OBJECTIVE To study the efficacyof venlafaxine vs. paroxetine in treatment of peripheral vertigo patients with anxiety and depression. METHODS 180 peripheral vertigo patients with anxiety and depressionwere randomly divided into venlafaxine group(90cases) and paroxetine group(90cases), and were treated respectively for 6 weeks. The patients were assessed by Dizziness Handicap Inventory(DHI), Hamilton Depression Scale24(HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA) before and after the treatment at the 2nd, 4th and 6th week respectively. The clinical efficacy of the two drugs was evaluated according to the reduction rate before and after the treatment. RESULTS Atthe 2ndweek, the scores of HAMA in venlafaxine group was lower than paroxetine groupstatistically(P<0.05). At the 4th week, both the HMAM and HAMD in venlafaxine group were lower than paroxetine groupstatistically(P<0.05). After 6 weeks, The total effective rate of anxiety and depression were 83.33% and 77.78% in venlafaxine group, while 76.67%and 74.45% in paroxetine group. But there was no statistical difference(P>0.05). The scores of DHI were decreased in both groups(P<0.05), and index p in venlafaxine group was lower than paroxetine group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Both of them can reduce the physical symptoms and dysfunction, are effective on anxiety and depression, but venlafaxine is faster to take effect than paroxetine, and has a better patient compliance.