levomilnacipran vs venlafaxine
Side-by-side comparison of levomilnacipran and venlafaxine Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Fetzima
Effexor, Effexor XR
Fetzima is a medicine used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. It helps to improve your mood by affecting certain chemicals in the brain.
Venlafaxine is a medication used to treat depression. It helps to improve your mood by affecting certain chemicals in the brain.
Fetzima is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. MDD can cause you to feel sad, lose interest in activities, and have trouble with daily life. Fetzima can help improve your mood and reduce these symptoms.
Venlafaxine is used to treat major depressive disorder. This condition can cause a persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest in daily activities. It may also help maintain improvement in patients with recurrent depression.
Fetzima is a type of drug called a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It works by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain. These chemicals can help improve your mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
Venlafaxine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It works by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. These chemicals help regulate mood and can be low in people with depression.
- • Nausea
- • Constipation
- • Increased sweating
- • Increased heart rate
- • Erectile dysfunction
- • Feeling weak or tired
- • Sweating a lot
- • Feeling sick to your stomach
- • Constipation
- • Loss of appetite
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 327
- The medicine is not working 246
- Pain 210
- Throwing up 208
- Trouble remembering things 189
- The medicine is not working 5,510
- Feeling sick to your stomach 4,298
- Harmful effects from different substances 4,264
- Feeling tired 4,199
- Using the medicine for a purpose it's not approved for 4,123
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults. Your doctor should closely watch you for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Fetzima is not approved for use in children.
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults. Your doctor will monitor you closely for worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or unusual changes in behavior. Venlafaxine is not approved for use in children.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Using Fetzima in the last months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take antidepressants during pregnancy.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking venlafaxine. Newborns exposed to SNRIs like venlafaxine in the third trimester may have complications requiring hospitalization. Your doctor will carefully consider the risks and benefits of treatment during pregnancy.
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How to Read This levomilnacipran vs venlafaxine Comparison
levomilnacipran is classified in the Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) drug class, while venlafaxine sits within the Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, levomilnacipran has 1,180 submissions while venlafaxine has 22,394. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between levomilnacipran and venlafaxine — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.