Effexor XR

Generic name:venlafaxine [ VEN-la-fax-een ]
Drug class:Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Dec 1, 2021.

What is Effexor XR?

Effexor XR is an antidepressant belonging to a group of drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). Venlafaxine affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression.

Effexor XR is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and panic disorder.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you do not think that your condition is getting better with Effexor XR treatment.

Warnings

You should not take Effexor if you have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, or if you are being treated with methylene blue injection.

Do not use Effexor XR within 7 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first tak...