Compare Prozac vs. Effexor
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Improves mood and helps you relax.
Prozac (fluoxetine) is good for treating depression and anxiety. It's more energizing than other antidepressants, so it may not be the best choice for people who have trouble sleeping.
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3.5/ 5 average rating with 1319 reviewsforProzac
Improves mood and helps you relax.
Effexor (venlafaxine) is good for treating depression and anxiety, but it can cause more withdrawal symptoms if you stop suddenly compared to other antidepressants.
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3.7/ 5 average rating with 577 reviewsforEffexor
Upsides
- Effectively treats a variety of mental health conditions such as depression, OCD, and panic disorder.
- It's more energizing than other antidepressants, so it's good for people who have low energy.
- Might be a good option for treating children with depression and/or OCD.
- Doesn't have effects on the heart unlike other antidepressants so it may be a better treatment choice for older people.
- Can cause a significant amount of weight loss which is an added benefit for those who are overweight or obese.
- Effexor (venlafaxine) effectively treats depression, anxiety, and panic disorder.
- Effexor (venlafaxine) causes more sleepiness than other antidepressants, so it's beneficial for people who have trouble sleeping.
- Effexor (venlafaxine) might work when other antidepressants haven't worked since it affects two chemicals in the brain that impact your mood.
- Effexor (venlafaxine) has several uses, which may be good for people with multiple conditions.
- Effexor (venlafaxine) is available in generic, which is cheaper.
Downsides
- Takes at least 1 to 2 weeks to kick in and can take up to 12 weeks for maximum effect. Prozac (fluoxetine) tends to take more time to start working compared to similar alternatives.
- Can lower your sex drive.
- Can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and/or behavior in those age 24 or younger.
- You may need to try out several different antidepressants before you find the one that works for you.
- Effexor (venlafaxine) can cause side effects such as decreased libido and increased blood pressure.
- Like most antidepressants, it can cause a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior for people aged 24 years or younger.
- Compared to other antidepressants, it's more likely to cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking it and can causes more sleepiness.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Delayed-release pill
- Liquid
- Pill
- Extended release
Price
Lowest price
$559.51
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$13.28
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Reviews
1319 reviews so far
62%
saidit'sworth it
40%
saiditworked well
16%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Prozac (fluoxetine)?
Leave a review577 reviews so far
62%
saidit'sworth it
51%
saiditworked well
23%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Effexor (venlafaxine)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
22possible side effects
- Inability to sleep33%
- Nausea28%
- Lack of energy21%
- Anxiety15%
- Sleepiness13%
- Tremor13%
- Nervousness11%
- Yawn11%
- Indigestion10%
- Sore throat10%
- Dry mouth9%
- Flu syndrome8%
- Diarrhea8%
- Loss of appetite8%
- Sweating8%
- Impotence7%
- Abnormal ejaculation7%
- Sinus infection6%
- Lower sex drive5%
- Abnormal dreams5%
- Rash4%
- Widening of blood vessels2%
39possible side effects
- Nausea37%
- Headache25%
- Drowsiness23%
- Dry mouth22%
- Dizziness19%
- Difficulty sleeping18%
- Constipation15%
- Nervousness13%
- Weakness12%
- Sweating12%
- Abnormal ejaculation/orgasm12%
- Loss of appetite11%
- Diarrhea8%
- Infection6%
- Vomiting6%
- Anxiety6%
- Blurred vision6%
- Impotence6%
- Indigestion5%
- Tremor5%
- Abnormal dreams4%
- Chills3%
- Rash3%
- Gas3%
- Stiff muscles3%
- Prickling/burning sensation3%
- Yawn3%
- Increased urination3%
- Chest pain2%
- Trauma2%
- Increased blood pressure2%
- Increased heart rate2%
- Decreased libido2%
- Agitation2%
- Confusion2%
- Thinking abnormal2%
- Changes in taste2%
- Ringing in the ears2%
- Dilation of pupils2%
Risks and risk factors
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Age 24 or younger
- Serotonin syndrome
- Antidepressants
- Lithium
- Ultram
- Imitrex
- Remeron
- Lexapro
- Dilaudid
- St. John's Wort
- Skin rash
- Weight loss
- People with an eating disorder
- Increased bleeding risk
- Taking NSAIDS or blood-thinning drugs
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- People with heart rhythm problems or a family history of them
- Low potassium level
- Low magnesium level
- Recent heart attack
- Using other drugs that affect heart rhythm
- Overdose
- People with liver problems
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Age 24 years or younger
- Serotonin syndrome
- Taking tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, tramadol, fentanyl, amphetamines, certain headache medications (triptans), St. John's Wort
- Withdrawal
- Stopping Effexor (venlafaxine) suddenly
- Increased bleeding
- Taking other blood-thinning drugs (including aspirin, NSAIDs such as Advil, warfarin)
- Increased blood pressure
- Bipolar disorder
- History of bipolar disorder
- At risk for bipolar disorder