Is venlafaxine an SSRI or SNRI?

Is venlafaxine an SSRI or SNRI?

Venlafaxine is an SNRI. It works by increasing and regulating the levels of two different neurotransmitters in the brain. These are norepinephrine, also called noradrenaline, and serotonin. At low doses, venlafaxine prevents serotonin reuptake.

What class of drug is venlafaxine?

Venlafaxine is in a class of medications called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It works by increasing the amounts of serotonin and norepinephrine, natural substances in the brain that help maintain mental balance.

Is venlafaxine a tricyclic antidepressant?

Venlafaxine is a hydroxycycloalkylphenylethylamine‐derivative bicyclic antidepressant which is structurally and pharmacologically related to the analgesic tramadol, but not to any of the conventional antidepressant drugs, including tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

What kind of medication is venlafaxine used for?

Venlafaxine, sold under the brand name Effexor among others, is an antidepressant medication of the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class. It is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social phobia. It is taken by mouth.

Which is better, venlafaxine or SSRI antidepressants?

Since venlafaxine and SSRI antidepressants have similar and limited efficacy, venlafaxine is best avoided. An SSRI anti-depressant is a more reasonable option, with the exception of citalopram and escitalopram which also expose patients to more cardiovascular adverse effects.

When to tell your doctor about venlafaxine side effects?

Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications. To make sure venlafaxine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: if you are switching to venlafaxine from another antidepressant. Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant.

How is venlafaxine related to the risk of suicide?

At baseline, patients prescribed venlafaxine had a greater number of risk factors for suicide (such as prior suicide attempts) than patients treated with other anti-depressants. The patients taking venlafaxine had significantly higher risk of completed suicide than the ones on fluoxetine or citalopram (Celexa).