Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Venlafaxine is an antidepressant of the SNRI group (serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors): it keeps more of both messengers available between nerve cells. It is used for depression, generalised and social anxiety, and panic disorder. It is sold as Effexor, among other names.
The liver enzyme CYP2D6 turns venlafaxine into desvenlafaxine (O-desmethylvenlafaxine), which works in much the same way and is itself sold as a medicine. People with little or no CYP2D6 activity keep more venlafaxine and make less desvenlafaxine; studies link this to more side effects. CPIC and DPWG have published guidelines on CYP2D6 and venlafaxine, and the US FDA also lists the gene. Studies have also looked at CYP2C19, the transporter ABCB1 and serotonin genes, with weaker evidence.
Clinical guidelines that name a gene for Venlafaxine. They sort people into groups by the gene copies they carry.
CPIC guideline: CYP2D6. CYP2D6 activity score 0 to 6 or more. Strong. 2023.
DPWG guideline: CYP2D6. CYP2D6 activity score 0 to 6 or more. 2024.
US FDA: CYP2D6. CYP2D6 activity score 0. Data that Support Therapeutic Management Recommendations.
Every published finding on gene variants and Venlafaxine. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
CYP2D6 CYP2D6*1, CYP2D6*3, CYP2D6*4, CYP2D6*5, CYP2D6*6, CYP2D6*81: Level 1A · replicated. Toxicity: Agitation, Alcohol-Related Disorders, Cardiotoxicity, Depression, Depressive Disorder, Drug Toxicity, dysphoria, Edema, Major Depressive Disorder, Nausea, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Tachycardia, Vomiting. 14.
CYP2D6 CYP2D6*1, CYP2D6*3, CYP2D6*4, CYP2D6*5, CYP2D6*6, CYP2D6*10: Level 1A · replicated. Metabolism/PK: Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. 11.
FKBP5 rs1360780: Level 3. Efficacy: Depression. 7.
COMT rs4680: Level 3. Efficacy: Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorder. 3.
Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Studies of how much of the drug people needed or tolerated.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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