Question 1

What is venlafaxine?

Accepted Answer

Venlafaxine hydrochloride extended-release capsule, USP is an extended-release capsule for once-a-day oral administration that contains venlafaxine hydrochloride USP a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Venlafaxine is designated (R/S)-1-[2-(dimethylamino)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl] cyclohexanol hydrochloride or (±)-1-[α- [(dimethylamino)methyl]-p-­methoxybenzyl] cyclohexanol hydrochloride and has the molecular formula of C 17 H 27 NO 2 HCl. Its molecular weight is 313.86. The structural formula is shown as follows: Venlafaxine hydrochloride USP is a white or almost white crystalline powder, with a solubility of 572 mg/mL in water (adjusted to ionic strength of 0.2 M with sodium chloride). Its octanol:water (0.2 M sodium chloride) partition coefficient is 0.43. Drug release is controlled by diffusion through the coating membrane on the spheroids and is not pH-dependent. Capsules contain venlafaxine hydrochloride USP equivalent to 37.5 mg, 75 mg, or 150 mg venlafaxine. Inactive ingredients consist of ethyl cellulose, hypromellose, sugar spheres, and talc. The empty hard gelatin capsule shells contain iron oxide red, gelatin, titanium dioxide, and sodium lauryl sulphate. In addition, the 37.5 mg empty hard gelatin capsule shells contain iron oxide black. The capsules are printed with edible ink containing black iron oxide and shellac. Meets the USP Dissolution…

Question 2

What kind of drug is venlafaxine?

Accepted Answer

The FDA classifies venlafaxine as a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. SNRIs slow the reabsorption of two brain chemicals, serotonin and norepinephrine, back into nerve cells. This leaves more of both available in the gaps between neurons to keep signaling, which can improve mood, anxiety, and certain types of chronic pain. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Question 3

How long does venlafaxine stay in your system?

Accepted Answer

The elimination half-life of venlafaxine is about 5 hours (mean roughly 5 ± 2 hours) for the parent drug venlafaxine in adults with normal organ function — that is how long the body takes to clear half of a dose. Venlafaxine's major active metabolite, O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV), has a materially longer elimination half-life of about 11 hours (11 ± 2 hours), so the drug's overall duration of effect is longer than the parent value alone suggests; the label also notes both are cleared more slowly (half-life prolonged) in people with hepatic or renal impairment. Half-life is not the same as how long a drug test can detect the drug, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.

Question 4

Can you take venlafaxine with other medicines?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run venlafaxine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

Question 5

What brand names is venlafaxine sold under?

Accepted Answer

We track 3 venlafaxine-containing products in the U.S.: Effexor, Effexor XR and Venlafaxine Hydrochloride. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

Question 6

What forms does venlafaxine come in?

Accepted Answer

Across the brands we track, venlafaxine is currently marketed as tablet, capsule, extended release and tablet, extended release, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Question 7

Is there a generic venlafaxine?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic venlafaxine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Question 8

Has venlafaxine been recalled?

Accepted Answer

The FDA's Enforcement database lists 4 recall records whose product description mentions venlafaxine. The most recent: Venlafaxine Tablets (Mar 21, 2025). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Effexor Boxed warning	Not yet rated	Prescription	Tablet	Generic	$4	View →
2	Effexor XR

Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
LU;S61	50 mg	pink	round	—
LU;S67	25 mg	brown	round	—
W;50	50 mg	pink	square	—
W;100	100 mg	orange	square	—
W;25	25 mg	brown	square	—
LU;S61	50 mg	pink

Venlafaxine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Key facts

How venlafaxine is dosed

Venlafaxine side effects

Every venlafaxine product we track (3)

What venlafaxine pills look like

Venlafaxine recalls

How long venlafaxine stays in your system

Frequently asked questions

Who shouldn’t take venlafaxine

Venlafaxine drug interactions