Effexor is part of a class of drugs called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs for short. SNRIs, such as Effexor, act on two specific chemicals within the brain, known as serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin and norepinephrine are two of several chemicals used to send messages in between nerves; but, when serotonin and norepinephrine levels become unbalanced, it can cause a variety of conditions, such as depression. Effexor helps to block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, so that higher levels of these chemicals are available for the nerves in the brain, returning the serotonin and norepinephrine back to their "normal" levels.
Although it is not entirely clear how Effexor works for nerve pain, it appears that Effexor seems to help block the nerve pain signals in the spinal cord or brain. This helps to relieve the pain of peripheral diabetic neuropathy.
Effexor Uses in Children
Effexor is not approved for the treatment of childhood depression. Talk with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using Effexor in children with depression.
Off-Label Effexor Uses
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Effexor for treating something other than the conditions listed above. This is called an "off-label" use. Off-label Effexor uses can include the treatment of:
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