine your doctor prescribes.

This article describes venlafaxine’s uses, side effects, and more. Below you’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of venlafaxine.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of venlafaxine. To find coupons for venlafaxine oral tablet, see this article.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Venlafaxine has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for venlafaxine” section.

Venlafaxine may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of venlafaxine and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about venlafaxine’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for venlafaxine listed in the “Articles resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of venlafaxine are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of venlafaxine you take.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about venlafaxine’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for venlafaxine listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Venlafaxine extended-release oral capsule’s mild side effects include:

• dry mouth
• nausea
• sleepiness
• sweating
• mild allergic reaction*

Venlafaxine oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• dizziness
• headache
• nausea
• sleepiness
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for venlafaxine” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of venlafaxine are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of venlafaxine you take.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about venlafaxine’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for venlafaxine listed in the “Articles resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, venlafaxine’s serious side effects include:

• angle closure glaucoma (sudden buildup of pressure inside the eye)
• discontinuation syndrome (serious symptoms that can happen when suddenly stopping the drug)
• high blood cholesterol levels
• high blood pressure
• increased risk of bleeding
• low blood sodium levels
• lung problems, such as interstitial lung disease
• seizures
• serotonin syndrome (too much of the chemical, serotonin, in the body), which can be life threatening
• sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction and libido (sex drive) loss
• triggering of mania (periods of very high energy that can interfere with daily life)
• boxed warning: risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors*
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for venlafaxine” section below.

Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about venlafaxine.

What brand names are available for venlafaxine?

Venlafaxine extended-release capsules are available as the brand name drug, Effexor XR. Other forms of venlafaxine are only available as generic drugs.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can venlafaxine be used for weight loss?

Possibly. Venlafaxine isn’t approved for weight loss. But, doctors may choose to prescribe it off-label for certain people to manage weight. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe drugs for conditions other than their approved uses.)

Also, some people experience weight loss during treatment with venlafaxine.

To learn more about other uses of venlafaxine, talk with your doctor.

How does venlafaxine work? And how long does it take to start working?

Venlafaxine works by balancing the neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine. (Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals.) These two neurotransmitters play a role in mood, although the exact role they may play in depression and anxiety disorder isn’t fully understood.

Some symptoms may improve within a couple of weeks of starting venlafaxine. Similar to other antidepressants, it can take several weeks to see the full effect of the drug. (Venlafaxine is a selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, which is a type of antidepressant.)

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as venlafaxine for certain conditions. Approved uses for venlafaxine are described below. These uses differ based on the form of venlafaxine prescribed.

Use for certain mental health conditions

Doctors may prescribe venlafaxine oral tablet, extended-release oral tablet, and extended-release oral capsule for certain mental health conditions. These approved uses differ based on the form of venlafaxine your doctor prescribes:

With depression, someone experiences certain feelings, such as sadness, that interfere with their daily activities. Symptoms can include:

• appetite loss
• feeling hopeless, worthless, or sad all the time
• lack of energy
• loss of interest in activities
• sleep problems, including sleeping more than normal

With anxiety disorders, someone may experience extreme stress or worry about something that’s going to happen. Symptoms can include:

• episodes of panic
• nervousness or restlessness
• sense of panic, danger, or doom that you can’t escape
• shakiness or sweating
• trouble thinking or concentrating

Venlafaxine is used for these conditions in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

Below, you’ll find information about venlafaxine’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of venlafaxine

Certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take venlafaxine, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for venlafaxine” section below.

Warnings for venlafaxine

Some people should not take venlafaxine and others should take it cautiously.

Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Venlafaxine has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

With antidepressants, there’s an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in children and adults ages 24 years and younger. This risk is highest during the first few months of treatment and with dosage changes. (Venlafaxine is an antidepressant.)

It’s important to note that venlafaxine isn’t approved for use in people younger than 18 years. In adults, doctors will closely monitor for new or worsening symptoms of suicidal thoughts or actions. Symptoms may include changes in thoughts, feelings, behaviors, or mood.

To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other warnings

Venlafaxine could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether venlafaxine is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of venlafaxine you take.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for venlafaxine, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Venlafaxine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to venlafaxine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe venlafaxine. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to venlafaxine, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of venlafaxine

If you take venlafaxine by mouth you should not take more venlafaxine than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much venlafaxine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and venlafaxine

Information about venlafaxine and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Venlafaxine and pregnancy

There are risks to taking venlafaxine during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having untreated mental health conditions while pregnant. (Keep in mind that venlafaxine is used for treating certain mental health conditions.)

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your treatment options during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take venlafaxine during pregnancy.

Venlafaxine and breastfeeding

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with venlafaxine. If you breastfeed while taking venlafaxine, monitor the child for side effects including restlessness and slow weight gain.

This article describes venlafaxine’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about venlafaxine or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How does venlafaxine compare to other drugs that could treat my condition?
• Am I at higher risk of side effects for any reason?
• What should I do if I miss a dose of venlafaxine?

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Venlafaxine extended-release tablets, for oral use. (2022). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/215429s000lbl.pdf
• Venlafaxine HCL ER. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f32ca617-66e0-41d8-e053-2a95a90ae40a/spl-doc
• Venlafaxine hydrochloride, extended release tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/38431a76-6185-4c17-994f-8278b6cd7510/spl-doc#section-8.1
• Venlafaxine tablets, USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/18495527-add4-42a5-bbf7-9f8dc2df06af/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.