Does Venlafaxine Show Up on a Drug Test? Full Guide

Does Venlafaxine Show Up on a Drug Test?

Venlafaxine is a prescription medicine used to treat depression and anxiety. Many people take it safely every day. But if you have a drug test coming up, you might wonder: Will venlafaxine show up on the results?

The short answer is — it depends on the type of drug test and what the test is looking for. In this guide, we’ll break down how venlafaxine works, how drug testing works, and what you can expect if you’re taking this medication.

What Is Venlafaxine?

Venlafaxine is the generic name for the brand Effexor. It belongs to a group of medications called SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).

Doctors prescribe it to help with:

Depression
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Social anxiety disorder

Venlafaxine changes the way certain brain chemicals work, helping improve mood and reduce anxiety. It’s not a drug that causes a “high,” and it’s not considered addictive in the way illegal drugs are.

Do Standard Drug Tests Look for Venlafaxine?

Most standard drug tests — like the ones used by employers — do not check for venlafaxine.

Standard panels usually test for:

Marijuana (THC)
Cocaine
Opiates
Amphetamines
PCP (phencyclidine)

Since venlafaxine is a legal prescription antidepressant, it’s not on the list of drugs most companies test for.

When Might Venlafaxine Show Up on a Drug Test?

Venlafaxine can show up on certain specialized drug tests that check for prescription medications. These tests are usually done in medical settings, legal cases, or addiction treatment programs.

If a lab is testing specifically for antidepressants, they can detect venlafaxine and its breakdown products in your blood, urine, or hair.

Can Venlafaxine Cause a False Positive?

Yes, in some cases venlafaxine can cause a false positive on a drug test.

Some urine drug screens have shown venlafaxine can be mistaken for phencyclidine (PCP). This happens because part of venlafaxine’s chemical structure looks similar to PCP on certain quick tests.

If you test positive for PCP but have never used it, the lab can do a more accurate test called GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) to confirm the results.

How Long Does Venlafaxine Stay in Your System?

The time venlafaxine stays in your body depends on:

Your age
Your liver health
How long you’ve been taking it
Your dosage

On average:

Blood: up to 2 days
Urine: 3–4 days
Hair: up to 90 days

These times are estimates. If you have slower metabolism, it might stay longer.

Will Employers See Venlafaxine on a Pre-Employment Drug Test?

In most cases — no. Employers usually use basic urine drug tests, which don’t look for antidepressants like venlafaxine.

However, if your job is in law enforcement, the military, or another safety-sensitive role, your drug test might be more detailed. In those cases, your prescription medications could be reviewed.

Do You Need to Tell the Tester You Take Venlafaxine?

It’s usually a good idea to let the testing center know about any prescription medications you take — especially if there’s a chance of a false positive.

Bring your prescription bottle or a note from your doctor. This can help prevent confusion if the test picks up venlafaxine or mistakes it for something else.

Can Venlafaxine Be Detected in a Urine Test?

Yes, venlafaxine can be detected in urine if the test is looking for it.

Key points about urine testing:

Most common for workplace and sports testing
Detects drug use from the last few days
May give false positives for PCP

If a false positive happens, a second test will confirm the truth.

Can Venlafaxine Be Detected in a Blood Test?

Yes, blood tests can detect venlafaxine and its active form, desvenlafaxine.

Blood tests are usually more exact and are done in medical or legal situations — not typical workplace screenings.

Venlafaxine shows up in blood for about 2 days after your last dose.

Can Venlafaxine Be Detected in a Hair Test?

Hair tests can detect venlafaxine for up to 90 days after you take it.

Hair testing isn’t common for most jobs. It’s more often used in court cases or special investigations.

Why Do Some People Get False Positives from Venlafaxine?

The main reason is that the structure of venlafaxine looks similar to PCP when tested with certain rapid screening kits.

These tests aren’t perfect. They sometimes confuse one drug for another. That’s why confirmatory testing is so important.

What to Do If You Get a False Positive from Venlafaxine

If you get a test result that’s wrong:

Stay calm — false positives happen.
Tell the tester you’re on venlafaxine.
Request a confirmatory test like GC-MS or LC-MS.
Show your prescription to prove it’s a legal medication.

How to Prepare for a Drug Test While Taking Venlafaxine

Here are tips to make the process smoother:

Bring your prescription or doctor’s note.
Tell the testing center before the test.
Drink water, but don’t overdo it — too much can dilute your urine.
Avoid stopping venlafaxine suddenly — this can cause withdrawal symptoms.

Can Venlafaxine Cause You to Fail a Drug Test?

You might fail a test temporarily if a false positive happens, but once confirmatory testing is done, you should pass.

Having a legal prescription means you’re not breaking the law, even if the drug appears on your results.

Is Venlafaxine a Controlled Substance?

No, venlafaxine is not a controlled substance in the U.S. It’s legal to take with a prescription. This is another reason it’s not usually tested for in standard panels.

Does Venlafaxine Show Up on a Military Drug Test?

Military drug tests are usually more advanced. They still don’t normally check for antidepressants, but if a false positive happens, it will be reviewed by a medical officer.

Can Venlafaxine Interact with Other Drugs on a Test?

Not directly — but some medications, like certain cough syrups or other antidepressants, can increase the risk of false positives when combined.

How Labs Confirm Venlafaxine on a Test

If a lab suspects venlafaxine or a false positive, they can:

Use GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry)
Use LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry)

These are highly accurate and can tell the difference between venlafaxine and illegal drugs.

What Happens If Venlafaxine Shows Up on a Test?

If the test was not looking for antidepressants, the result might not even be reported.

If it does appear and you have a prescription, the medical review officer will likely clear you.

Final Thoughts on Venlafaxine and Drug Testing

For most people, venlafaxine will not show up on a standard drug test. Even if it does cause a false positive, confirmatory testing can fix the mistake.

The best way to protect yourself is to be open about your prescription before the test.

FAQs

Does venlafaxine show up on a standard drug test?

No, standard tests don’t usually check for it. It may only show up on specialized tests.

Can venlafaxine cause a false positive for PCP?

Yes, in rare cases. More accurate lab tests can clear this up.

How long does venlafaxine stay in your system?

It can stay in your urine for 3–4 days, blood for up to 2 days, and hair for up to 90 days.

Should I stop venlafaxine before a drug test?

No, stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal. Instead, bring proof of your prescription.

Will my employer see my venlafaxine use?

Probably not — unless the test is very detailed and looks for prescription drugs. Contact us today for information on drug testing for Venlafaxine.

Maverick

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Does Venlafaxine Show Up on a Drug Test? Full Guide