A stability indicating HPLC method for the analysis of venlafaxine hydrochloride in its pharmaceutical dosage forms is developed employing Kromasil C18 column, mobile phase consisted of sodium acetate buffer-acetonitrile (65:35) with UV-detection at 226 nm. The method was validated as per ICH guidelines for specificity, linearity, precision and accuracy. Forced degradation studies were performed on the bulk sample using 0.5 N HCl, 0.1 N NaOH, 33 % H2O2 and heat (50°C).