Venlafaxine (Effexor)

Effexor is the brand name for venlafaxine. This prescription medication is a long-acting (extended-release) drug used to treat depression, generalized anxiety disorder (uncontrolled worrying), social anxiety disorder (fear of interacting with others), and panic attacks. Depressive disorders may affect patients with back or neck pain, especially when pain is chronic. Effexor is in a class of medications called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). Effexor works by increasing the amounts of serotonin and norepinephrine, natural substances in the brain that help maintain mental balance.