AIM: To compare the effects, adverse reactions and emotion change of venlafaxine vs furazolidone for harmful alcoholics.　METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with harmful alcoholics were divided into two groups. Thirty-four patients (M34; age 37 a± s 6 a) were treated with venlafaxine, 25-50 mg, po, tid, for 8 wk. The other thirty-four patients (M34;age 38 a±6 a) with furzolidone, 0.1-0.2 g, po, tid, for 8 wk, with drinking alcohol at regular intervals during treating with furazolidone.　RESULTS: The total effective rate was 79% in venlafaxine group at 3 mo. There were no obvious adverse reactions, the anxiety disorder and depressive disorder during treating with venlafaxine. And the total effective rate was 65% in furazolidone group (P<0.05). There were obvious adverse reactions such as hypotension, myocardial ischemia, anxiety disorder and depressive disorder after treating with furazolidone.　CONCLUSION: Adverse reaction of venlafaxine on harmful alcoholics is smaller than furazolidone and the effect of venlafaxine on alcoholics is better than furazolidone.