Venlafaxine (Effexor)

What the word means

Venlafaxine is the drug. Effexor, usually Effexor XR, is the brand.

It’s an SNRI, which means it acts on both serotonin and norepinephrine rather than serotonin alone. It’s used for depression and for several anxiety disorders. The practical fact worth knowing is that it has a short half-life, so it leaves the body quickly, and people often notice a missed dose within a day. That same property makes stopping it abruptly genuinely unpleasant, so it needs a careful taper.

At higher doses it can also nudge blood pressure up, which is why a prescriber may check it.

Where to read the full guide

Shrinktionary gives you the word. The rest is a longer conversation.

Read the full venlafaxine guide at PsychiatryRx, which covers uses, dosing, side effects, and stopping safely.

Related terms you’ll see next

• SNRI
• Discontinuation syndrome
• Taper
• Duloxetine

When to seek professional care

Try not to miss doses, and never stop this one cold, because it’s among the harder antidepressants to come off quickly. Ask for a slow taper. Tell your prescriber about new agitation, worsening mood, or thoughts of self-harm after starting or changing the dose. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, get help right away by calling 911, or call or text 988 in the US to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>Venlafaxine (Effexor):</strong> Venlafaxine is an SNRI antidepressant, sold as Effexor XR, used for depression and several anxiety disorders. Missing doses tends to be noticeable, which makes taking it consistently matter.</p>
  <p>&mdash; <a href="https://shrinktionary.com/terms/venlafaxine/">Shrinktionary</a>, a plain-English mental health dictionary, medically reviewed by a board certified psychiatrist.</p>
</blockquote>