Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) Treatment in Florida
Same-day visits are often possible
See us in our Fort Lauderdale office or by video anywhere in Florida. Ages 6 and up. We take Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare and most major insurance plans. Se habla español.
Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) at One Stop Psychiatry
Venlafaxine, usually prescribed as Effexor XR, is an antidepressant used for depression and several anxiety conditions. It’s a good option for some people who didn’t get enough relief from an SSRI, but it isn’t right for everyone. We can help you figure that out, start it safely and adjust it over time, in Fort Lauderdale or by video anywhere in Florida.
What Is Venlafaxine?
Venlafaxine is an SNRI, which means it acts on both serotonin and norepinephrine. It comes as tablets taken two or three times a day with food, or as an extended-release capsule taken once a day with food. The capsule is swallowed whole. If swallowing is hard, it can be opened and sprinkled on applesauce, then swallowed without chewing. The original Effexor tablets are no longer sold, but generic versions and Effexor XR are available.
What Is Venlafaxine Used For?
- Depression
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
Read more about our anxiety treatment.
Is Venlafaxine Right for Me?
Your provider will ask about your symptoms, what you’ve already tried, every medication and supplement you take, and your health history, including blood pressure, heart problems, seizures, bleeding problems, glaucoma and pregnancy. Because venlafaxine can trigger a type of glaucoma, it’s worth asking whether you need an eye exam before you start. For kids and teens, your provider decides whether it’s appropriate.
Getting Started With Venlafaxine
Call (754) 270-6322 or request an appointment online. We’re open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Our staff will call you back to check your insurance, send your intake forms and confirm when and where your visit is.
At the first visit, your provider goes over your symptoms, your history, what you’ve already tried and what you’re taking now. You can come to our Fort Lauderdale office or use video from anywhere in Florida.
If Venlafaxine makes sense for you, you’ll hear how to take it, what to expect in the first few weeks and which side effects to call about. If it doesn’t, your provider will talk through other options. Follow-up visits are where the dose gets fine-tuned.
Side Effects of Venlafaxine
Common ones include drowsiness, nausea, dry mouth, less appetite, sweating and sexual side effects. Let your provider know if they’re bad or don’t go away.
Get medical help right away for a rash, hives or trouble breathing or swallowing; a fast or irregular heartbeat or chest pain; seizures or hallucinations; unusual bleeding or bruising; fever, sweating, confusion and severe muscle stiffness (possible serotonin syndrome); or eye pain, vision changes or redness around the eye.
Important Safety Information
- Venlafaxine may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teens and young adults under 24, especially in the first few months and after a dose change. Call your provider right away if mood or behavior gets worse.
- Don’t take it with an MAO inhibitor, or within 2 weeks of stopping one. After stopping venlafaxine, wait at least 7 days before starting an MAO inhibitor.
- Don’t stop it suddenly. Your provider will lower the dose step by step.
- Dose increases happen no more often than every 4 to 7 days.
Related Medications
Common Questions
Is Effexor an SSRI?
No. Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) is an SNRI. It affects both serotonin and norepinephrine.
Can venlafaxine raise blood pressure?
Yes, it can raise blood pressure in some people, especially at higher doses. Your provider may check your blood pressure during treatment.
What if I want to stop Effexor?
Talk to your provider first. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms, so the dose is usually lowered gradually.
How is Effexor XR different from Pristiq?
They’re related SNRIs. Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) is a different medication, and which one fits you depends on your history and other medications.
Can venlafaxine be prescribed by video?
Yes, after an evaluation, as long as you’re in Florida during the visit and your provider decides it’s appropriate.
Does insurance cover the visits?
That depends on your plan. We check your coverage before the visit, and we have sliding-scale rates if you’re paying yourself.
Insurance and Cost
We take Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Optum, and we have sliding-scale rates if you’re paying yourself. We check your coverage before the visit. The price of the medication itself depends on your pharmacy and plan. More on insurance.
We see patients from age 6, and same-day visits are often possible. Several of our providers and staff speak Spanish. Request an appointment or call (754) 270-6322.
We aren’t an emergency service. If you’re thinking about suicide or you’re in crisis, call or text 988. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Andrew C. Rucker, DO, psychiatrist, on October 6, 2026.
Source: MedlinePlus: Venlafaxine (U.S. National Library of Medicine / NIH). This page is general information, not medical advice.
Who You'll See
Your care is with our team of physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners and a physician assistant. Visits are available in English, Spanish, Russian, Urdu and Hindi. Our staff can help you choose someone who's a good fit.
Dr. Andrew C. Rucker, DOPsychiatrist
Dr. Murtaza Ali, DOAddiction specialist and family physician
Dr. Heather Brathwaite, PhD, PMHNP-BCPsychiatric nurse practitioner
Michelle KovalPsychiatric nurse practitioner. Speaks Russian
Neal Fouke, PAPsychiatric physician assistant
Muhammad Nawaz, PMHNP-BCPsychiatric nurse practitioner. Speaks Urdu and HindiRequest an Appointment
Tell us how to reach you. Our team calls back the same business day, Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Your appointment is confirmed once staff call you to set the time and place.
Prefer to talk to someone? Call (754) 270-6322.
Our Office
3015 N Ocean Blvd, Ste C101, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308. Phone: (754) 270-6322. Open Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Video visits are available anywhere in Florida. Directions and parking.