Key takeaways
Nortriptyline (Pamelor) and venlafaxine (Effexor) are both used to treat depression, but they belong to different medication classes. Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that adjusts levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, while Venlafaxine is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that also raises serotonin and norepinephrine activity. Nortriptyline is typically taken multiple times a day, whereas Venlafaxine is available in both immediate-release and extended-release forms, with the extended-release form taken once daily. Venlafaxine is also approved to treat anxiety, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, unlike Nortriptyline. Both medications can cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly, but Venlafaxine is known to cause more severe withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, both medications carry a risk of increasing suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people aged 24 years or younger.
