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What Is Effexor?

Effexor was the trade name for immediate-release venlafaxine hydrochloride tablets. Current generic immediate-release venlafaxine tablets remain marketed in the United States and are used for major depressive disorder in adults. Tablet strengths under a current generic label include 25 mg, 37.5 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg.

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What Is Effexor?

Effexor was the trade name for immediate-release venlafaxine hydrochloride tablets. Current generic immediate-release venlafaxine tablets remain marketed in the United States and are used for major depressive disorder in adults. Tablet strengths under a current generic label include 25 mg, 37.5 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg.

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How Does Venlafaxine Affect Serotonin and Norepinephrine?

Venlafaxine and its active metabolite inhibit neuronal reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine and have weaker effects on dopamine reuptake. The exact antidepressant mechanism is not fully defined, but increased serotonergic and noradrenergic activity in the central nervous system is thought to contribute to its clinical effects.

What Condition Is Treated With Immediate-Release Venlafaxine?

Current immediate-release venlafaxine tablets are approved for treatment of major depressive disorder in adults. The immediate-release product has a narrower labeled indication than extended-release venlafaxine, which also has adult indications for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

How Are Immediate-Release Venlafaxine Tablets Dosed?

Treatment commonly starts at 75 mg daily in two or three divided doses taken with food. The dose can increase to 150 mg daily and then up to 225 mg daily when needed. Selected severely depressed inpatients have used doses up to 375 mg daily in divided doses under current labeling.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Venlafaxine?

Venlafaxine carries a boxed warning for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in younger patients taking antidepressants. Other serious concerns include serotonin syndrome, sustained blood pressure increases, bleeding, seizures, low sodium, angle-closure glaucoma, activation of mania or hypomania, and discontinuation symptoms after abrupt dose reduction or withdrawal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Effexor

What medicine was in Effexor?

Effexor contained venlafaxine hydrochloride, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.

What does immediate-release venlafaxine treat?

Current immediate-release tablets are approved for major depressive disorder in adults.

How is immediate-release venlafaxine taken?

The usual starting total is 75 mg daily divided into two or three doses with food.

Can venlafaxine be stopped suddenly?

No. Gradual dose reduction is recommended to reduce discontinuation symptoms.

References

Depression Medicines. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/womens-health-topics/depression-medicines. Date Accessed September 29, 2026.

Effexor (Venlafaxine Hydrochloride) Label. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/020151s059lbl.pdf. Date Accessed September 29, 2026.

Venlafaxine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535363/. Date Accessed September 29, 2026.

Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Tablet. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=38fd2c97-cd30-2f7d-e054-00144ff8d46c. Date Accessed September 29, 2026.

Venlafaxine: MedlinePlus Drug Information. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a694020.html. Date Accessed September 29, 2026.