Drug Comparison
For educational purposes only — a decision-support tool, not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Side-by-side rubric across 96 psychiatric medications. Every rating traces to a verbatim primary-source quote — click any cell to see it.
How to read this tool ▾
Rating scale
– Favorable / lower than class baseline
± Minimal / equivocal
+ Low / uncommon
++ Moderate / common
+++ High / very common
++++ Very high / class-outlier
Frequency vs severity
F = frequency, S = severity. Each gets its own pill colored on the same traffic-light scale: green → blue → yellow → orange → red. Click any cell for incidence percentages and NNH.
Evidence tier
A Network meta-analysis / RCT / FDA label
B Cohort / registry / pooled label data
C Expert review / textbook / case series
Sourcing
Click any cell to see the verbatim source quote and citation. Missing data shows n/a.
Data depth
++ Graded — frequency + severity, primary-source traces
+ FDA label — §6 frequency only (dashed border). Click for sub-types.
Blank — not yet checked (not “absent”)
–±++++++++++ABCF = frequency · S = severity · Dashed border = FDA label only · Click cell for details
1 drug selected — Venlafaxine(click to collapse)
1/4 selected
Venlafaxine
Effexor
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
FDA-approved indications
- Major depressive disorder (adults)
- Generalized anxiety disorder (adults)
- Social anxiety disorder (adults)
- Panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia (adults)
Off-label uses
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- PTSD
Half-life5 hours (ODV active metabolite: 11 hours)
Decision GuideWhen to pick each / when to consider an alternative
Venlafaxine
Consider when
- Treatment-resistant depression or SSRI non-response — top-tier efficacy in Cipriani 2018 NMA; ~6% remission advantage over SSRIs
- Depression with comorbid anxiety disorders — FDA-approved for GAD, SAD, and panic disorder alongside MDD
- Ascending dose-response needed — dose-dependent NE engagement above 150 mg allows titration from SSRI-like to full SNRI effect
- Pain comorbidity with depression — noradrenergic effects at higher doses assist with pain; though duloxetine has FDA pain indications
- +1 more
Consider an alternative when
- Adherence may falter — worst discontinuation syndrome among SNRIs (incidence 0.40, Henssler 2024); withdrawal within 24–48 h of missed dose
- Sexual dysfunction is a concern — total SD OR 24.82 (Serretti 2009); highest SD risk among commonly prescribed antidepressants in Danish cohort
- Uncontrolled or borderline hypertension — dose-dependent BP elevation especially >150 mg; most pronounced BP effect among SNRIs
- Overdose risk present — cardiotoxicity in overdose; UK regulatory CI for heart disease; higher toxicity index than SSRIs
- +1 more
| Axis | Venlafaxine SNRI |
|---|---|
| Boxed Warnings | |
Suicidality (boxed warning) | |
| CNS | |
Sedation / somnolence | |
Activation / insomnia | |
Emotional blunting | |
Seizure risk | |
| Metabolic | |
Weight gain | |
Metabolic (glucose / lipids) | |
| Autonomic | |
Anticholinergic burden | |
Orthostatic hypotension | |
Sweating | |
Angle-closure glaucoma | |
| Cardiac | |
QTc prolongation | |
Blood pressure elevation | |
Heart rate / tachycardia | |
| GI | |
Nausea / GI (general) | |
| Hepatic | |
Liver enzymes / hepatotoxicity | |
| Electrolytes | |
Hyponatremia / SIADH | |
| Sexual | |
Sexual dysfunction | |
| Discontinuation | |
Withdrawal / discontinuation | |
| Interactions | |
Serotonin syndrome risk | |
CYP interactions / DDI profile | |
| Safety | |
Bleeding risk | |
Overdose toxicity | |
| Pregnancy | |
Teratogenicity | |
Lactation / breastfeeding safety | |