Key takeaways
Fluvoxamine (Luvox) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are both medications used to treat mental health conditions, but they belong to different classes and have different uses. Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) primarily used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder and is available only in generic form. Venlafaxine, on the other hand, is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used to treat major depressive disorder, anxiety, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, and is available in both generic and brand forms. Fluvoxamine is typically taken once or twice daily, while venlafaxine can be taken once daily in its extended-release form or multiple times a day in its immediate-release form. Fluvoxamine is more likely to cause side effects like nausea and sleep problems, whereas venlafaxine can cause side effects such as nausea, tiredness, and dry mouth. Both medications can lead to withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly, but venlafaxine is known for having more severe withdrawal symptoms.
