What does Effexor (Venlafaxine) treat?

From the Guidelines

Effexor (venlafaxine) is primarily used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and certain types of chronic pain, including neuropathic pain, as it has shown efficacy in painful diabetic neuropathy and other types of neuropathic pain 1.

Conditions Treated by Effexor

• Major depressive disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Social anxiety disorder
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Hot flashes during menopause
• Neuropathic pain, including painful diabetic neuropathy

Mechanism of Action

Effexor belongs to a class of medications called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and works by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which helps improve mood, reduce anxiety, and decrease pain sensitivity.

Dosage and Administration

Dosages typically range from 37.5mg to 225mg daily, often starting at a lower dose and gradually increasing, with 2 to 4 weeks required to titrate to an efficacious dosage 1.

Important Considerations

Patients should be aware that Effexor may take 2-4 weeks to show full therapeutic effects and should not be stopped abruptly due to potential withdrawal symptoms, and common side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, insomnia, and increased sweating 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Venlafaxine tablets, USP are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder Venlafaxine HCl is a prescription medicine used to treat depression.

Effexor (venlafaxine) treats:

• Major depressive disorder 2 2

From the Research

Effexor Treatment

• Effexor, also known as venlafaxine, is used to treat various anxiety disorders, including:
  • Generalized anxiety disorder 3, 4
  • Social anxiety disorder 3, 4
  • Panic disorder 3, 4
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 3, 4
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) 3, 4
• Venlafaxine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that works by inhibiting the synaptic reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine 4
• In addition to anxiety disorders, Effexor is also used to treat major depressive disorder, particularly in patients with comorbid generalized anxiety disorder 5
• The efficacy of venlafaxine in treating anxiety disorders is generally comparable to that of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), although it may have a slightly different side effect profile 3, 4

Efficacy and Safety

• Studies have shown that venlafaxine is effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with various disorders 3, 4, 5
• The safety profile of venlafaxine is generally comparable to that of SSRIs, although it may have a higher incidence of noradrenergically mediated side effects, such as dry mouth and constipation 3
• Venlafaxine may also have a dose-dependent risk of treatment-emergent high blood pressure 3

Symptom Differences

• Research has identified specific symptom differences between various anxiety and depressive disorders, including major depression, dysthymia, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder 6
• These symptom differences may be useful in diagnosing and treating patients with these disorders 6