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Generic Effexor

Effexor is available in both brand-name and generic form. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also approved a generic version of Effexor XR. Generic short-acting Effexor tablets are available in five strengths; generic long-acting Effexor XR capsules are available in three strengths.

Can I Buy Generic Effexor?

Effexor® (venlafaxine hydrochloride) and Effexor XR® are prescription medications that have been licensed to treat depression in adults. Effexor XR is also licensed to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic attacks, and social anxiety disorder (social phobia). Both medications are manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, and both are available in generic form.
 

Strengths of Generic Effexor

Generic short-acting
 Effexor tablets are made by various companies (such as Teva Pharmaceuticals and Mylan Pharmaceuticals) and are available in the following strengths:
 
  • Venlafaxine 25 mg
  • Venlafaxine 37.5 mg
  • Venlafaxine 50 mg
  • Venlafaxine 75 mg
  • Venlafaxine 100 mg.
     
Generic long-acting Effexor XR capsules are currently made by Teva Pharmaceuticals and are available in the following strengths:
 
  • Venlafaxine XR 37.5 mg capsules
  • Venlafaxine XR 75 mg capsules
  • Venlafaxine XR 150 mg capsules.
     
Generic long-acting venlafaxine ER tablets (made by Osmotica Pharmaceutical Corp. and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.) come in the following strengths:
 
  • Venlafaxine ER 37.5 mg
  • Venlafaxine ER 75 mg
  • Venlafaxine ER 150 mg
  • Venlafaxine ER 225 mg.
     
The long-acting venlafaxine ER tablets are technically not a generic version of Effexor XR. Thus, they are not interchangeable with Effexor XR (or generic Effexor XR) capsules.
 
In fact, unlike Effexor XR, venlafaxine ER tablets are approved only for the treatment of depression and social anxiety disorder; they are not approved for generalized anxiety disorder or for panic disorder.
 
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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