Effexor Xr

Migraine, Panic Disorder, Migraine Disorders + 7 more
Treatment
5 FDA approvals
20 Active Studies for Effexor Xr

What is Effexor Xr

VenlafaxineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryVenlafaxine (Effexor) is an antidepressant that works by blocking the transporters for the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, allowing them to stay active in the synapse longer. It is approved to treat major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Venlafaxine has also been used off-label to prevent migraine headaches, reduce menopause symptoms, and treat neuropathic pain.
Effexoris the brand name
image of different drug pills on a surface
Effexor Xr Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Effexor
Venlafaxine
1993
725

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Venlafaxine, also known as Effexor, is approved by the FDA for 5 uses such as Hot Flashes and Breast Cancer .
Hot Flashes
Helps manage Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause
Breast Cancer
Helps manage Breast Cancer
Depression
Breast Cancer
Helps manage Breast Cancer
Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause
Helps manage Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause

Effectiveness

How Effexor Xr Affects PatientsVenlafaxine is a type of medicine used to treat mental health disorders. It works by increasing the level of certain chemicals in the brain and does not affect other parts of the body.
How Effexor Xr works in the bodyVenlafaxine works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, two important chemicals in the brain that help regulate mood. This allows these chemicals to remain active in the brain, helping to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and other psychiatric disorders. Venlafaxine has a higher preference for serotonin than norepinephrine, so at low doses it mainly increases serotonin levels. At higher doses, it blocks reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. It also weakly blocks reuptake of dopamine.

When to interrupt dosage

The prescribed dosage of Effexor Xr is contingent upon the diagnosed state, including Social Anxiety Disorder, Neuropathic Pain and Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause. The amount of dosage is subject to change as per the administration technique (e.g. Tablet or Tablet - Oral) highlighted in the following table.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Panic Disorder
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Migraine Disorders
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Breast Cancer
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Postmenopause
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Depression
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Hot Flashes
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Migraine
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Social Anxiety Disorder
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Neuropathic Pain
, 75.0 mg, 150.0 mg, 37.5 mg, 25.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 225.0 mg
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Capsule, delayed release, Capsule, delayed release - Oral, Capsule, coated, extended release, Capsule, coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral

Warnings

Effexor Xr Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Venlafaxine may interact with Pulse Frequency
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Effexor Xr.
Common Effexor Xr Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Azelastine
Major
Venlafaxine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Azelastine.
Ethanol
Major
Venlafaxine may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Ethanol.
Hydroxyzine
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Venlafaxine is combined with Hydroxyzine.
Iobenguane
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of Iobenguane can be decreased when used in combination with Venlafaxine.
Methylene blue
Major
Venlafaxine may increase the serotonergic activities of Methylene blue.
Effexor Xr Toxicity & Overdose RiskTaking too much venlafaxine can be dangerous. In studies, female rats had a toxic dose of 350 mg/kg and male rats had a toxic dose of 700 mg/kg. Common symptoms of an overdose include drowsiness, numbness in the hands and feet, nausea and vomiting, low blood pressure, muscle breakdown, dizziness, confusion, and an irregular heartbeat. There is no cure for overdose and treatment may include hospitalization and activated charcoal. Studies suggest that an overdose of venlafaxine is more likely to be fatal than with other antidepressants, but less likely than with tricyclic antidepressants.
image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Effexor Xr Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Effexor Xr?

1038 clinical trials are presently underway to research the potential of Effexor Xr in alleviating Neuropathic Pain, preventing migraine headaches, and managing Vasomotor Symptoms related to Menopause.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Depression
195 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 4, Phase 1, Early Phase 1, Phase 3
Panic Disorder
9 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
Postmenopause
8 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 1
Neuropathic Pain
5 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2
Migraine
52 Actively Recruiting
Phase 4, Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 1, Phase 3, Early Phase 1
Breast Cancer
26 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1, Not Applicable
Migraine Disorders
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3
Social Anxiety Disorder
22 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 3
Hot Flashes
0 Actively Recruiting
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
2 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable

Effexor Xr Reviews: What are patients saying about Effexor Xr?

5Patient Review
9/18/2022
Effexor Xr for Anxiousness associated with Depression
Effexor has been working great for me for over 15 years now. I know that if I were to stop taking it, I would probably experience withdrawal symptoms; however, that's not going to stop me from taking it because it's the only medication that has made me feel like my normal self again.
5Patient Review
8/25/2022
Effexor Xr for Major Depressive Disorder
I was on 150mg of this medication, but due to some manic symptoms, my doctor lowered my dosage back to 75mg. After a while, I started having trouble focusing again, so I asked to be raised back up to 150mg. The benefits of this medication (e.g., being interested in activities and being able to focus) outweigh the risks of manic behavior for me.
5Patient Review
10/1/2022
Effexor Xr for Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
This drug has helped me so much with my ADD. I was really struggling in school, but now I'm getting good grades and doing well. There have been times when I couldn't afford the medicine but I have never suffered any side effects when I didn't have it.
5Patient Review
8/25/2022
Effexor Xr for Major Depressive Disorder
I was feeling great on 150mg of Venlafaxine XR, but then my doctor lowered me back to 75mg due to some manic symptoms. However, I started having problems focusing again, so I asked to be raised back up to 150mg. This medication has really helped me be interested in activities and focus on one thing at a time, which used to be a problem for me.
5Patient Review
9/18/2022
Effexor Xr for Anxiousness associated with Depression
I've been on Effexor XR for over 15 years. It's helped me immensely, and I don't plan to stop taking it any time soon even though I know there would be withdrawal symptoms.
View All Reviews
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Patient Q&A Section about effexor xr

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Is Effexor XR like Xanax?

"Effexor XR is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) and Xanax is a benzodiazepine.

Are Effexor XR and Xanax the same medication? Effexor XR (venlafaxine hydrochloride extended-release) and Xanax (alprazolam) are both used to treat patients with panic and anxiety disorders. Effexor XR is also used to treat patients with major depressive disorders. Effexor XR and Xanax, however, belong to different drug classes. Effexor XR is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) and Xanax is a benzodiazepine."

Answered by AI

Can Effexor XR cause weight gain?

"A lot of patients gain a lot of weight when taking antidepressants like paroxetine and mirtazapine."

Answered by AI

What does Effexor XR do?

"Venlafaxine is known as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

Venlafaxine is used to treat depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and social anxiety disorder. It can help improve your mood, give you more energy, and help you take an interest in activities you normally don't enjoy. Additionally, it can decrease fear, anxiety, and the number of panic attacks you experience. The drug is classified as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)."

Answered by AI

Is Effexor a strong antidepressant?

"The researchers inspected 21 antidepressants in total and discovered that they were all more potent than a placebo. Out of these 21 antidepressants, Effexor was found to be one of the more reliable ones; however, Zoloft was more tolerant."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Effexor Xr

Have you considered Effexor Xr clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Effexor Xr, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Effexor Xr clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Effexor Xr, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Effexor Xr clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Effexor Xr, we think they might fit your search criteria.
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