EFFEXOR vs EFFEXOR XR

Independent side-by-side comparison.

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

Attribute	EFFEXOR	EFFEXOR XR
Rating	New	New
Pharmacy pays	~$3.59 /30	~$3.59 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE	VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Wyeth Pharms Inc	Upjohn
Dosage forms	Tablet	Capsule, extended release
Drug class	Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor	Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
Boxed warning	None	Boxed warning
Half-life	about 5 hours (mean roughly 5 ± 2 hours) for the parent drug venlafaxine in adults with normal organ function	about 5 hours (mean roughly 5 ± 2 hours) for the parent drug venlafaxine in adults with normal organ function
Treats	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Autistic Disorder, Depressive Disorder	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Autistic Disorder, Depressive Disorder

effexor effexor xr

Rating

New

Pharmacy pays

~$3.59 /30

Type

Active ingredient

VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Wyeth Pharms Inc

Upjohn

Dosage forms

Tablet

Capsule, extended release

Drug class

Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor

Boxed warning

None

Boxed warning

Half-life

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

Treats

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Autistic Disorder, Depressive Disorder

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Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, Effexor or Effexor XR?

Pharmacies pay about the same to acquire either one — roughly $3.59 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That is not what you will be charged: your price is set by your insurer and the pharmacy, not by what the drug cost them.

What is the difference between Effexor and Effexor XR?

Both Effexor and Effexor XR share the active ingredient Venlafaxine Hydrochloride.

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.