Venlafaxine: What is it? How does it work? Indications, Posology, Side Effects and Contraindications

This molecule, therefore, is able to exert both an antidepressant and anxiolytic action, mainly depending on the dosage administered to the patient.

More specifically, venlafaxine is a selective inhibitor of serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake. The inhibitory action is exerted through the inhibition of the activity of the transporters responsible for the reuptake of the above neurotransmitters (respectively, SerT and NET).

Venlafaxine was introduced on the US market in 1993 by the pharmaceutical company Wyeth (subsequently purchased by Pfizer) under the trade name of "Efexor". In Italy, the date of first marketing authorization of this venlafaxine-based medicinal product instead, it dates back to 1998.