Effexor is the brand name for the generic medication called venlafaxine. It is sold in two forms, the regular Effexor and Effexor XR, which is an extended (or slow) release version. Both versions come in a wide range of dosages, including 25-mg, 37.5-mg, 50-mg, 75-mg, 100-mg and 150-mg capsules.

How to Find the Right Dose

A doctor is always the best person to decide which dose is right, based on current health status, body type and age. The usual recommended starting dose is 75-mg a day. If the regular form of Effexor is used, this amount should be divided between 2 or 3 doses, for example, 37.5-mg given twice a day. If Effexor XR is used, the dose is given once daily, at the same time each day.

If improvement is not seen in the symptoms after a few weeks, a gradual dosage increase to 150-mg/day may be tried. If the condition still does not improve, the dose may be further increased up to 225-mg/day, going up by 75-mg/day, no more often than every 4 days.