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
 
 1  depression [email protected] continued Apparently there is a limit! Guess I went on to long... I eventually weaned off by opening capsules and pouring about half out.. and reassembling the capsule. It took me about two months to get to the point where I was taking about 10 granuals every three days... then I quit altogether. People are still having problems with this medication even after being off of it for 8 months or more. Please don't take this medication. Getting off this DRUG is a living hell. F 34 8 months
11/27/2004
 5  
11/28/2004
 5  Hot flashes First week, slight appetite problems so far hot flashes are to a minimum F 44 4 months
11/29/2004
 4  Severe depression, mild anxiety Insomnia, jitters, decreased appetite (including 15 lb weight loss) and mild muscle spasms at outset. Long term effects include increased sex drive, increased sweating, occasional dry mouth, mild constipation and flatulence (farts are funny, I don't mind this particular side effect :) Effexor XR has been the best antidepressant I have ever been on. I have tried Paxil, Prozac, Celexa, Epival and St. John's wort with only limited success. Effexor has given me back my ability to function normally, has increased my energy level and has boosted my libido. This drug is well worth the side effects, which have been quite mild in my case. I am currently taking 450 mg/day. I would recommend that this drug be taken in the morning rather than the evening as it can cause insomnia. F 24 9 months
11/29/2004
 2  Fibromyalgia Substantial weight gain. Cleared up depression that can accompany severe physical pain. Withdrawl Hell - I ended up here looking for information on withdrawl problems. Within 1-2 two days, hotflashes and sweats sometimes every 5-10 minutes during the day and nightsweats. Severe vertigo turning my head when waking up in the morning and lying down at night. Insomnia within 3 days. I have resumed taking this drug at least 4 times to stop the side effects. Going off again but tapering from 37.5 very slowly. F 4 years
11/29/2004
 3  Major Depression, Anxiety Dry mouth, loss of appetite, diarrhea, listless. I have been on 75 mg for just over a week. I feel very tired and listless. I don't feel like going to work or doing anything requiring any effort. My feelings of hopelessness have gone away a little, and my anxiety levels aren't as high. I'm waiting for the positive aspects of this drug to kick in. For now, I'm very tired and not motivated. I had hoped I'd feel more charged and ready to take on the world. I'll be patient. F 41 9 days
12/8/2004
 3  depression, anxiety initial symptoms: lack of appetite, dizziness long-term symptoms: complete lack of sexual desire, reduced sexual functioning Effexor was very effective at treating my depression and anxiety. My initial side effects subsided after a few weeks, and I felt like I had been given a new life. However, after several months, I completely lost all sexual desire. I fought a long and ultimately unsuccessful effort to maintain a romantic relationship. I couldn't blame my girlfriend for wanting to leave after months and months of a sexless relationship; I had no interest whatsoever in anything sexual. Although I was completely satisfied with Effexor's effect on my depression and anxiety, this inability to maintain a relationship was enough to make me want to switch medication. As soon as I had health insurance again (I had recently graduated college and hadn't yet found a job), I switched to Zoloft. I have some sexual side effects still, but they are less than when I was on Effexor. I'm planning on asking my doctor what she thinks about prescribing additional Wellbutrin to counter the sexual side effects. I'm also considering supplimenting with Gingko. F 23 1 years
12/8/2004
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 1  depression Horrendous nightmares - death and destruction, night sweats, tingling of legs, feeling light headed, weight gain at least 8 kg,abdominal bloating (I looked 8 mths pregnant)flatulence,loose stools, not with it, not thinking clearly, loss of libido, loss of energy, menstrual irregularites HORRIFIC withdrawals, brain shocks, mania - highs and lows, suicidal thoughts, unbelievable rage, truly a hard time getting off this stuff- frightening,would never recommend it to anyone, turned me into a fat bloated zombie, 75mg a day, horrific!!!!!SIDE- EFFEXOR!!!!! F 44 8 months
12/10/2004
 5  Depression/Anxiety Increased hot flashes, incresed appetite and weight gain. I feel more confident. I no longer feel depressed. I am not hostile, aggressive, weepy, antisocial. I feel better than ever despite the side effects. F 53 4 months
12/11/2004
 4  depression other than the haters telling me my depression was all in my head, and to stop taking it or to just change my way of thinking... that was the biggest chalenge for me... other side effects I can not even remember, however they where only in the begining, little or none now... weight change, 5-10lbs up or down, gas, dry mouth, etc. I take about 225 mg, once aday, started taking smaller dose in the evening, and was having side effects, now I take it in the morning, and feel much better, I still don't sleep the whole night, only a few hours here and there... however this has helped my social life so much. and I feel better about myself even when I am alone, maybe more people should see their Dr.s' with respect to depression. M 32 2 years
12/11/2004
 2  depression didn't last 24 hours--I started having withdrawl effects after 10 hours--nausea/vomiting F 47 2 weeks
12/11/2004
 3  severe anxiety/black depression sweating,dizziness, severe dry mouth (coughing all night,can't talk without choking),itchy scalp,insomnia, constipation, hard stool, gas, racing thoughts, teeth grinding, agitation, severe loss of short term memory, moments of enhanced colors,tired all the time, blurry vision, extreme sensitivity to light and sound, insomnia and drunk feeling caused weak immune system, brief speedy moments periodically followed by extreme fatigue, one good day followed by three days of needing to sleep 15 hours, light headedness, loss of balance, complete loss of sex drive, void of emotion Dosed at 35 to start, have built up to 225. I started out taking Xanax to battle my insominia, but it didn't do much. After web info provided by other patients turned me on to Trazadone, I started to sleep, complete with vivid detailed dreams. At dose 75, I experience moments of bliss, and extreme colors. I came back out into the world, and started to see my friends again. It built up great courage, and reinstalled a strong sense of self esteem. Experienced extreme carb craving, and bizarre urge to consume alcohal all the time.But after 3 weeks, it just stopped working. Thus, the dosage climb. Currently at 225, I am very agitated, dizzy, lightheaded, off balance, emotionless, and one week after I started taking Effexor XR, I saw obvious daily weight gain, bloated stomache constipation, etc. And then the financial shock. Along with Levoxol for thyroid, Trazadone to sleep, Xanax to take the agitation edge of and the XR dose of 225, I am paying $398.00, due to being uninsured. (Monthly insurance costs about the same. So, if the depression doesn't eventually cripple you, the costs will......I hope this levels out. M 44 2 months
12/12/2004
 3  severe anxiety/black depression sweating,dizziness, severe dry mouth (coughing all night,can't talk without choking),itchy scalp,insomnia, constipation, hard stool, gas, racing thoughts, teeth grinding, agitation, severe loss of short term memory, moments of enhanced colors,tired all the time, blurry vision, extreme sensitivity to light and sound, insomnia and drunk feeling caused weak immune system, brief speedy moments periodically followed by extreme fatigue, one good day followed by three days of needing to sleep 15 hours, light headedness, loss of balance, complete loss of sex drive, void of emotion (And I am a singer songwriter, painter.)Cannot currently sing due to my arid dry mouth and throat Dosed at 35 to start, have built up to 225. I started out taking Xanax to battle my insominia, but it didn't do much. After other patients' ratings and experiences, I learned about Trazadone, I started to sleep, complete with vivid detailed dreams. At dose 75, I experience moments of bliss, and extreme colors. I came back out into the world, and started to see my friends again. It built up great courage, and reinstalled a strong sense of self esteem. Experienced extreme carb craving, and bizarre urge to consume alcohal all the time.But after 3 weeks, it just stopped working. Thus, the dosage climb. Currently at 225, I am very agitated, dizzy, lightheaded, off balance, emotionless, and one week after I started taking Effexor XR, I saw obvious daily weight gain, bloated stomache constipation, etc. And then the financial shock. Along with Levoxol for thyroid, Trazadone to sleep, Xanax to take the agitation edge of and the XR dose of 225, I am paying $398.00, every monthdue to being uninsured. (Monthly insurance costs about the same. So, if the depression doesn't eventually cripple you, the costs will......By the way, no one informed me of the withdrawl nightmare-the once you're in, you're in club. Seems like I'm trapped in a whole new kind of hell.....I hope this levels out. M 44 2 months
12/12/2004
 4  depresseion Sudden & extreme facial flushing particularly nose area. This seemed to occur about 8 hrs (+ or -) after daily dose (mornings). Also decreased ability to cope with hot weather or hot environments, and night-sweats especially just prior to waking for the day. Also high blood pressure (sometimes (180/110) which is why I am starting a different anti-depressant (because all the anti-hypertensives have had other side-effects!... and so it goes on!!) Hsving awful side-effects during abrupt withdrawal to change to different anti-depressant. Head feels horrible/whooshing noises in ears/ a little unsteady onj my feet if I move suddenly/ very short concentration span. 2 yrs ago I ceased Efexor very slowly (over 2 mths) because of the high BP. I felt so well that I persuaded my GP to let be un-medicated for the time being.6 months later (after some major life stresses) I had another breakdown and after trying another anti-dep which didn't work I we decided high BP with Efexor was better than being suicidal! This is why I have had a quick withdrawal over 5days so I have already begun the new med but have to get up to the recommended dose over a few weeks. This is probably why I feel like my head had been run over by a bus at present! F 43 6 years
12/14/2004
 3   M 39
12/14/2004
 3  depression/anxiety Slept really well for 3-4 hrs. then woke up constantly the rest of the night. Loved the effect it had with treating the mood swings and depression though. Stopped taking it because I thought that was the reason my face was breaking out, but not sure now if that was the case, so plan on taking again. Wish I knew is anyone else had acne as a side effect? Doesn't seem like it's very common if that is the case. F 27 2 months
12/14/2004
 4  anxiety,social phobia for 3 weeks hot flashes, anxiety, sleeplessness, lack of sex drive, lack of energy. its cleared my worrying, stress to an extent, changed my frame of mind. This drug gave me sanity and peace within myself. M 36 2 years
12/17/2004
 3  severe depresstion, anxiety constipation, increased sweating, insomnia, sexual side affects trouble maintaining and errection, problems having an orgasm very frustrating, no sex drive. I take 300mg of Effexor a day. I am on soc. sec. disablity for bipolar disorder. My insurance has run out and I will be off my meds soon. This has happened to me once before and I am terrified of the withdrawal I am about to go through. Do not take this drug! I have been on just about every antidepressant this worked temporarily like all others I've experienced. Do you're research before taking this drug or any other antidepressant. I wish I never started taking them. M 39 4 years
12/17/2004
 3  Hot flashes/perimenopause Dry mouth, difficulty achieving orgasm, sweats, tingling of hands and feet, vivid dreams, weight gain This drug MAY have helped with my hot flashes by reducing the frequency. I was only taking 75mg a day. However, the side effects are not worth it. I am now reducing my dosage to 37.5 and tapering off to stop taking this drug. I am experiencing dizziness, extreme hunger, overwhelming tiredness and body aches. F 46 10 months
12/19/2004
 1  anxiety depression this is the worst drug i ever took. at the lowest dose 37.5 i took for a week i experienced, night sweats, very tired all the time, loss of weight, i went up to 75 for only two days and i could not handle the side effects. i am trying to cut back but the withdrawls suck. at first i only missed one day and i was extemly tired, sweating, nausea. dizziness, now im taking a half tablet every other day but still experiencing side effects. i have only been on this medication for three weeks. if your starting stop now do not continue. F 29 3 weeks
12/20/2004
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