Venlafaxine (VFA) was treated by 5 Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs).
The degradation kinetics were systematically assessed in water, wastewater and urine.
UV light and HO-induced attacks degraded VFA even in the chemically complex matrices.
The degradation pathway was elucidated, indicating biodegradable intermediates.
Increase of biodegradability was observed by applying AOPs prior to the Zahn-Wellens test.