Cymbalta is better than Effexor XR for depression.

  Both Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor XR (venlafaxine) are dual-uptake inhibitors. They inhibit the reuptake of serotonin AND norepinephrine.

  Cymbalta is often touted as possibly being more efficacious and better tolerated than Effexor XR.

  This is because duloxetine is a more "balanced" reuptake inhibitor...whereas venlafaxine primarily affects serotonin at lower doses and hits norepinephrine at higher doses.