The prescribed dosage for venlafaxine may depend on your individual treatment plan. Other factors, including your specific diagnosis and response to the drug, may also affect your dosage.

Venlafaxine comes as an extended-release (ER) oral capsule. It’s usually taken once per day. ER drugs release their medication slowly in your body over time.

Venlafaxine is approved for use in adults to treat:

Venlafaxine is a generic drug that belongs to a drug class called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It’s available in a brand-name version called Effexor XR.

This article describes the dosages of venlafaxine ER oral capsule, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about venlafaxine, including its uses and side effects, see this venlafaxine ER oral capsule overview.

Note: Venlafaxine also comes as immediate-release tablets and ER tablets. This article addresses only venlafaxine ER oral capsules. For information on venlafaxine’s other forms, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

FDA warning: Suicidal thoughts and actions in young people

This drug has a boxed warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Antidepressants, including venlafaxine ER oral capsules, can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in people younger than 25 years of age. This risk is higher during the first few months of treatment and after any dosage changes.

Venlafaxine ER oral capsules are not approved for use in people younger than 18 years of age.

While taking venlafaxine, talk with your doctor right away if you feel that your depression or anxiety is getting worse. Also, let your doctor know if you feel agitated, restless, angry, or irritable. And tell them if you have any unusual or sudden changes in your mood, thoughts, or behaviors. Caregivers of young people taking venlafaxine should also watch for these symptoms.

If you have thoughts of suicide during venlafaxin treatment, call 911 or your local emergency number. In the United States, you can also call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. You can also refer to this suicide prevention support article.

Show More

Overview of venlafaxine dosage 

Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage of venlafaxine ER oral capsule and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the lowest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended for venlafaxine. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those mentioned here.

Venlafaxine forms

Venlafaxine is available as an ER oral capsule.

Venlafaxine strengths

Venlafaxine comes in three strengths:

  • 37.5 milligrams (mg)
  • 75 mg
  • 150 mg

Dosage of venlafaxine by condition

Venlafaxine ER oral capsule is approved to treat several mental health conditions. The prescribed venlafaxine dosage may vary depending on the condition it’s being used to treat. Always follow your prescribing doctor’s instructions. Notify them if you experience any side effects that may prevent you from taking your medication.

Dosage for treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

The typical venlafaxine starting dosage for adults with GAD is 75 mg once per day.

If you need help adjusting to the medication, your doctor may have you start treatment with 37.5 mg once per day for 4 to 7 days. After this, they’ll increase your dosage to 75 mg once per day.

If needed, your doctor may gradually increase your dose by 75 mg per day. They’ll increase your dosage at least every 4 days.

The maximum or highest dose recommended for GAD is 225 mg once per day.

Dosage for treating social anxiety disorder

For adults with social anxiety disorder, the typical starting and maintenance dosage of venlafaxine is 75 mg once per day. This is the maximum recommended dosage for this use.

Dosage for treating panic disorder

The typical venlafaxine starting dosage for adults with panic disorder is 37.5 mg per day for 7 days. Depending on your response to the drug, your doctor may increase your dosage by 75 mg every day to a maximum dosage of 225 mg per day. They’ll increase your dosage at least every 7 days.

Dosage for treating depression

For adults with depression, the typical starting dosage of venlafaxine is 75 mg per day.

If you need help adjusting to the medication, your doctor may have you start treatment with 37.5 mg once per day for 4 to 7 days. After this, they’ll increase your dosage to 75 mg once per day.

If needed, your doctor may gradually increase your dose by 75 mg per day. They’ll increase your dosage at least every 4 days. The maximum dosage for treating depression is 225 mg per day.

How to take venlafaxine

Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you on how to take venlafaxine. Typically, recommendations for taking venlafaxine include:

  • swallowing the capsule whole or opening the capsule and swallowing its contents
  • taking your dose consistently either in the morning or evening
  • using a medication reminder, alarm, or timer to make sure you don’t miss a dose

How long do you take venlafaxine?

Venlafaxine is usually a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term. This depends on the condition you’re taking the drug to treat and how well you respond to the medication.

Venlafaxine overdose

Do not take more venlafaxine than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects. 

Symptoms of venlafaxine overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose of venlafaxine ER oral capsule can include:

  • fast or slow heart rate
  • dilated pupils
  • tingling sensations or feeling of pins and needles in your arms and legs
  • numbness in your hands and feet
  • episodes of feeling hot or cold
  • sleepiness
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • vomiting

What to do in case you take too much venlafaxine

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much venlafaxine. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.