| Rating | Reason | Side Effects | Comments | Sex | Age | Time Taken
and Dosage | | Date Added |
  | | | | F M | | | | |
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| 3 | Gen Diagnoses: Anxiety & Depression | Lost 20lbs. in 2 months. Tingling in hands like being shocked by those trick pens. Vivid dreams that were always violent. Kicked, punched, screamed and cursed. Needed to take stool softener daily. Around my cycle I would get very weak and become out of breath just walking. All body fluids pretty much died up. Sweat heavily for no reason. | Even with all the side effects that I mentioned, I thought the benefit outweighed the issues. Before taking this medication I would have at least one week during the month where I wouldn't want to go to work or couldn't do my job b/c I couldn't concentrate. I'm a web developer and it would feel like I'm looking at code for the very first time. Not a good thing when you have a schedule and you lose a week b/c you can't get your brain to work. Not only that, but my emotions were hard to control. When I started the effexor I didn't experience the issue with concentration anymore and my moods were more level. With all this being said, my husband and others that I trust were seeing behaviors that I couldn't see. I'm the type of person who wants to correct any annoying behaviors and it wasn't that I didn't want to see what they were seeing, I couldn't. Well, it got to the point where I am today. I saw a Psychiatrist b/c I felt that I needed to adjust my medicine levels to fix what was happening. She conducted her assessment and determined that I should come off of all medicines and fix a sleep disorder issue that I have and then I would be able to determine if medication was necessary. I mentioned all this in case someone may have a similar situation and not think of it until they read this. I know these ratings and comments are very helpful and so I wanted to do my part. | F | 43 | 2 years
275mg 1X D | | 9/1/2010
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5 | Chronic Pain | Decreased libido | I have a chronic pain problem, the cause couldn't be found, and nothing helped. My dr. thinks I might have low levels of seratonin, so he prescribed Effexor XR. It took awhile for the Effexor to take effect, but the pain is 100% gone. I have tried going off of the Effexor XR, but after about 4 months, the pain comes back. This is a lifesaver for me. | F | 51 | 10 years
75mg 1X D | | 8/30/2010
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| 5 | | | | F | 58 | 1 years
150mg 1X D | | 8/24/2010
| 1 | ptsd | pancreatitis ovarian cysts horrid periods increased sex drive in the beginning which changed to numb sex organs for years now high libido went to no libido too
gerd severe body pain infections of sinus kidney
became very ill after a few years on it my mind started to go nuts paranoid memory was shot could not focus brain fog was severe ability think was gone.
This drug has a honeymoon period where you feel great almost high or stoned then it turns on you after awhile making you sick and crazy. | extreme personality change
ruined my life and lost everything I own I blame this drug
withdrawal can last for years still suffering it is a drug from hell whoever made it needs to pay | F | 55 | 7 years
150 1X D | | 8/22/2010
| 5 | depression/PTSD | frequent urination, weight loss, loss of appetite | I have no desire to eat a large amount of food, which isn't a bad thing. It took about a week for me to feel a difference. I feel like myself again. I was really moody all the time before taking this drug. My depression went away almost completely. I no longer get really angry and it seems like I have a longer "fuse". My husband even noticed that I seemed more happy and complained less. This drug is wonderful. I take the generic version, however the doctor said that may be why I get pains in my stomach, so I am switching to the name brand in two weeks. | F | 30 | 3 weeks
75 MG 1X D | | 8/17/2010
| 4 | Depression | I experienced memory loss in terms of little things e.g. going upstairs to get 3 things and only remembering 2 etc. This also made me a bit 'ditzier' than I thought I was. I experience cold sweats most nights while I'm sleeping. I also am experiencing withdrawal after an accidental period of double dosage followed by halving the dose again to the prescribed amount. | I was previously crying everyday often multiple times for no reason, after 2 days of the 37.5mg dosage this stopped and even when I tried I could not cry, it was like the water turned off even if I was genuinely sad. As I was still sad but not crying I moved up to 75mg as I had still only left the house for work and university I eventually moved to 150mg which has dramatically improved my life which I am actually living again like a normal person. The last time I went to the chemist with a new prescription they told me to take 2 capsules a day of the 150mg which I did. I did not notice any changes but since returning to the chemist they informed me that was wrong and I am only supposed to be taking 1per day. It has been 2 days since halving my dosage and I am currently nauseous, incredibly shaky and dizzy and had to call in sick to work. After reading these comments and experiencing this 'withdrawal' I am scared about the day when I will have to stop taking this medication.
Also there was a period of 3 days where I missed my pills and by the end of the 3 days I was crying over nothing again. | F | 19 | 1.5 years
150mg 1X D | | 8/17/2010
| 1 | anxiety | As far as I am concerned, this drug is poison. It made me nauseous, dry mouth with horrible taste (I even scheduled an additional teeth cleaning with my dentist.) When I tried to discontinue it, the nausea got worse. I also talked to a nurse at my doctor's office who said that she had a terrible time come off of it and had bad headaches too. I realize that this medication may work for some people. However, I don't EVER want to even look at the name of this again. It did me no good (how can you get less stressed if you walk around feeling sick to your stomach constantly?) I will NEVER go on this med or anything like it again. | | F | 60 | 2 months
37.5 - 75 1X D | | 8/14/2010
| 5 | depression | | | F | 59 |
300 mg 1X D | | 8/12/2010
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History | 2 | Anxiety/Depression | There are no side effects from taking it -- but HORRENDOUS side effects from discontinuation. | I've been trying to discontinue (slowly, by lowering dosage) for about 7 months now. The withdrawal is ridiculous. If I could go back and time and never take it I would in a heartbeat. | M | 25 | 7 years
150 1X D | | 8/10/2010
| 2 | | shaking, withdrawal symptoms | I have used brand named for many years. If I missed a dose in the early morning, withdrawal effects would not show up until late afternoon. With generic, withdrawal effects will show up by 10:30 in the morning. | M | 43 | 7 years
1X D | | 8/1/2010
| 2 | Depression | Have just been switched to generic after taking brand name for 5 years, and have been very ill - feels like withdrawal, which is nightmarish. | Generic has a problem - don't know if it doesn't release right, or what (since Effexor XR is extended release) - it has made me very ill - anyone else with this problem, please let your doctor and pharamacist know - please get the word out that there is a problem with this generic! | F | 40 | 5 years
75mg 1X D | | 7/30/2010
| 4 | Anxiety | Side effects included increased sweating, permanently dilated pupils, nausea, teeth grinding/jaw clenching, increased heart rate (90 bpm) and increased blood pressure. The nausea and sweating subsided after the first month. | Despite the side effects this drug really did help me to gain some balance in my life, I am now tapering off slowly with no real withdrawal syptoms. My main reason for coming off is that the drug tended to dull all of my emotions and I kind of want to feel things fully again. | F | 25 | 1 years
75mg 1X D | | 7/27/2010
| 5 | for hot flashes! | none | I have only been on this for 2 wks but after one week my hot flashes stopped! This was wonderful since I just started having them 2 months ago and they were every 30 minutes! I feel happy and perfectly normal otherwise | F | 50 | 14 days
75 mg 1X D | | 7/23/2010
| 1 | Migraines | Extremely tired...sleeping 15 hours a day sometimes. Migraines continued. Numb. | I needed to get off this medication to do a sleep study. I got VERY ill. Within 2 days of going off 37.5 mg I was vomitting and had nausea. It has been 15 days and I still feel awful. Migraines, muscle aches, tired, gastrointeritis, bloated, dizzy, shocks, hard to concentrate, brain doesn't track, this has been a NIGHTMARE. My doctor did say that Paxil and Effexor do have many withdrawl effects...however, they should be gone by now and aren't. I do not want to start taking this drug again. This is scary..I am not able to work and get things done. | F | 49 | 7 years
300 1X D | | 7/16/2010
| 5 | Depression | For the first few months I had sexual side effects but they went away. Some weight gain | The only drug that ever helped me. Others did not work or had bad effects. The "brain jitters" everyone talks about are very true when missing a dose. They are really no biggie, to me anyway. Over all my mood is good, I am much more productive generally. I tried the new generic version and it does not work the same. BEWARE. Even though it's cheaper, the wreth brand works different and much better. I am waiting to talk to my doctor as to why but this is in the literature. There is a difference in this generic. If you are starting out I would defently suggest the name brand to see if it helps. Once stable, then test out the generic for yourself. | M | 34 | 1 years
150 MG 1X D | | 7/11/2010
| 1 | depression | after missing 2 days of dosage (forgot to fill it): nausea, dizziness, MASSIVE headache, "brain surges", blurred vision, inability to concentrate. I went through this twice. The second time I began researching the drug online and seeing how so many others were having issues with it. I know you are suppose to come off the drug slowly, but by that time it was almost out of my system completely, so I just dealt with the side effects and felt completely different after a week. That week was hell, but to get off this drug was heaven. | Don't take! Stick with the older drug combinations such as Wellbutrin & Zoloft. | F | 28 | 4 months
1X D | | 7/9/2010
| 1 | Anxiety, depression | Strange itchy rash on my skin-scared for life now.. swelling of legs and ankles, eventually entire body, bloating, constipation, loss of "caring".. no sex drive, insane sweating.. dizzyness, heart palpatations. These all occurred gradually as the dose was upp'd and when I complained to the dr's (three) they didnt know what to do and at first denied it was the effexor- eventually weaned me down- and all smptoms disappeared. | Cost hundreds of dollars to find out this medicine was CRAP! | F | 36 | 1 years
150 MG 1X D | | 7/3/2010
| 3 | Depression/OCD | Nausea, staring into space, delayed orgasm, increased anxiety at times | Good for OCD and anxiety but really didn't help with depression so my pdoc switched me back to paxil with no taper. Even after taking for just 30 days the withdrawal was really significant. I felt like I was a having a really bad allergic reaction, but after resuming at 37.5 felt fine. | M | 38 | 30 days
75mg 1X D | | 7/2/2010
| 3 | depression/fibromyalgia | Really helps with social anxiety and depression. Side effects are weight gain and horrible sweating. I really would not recommend starting though because when and if you want to go off of it, it is so awful to try...I felt suicidal, not typical at all for me...decided to stay on it to avoid withdrawal so PLEASE don't start. | | F | 63 | 7 years
75 1X D | | 6/29/2010
| 5 | Anxiety/Panic | No side effects whatsoever | I have been on Effexor XR twice before. Both times it significantly reduced my anxiety within a week. Going off Effexor wasn't that bad as long as you go off slowly.
Recently I restarted taking Effexor XR due to a return of anxiety. It is working as it always has. Prior to restarting Effexor XR I tried both Lexapro and Zoloft. Both of those medications made me sick as a dog. I am so happy that I respond so well to Effexor XR. It makes me feel normal again. | M | 47 | 4 years
37.5 mg 2X D | | 6/19/2010
| 3 | Depresion & GAD | more hyper /anxious -yet more energetic though..just tried cymbalta had alot of anxiety on that-now trying Effexor. Acne , hyper, insomnia, diarrhea , fogginess
| Anyone had any rash or increase acne? ???got this horrible ??acne rash behind my ear..looks like pimples but not? weird , got it after starting meds | F | 38 | 2 weeks
at 75 now 1X D | | 6/14/2010
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| 4 | depression and anxiety | weight gain, some jitters, loss of libido | If you are taking this drug and it works for you, stay on it. I weaned off of it and plunged into a horrible state the likes of which I had never experienced. The strange thing was, when I went back on it it did not work as well. I felt flat and couldn't laugh. Now I am trying Cymbalta, which I pray will work since this has been six months of Hell. | F | 44 | 2.5 years
150mg 1X D | | 6/11/2010
| 5 | Anxiety | Weight gain; especially belly fat. About 10 lbs over 1 year without changing my diet or exercise habits. I have been thin all my life - size 6. After reading other users internet blogs I realized that Effexor XR does cause weight gain in some persons. | For anxiety it worked really well with no other side effects other than than the weight gain. | F | 40 | 1 years
37.5 1X D | | 6/7/2010
| 3 | depression | loss of appetite, occasional sleeplessness and nausea. I went through the worst HELL ever when I went 4 days w/o taking the medication because i was having a problem getting Rx refilled. The side effects were HORRIBLE: dizziness, extreme & endless nausea, headaches, major anxiety, uncontrollable crying episode...it was bad. When I finally got the Rx refilled, I felt like a druggie desperate for a quick fix--i NEEDED it just to take away the horrible side effects. | I want to get off the medication because I don't feel like it's working anymore but my doctor says I'm at the highest dose possible for this drug so I should just stick with it. | F | 31 | 8 months
300 mg 1X D | | 5/21/2010
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| 4 | Depression/Mild Anxiety | {35mg for the first 2 days}
sleeplessness, jaw clenching, hyper activeness, restlessness and finally 3 days later a collapse! (faint).
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{10mg self-reduced dose for 2 months}
often became easily muddled (dopey), an inability to keep to my diet hence slight weight gain, decreased apathy and reduced hesitation to act on my thoughts. | Took half a 75mg pill for the first 2 days. It felt like i was on speed and then i suffered a collapse on the 3rd day.
So Doc switched me to Celexa which i hated! Celexa felt like i was imploding and more depressed the longer i took it (for 2 and a half weeks).
So i got an idea; to take Effexor again just in smaller doses, since it made me so energetic.
Long story short, I've been reasonably happy with Effexor, my apathy reduced noticeably. The only down side is that i often would get muddled (like ask stupid questions and forget things easily).
Doctor found out i was taking the Effexor outside of its capsule so told me to switch to a new brand, Pristiq, which he says is similar just in tablet form. | F | 29 | 2 months
about 10mg 1X D | | 5/19/2010
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| 2 | Depression | Agitated depression, hypomanic-like symptoms, mood instability. Of course, these could have been unrelated to effexor. I also gained about 10 kilos (22 pounds), but it could have been due to other things such as implanon. When I started taking it the first time I experienced some insomnia and headaches. The worst thing about effexor is the withdrawal, which the doctors don't seem to know much about but it seems to happen to everyone who tries to stop taking it, and not just the people who post about it on the internet. | It just didn't do anything for me, but no antidepressant has. I was on varing doses on and off for about 2 years and I was almost continuously depressed. Apparently it works great for some people, and it doesn't have many side effects while taking it, but it is VERY hard to stop taking it. I had to wean myself down to 5 granules once every few days before I could stop, and even then I had brain zaps for a few weeks. | F | 24 | 6 months
150mg 1X D | | 5/9/2010
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| 3 | Depression | Major sweating, constipation | | F | 62 | 5 years
90 1X D | | 5/4/2010
| 5 | Depression and Anxiety | nice i like it | | F | 45 | 1 years
75mg 1X D | | 5/1/2010
| 4 | Depression | Insomnia, loss of libido, memory loss, loss of consentration | This pill has helped me a lot. That is when I am taking it when I am supposed to. However, the side effects are awful. I can't sleep at night and during the day I am extremely exhuasted. My memory is crap and I can't seem to consentrate very well. According the research I have done myself it has also caused both my babies to be born early due to toxemia. I wasn't taking it like I was supposed to with my second pregnancy and my child was not born as early as my first one. | F | 22 | 5 years
150 1X D | | 5/1/2010
| 5 | anxiety, mild depression | it took about 4 weeks to really start working. in that time i had strange feelings almost like i was on a high at times. pupils were hugely enlarged, clenching my jaw alot, suffering alot of dreaming i never use to. sleeping alot about 12hours a day, coffee doesnt keep me awake anymore.have experinced headaches alot when i wake up mainly. increased appiette, weight gain of course. no lose of sex drive. | effexor works very well. has aken away all my anxiety and depression. makes everyday life much more mangable. im happy with the result, is certainly worth the side affects. the side effects are less common and some totally gone already. Very grateful for this drug! | F | 20 | 3 months
75mg 1X D | | 4/25/2010
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| 4 | Anxiety | Let me start by saying that I have previously tried Zoloft, Lexapro and Paxil. The side effects experienced on these I found to be UNBAREABLE: Increased anxiety, restlessness, headaches, inability to ejaculate, suppressed emotions, etc.
Since starting Effexor, the only side effects I've experienced is an initial increase in anxiety levels (which subsided in a week), vivid dreams (which I find to be pretty cool), and a slight delay in orgasm (which is NOTHING compared to SSRI's, which required a marathon effort). The difference I noticed here is, when I was on the SSRI's, the sensation of sex kind of felt like nothing. Like I was getting no where. Whereas on Effexor, it feels good like it should, but just takes longer to ejaculate. | To date I feel a lot better. Not a 100% better, but a lot better. I feel like I can get through the day with less worries which makes getting through the day easier (more happy and motivated). I feel less worried about social situations and I am not starting to look forward to meeting new people and socialising more. I really hope my comments will encourage people to try Effexor. I know drugs affect people differently, but if Effexor can help me as much as it has, then I recommend people to try it out :) good luck! | M | 24 | 4 weeks
75 MG 1X D | | 4/21/2010
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| 5 | Anxiety/panic attacks | Lots of energy (caffeine-like jitters) and always hungry. | This was an amazing drug. It made me feel much less anxious and I only had 1 panic attack the entire time I was on it - and it was at the beginning when it probably hadn't kicked in yet. The jitters were easily bearable (it just feels like you don't want to sit still, but it's not unpleasant), though the hunger was no joke - it got expensive ;) I gained no weight though, probably a combination of the constant movement and my already fast metabolism. The only problem I had was when I was being weaned off of it: that blood-rushing feeling in your head when you stretch or yawn... well... I got that all the time. It lasted about a week or 2, and then it was fine. All antidepressants have withdrawals, just make sure you wean off of it slowly.
All in all, a fantastic cure for anxiety and probably depression too. Just make sure you're being monitored, because I've heard of other people not being able to take the side effects.
I HIGHLY recommend it!
(Oh, I took it when I was 17 - I don't know if they've changed the formula by now or if my age made a difference. I know they don't prescribe it to minors anymore because of a risk of suicidal thoughts/actions.) | F | 26 | 1 years
75 mg 1X D | | 4/19/2010
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| 4 | Severe Depression | weight loss; dialated pupils; racing heart; loss of appetite; increased energy; changes in taste; restless; | Overall, I feel better even after just 8 days taking it. I have not had any "depressed" lows yet. Dialated pupils and racing heart lasted 2 days. I've lost 5 pounds already. And about 6 days into treatment...everything sweet, is now too sweet. I discovered this eating yoplait Cherry yogurt. It tasted like an entire box of artifical sweetner was poured into it. Same for tea, soda, and candies :( I havent tried chocolate yet.
I drank alcohol while on this med, and did not experience any side effects. Moderate drinking too: 2 margaritas and 2 full glasses of wine. Still feels like the meds are working | F | 26 | 8 days
75mg 1X D | | 4/19/2010
| 3 | home | hands feet,legs swelling & red blotches
| | F | 40 | 2 times
75 1X D | | 4/18/2010
| 1 | depression, bipolar | my husband has many negative side effects,memory loss,night sweats,inability to sleep. He wanders around the house all night. He has psychotic episodes,anger issues,delusions. He no longer resembles the man he was 5 years ago,its like he doesnt even see me as human anymore.He is very abusive.He also takes adderral,which is yet another nightmare story | I cannot get medical professionals to take him off the garbage. He did wonderful on prozac | F | 51 | 5 years
150 1X D | | 4/17/2010
| 5 | panic disorder | none | I love it and have not had one panic attack since being on this drug | F | 60 | 10 years
225 mg 1X D | | 4/7/2010
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| 5 | depression | Slight loss of appetite, slight loss of sex drive but not as bad as other antidepressants, very vivid and interesting dreams (I liked the crazy dreams). | Effexor XR is the only antidepressant that has helped me, and I think I've tried them all. I have been on it twice for about a year each time...I felt wonderful while on it but it gradually stops working after about a year. Felt so much better while on this drug...I was friendly, outgoing, could laugh about things, felt normal. My emotions were great...felt fairly happy most of the time but not zombie-like. There were still times when I felt down but they didn't develop into depression like they would have had I not been on the drug. I actually lost about 5-10 lbs while on this drug. It helped my anxiety so I stopped munching out of boredom/stress. Really changed my life for the time I was on it. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to work for long periods of time. It is hard to wean off of, but I think the benefits far outweighed the inconvenience of withdrawal. Wean yourself off slowly. I only took 75 mg so I switched to 37.5 for a month or so, then started taking the 37.5 every other day, then every third day. You will have headaches and flu-like symptoms and weird electrical jolts in your brain for a few days during the process. It's not such a huge deal. | F | 32 | 2 years
75 mg 1X D | | 4/5/2010
| 1 | Anxiety/ Depression | Decreased sex drive, weight gain, withdrawals less than an hour after missing a dose, stopped working. | I was on Effexor for 3 years. The first 2 years it worked wonders, I felt great. Then it started to wear off and stopped giving me any benefit whatsoever. I spent a YEAR getting off that medication. I had severe withdrawals for 6 months (some of the side effects of withdrawal like motion sickness still have not gone away more than two years later), and the stress of the withdrawals triggered severe GERD which I was hospitalized for. I would never recommend this medication to anyone unless they plan on never getting off it ever. | F | 21 | 3 years
300 MG 1X D | | 4/3/2010
| 3 | Postpartum Depression/ Anxiety | Weight gain-90 lbs! Decreased sex drive, difficult to reach orgasm. Night sweats. | This drug helped me so much. However, now I am trying to get off. Before this I took Paxil, again with the weght gain. Celexa made me vomit immediately. SSRS effect people in different ways. I was hospitalized under suicide watch when my baby was 2 months old. Effexor did help me through it. I did feel good, after the dry mouth, nausea etc. stopped, it worked great. But now the excessive weight gain has me depressed! I have no interest in sex. It has been 14 days since I took a pill, and sometimes it is literally minute by minute to get through. My mood swings are terrible! I feel overwhelmed, like before. The headaches are horrible! It is so tempting to go back on, but I want to be slim again. I used to be so small. My pharmacist addmitted that weight gain is a side effect, while my Dr denied it. My dietition told me my diet is fine, it's probably the effexor. 7 years is a long time to be dependent on a drug. I hope I can do this. From what I have been reading here, I am not alone. | F | 36 | 7 years
75 1X D | | 3/30/2010
| 1 | depressions\ | I you miss even just one dose of this medication.....I experienced terrible nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, horrific headaches and 'brain zaps'. | DO NOT EVER start on this drug. If you are already on it, talk to your doctor about weaning the dose. Wean very slowly as these side effecs can, at times, be crippling. | F | 34 | 2 years
150mg 1X D | | 3/30/2010
| 4 | Depression | Vivid dreams, shallow moods (like I literally could not feel true sadness, guilt, anger). Every day had a little bit more sunshine. | Effexor worked great for my depression. My only complaint was that I could no longer write deep poetry because I was so happy all the time. The vivid dreams I had were absolutely incredible. The only problems I had were when I forgot to take it. If I missed a pill, I would get panic attacks, be short of breath, couldn't focus or function at all, and have cold sweats. This would all go away upon taking the next pill. I went off Effexor because I didn't want to get hooked and take it for the rest of my life (my dad has taken it for years.) I went off of it on my own, without a psychiatrist, by dividing the capsules and weening myself off. (Note: I did go through a severe panic attack when I tried going cold turkey-- dumb idea to begin with.) It was a great drug when I needed it, just be careful. | F | 19 | 2 years
150 mg 1X D | | 3/24/2010
| 4 | Depression, Anxiety | Vivid dreams, lack of any sex drive, constipation, farting, some sleepiness. | If I take a weekend off, I can have sex/orgasms. When I have gone off the medication, the depression and anxiety is so awful. I will deal with the side effects any day for how Effexor has changed my life for the better. | F | 39 | 9 years
75 mg 1X D | | 3/17/2010
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| 4 | Depression | I gained 15 pounds on this which was OK for me as I've always been slim and it was better to be a little plump and happier. However recently it seems to have stopped working for me so I will probably try something new. | I found effexor xr combined with celexa to be a good cocktail of meds for my depression. No sexual side effects which was very nice after prozac and paxil completely took all libido away. | F | 48 | 6 years
75mg 1X D | | 3/17/2010
| 1 | Severe anxiety | Sweating, insomnia, nausea, space feeling, feeling very depressive, horrible boost of anxiety, feeling going crazy, hyperactivity. | It's the worst thing, no doubt about this. Pure poison. I thought I would really disconnect from reality. I got dreams (the few hours I was able to sleep) that were like over the reality. It's like to be trapped in a dream and you can't do anything to escape. The only thing similar to this, was when I got a high fever during a night. I don't care if this drug can help some people. So many are saying that it's poison, and they are right. People with good experiences are surely a minority. This was the most scary experience of all my life. I ended at ER begging for a way to stop this crazyness. Before to try it I thought it should be used at last resort. I got confident and tried it anyway. But I was right...it was a bad idea. Before I tried paxil, zoloft, wellbutrin, celexa, seroquel, zyprexa, and no one was near the hell of effexor. I got night panics on celexa and it was nothing compared to effexor. Whatever your doctor is good or not, stay away from effexor except if you tried everything. | M | 28 | 2 days
37.5 1X D | | 3/16/2010
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| 3 | Depression and Anxiety | Excessive sleepiness (10 hour or more of sleep), when awake I felt like I was on speed: heart racing, jittery. Not much of an appetite at all, kind of force myself to eat something each day. Sex drive is low as well. | I've been on this drug in the past (5 years ago) and it worked wonders then, almost to the point of feeling manic, though. I stopped taking it then b/c it raised my blood pressure to much. I am now trying it again hoping the side effects that I experienced then (and now) will taper off. I do recommend being cautious and educated on this drug before taking it and always wean off of it gradually. Luckily my side effects are no where near as bad as other peoples, but its the withdrawal I am worried about even if the manufacturer says there are no "withdrawal symptoms." I personally call bullshit. | F | 30 | 8 days
75mg 1X D | | 3/15/2010
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| 4 | depression/anxiety | weight gain in the past | I am back on Effexor after a month of trying Pristiq. For some reason, the Effexor works better for me. I don't think it has fully kicked in yet, but I feel better. It is true that this stuff helps you take things more lightly. I might try a combo of it with Wellbutrin, for the sake of motivation | F | 44 | 7 days
75-150mg 1X D | | 3/14/2010
| 5 | Social Phobia | Delayed ejaculation | | M | 18 | 2 months
75 1X D | | 3/12/2010
| 4 | Anxiety | Loss of Libido & contraindicates with Amphetamine | A typical "SNRI" taken to relieve overall anxiety i.e. reduces fear of future situations, panic, don't take things so serious & wit; you find your past failures & insults funny. Helps maintain normality & calm & helps relieve mania. It also gives you a greater sense of insight. This medicine took a year for me to fully work it's magic after being convinced time & time again that this is good medicine. *Variable dosages from 150 <> 375 mg | M | 25 | 4 years
225* 1X D | | 3/10/2010
| 4 | panic attacks/anxiety | terrible headaches and nausea when missing a dose. otherwise, no more panic attacks and reduced anxiety. mild insomnia rarely. | i had my first panic attack at 11 years old, two years after my father passed away. i was first prescribed paxil, and had an allergic reaction, then i was put on welbutron, and it did nothing for me. i was then put on Effexor 37.5mg once a day and it worked wonders for me. When i turned 13, was uped to 75 mg once a day. I did not have a single panic attack, and rarely felt anxious for two more years (4 years anxiety free). although when missing a dose i had terrible headaches, almost migraines, and got very sick to my stomach, when i took it right i had no problems. the older i got the less i took it. No specific reason, just a forgetful teenager i guess, but in about three months or so i had gotten myself off of it on my own and was still anxiety free without it. during finals week of my junior year (i was 17) i had a week long panic attack. Full blown panic attack, shaking, numbness, constantly crying, fainting. although it came in waves it never fully went away. i went back to the doctor and was prescribed it again at 37.5mg once a day. i dont know if my body had changed or what but every time i took it, although a little less anxious, i had terrible headaches and was very sick to my stomach. it was like i had the withdrawal effects only when i took it as prescribed. i didnt even finish the first bottle. | F | 19 | 2 years
37.5 1X D | | 3/9/2010
| 3 | Depression | - Weight gain. (No matter how much I worked out, I was never able to get ripped. Like all SSRI's, Effexor causes water retention).
- Chronic Fatigue (Tired all the time. Even after sleeping 10 hrs. As soon as I got off Effexor, the fatigue is gone).
- Sweating (You will sweat and feel hot all the time. Again, as soon as I stopped taking the effexor the sweating disappears). | Effexor was a Godsend in my life when I needed it most. It lifted me from hell and brought me back my old happy self.
A couple of things about this medicine:
DO NOT DRINK when you use Effexor. It will lower the effectiveness of the medicine PERMANENTLY and you will be left wondering why the meds are no longer working as good as they used to.
- Getting off Effexor is some of the worst hell imaginable. I wish no one to experience the mental and physical anguish that I went through getting off Effexor. | M | 27 | 7 years
150 1X D | | 3/4/2010
| 3 | depression and anxiety | Some nausea first night, less the second. Trouble sleeping the first night. Better the second. Diarehea. Breakthrough bleeding - very small. | It's only been 2 days, so we'll see. I feel good, but probably placebo effect. Side effects haven't been too bad, compatred to others - prozac, wellbutrin, zoloft. | F | 39 | 2 days
75mg 1X D | | 3/3/2010
| 1 | panic attacks | scary!!!! | NEVER TAKE THIS CRAP AGAIN!!!
I FEEL CONFUSED, CLOUDY, DIZZY. I'M NEVER GOING TO TAKE THIS AGAIN! | M | 33 | 1 days
37.5 1X D | | 2/28/2010
| 4 | depression/anxiety | at first, within the first hour of taking it, I would feel like I was on speed. My mind would race from thought to thought.
Now after five years, it is memory problems, concentration problems, foggy brained, bleary vision, emotionally numb | Considering I would not sleep at all before I started taking Effexor XR, I am doing well. I sleep well every night, lots of energy, and can handle any kind of stress. I will have to take this for the rest of my life, but so be it | F | 57 | 5 years
112mg 1X D | | 2/27/2010
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| 4 | Depression | Delayed orgasm. | Within days I felt like a different person. Sleeping better, thinking better, feeling better. I can think clearly and am actually productive at work now. Haven't gained weight, but haven't lost either and I'm motivated enough to be back on an exercise program. Not pleased with the affect on my libido but its worth it given the positive affects of this medication on my emotional and physical well-being. | F | 44 | 1 months
37.5mg 1X D | | 2/26/2010
| 2 | Depression/buliuma/ocd/anxiety | Low sex drive/cloudy head/unable to lose weight. | I have been completely off of Effexor for about 2 weeks now. It has been a nightmare. I would like to say to people that are thinking about taking this med. to really look at the side effects of withdrawal. for some it is different. but it has been a nightmare for me. this drug didnt really work that well for me to come off this hard. it feels like someone else is in your body. feels like you have the flu x 100 constantly for 2 weeks now I cant work, cant go to school, can't function. I have tried to take vitamins. omega 3 6 and 9..nothing is working to make me feel better you honestly feel like a walking zombie. My hair has been falling out, my under eyes are so black from being so weak. my body feels like jello. I will never ever recommend this drug to anyone..let alone take effexor again. knowing what i know now..i would have never ever put this into my body. | F | 25 | 6 years
300 mg 1X D | | 2/26/2010
| 2 | anxiety, panic attack | I became overly anxious and noticed my BP going up. | Read the package insert for effexor and noticed a direct drug interaction with the Topral XL prescribed for hypertension | | 56 | 3 days
17.5 1X D | | 2/24/2010
| 1 | PPD, Anexity | Sexual side effects, loss of orgasam, dizzyness, extreme fatigue, after reading the message board I believe at least 10 pounds of weight gain since then! | Second round of effexor after delivery. My emotions were out of control, it was a terriable withdrawl teh first time and I am going to withdrawal again.
I am suffering from terriable joint and muscle pain at this point and I came across this board for some anwsers. Not all of the side effects are claimed by effexor and I need something to change. I have become desprate to feel better- | F | 31 | 18 months
30 mg 1X D | | 2/18/2010
| 4 | biploar depression | wherever shall i start? The benefits outweigh the side effects however my boyfriend would not agree. | I understand that 300mg is the top dose...that any higher is not clinically helpful. | F | 42 | 7 years
300mg 1X D | | 2/17/2010
| 1 | depression | horrid withdrawls cant get off ! | | F | 51 | 6 days
350 1X D | | 2/17/2010
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| 5 | Anxiety & Depression | Mild constipation, difficulty maintaining an erection and delayed orgasm. Coping with these side effects is nothing compared to coping with severe depression. | I've tried many other medications and this is the only one that has ever worked. The main issue I have is that over a period of several months, it loses its effectiveness. I often wonder whether these medications "pooping out" for about 30% of people is a clue to the underlying biological cause of depression. Ultimately, I'd like to find others that work so I can switch between them when one stops working. However, I'm yet to find another one that works. | M | 33 | 10 years
150mg 1X D | | 2/14/2010
| 1 | I was depressed and anxiety | My mother wanted to send me to rehab because i looked like i was on serious drugs. because i was having epic withdrawls | ive been having withdrawls for a few months now not knowing that i was. i was on 37mg and then a a week or so they made it 70mg. and well i switched doctors and when my paper work was transfered it showed that i was on the 37 and not the 70 that ive been taking for a good 4 months. so they switched it to the 37 unaware and i was 17 i really didnt see how it was a problem i wasnt told about the side effects and how long it takes to even try to get off this drug. and honestly i had no idea what had been going on with my body and it scared me. like i now have insomnia have had it since around christmas and well i say up for days.i lost around 30 pounds cause i didnt eat and when i did i would puke it up. started having anxiety attacks to wear my body would shake so bad. and because i would be up i started to see things. and i couldnt controle my mood at all. what scared me the most is that my father is skitzofrenic. and i honestly thought i was losing my mind i couldnt remember things example i would text someone on my phone. they text back and i would have to look at what i said not even a minute after i sent it cause i couldnt remember what i put.like on top of all that bull shit i wasnt sleeping for days like i mean 4 to 5 days i lost my mind. it was horrible. and like i went go back to my doctor and told her what was going on and she said it was some other thing and gave me meds for that.just more meds.at that point i honestly didnt care anymore. | F | 18 | 5 months
75 2X D | | 2/11/2010
| 3 | ptsd/anxiety/depression | It made me really really drowsy | It worked to quell the anxiety but I couldn't handle the drowsiness. I would sleep for 14-18 hours a day. It worked miracles for two of my friends with no side-effects. I think it's just a matter of finding what works for you. | F | 29 | 3 months
37,5 1X D | | 2/10/2010
| 5 | GAD, Panic Attacks | Withdrawal.... O-M-G | So I've been on Effexor along with Klonopin for almost a year now and I have to say this compbination has helped a great deal. My anxiety is actually in "remission" now. I will say however that I had 2 days of hell when my company changed insurance programs and I couldn't get my script filled in time. Withdrawal is not good, repeat, not good. If you decide you don't like this drug, talk to your doctor and go off it slowly. | F | 34 | 1 years
75 mg 1X D | | 2/8/2010
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| 3 | major depression | While taking this in conjunction with Wellbutrin (to counter fatigue caused by effexor XR) I felt much better: I don't think that I remember ever in my life having such a long time without having a conscious death wish, the lack of libido was worth the lack of suicidal thinking.
However, due to job loss, I could no longer afford these meds. Withdrawal is very bad with the brain zaps and the constant feelings of being seriously ill.
I spent all my free time in bed even though I was only just weaning off of the Effexor. I have begun to recover from the withdrawal symptoms now (about 2 weeks after effexor stopped). But, now the crying has begun. | While on the effexor I was emotionally numb, which was, (I thought), great, after having experienced lifelong major depression. Now, however, since I've had to stop the meds, I have been suddenly hit with all the griefs (such as the death of my best friend) that I did not feel while on the meds. It feels like a tidal wave has knocked me down and I am now drowning in my own tears. Not surprisingly, I have returned to being the girl who wished she had never been born. | F | 56 | 6 days
150mg 1X D | | 2/7/2010
| 5 | Post Partum Depression | None. Happiness. Level Mood. | Amazing! Took for Post Partum Depression and noticed I no longer had severe PMS, so I kept taking it. Love the lack of mood swings and I am always pretty happy. Less on edge. Calmer. Nicer, and I don't obsess on things. Really has given me a much more positive attitude. I'll never quit taking it unless someone makes me. Life is good on Effexor XR! | F | 41 | 11 years
37.5 1X D | | 2/5/2010
| 1 | depression, anxiety | low libido, difficulty reaching orgasm, weight gain, gas, constipation, bloating, hemorrhoids, excessive sweating, dizziness, overly tired, strange dreams, talking in my sleep | Unless your depression and/or anxiety is debilitating, I do NOT recommend this (or any other anti-depressant for that matter). This is especially true for anyone diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or other GI issues. These pills wreck havoc on your digestive system. I was up to 150 mg for about 4 months, then went down to 75 mg because the vast list of side effects was negating any benefits I had gained. For a couple weeks while on the 150 mg, I felt more mentally balanced, but also felt like I’d need to keep upping the dose, which I didn’t want to do. I’ve been sober for 14 years and have an addictive nature so upping the dose to infinity is not a good idea. My doctor wanted me to go off slowly, but since being on these pills has destroyed my relationship (not to mention my sanity), I was on 75 mg for two weeks then just went off. I’ve been off for 6 days now and I can’t believe this drug is legal. The dizziness and nausea seems like it’ll never stop. Am trying supplements and motion sickness pills, but they don’t seem to be helping. I’m just trying to ride it out. Good news is, my digestion seems to be getting back on track… as does my ability to orgasm :) | F | 38 | 5 months
| | 1/30/2010
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| 4 | Recurrent Major Depression | weight gain, reduced sex drive | I have taken a high dose (600 mg) for 10 yrs. My doctor will not go any higher, although I would in a minute. We have added meds to the effexor with varying results. Overall though, the effexor has been a life saver. | F | 52 | 10 years
| | 1/28/2010
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| 3 | Anxiety, Depression, OCD | Weight gain despite being a very healthy person, a little more tired than usual | This medicine helps me tremendously. It cuts down on my anxiety and makes me a lot more patient and upbeat. That being said, holy "COW" I can't take the weight gain. I've been off and on this medication 4 times over the past decade. (And despite what everyone says, if you taper really slowly, the withdrawal isn't that bad.) Every time I go on the medicine, I gain about 25 lbs. I go off it, and I lose it within 6 months. Then I go back on and boom, and the weight comes back again. There is no doubt in my mind that this drug slows down my metabolism. I'm normally a size 6 and I'm tall so that's pretty thin. I am a size 10 or 12 on this medication. It's so frustrating because otherwise it helps me tremendously. I wish they would come up with a medicine that helps and doesn't turn me into a moose. | F | 35 | 9 years
| | 1/28/2010
| 2 | anxiety | burning joint pain - no interest in anything anymore | Did work for anxiety, but at a very steep price - severe joint pain and lack of interest in anything once enjoyed. Very difficult to get off of at the end - must taper very carefully. | M | 40 | 6 months
| | 1/26/2010
| 1 | | complete loss of sex drive and all emotions! | took a med called cyproheptadine to help with wat effexor did to me and it helped! i had to take the cyproheeptadine 2-3 times a day for about 2 weeks for it to help tho | M | 22 | 1 months
| | 1/26/2010
| 3 | gad | weight gain increased pressure behind my eyes | | F | 45 | 395 days
| | 1/24/2010
| 3 | clinical depression | After 16 years of anti-depressants it was time to stop. There comes the time in one's life when you realize you need to get on with your life and figure it out. This was the time. After a while it doesn't matter which pill you take--they're all bad for you and your body. They become habitual and you can't imagine what your life will be like if you don't take your meds. Don't worry, walk a lot and enjoy the world around you; your life will be just fine and your liver and kidneys will thank you. | You cannot stop abruptly; weaning slowly is the key until your finally down to 37.5 every other day for a month and then you can finally STOP. And stop the madness that comes from taking these terrible drugs. We need to take control of our lives without these meds. It takes time and patience but it must be done. | F | 63 | 6 years
| | 1/24/2010
| 4 | Anxiety / Major Depression | First 3 weeks were awful. I had pretty much every side effect, dizziness, extreme nausea, my gag reflex was in overdrive i couldnt brush my teeth some days, sweating, crazy dreams, no sex drive etc. but on the plus side my anxiety had gone. | Anxiety is pretty much gone, and its like i woke up from depression like it was a bad dream. Im more motivated, went from doing NOTHING And hardly leaving house to reenrolling in university and searching for a job. Side affects all come back back even if im like 2 hours late in taking a dose which is bad but my fault. Mysex drive is still pretty low and i have difficutly having orgasms during sex which sucks but all in all im pretty happy. | F | 22 | 2 months
| | 1/22/2010
| 1 | Depression/ | While taking it - emotional detachment, loss of sex drive, memory loss.weight gain, moody
Withdrawals - fogginess, brain zaps, crying at the slightest thing, insomnia, fatique, basically feel like s**t!! | Have just come off 225mg effexor (5years) and I am going through PURE HELL. The Psychiatrist call it - Sideeffexr - need I say more! Withdrawal is hidious and this drug should never be given to unsuspecting people without the full knowledge that the withdrawals are not worth it. | F | 51 | 5 days
| | 1/22/2010
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| 3 | Anxiety, depression, rage fits | Complete loss of sex drive, hyposomnia (sleeping 14-18 hours a day), SEVERE withdrawal symptoms (effexor shocks) if taken only a few hours late, foggy memory, diarrhea when not taken on a full stomach | I've had chronic depression my entire life, which became coupled with black-out rages around age 14. Initially (after 4-6 wks) the medicine helped level out my violent (literally) mood swings as well as decrease suicidal thoughts. However, my doctor & I kept increasing the dosage (150 mg became the cap, & I'm about 100 lbs) until I essentially became so sedated that virtually all I did for the past 2 yrs was sleep. I became apathetic & completely lost my sex drive, which eventually ended my 5 yr relationship (we didn't have sex for 2.5 years). Getting off the medicine was very hard - I had too much withdrawal sickness on just lowering the dosage, so had to break open the capsules & count out the beads for about 3 months (the only way it was possible to get off). I had a dramatic increase in energy almost immediately after getting off Effexor, but after being drug-free for about 3 months & feeling just as bad as I did before I started the medicine, am now trying Wellbutrin instead. I did not have any counseling while on Effexor, but I would recommend it with any medication like this, as I feel like all I did was live in a drug-induced denial for the past 4 yrs. If you're thinking about starting this medicine, keep in mind that all antidepressants have bad side effects as well as benefits - it's up to you to try for yourself & figure out if it's worth it. | F | 19 | 4 years
| | 1/16/2010
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| 5 | Depression, anxiety, insomnia. | Increased anxiety and difficulty sleeping on higher doses | Effexor XR has been a great drug for me; and I have tried almost all of them. It gives me energy during the day with very minimal side effects. Great ability to concentrate. There absolutely is NOT a side effect of weight gain. I have been on this in the past for many years. I was taken off Depakote and put back on Effexor 6 months ago. What a great decision! I have more energy, don't feel sluggish, and my weight was great until I was put on Seroquel to help with sleeping. Seroquel will make you gain weight! Just went off that. I did have to decrease my Effexor from 150mg/day to 75 mg/day because it did seem to increase my anxiety and really affect my ability to fall asleep. I like the lower dose much better. I also take Clonopin 1.5 mg/day, and Ambien 12.5 mg to sleep. | F | 43 | 6 months
| | 1/15/2010
| 1 | depression | Impotence, anxiety memory loss | No good for dick. Won't get stiff. Make nervous. Can't remember anything. | M | 58 | 2 weeks
| | 1/12/2010
| 3 | Depression/Anxiety Mood Swings | nausea, constant headaches, tired, dreams, possible tremor or seizure episode when trying to fall asleep or waking up | I just started this medication 4 days ago. I am on the lowest dose, but in another week go to 75mg a day. The side effects aren't awful for me but I am worried about possibly having a seizure at night. I was dreaming the other night and woke up shaking all over, this is per my husband. I thought I just jolted awake from the dream, but he said I woke him up and was shaking all over. I had just been awake so it seems to be right when I am almost asleep. I haven't contacted my doctor because I am not 100% that is was a seizure and I want to keep trying to take this to see if it works for me. I have really found it difficult to exercise also because I have headaches and they are worse when I exercise. | F | 27 | 4 days
| | 1/11/2010
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| 1 | Depression and anxiety | The side effects were insomnia, night sweats, dizziness, headaches, palpitations and lower right abdominal pain. I am now trying to cut back and on top of all those symptoms I am very itchy, shaky and miserable. | I was prescribed 75 mg three in the morning and three at night for a total of 450 mg. Recently found out that is above the FDA recommended dosage. No wonder I suffered so many side effects. Have not slept the whole time I have been on the medication. I am trying to cut the dosage down so I can get off the medication. Make sure you are not prescibed more then you should be taking. I am suffering and should of not trusted the NP who prescribed the pills without first checking it out. | F | 40 | 8 months
| | 1/11/2010
| 1 | depression | emotional numbness, constipation, blurred vision; vivid, strange nightmares that intrude into my days, tinnitus, weight gain despite exercising 1+ hours a day. | very close friends have gone thru tragic events in the last 4 wks. Pastor's 4 y/o grandson died of cancer, they weren't allowed by the mother to see him for ~ 2 years before the cancer. college roommate lost 4 cowrkers/police officers shot and killed at a coffee shop, and another she worked with and her husband trained a couple weeks later. Very close friend who lost her husband 2 yrs ago when his truck hit ice and went off a cliff in the rockies, her son was shot and killed by police in the back 4-5 times, leaving a 21 y/o sister and a 20 y/o pregnant girlfriend. They were a dear couple. And I have no feeling, I am normally a very compassionate/empathetic person. I feel like I am broken. I can't wait to get off of it, but went through side effects from Paxil, so not looking forward to these w/drawals, but glad to know that emotional numbness is a side effects. May all my side effects resolve | F | 45 | 3 months
| | 1/7/2010
| 1 | Situational Depression | Violent temper, extreme frustration, effexor vaguely masking depressive state, bit of weight gain (chocolate!) -- and ... absolute hell through withdrawal due to the brain zaps. | Have had read many comments on this website. Agree that there are many side effects with all anti-depressants. Effexor XR was prescribed to me as a soothing, no side-effects anti-d. Well that's bullshit. Three months ago I was on 275 mg. I went down to 175 mg for three weeks, 150mg for two weeks, and have slowly dosed down to 75mg for another two weeks, dividing capsules in half for another two weeks, taking out beads per advice on this website. Thank you! Throughout this dosing down there have been the proverbial EFFEXOR BRAIN ZAPS. I liken the zaps to people with low blood pressure, like my husband. When he stands up too quickly, he feels giddy -- light-headed -- for a few seconds. But it's not fun when it's happening to you all day. I did two days over the holiday season with zero Effexor, but absolutely needed my half capsule of beads on day three. Medication of this nature may work for some, but my gut feeling tells me that this is an extremely addictive drug, needs to be treated with caution by those prescribing and those using. The jury is not yet out. It has certainly not worked for me. I am offically off it and feeling so much more me. I completely understand why many of you who have written on this website feel that Effexor XR is addictive. Reading your comments, it's the brain zaps throughout the withdrawal that mostly need to be acknowledged and fully understood by those prescribing this -- as some of you have written -- "scary drug". | F | 48 | 2 years
| | 1/2/2010
| 4 | depressing | none | none | F | 42 | 3 years
| | 12/31/2009
| 4 | Major Depression | Delayed orgasm | Over the past five years, I've tried Prozac, Celexa, and Lexapro, all with no noticeable improvement. Actually, the first one I was ever on was Effexor, but only at 75mg. A few months ago, I started taking Effexor XR, this time a 300mg, and I can finally notice a significant improvement. | M | 28 | 5 months
| | 12/30/2009
| 1 | Major Depression | When I started the medication, I was also prescribed Xanax because it causes nervousness and anxiety. I also experienced a lot of yawning which is another listed side effect. It did work to control the depression, but I experienced withdrawal when I stopped taking it - and I did taper off exactly how the doctor instructed me to. I once again had to be put on Xanax to get through. | When I stopped taking Effexor after being on it for about 3 years, my doctor first reduced my dosage to 75 mg (I had been on 150) then down to 37.5. I had no problems when I was taking it. It was when I stopped taking the 37.5 that I started experiencing what are now referred to as brain shivers. Every few seconds, I felt like I was getting an electrical zap in my brain. It was unpredictable and awful. It lasted over a month, probably about 6 weeks. The benefits of the medicine when I was taking it were not enough to make it worth it. The withdrawal was horrible. | F | 26 | 3 years
| | 12/27/2009
| 4 | general anxiety | increased dreams, weight gain, reduced anxiety | the very first week I started I noticed an incredible sense of relaxedness. i remember this vividly but it didn't last. i ended up on 300 mg for most of my time on this drug. recently i saw my doctor and he felt that i shd try something different maybe due to the improvement re anxiety but the problem re OCD. Not OCD in the typical sense of locking doors etc but in the emotional and mental aspect of the worrying etc.
So I have tapered off and am now completely off the Effexor XR. Started on prozac when i got down to 75mg of the EffexorXR. My biggest comment is this: that I had hardly any of the horrible symptoms that others describe in trying to get off Effexor - thankfully! Just to let others know that not everyone has a hard time getting off of this drug; and I was at the full 300 mg. | F | 48 | 3 years
| | 12/23/2009
| 1 | Depression | Extreme irritability, weight gain and sleepless are just a few side effects of this horrible drug. Sure it helps depression because it makes you not give a rats ass about anything! I was on 225 mg and have weaned down to 37.5... The only way I can sum it up is to say I wish I could be put to sleep for a month or so while this gets out of my system. | Horrible Horrible Horrible | F | 30 | 3 years
| | 12/19/2009
| 5 | depression and anxiety | General: weight loss (30 lbs in 1 year), acne, insomnia and strange dreams during initial dosing, seem to be very susceptible to dehydration/headache secondary to dehydration (for example hangover-like symptoms from just one beer), decreased libido.
Missed dose: night sweats, disturbing dreams, insomnia. | Tried prozac and paxil. This drug is far more effective for me. Side effects have been very minimal - finally lost the weight I gained with paxil. | F | 42 | 1 years
| | 12/16/2009
| 1 | Depression | Right side of body muscles spasms, pain and weakness throughout whole body, tired and need rest after walking one block, other issues as well | | F | 44 | 2 months
| | 12/16/2009
| 4 | Depression/anxiety | On start up, when increasing the dose, and when reducing the dose: dizziness, headache, mild nausea. THe dizziness was uncomfortable but none of the side effects was unbearable. They went away each time after about 4 days. I found that if I forgot or delayed my dose (normally taken at breakfast), I would have dizziness and a headache by about 2pm. I also noticed once I stopped taking it that my skin cleared up, so I guess it may have caused a small amount of acne?? Not sure about that one! Of all of the antidepressants I've tried, this one had the most bearable side effects on start up. | I was on Efexor XR for about 3 years, most of the time on a dose of 300mg per day. It definitely helped with my depression and anxiety. I read a lot of horror stories about withdrawal symptoms, but in the end they were a bit of an anticlimax. I tapered pretty slowly - 150mg for about 6 months, then 75mg for a month, then 37.5mg for a couple of weeks, then I opened the capsules and took 1/2 for about a week, then I divided the little spherules into 3 piles, and did this for about a week. When I stopped, I got that annoying dizziness for 2-3 days, then on and off for another 3-4 days. Not really bad at all. | F | 33 | 3 years
| | 12/12/2009
| 3 | Depression and Anxiety | Jittery when missed a dose, horrible withdrawal symptoms (shaking, vomiting, etc.) LOSS OF LIBIDO! | This drug really helped me with my anxiety, but I had to get another medication to help with my depression. I took it all throughout high school, and through that time barely any sex drive. Overall I would not recommend this antidepressant. | F | 19 | 4 years
| | 12/7/2009
| 3 | Depression, OCD, PTS | Shaking, Irritable, Energy, later fatigue, constipation, anxiousness, anxiety attacks, craving sweets, flu like symptoms, ear ache, weak, as if my heart was overly stressed if I done the least little thing | My experience with effexor has been a mess. I'd have days on 75 mg 1 a day that I'd wake up early and be n a cleaning jolly mood until someone else stepped n that space whether by phone or n person. Well except for my boyfriend. But by the end of the day I'd b tired and easliy irritated. I was also on 200 mg wellbutrin sr 2x day. My pshyc. Lowered my wellbutrin to 150 mg 2x day after one mth of the 400 mg my regular doc had prescribed and raised my effexor xr to 225 mg a day 3 75mg pills n the morning. Things ain't so good. Can't tolerate much. My man touching me, my child talking in a loud tone, or someone even just interrupting me with myself time which I want all the time it seems. Think I'm gonna call my pshyc. Monday before I hurt someone, myself, or just their feelings | F | 28 | 1.5 months
| | 12/6/2009
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| 1 | depression | extreme fatigue, lack of motivation, wanting to sleep/rest all the time, sweating, hot flashes, weight gain, headaches, short term memory lapses
electric shock/brain zap feelings with even 1 missed dose
| If I could go back, there's no way I'd let a doctor push me into taking this drug. I took zoloft for years with no problems. Then after two stillbirths, I let my doctor push me into switching to effexor. The side effects have been terrible. Trying to wean off is even worse-the withdrawls are brutal. I have insisted on stopping the effexor, and now the doctor is pushing pristiq (the "new and improved" effexor). I have declined and will be trying the zoloft again. | F | 42 | 3 years
| | 12/4/2009
| 1 | depression, vulvodyniaa | I was on a very low dose, so I'm not sure if the fatigue and brain fog was due to the drug or the depression that proceeded it. HOWEVER, I had experienced TERRIBLE withdrawal when coming off the drug. I was having painful, debilitating brain zaps, several per second, and though they gradually lessened, they lasted for months after I quit taking the drug. | This drug really didn't help either of my problems at all. | F | 27 | 3 months
| | 12/3/2009
| 5 | Depression with anxiety | I experienced weight gain. Also, when I skip a dose, I feel jittery and anxious. | I love this medication! When I was younger, I was very anxious, shy, and very suicidal. I would hide myself away in my room as a teen and self-mutilate. I spend many years crying. After I was placed on Effexor, I began to feel almost "normal". I can think. It's difficult to cry. The anxiety is GONE. I can function! I've been on other drugs and none of them affected me. Effexor, quite possibly, saved my life! | F | 29 | 5 years
| | 11/19/2009
| 5 | Post Surgical Menopause Hot Flashes | Major constipation, somewhat loss of libido, loss of appetite, yanwning. | Have never been on any type of meds before surgery, other than occasional advil and antibiotics. I was very uncomfortable first few days, but have adjusted. Was not in menopause before surgery so have had rough time with hot flashes/night sweats, can't take hormones, doc recommended Effexor XR 75 mg. and for the most part, it has been great. Have adjusted time taken from morning to night and now midday to avoid drowsiness and/or insomnia. I just moved my dosage up an hour a day. Have probably lost 8 lbs. being on this, which is always nice, although I am not overweight. | F | 52 | 9 weeks
| | 11/16/2009
| 5 | GAD/Agrophobia/minor depression | a little bit of memory loss. but other then that non that i can notice. | i been on buspar,celexa,cymbalta and lexapro. i tried a few months on nothing and that just made things worst. Effexor xr has truly been the best medication i have found to work for anxiety. i use to break out in sweats becasue i was so nervous. effexor helps me stay positive and gives me a better outlook on life. i actually feel like a normal person for once. i hate taking meds but i think of anxiety like a broken arm you got to wear a cast tell it gets better. i take 75mg every morning at the same time. be sure to take this med at the same time. i also drink a full glass of water with my dose. some meds arent for everyone. you got to just keep trying till you find one that meets your chemistry. this web site is good but id advise you to not go on it when your trialing a new med because everyones different. Good luck! | M | 18 | 1.5 months
| | 10/30/2009
| 3 | Major Depression / Anxiety | SEVERE Lethargy (could sleep 10 hours, get up and eat then sleep 6 more), constant yawning,word loss. While the med did help get me through the most severe portion of my depression I was in physical pain if I missed a single dose. My head felt so odd. I can't put it into words. Add in nausea and irritability. I feel I was kept on this med much too long. I do need 'long term management' but this is a hard core SSRI. I just started taking Celexa and feel much better - awake! | THE WITHDRAWAL - I now have a new understanding for drug addicts / alchoholics. Damn! I was 'forced' into withdrwal. I had tapered down to 75mg/day (from 225) and was out of town w/o my Effexor. Long story short it was a hell of a week1 I was tapering because I eventually wanted to get off but not like that. TAPER SLOWLY PEOPLE!!! If I new somebody around me had Effexor I would have sold my body to 'get my fix'. Nausea, vomitting, irritability, tearfullness, the funny head feeling, on and on. What a rollercoaster ride! Glad to be off! Again, I did need it during the mosr severe part of my depression but there are so many other options that do not have such withdrawl symptoms. USE THIS DRUG WITH CAUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | F | 39 | 3 years
| | 10/30/2009
| 1 | Depression | Effexor was awesome for relieving my depression!! But then came the "Weaning Off" period!!! OMG. Cold sweats, vomiting, dizziness, brain zaps (with noise). Thank God I was pregnant or I may NEVER have forced myself through to the other side!!! | If a person knew how awful the withdrawal was, they would keep searching for other answers to their depression. I love the suggestion where a person opened their capsuals & removed a certain number of "beads" every day. I basically did the same thing on a day where I had a big commitment to my kids and knew I couldn't miss it. I opened the capsual and removed most of the medication. Put it back together & had relief from my symptoms in a few hours!!! If this drug is still going to be prescribed, a more appropriate taper method needs to be developed! Shame on the medical community for putting people through this type of misery!!!! | M | 44 | 4 years
| | 10/27/2009
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| 1 | Depression | Drowsiness, dizziness and temporary (several seconds) loss of vision after rising/standing up (probably due to lowered blood pressure), initially had dry and peeling skin on hands (palms and fingers), more vivid dreams, strange sensation when waking from dreams and slight disorientation, screaming/yelling out when dreaming and waking myself up, increased irritability, aggression, and violence, increased suicidality | I had taken 20 mg of Prozac for a period of four weeks before trying this and had a bad reaction so switched to Effexor XR. I began with 37.5 mg for 2 weeks, then 75 mg for 3 weeks. Had side effects throughout, but eventually terminated treatment with it when it lead to a violent/explosive/suicidal episode. I have read Effexor XR is contraindicated in children and adolescents though because of this possibility of increased suicidal thinking. Withdrawals lasted about 3 days -- extreme dizziness, sweating and trouble sleeping. | F | 18 | 5 weeks
| | 10/26/2009
| 1 | Panic Disorder/Depression | The Effexor just didn't help with the panic or depression at all. Which is fine since everyone's chemistry isn't the same but the withdrawals were hell. When my Dr. started tapering me off the Effexor to try something new, I started getting "Brain Zaps" and felt like I was losing bits of time. Very bizzare and scary. I had to take Prozac for the last two weeks as I tapered off the Effexor. Which totally helped with the brain zaps and losing time stuff. Prozac makes me cry, a lot, for no reason but anything was better than the Effexor withdrawals... | My mother took this medication after I did not knowing what I had been through. When she found it made her jittery she too was tapered off them with the same exact side effects that I had. | F | 41 | 4 months
| | 10/22/2009
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