Objective: To improve the synthetic procedure of venlafaxine hydrochloride.Methods: α-(1-Hydroxycyclohexyl)-p-methoxybenzyl cyanide was synthesized via condensation by using p-methoxybenzyl cyanide and cyclohexanone, then reduction, and methylation to give venlafaxine hydrochloride.Replacement of potassium hydride by sodium methoxide, replacement of hydrogen chloride by HCl-ethanol, and replacement of ether by toluene were in the improved procedure.Results: The suitable conditions were obtained, and the overall yield was 47.4%.Conclusion: The improved synthetic procedure iss practical and easy to popularize in industry, and the production cost is reduced.