Effexor XR® (venlafaxine hydrochloride—or HCl) is a prescription antidepressant proven to treat the symptoms of depression and three anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD).

Effexor XR is believed to treat depression symptoms and anxiety symptoms by affecting the levels of two naturally occurring chemicals in the brain — serotonin and norepinephrine. It is believed that correcting an imbalance of these two chemicals may help relieve symptoms. Because Effexor XR affects these two chemicals, it is known as an SNRI, or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.