{"id":54094,"date":"2022-10-13T18:16:33","date_gmt":"2022-10-13T22:16:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=54094"},"modified":"2025-10-07T14:26:49","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T18:26:49","slug":"venlafaxine-side-effects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/venlafaxine-side-effects\/","title":{"rendered":"Venlafaxine side effects and how to avoid them"},"content":{"rendered":"

Venlafaxine<\/span><\/a>, also sold as brand-name <\/span>Effexor XR<\/span><\/a>, is an antidepressant that is FDA-approved to treat <\/span>major depressive disorder<\/span><\/a> (MDD), <\/span>generalized anxiety disorder<\/span><\/a>, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. It is also prescribed off-label for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), <\/span>migraines<\/span><\/a>, and nerve pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Venlafaxine belongs to a family of drugs called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or <\/span>SNRIs.<\/span><\/a> These drugs increase the concentration of certain chemicals that pass signals between nerves (called neurotransmitters). This mechanism essentially activates the parts of the brain that help with mood control. Changing the way the nervous system works has benefits for many people, but may also produce a variety of unwanted side effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Common side effects of venlafaxine<\/span><\/h2>\n

Nausea is the most common side effect of <\/span>venlafaxine<\/span><\/a>. About <\/span>30%<\/span> to <\/span>60%<\/span> of people on venlafaxine feel queasy or nauseous, especially when first starting the medication.. <\/span>Common side effects<\/span> of venlafaxine include:<\/span><\/p>\n