Effexor XR (venlafaxine) is used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, and panic disorder. Includes Effexor XR side effects, interactions and indications. Find patient medical information for Venlafaxine (Effexor) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings Effexor is an antidepressant approved to treat depression, anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorders. You should not take Effexor if you have recently taken an MAOI. Common side effects of Effexor include constipation, diarrhea, and feeling tired. Venlafaxine, sold under the brand name Effexor among others, is an antidepressant medication of the serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class. [5][9] It is used to treat major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. [9] Venlafaxine, sold under the brand name Effexor, is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) prescribed for major depressive disorder and several anxiety disorders. Effexor XR is indicated for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Efficacy was established in two 8-week and two 26-week placebo-controlled trials. Effexor XR is indicated for the treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia. Effexor is the brand name for venlafaxine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It's FDA-approved for major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. The Effexor generic name is venlafaxine, which was introduced and initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in 1993. Venlafaxine is used to treat depression. It is also used to treat general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Venlafaxine belongs to a group of medicines known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). Venlafaxine is used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, and panic disorder. Learn about side effects, interactions and indications.