Venlafaxine (Enlafax XR) all strengths: Supply issue

Supply issue Active

Venlafaxine is experiencing some supply constraint.

Update 18 February 2025

We expect a shipment of the 37.5 mg strength to arrive before the end of February. As such, we are not sourcing an alternative for this.

While we expect that there is enough stock in the country for everyone taking this strength, it may not be evenly distributed across the country. People may need to visit a different pharmacy or talk to their pharmacy about when stock will be available. 

Venlafaxine supply issue

There is reduced supply available of the usual Enlafax XR. To make sure people can continue to access their medicine, the supplier is bringing in some of their stock with Australian packaging for the 75 mg strength and 150 mg strength. This product will be funded from 1 March 2025 and will be listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule. 

Schedule listing for venlafaxine(external link)

We changed this product to monthly dispensing from 1 January 2025 to try to prevent an out of stock of the New Zealand product.  

Australian Enlafax XR 

The Australian venlafaxine is the same medicine, made by the same company, in the same way. The only difference is the packaging. It is packaged for the Australian market. The boxes have different artwork and the blister packs have 7 days of capsules, where your usual packaging has 14 days on a blister pack.

The NZ box has a purple and red colour block. The Australian box has a maroon swoosh across the bottom of the box. They both say Enlafax XR 75 mg.
Comparison of New Zealand and Australian packaging for Enlafax XR 75 mg
The NZ box has a purple and teal colour block. The Australian box has a dark green swoosh. Both boxes say Enlafax XR 150 mg..
Comparison of the New Zealand and Australian packaging for Enlafax XR 150 mg

For pharmacists

The medicine will remain on monthly dispensing until stock levels have stabilised. Note the Australian boxes are a 28-pack, the New Zealand box is an 84-pack. 

We have prepared flyers to support conversations with people about the changes in packaging. 

Expected resupply 

The product with New Zealand packaging is expected to be available again mid to late April 2025.

Who to contact

If you have questions about this issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz

Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.

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