Venlafaxine

Venlafaxine is a serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant used for major depressive disorder and several anxiety disorders.

Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor: A class of antidepressants that inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Venlafaxine is an SNRI, though its relative effects on the two transporters vary with dose.
Major depressive disorder: A mood disorder marked by persistent depressed mood or loss of interest and associated functional impairment. Venlafaxine is prescribed to treat acute episodes and help prevent relapse.
Duloxetine: An SNRI antidepressant also used for several chronic pain conditions. Both inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, but duloxetine has distinct indications and pharmacokinetics.
Antidepressant: A medication used to treat depressive disorders and sometimes other conditions. Venlafaxine belongs to this broad medication group.
Antidepressant response: The reduction of depressive symptoms during treatment with an antidepressant. No reliable test predicts which person will respond best to venlafaxine.
Serotonin transporter: A membrane protein that removes serotonin from synapses by transporting it back into neurons. Venlafaxine inhibits this transporter, increasing serotonin signaling.
Generalized anxiety disorder: An anxiety disorder involving persistent, excessive worry across multiple areas of life. Venlafaxine is an established medication option for this disorder.
Desvenlafaxine: An SNRI antidepressant and the principal active metabolite of venlafaxine. It shares venlafaxine's core pharmacology but differs in metabolism, dosing, and product labeling.
Major depressive episode: A period of at least two weeks of depressive symptoms that impair functioning. Treatment decisions often concern symptom severity, duration, and recurrence of depressive episodes.
Antidepressant-resistant depression: Depression that has not adequately improved after one or more appropriate antidepressant treatments. Venlafaxine is sometimes chosen after other treatments fail, but response remains difficult to predict.

Linked from 11 pages