CYMBALTA vs VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated June 7, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. CYMBALTA and VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	CYMBALTA	VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Rating	New	New
Pharmacy pays	~$3.41 /30	~$3.59 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	DULOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE	VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Lilly	Abon Pharms LLC
Dosage forms	Capsule, delayed release	Capsule, extended release, Tablet, extended release
Drug class	Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor	Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
Boxed warning	None	Boxed warning
Half-life	about 12 hours (typically 8 to 17 hours)	about 5 hours (mean roughly 5 ± 2 hours) for the parent drug venlafaxine in adults with normal organ function
Treats	Anxiety Disorders, Major Depressive Disorder, Diabetic Neuropathies	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Autistic Disorder, Depressive Disorder

cymbalta venlafaxine hydrochloride

Rating

New

Pharmacy pays

~$3.41 /30

~$3.59 /30

Type

Active ingredient

DULOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE

VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Lilly

Abon Pharms LLC

Dosage forms

Capsule, delayed release

Capsule, extended release, Tablet, extended release

Drug class

Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor

Boxed warning

None

Boxed warning

Half-life

about 12 hours (typically 8 to 17 hours)

about 5 hours (mean roughly 5 ± 2 hours) for the parent drug venlafaxine in adults with normal organ function

Treats

Anxiety Disorders, Major Depressive Disorder, Diabetic Neuropathies

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Autistic Disorder, Depressive Disorder

Get venlafaxine hydrochloride

Advertising disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects our independent ratings.

Get treatment online

Licensed online providers — consult & get prescribed if eligible.

SesameCompare online visit prices

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, Cymbalta or Venlafaxine Hydrochloride?

Cymbalta costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $3.41 vs $3.59 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Cymbalta and Venlafaxine Hydrochloride?

Cymbalta contains Duloxetine Hydrochloride, while Venlafaxine Hydrochloride contains Venlafaxine Hydrochloride — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.