Venlafaxine (generic for Effexor®)

FDA Approved

Have a prescription? Get your venlafaxine refills in sustainable packaging with Cabinet Health.
DepressionAnxietyNerve Pain
  • Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

Generic For Effexor®

Medication Type:
Medication Strengths:
How Many Do You Take A Day?
0
1
5
Day Supply:
Save $6 + 2 shipments with 90 day supply
Total Count: 30 tablets
To see your bottle rendered, type your full name:
Hi! Want to see what your personalized bottle would look like?
30 day money-back guarantee | Free shipping over $50

How does Cabinet care for you?

  1. Seamless transfer process. Our pharmacist will coordinate with your current pharmacy or provider to transfer your prescription.

  2. Better for the planet. Our pharmacy will send your prescription refills in plastic-free, compostable pouches.

  3. Stress-free refills. Our care team will help manage your refills and prescription renewals, so you don't have to worry about running out of pills.

  4. Satisfaction guarantee. If your care needs aren't being met, our care team is here and eager to help! If you're not satisfied, we can transfer your prescription back to your old pharmacy at any time.

Doctor illustration - prescription

Have a specific
question?

Speak with a Pharmacist

Meet the only sustainable

medicine system

CAB-10027-Pain-Reliever- -Fever-Reducer-Acet-action-centered-sRGB-system-visualized-mobile-q=90-label
Compostable Refills
Compostable Refills
Eliminate excessive plastic waste with each refill and compost the packaging!
A Sustainable Pharmacy
A Sustainable Pharmacy
We created a pharmacy focused on reducing plastic and medical waste
Transforming the medicine industry!
Sustainable and elevated
One of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in 2022
Simple changes you can make to help save the planet

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Drug

Venlafaxine is FDA approved for the treatment of:

  • Major depressive disorder (MDD) or depression

  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

  • Social anxiety disorder (SAD)

  • Panic disorder (PD)

Venlafaxine may be used off-label for:

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Diabetic neuropathy

  • Migraine prevention

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

  • Hot flashes

Venlafaxine is the generic equivalent of Effexor®. Venlafaxine also comes in extended-release capsules (and tablets) and is the generic equivalent of Effexor® XR.

By law, a generic drug must be the same as its brand name counterpart in terms of active ingredient, dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability, and quality. A generic may, however, differ in its inactive ingredients (i.e. flavoring, fillers, and preservatives).

Venlafaxine (Effexor®) does come with serious warnings. These include:

  • Increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions*

  • Serotonin syndrome—a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when there’s too much serotonin in the brain

  • Withdrawal symptoms—abrupt discontinuation of treatment can cause nausea, anxiety, confusion, and headache.

  • Liver problems, liver damage

  • Risk of bleeding

  • Manic episodes or hypomania in patients with bipolar disorder

  • Seizures

  • High blood pressure or changes in blood pressure—must be monitored periodically

  • Severe skin reactions

  • Glaucoma

  • Changes in blood sugar

  • Risk of falls in older patients

If any of the above concern you, speak with your doctor or pharmacist about your perceived risk and other treatment options that exist.

*This warning is a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious type of medication warning assigned by the FDA.

Venlafaxine is an SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). It works by blocking the brain’s absorption of norepinephrine and serotonin, “feed good” chemicals in your brain. The end result? An increased level of norepinephrine and serotonin in your brain, which is thought to improve mood and pain.

The most common side effects of venlafaxine include:

  • Nausea

  • Dry mouth, blurred vision

  • Drowsiness, sleepiness

  • Fatigue

  • Constipation

  • Decreased appetite

  • Sweating

  • Sexual problems

  • Weight loss, weight gain

  • Small increases in heart rate

  • Loss of appetite

  • Trouble sleeping

Side effects may improve over time as your body adjusts to the medicine.

This list doesn’t represent all possible side effects (or serious side effects) of venlafaxine. If you’re experiencing any ongoing, bothersome adverse effects(s), tell your healthcare provider right away.

If you’d like to learn more, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also has a helpful medication guide for venlafaxine here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Venlafaxine can interact with some medicines and supplements. It’s always recommended to give both your doctor and pharmacy an updated list of everything you’re taking, so drug interactions can be identified.

Some medicines and supplements venlafaxine can interact with include:

  • SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): citalopram, sertraline, fluoxetine, paroxetine

  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): selegiline, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid

  • SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors): desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, milnacipran

  • Triptans: sumatriptan, eletriptan, naratriptan

  • Arrhythmia medications: propafenone, flecainide

  • Alcohol

  • NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): aspirin, ibuprofen

  • Warfarin

  • Tramadol

  • Cimetidine

  • St. John’s Wort

  • Ciprofloxacin

  • Weight loss medications

This list doesn’t represent all the drugs that may not be safe to take with venlafaxine. If you’re unsure whether a certain drug or supplement can be taken with venlafaxine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. The FDA also has a helpful medication guide for venlafaxine here.

If you accidentally miss your dose of venlafaxine, take the dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose (within 2 hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Don't take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

It’s important to avoid missing doses of this drug, as even one missed dose can lead to withdrawal symptoms

Venlafaxine should be taken with food.

Take the extended-release version once a day at the same time each day. Don’t crush or chew the pill. If you have difficulty swallowing pills, the capsule may be opened and contents can be sprinkle and swallowed with a spoonful of applesauce.

During pregnancy: Based on animal data, venlafaxine may cause fetal harm if taken during pregnancy.

While breastfeeding: Venlafaxine passes into breastmilk and is detectable in infants.

It’s important to treat mental health-related conditions when pregnant or nursing, as untreated depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses can harm both you and baby. Always let your provider know if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, so you can discuss alternative treatment options.

It’s recommended to avoid or limit the use of alcohol when taking venlafaxine. Liver failure has been reported in patients taking venlafaxine and the risk is much higher for patients with substantial alcohol use.

Prescriptions

All prescriptions are filled at HealthHavenRx - our partner pharmacy and the only pharmacy that can fill prescriptions in our sustainable pouches! If you need to contact them, please call them at the number below.

HealthHavenRx

Toll-Free: 1-877-289-2839

1 Chestnut Street, Suite 3Y
Nashua, NH 03060​

HealthHavenRx

Toll-Free: 1-877-289-2839

1 Chestnut Street, Suite 3Y
Nashua, NH 03060​

A prescription transfer is what happens when you switch pharmacies. During the transfer process our partner pharmacy will contact your existing pharmacy to move your prescription over.

For now, we partner with a cash-pay only pharmacy. In many situations the prices are less than your copay!

Not yet, but we're working on it! In the meantime, you can place and order and get a receipt from your account portal to send in for reimbursement.

Absolutely! Please email our pharmacy team at pharmacist@cabinethealth.com and we'll get right back to you.

Generally, our partner pharmacy can fill most non-controlled, oral dose prescriptions in Cabinet's compostable refill pouches. They currently do not fill liquid, cream, or compounded medications. We'll contact you directly if the pharmacy has any issue transferring your prescription.

joanna-tam-headshot
FAQs and Drug Facts Medically Reviewed by Joanna Tam, Lead Pharmacist | PharmD

Disclaimer: The information on this page is a summary and is not intended to cover all available information about this medication. It does not cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects and is not a substitute for the expertise and judgment of your healthcare professional. Consult your healthcare provider before starting or discontinuing any course of treatment.

Sustainable Healthcare Stamp