EFFEXOR XR Reviews (VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE)

Average Rating: 3.0 (2225 Ratings)

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 ANTIDEPRESSANTS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

EFFEXOR XR  (VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE):  Venlafaxine is used to treat depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and social anxiety disorder (social phobia). It may improve your mood and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. It may also decrease fear, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and the number of panic attacks. Venlafaxine is known as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain.   FDA Approval Date: 1997-10-20 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

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Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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More on EFFEXOR XR: Reviews Summary  |  Drug Safety Information

RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR EFFEXOR XRCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 2  Depression I have no LIFE. No sex drive, no desire to do anything since drug increase to 300mg. When I first started Effexor XR, I felt great. I thought I had finally found an antidepressant that worked for me. I started out slow like most people do, 37.5 mg to 75 mg to 150mg to 225 mg and finally to 300 mg. Big mistake. It has taken away my quality of life to the point I have no sex drive, I don't want to do anything, go any where, see anyone, this is worse than depression. I want off of it. What I have read about getting off is very scary. But, I want my life back. I don't care what I have to do to get off of this drug. I am very unhappy with it. It has caused problems in my marriage and I have a very loving, understanding husband. But, nobody should have to go through this hell... F 57 2 years
7/7/2008
 5  Recurring Major Depression Decreased libido, which has somewhat improved over time. I believe this is a small price to pay for the benefits of the medications. I am taking 300 mg Effexor XR and 300 mg Welbutrin XL per day. There is no doubt these medication have saved my life! M 47 5 years
7/6/2008
 1  depression/ social anxiety The most horrible drug on the face of this planet!! raped me of two years of my life! ZERO sex drive, fuzzy brain, terrible nightmares, 40 pound weight gain, 10X increase of suicidal thoughts, dry mouth, short term memory loss....the list goes on The worst side effect of all was quiting the drug. I vomited for 1 week straight and had the shakes soooo bad I thought something was seriously wrong with me....I felt like a drug addict F 27 2 days
7/2/2008
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 3  anxiety Brainzaps if I missed a day followed by intense headaches. After taking the medicine for a month, the night sweats started and so did the very vivid dreams. Also struggle with a lack of focus and detail to things around me. The drug did help with my anxiety and brief bout of depression. I have taken the 75mg for a year now and I'm switching medication to lexapro. Effexor xr has too many things wrong with it and the bad outways the good! Oh by the way, if you are reading this to help you decide to take this medicine.....DON'T TAKE IT! Ask your doctor for a safer alternative. M 36 1 years
7/1/2008
 3  Depression and Anxiety loss of libido, weight gain (25 lbs), very poor memory I have been on this drug for over 3 years, I believed the drug to be a life saver. I felt alive, happy and definitely had more energy, but in the last year, I am beginning to feel differently about this medication. My memory is so poor it is beginning to impact my job. I have difficulty sequencing events properly and at times I have much difficulty focusing long enough to complete a task. I want off this medication, but fear the withdrawal. F 44 3 years
7/1/2008
 4  depression None None M 67 6 months
6/29/2008
 3  Bipolar disorder - type II initially: huge amounts of sweating, having an appetite but not wanting any food in particular; currently: decreased sex drive, inability to climax, fatigue 24/7, 'brain zaps' (as people refer to them), very fidgety/always moving, slight weight loss effexor xr was the 1st drug i was ever tried on for depression/possible bipolar back when i was 19...yeah. i recently learned from a neurologist at thomas jefferson university in philadelphia that md's put patients on this drug as a LAST RESORT, not as their first pick! (one of the reasons i have switched primary care docs) initially, it worked to balance my mood swings and depression + the pros outweighed the cons (the sweating has gone back to my normal level), but i've had 2 separate spells of a decrease/loss of sex drive and inability to climax and i didn't think it was related to effexor until i started flipping through my medication pamphlets and reading the side effects and found 'sexual side effects' and went online and found all of the other people who share in my frustration when it comes to this!! i am engaged and my fiance thinks i am not even attracted to him anymore and i am considering switching meds, but i am scared b/c i have only ever been on this one. i take 225 F 24 4.5 years
6/29/2008
 2  depression and anxiety extreme fatigue wanted to sleep all the time. Did not care about the consequences to things surrounding me. Very numbing feeling. Horrific withdrawls coming off. Was taking 75 mg and it took me over 3 months to come off of it successfully with help from a psychiatrist. After being on it for about 6 mnths it made me more depressed because I had no more "ups" to get out of my "downs". Also my blood pressure sky rocketed to a dangerous level for me. F 35 6 days
6/24/2008
 1  Bipolar Depression Anxiety Insomnia under statement of the year SEXUAL PROBLEMS!!!!!

Had a massive marriage breakdown 3 years ago and my illness was untreated until. I put a car in to a tree and the 2nd one in a telegraph pole. 2 months ago, started on EFFEXOR XR 75mg depression kept getting worse moved up to 150mg, more stable, don’t cry any more.

If you are a male and don’t care about SEX anymore, ever!, then use Effexor XR ,but for me, my libido has always been excellent, even when been depressed. Until I used this male killing drug, just so you know, because no one really described it.

Bipolar depression anxiety 95% erection and 95% orgasm Heavy drinking night, 75% having an erection and 75% orgasm. Illegal drugs, Speed 85% erection and 10% orgasm Bipolar depression anxiety 95% erection and 95% orgasm Effexor XR 65% erection 2% orgasm even when trying for 4 hours plus!

Sorry i can't even guess the female libido hit's your taking because your mind and bodies, are way more sensitive

M 38 2 months
6/18/2008
 4  Deprssion When starting: Severe insomnia and very disturbing 'mental tension' for about a week (paradoxally I felt very calm and positive). After that side effects where mild: weight gain, vivid dreams, 'mental tension', decreased libido!! After long term use (2 x 3 - 4 years) I become really crammed of taking it. Warning: Potentially severe side effects when discontinuing! lightheadness, strange dizziness, emotional instability. However, tappering it off slowly and TAKE A LOT OF VITAMINES & GINSENG helps tremndously! Very effective drug (I have been on Prozac few times and it did work the first time then never again) Effexor worked each time. It also very good against anxiety and does not affect concentration so bad as Prozac (and other SSRI). It has a very stable effect and therefore can be used for long term treatement. However The very negative side effects when discontinuing (yes it is not a myth!) have to be warned off though! For me, vitamins help great time (no more brain shivers and 'water melon head' feelings!). M 47 4 years
6/16/2008
 4  depression/anxiety loss of sex drive, anorgasmia, numb genitals, flatulance, yawing (went away) This drug helped with depression. I stopped because the sex side effects were getting to be a bummer. I've been engaged to be married, and for this whole year have been unable to ennjoy sex. It's like I've got an epidural. This is where I will stress that people take caution, and please email me if you have feedback: I went off the drug to prepare for my wedding/honeymoon, and get my sex0life back. I have been off the meds for 1.5 months and the siden effects have not gone away. I am mortified that this is permanent and it is extremely frustrating. Please share your thoughts if you have any experience with this issue. F 31 1 years
6/14/2008
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 1  firbomyalgia lack of sleep,extreme and rapid weight gain (50lbs), difficulty having an orgasim Effexor did not reduce my pain at all, but it did increase my energy level. It took me almost a year to stop taking it. I had vomitting, no energy, sleepiness all the time. The nerves in my face felt strange. I hated this medication and would never recommend it! F 44 1.5 years
6/14/2008
 1  Depression I was more withdrawn and I wanted to commit suicide while I was on the drug SUCKS F 23 2 months
6/9/2008
 1  depression and anxiety if missed for more than a day, the withdrawal effects are horrendous. sickening headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea, basically complete inability to function. very difficult to come off. i wish i had not gone on this medication, as i am now so physically dependent on it. i am currently suffering terrible withdrawal symptom as have run out of my pills and not had it for 4 days. i am not capable of getting out of bed, and have a migraine, and want to vomit. the medication is also not very effective as an antidepressant, but even though it is not working for me, the withdrawal syndrome is making me too scared to come off it. not worth it!! i will never forgive my doctor for putting me on this medication. F 20 7 months
6/9/2008
 3  OCD and generalized anxiety disorde none Very difficult to come off of, but is possible. Helped a lot when I first started taking it. Now 2 years later, does not help me anymore but don't feel like trying anything new and do not feel like going through the rough time of getting off of it again. F 39 2 years
6/8/2008
 5  depression/anxiety first week : nausea, tired, migraine, lost libido. After in the first month : weight lost (yes!) more alert, still libido slow. Also ecchymoses on my legs when I change the dose Im very happy with effexor, I was depressed since my husband died 3 years ago. I've tried celexa, remeron, wellbutrin ... I have 3 children and I need to be alert and patient and effexor give me what I need to be a good mother again. I don't just survive now I live, just a little problem with libido ... I have a new boyfriend but I think it will be manageable. The best FOR ME. Thanks! F 29 3 months
6/7/2008
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 3  depression None! For the last 6 months or so, I have begun to get depressed again! I am so very discouraged--I have only felt normal for the last 2 1/2 years. I am taking 150 mg. Should I expect a pill to make me happy? My family on both parents side have a LONG history of depression. F 61 3 days
6/7/2008
 3  Hot flashes I only took 37.5mg for the last 9 months, seems to lessen them but they are still there but manageable with a small fan handy and a quick derobe to cool off. I have decided to come off it...Sheesh! Been trying hard this week by alternating days that I take the 37.5mg as this is the smallest dose cant taper any smaller than this. Feeling the wicked withdrawal from such a small amount. The head rushes, irritability, the flashes do seem a tad hotter but manageable. How long would you keep this tapering process up and does anything help with the withdrawal symptoms? I am thinking to try Tylenol. Any comments welcome. Why is withdrawal symptoms so bad? I only took 37.5mg? Anything help ease the symptoms? I am determined to get off it but would like to relieve the symptoms. F 59 9 months
6/7/2008
 3  Depression Lethargic, shaky, dizziness, gout It helped get me out of a severe depression but I want to stop M 53 5 days
6/6/2008
 3  Depression/anxiety Severe dizziness, nausea. Works great for the depression, so-so for anxiety, but I'm having a hard time with dizziness. Stomach upset a lot too, but that could be due to my GERD and the fact that I've gained weight. I prefer paxil, but I can't be on it b/c I'm trying to get pregnant. F 30 5 months
6/4/2008

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