Online prescription for venlafaxine (Effexor)

Meet with a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner online to see if venlafaxine (Effexor) is right for you. We accept insurance, and same-week appointments are often available.

Treatment for:
depression, anxiety

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360+ insurance plans accepted

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How prescribing works

1

Find the right provider

Browse providers online or call us and we’ll help you find someone who accepts your insurance and fits your needs. Pick a time that works for you and choose how you’d like to pay.

2

Get started with treatment

At your first session, share what you’re experiencing and what you’re hoping to get out of treatment. Together, you’ll discuss your options—including whether medication might be a good fit. If so, your provider can send a prescription directly to your local pharmacy.

3

Track your progress

Your provider will check in regularly to make sure your treatment plan is working for you and adjust as needed.

What is an SNRI?

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are antidepressants. They treat depression, and some are also approved for other conditions, such as generalized anxiety disorder and certain types of nerve or muscle pain. Which conditions an SNRI treats depends on the medication. Examples include duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor XR), and levomilnacipran (Fetzima).

How does an SNRI work?

Nerve cells in your brain pass signals to each other by releasing chemicals, like serotonin and norepinephrine. Normally, the nerve cell that released these chemicals pulls them back in. SNRIs slow down that reabsorption, so more serotonin and norepinephrine stay active between nerve cells. Researchers think this change is one part of how SNRIs help ease depression, but exactly how it leads to feeling better is still being studied.

venlafaxine (Effexor)
venlafaxine (Effexor)

FAQs about venlafaxine (Effexor)

What is venlafaxine (Effexor) used for?

Venlafaxine (Effexor) is FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. The extended-release (ER) capsules, which release the medicine slowly over the day, are also approved for adults with generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

Providers sometimes prescribe venlafaxine off-label, meaning for a use the FDA hasn’t approved, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Does venlafaxine (Effexor) cause weight gain or loss?

Venlafaxine (Effexor) can lead to weight loss or weight gain, but changes are usually small. Decreased appetite is a common side effect, and some people lose weight. In a 2024 study, people who started venlafaxine gained about a third of a pound more than people who started sertraline (Zoloft) after six months.

How long does it take for venlafaxine (Effexor) to work?

It can take several weeks or longer to feel the full benefit of venlafaxine (Effexor), though some people notice changes sooner.

In two trials of people with depression, about one in four people taking venlafaxine had a meaningful response within two weeks, compared with fewer than one in 10 on placebo. But those participants were raised to a high dose within the first week. Most people start lower and increase gradually to limit side effects, so changes may take longer.

For generalized anxiety disorder, studies found improvement as early as week one or two, and it held up through six months of treatment.

If you don’t notice a difference after several weeks, talk to your provider about your dose.

Is venlafaxine (Effexor) a controlled substance?

No, venlafaxine (Effexor) is not a controlled substance. That means the DEA doesn’t schedule it as a drug with potential for abuse or dependence.

Does venlafaxine (Effexor) make you tired?

It can. Drowsiness is one of the more common side effects of venlafaxine (Effexor). In clinical trials, people taking it reported sleepiness about twice as often as those taking a placebo, and some also felt weak or low on energy. Still, fewer than two in 100 people stopped taking it because of drowsiness.

Venlafaxine can also make it hard to sleep. In the same trials, trouble sleeping was reported about as often as drowsiness. So depending on how your body responds, you might feel sleepy during the day, have trouble sleeping at night, or notice neither.

Until you know how venlafaxine affects you, be careful driving or doing anything that requires you to be alert.

What are the side effects of venlafaxine (Effexor)?

The most common side effects of venlafaxine (Effexor) are nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, and sweating. Nausea is the most frequent, affecting about three in 10 people in clinical trials, compared with about one in 10 on placebo. Constipation and loss of appetite are also common. Nausea and dizziness tend to ease over the first several weeks, but dry mouth is less likely to.

Venlafaxine can also cause sexual side effects, like lower sex drive, delayed or absent orgasm, and erectile dysfunction. It can raise your blood pressure too, especially at higher doses, so your provider should check it regularly.

Don’t stop taking venlafaxine suddenly. Discontinuation symptoms are more common with venlafaxine than with some other antidepressants, so providers usually lower the dose gradually in response to tolerability.

Can I get a prescription for venlafaxine (Effexor) online?

Yes, you can often get a prescription online if your provider decides it’s clinically appropriate. If venlafaxine is a good fit, your provider can send the prescription straight to your local pharmacy.

Does insurance cover venlafaxine (Effexor) consultations at Thriveworks?

Yes, Thriveworks accepts most major insurance plans, and you can check your coverage before booking.

If you’re prescribed venlafaxine (Effexor), whether it’s covered depends on your specific insurance plan. Coverage for prescription medications is separate from coverage for psychiatric services, so we recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to ask about your prescription drug benefits. Ask about any copays or deductibles that may apply, as well as any restrictions or prior authorization requirements.

How do I get a prescription at Thriveworks?

Book a session with a licensed psychiatric provider at Thriveworks online or by calling (855) 204-2767. At your first appointment, you’ll discuss your symptoms, treatment history, and goals. If medication is a good clinical fit, your provider may send a prescription to your local pharmacy.

Is Thriveworks LegitScript certified?

Yes, Thriveworks is LegitScript certified. Our services have been independently reviewed and verified by a leading compliance organization, confirming high standards for legality, safety, and transparency in prescribing medication like stimulants.

This information has been reviewed for accuracy and approved by our licensed psychiatric team. Published October 3, 2024

We offer psychiatry in these select states

Our psychiatry services are primarily offered online, with in-person availability in select states.

Dr. Scott Gordon

Accepting medication as part of your mental health care plan is an individual and often deeply personal decision. At Thriveworks, we’re here to help you understand your care options and support you on the path toward wellness. We prioritize treating the whole patient, whether through medication, therapy, or a combination of both — guided by clinical best practices and rigorously developed treatment strategies to help clients safely and efficiently resolve their symptoms.

Dr. Scott Gordon Chief Medical Officer

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