Two medicines, side by side

Desvenlafaxine vs venlafaxine

Desvenlafaxine and venlafaxine are both labeled for depression. Drugs@FDA records approvals of desvenlafaxine since 2008 and of venlafaxine since 1993. Pharmacies paid $0.396 per unit (Desvenlafaxine succnt ER 50 mg) and $0.0799 per venlafaxine HCl ER 75 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Desvenlafaxine, “The exact mechanism of the antidepressant action of desvenlafaxine is unknown, but is thought to be related to the potentiation of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, through …”; Venlafaxine, “The mechanism of action of venlafaxine in the treatment of MDD, GAD, SAD, and PD is unclear, but is thought to be related to the potentiation of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous …”

Check it at the source: the desvenlafaxine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 27, 2023); the venlafaxine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 15, 2023).

Highlights of the desvenlafaxine record

Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) · label of January 27, 2023

Boxed warning

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies. These studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in patients over age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressant use in patients aged 65 and older [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Used for

From the label: indications
Desvenlafaxine, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) [see Clinical Studies (14) and Dosage and Administration (2.1)]. The efficacy of desvenlafaxine has been established in four short-term (8-week, placebo-controlled studies) of outpatients who met DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder. […]

On the market

Earliest approval on file: February 29, 2008
Generic labelers: 20 labelers
Pharmacy cost: $0.396 per unit

Supply and safety

Shortage: No current entry
Recalls: 2

Highlights of the venlafaxine record

Venlafaxine (Effexor) · label of August 15, 2023

Boxed warning

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Effexor XR is not approved for use in pediatric patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ].

Used for

From the label: indications
Effexor XR is indicated in adults for the treatment of: • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] • Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ] • Panic Disorder (PD) [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ] Effexor XR is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) indicated for the treatment of adults with: • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) ( 1 ) • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) ( 1 ) • Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) ( 1 ) • Panic Disorder (PD) […]

On the market

Earliest approval on file: December 28, 1993
Generic labelers: 61 labelers
Pharmacy cost: $0.0799 per capsule

Supply and safety

Shortage: No current entry
Recalls: 21

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Desvenlafaxine label of January 27, 2023, Venlafaxine label of August 15, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)

How do desvenlafaxine and venlafaxine differ on the record?

How each works, in its label's words: Desvenlafaxine, “The exact mechanism of the antidepressant action of desvenlafaxine is unknown, but is thought to be related to the potentiation of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, through …”; Venlafaxine, “The mechanism of action of venlafaxine in the treatment of MDD, GAD, SAD, and PD is unclear, but is thought to be related to the potentiation of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous …”

Both are in FDA's class serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

Half-life, in each label's words: Desvenlafaxine, “The mean terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) was prolonged from 11.1 hours in the control subjects to approximately 13.5, 15.5 …”; Venlafaxine, “The apparent elimination half-life is 5 ± 2 hours for venlafaxine and 11 ± 2 hours for ODV.”

Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.

Generics: desvenlafaxine since 2015; venlafaxine since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).

	Desvenlafaxine	Venlafaxine
Labeled for	Depression	Depression, Anxiety
Pharmacologic class	Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor	Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
How it works (label)	The exact mechanism of the antidepressant action of desvenlafaxine is unknown, but is thought to be related to the potentiation of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, through inhibition of their reuptake.	The mechanism of action of venlafaxine in the treatment of MDD, GAD, SAD, and PD is unclear, but is thought to be related to the potentiation of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, through inhibition of their …
Half-life (label)	The mean terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) was prolonged from 11.1 hours in the control subjects to approximately 13.5, 15.5, 17.6, and 22.8 hours in mild, moderate, severe renal impairment and ESRD subjects, respectively.	The apparent elimination half-life is 5 ± 2 hours for venlafaxine and 11 ± 2 hours for ODV.
Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA)	February 29, 2008	December 28, 1993
First generic approved	June 29, 2015	August 3, 2006
Generic labelers (NDC)	20 labelers	61 labelers
Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ)	$0.396 per unit (Desvenlafaxine succnt ER 50 mg)	$0.0799 per capsule (Venlafaxine HCl ER 75 mg capsule)
12-month price change	-6%	-13%
Boxed warning	Yes	Yes
Shortage now	No current entry	No current entry
Recalls recorded	2	21
FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used)	26,842	131,560
DEA schedule	none	none

Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)

Do their labels mention each other?

Desvenlafaxine label, contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity to desvenlafaxine succinate, venlafaxine hydrochloride or to any excipients in the desvenlafaxine extended-release tablets formulation.

Desvenlafaxine label, drug interactions
Figure 2 7.6 Other Drugs Containing Desvenlafaxine or Venlafaxine Avoid use of desvenlafaxine with other desvenlafaxine-containing products or venlafaxine products.

Venlafaxine label, contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS Effexor XR is contraindicated in patients: • with known hypersensitivity to venlafaxine hydrochloride, desvenlafaxine succinate or to any excipients in the formulation [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ].

Venlafaxine label, contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS Venlafaxine Extended-Release Tablets are contraindicated in patients: with known hypersensitivity to venlafaxine besylate, venlafaxine hydrochloride, desvenlafaxine succinate or to any excipients in Venlafaxine Extended-Release Tablets [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )]. …

What both labels say about taking them together

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA

What do the labels say about using others of their kind?

Desvenlafaxine label, warnings and precautions
Serotonin syndrome has been reported with SSRIs and SNRIs, including with desvenlafaxine extended-release tablets, both when taken alone, but especially when co-administered with other serotonergic agents (including triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John's Wort).

Venlafaxine label, drug interactions
Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact Concomitant use of Effexor XR with other serotonergic drugs (including other SNRIs, SSRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, buspirone, amphetamines, tryptophan, and St. John's Wort) increases the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA

What next?

Desvenlafaxine: the full record
Venlafaxine: the full record
Alternatives to desvenlafaxine: every medicine labeled for the same conditions