EFFEXOR XR Reviews (VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE)Average Rating: 3.0 (2225 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare EFFEXOR XR with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Gender with females listed first (reviews with no gender reported listed before females). Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 |
More on EFFEXOR XR: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR EFFEXOR XR | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 4 | depression | The only issue I have with Effexor is that I am one of the very few percentage that cannot wean off or come off taking this drug. Apparently Effexor will be with me always. I hope it will be around until the day I die, because various doctors have tried to take me off of it and I ended up on suicide watch. Besides that hats off to you Effexor, you are the one and only medication that stopped my depression so well, and believe me I tried every other thing under the sun first. | F | 34 | 10 years 150 3X day | 11/9/2011 | 4 | anxiety, panic attacks | NO side effects while taking this drug. however, if i forget to take it, i get very bad withdrawal: dizzy, chills, stomach problems, weird dreams, nausea, etc. but once i start taking it again, the symptoms go away. | this is the only medicine that has ever helped my panic attacks. i have been on a zillion medicines and none of them ever helped and i suffered for years. effexor has helped so much and i probably would not be where i am today without it. the only problem is that when i forget to take it or run out of my medicine, i get really bad withdrawal.... sicker than a dog. i think it would be difficult to come off of this medication, but i havent had any side effects while on it. | F | 29 | 11 years 300 mg 1X day | 12/10/2011 | 4 | chronic & social anxiety | stopping it cold was horrible, after a day, i had this pulse in my head, i felt weak, tired, not myself at all. a few days after that i just vomited, you cannot stop cold turkey, the reason i stopped was because i had to wait a week to refill my prescription, my doctor didnt tell me about the harmful effects of not taking it | i think it will be hard to get off this drug, you will have to taper it down, i am not looking forward to it, it helps, but the generic version tastes horrible | F | 38 | 6 months | 10/9/2007 | 4 | Depression | Decreased appetite for the first month, dizzy spells if I go too long between doses, dry mouth only when exercising. I had insomnia when I took it in the morning but I switched to evenings which is better although sometimes I wake up at 3 or 4am. | I am taking 75mg. I do not feel as depressed so I think it is working although the effect seems to have reached a plateau because I am starting to feel a little bummed lately. I don't want to increase the dosage though because I want to be able to quit easily. | F | 27 | 8 months | 10/25/2006 | 4 | GAD,Depression,panic attacks | GAS,vivid dreams, some muscle twitches | mosy of my side effects were in the first week or so starting effexor xr and whenever the dosage is raised, i experienced extreme headaches was extremely tired, very nausous, no appetite,a mild "high" feeling no sex drive mainly because i was way to tired. all those side effects went away though after a couple weeks and now it just makes me really gassy and i think my vision has become a little more blurry, the gas is very innoying though even at night when im in bed with my boyfriend its really uncomfortable but i took an over the counter pill for gas relief and it seemed to work. i havnt noticed that much of a change in my anxiety. its took the edge off i dont have panic attacks really anymore but i still cant sleep at night and i still get very nervous when its unessecarymaybe a dosage increase is needed but i was on zoloft a few years ago and it made me feel like a zombie so in comparison its alot better i hope things work out. | F | 19 | 3 months | 2/12/2007 | 4 | Depression | Jaw clenching; extreme irritability | After having tried a number of anti-depressants, I was thrilled that my Effexor XR 75 mg seemed to rid me of my crying jags etc. I also didn't have alot of the side effects that I experienced on other anti-depressants. However, I have always been considered a very patient person. With the effexor, I become extremely irritable very easily. I'm frustrated and embarrassed by it. | F | 35 | 11 months | 3/6/2007 | 4 | Major Depression | Normally, this drug helps a lot -- if taken every day at the same time, it makes it possible to be alive without crying like an emo baby all the time. It really relieved my depression symptoms almost the first day I started. The only side effect I can think of while taking it correctly is what I can only describe as "eye twitches" -- instead of focusing, my eyes want to move from side to side or around in circles -- and a slight dizziness if I move my eyes too fast. Other than that, I have really cool dreams now, almost lucid, and I always remember every detail. Libido is, if anything, more irascible than before, because I don't feel like curling into a hole and dying for having the audacity to be alive. Still feel tired, but not defeated all the time. | Unfortunately, I don't have the best memory in the world, so about thirty hours after I forget to take it, the worst, most horrible side effects seem to happen all at once: the eye twitching becomes almost uncontrollable, it feels like electric shocks traveling through my brain and into my arms, and I want to start rocking to and fro. The first few times I felt the twitching, electric side effects I thought I was REALLY going mental -- I was too scared to tell anyone about it, the implications that I was "feeling twitchy" were too scary to talk about. Also, suddenly, ridiculously, I would feel like I should commit suicide, and all the depression symptoms rush back almost stronger than before. This always takes me by surprise -- I could be minding my own business, reading the newspaper and BAM -- "I'm a horrible human being and I need to die right now." This is usually such a terribly segued thought that it immediately clues me in to, "Oh, I forgot to take my me | F | 20 | 6 months | 3/25/2007 | 4 | Depression/anxiety | Tiredness, and weight gain -- 8lbs when increased to 150mg, then 8lbs more when increased to 225 mg. | This is the ONLY antidepressant that I've been able to take that doesn't act like I've poured cement into my GI tract. It has been helpful, but I've just decreased the dose back to 150mg because my life is in a better way now and the weight gain is really bothering me. Good drug for ADD types, as it certainly reminds you if you miss a dose by zapping you good! | F | 43 | 1 years | 11/10/2006 | 4 | Panic Attacks, Generalized Anxiety | At first, serious sweating and then a feeling of euphoria. I think I feel more depressed somehow but also more level. Sometimes a giddy hyperness soon after I take it. Occassional leg cramps, jumpy legs -maybe not related. Sometimes a very strange thing when I walk and I feel like an adrenaline rush and my eyes can't keep up with my walking- very hard to explain-NEVER experienced anything like it befor- but pretty rarely happens. I am at my heaviest ever and attribute about 10-15lbs. to the med. | This pretty quickly and effectively cured me of my severe anxiety, panic attacks and especially effective for social anxiety. I no longer get severe depression, but sometimes feel like I am more depressed in general. STill have some occassional anxiety which is probably not normal, but I can live with it. I am terrified about the possible difficult withdrawl but feel that I don't want to be on this drug forever. Getting married soon and will have to get off when we plan to start our family. Do not want the panic attacks back- I just don't know what to do. | F | 34 | 1 years | 7/11/2005 | 4 | panic disorder, GAD, mild depressio | Started at 37.5 mg, first few days felt pretty gross: groggy, nauseous, "out-of-it" kinds of feelings. For the first week, pretty much stayed on the sofa all day and slept there too. Not hungry at all for a whole week. Had fitful sleep, waking up every hour. Jolting body occasionally, nervous, emotionally shaky, up and down feelings. After 2 weeks most of these disappeared, except for insomnia and some night sweats. After 3 months have gradually increased to taking 150 mg in the morning plus 37.5 at night, with a snack. Still having a bit of restless sleep, weird dreams and have also developed overactive bladder, esp noticable at night. Sexual side effects wore off. Sometimes yawn or sigh a lot, like after holding your breath without realizing it..I have to mention that 3 weeks after starting the Effexor (New Year's Resolution) my husband and I decided to start eating a lower carb, "healthy " diet, no sugar, salt or alcohol, and a 2 hr per day fitness regime, wh | I was prescribled Effexor and sublingual Ativan, during an emergency visit to a doctor's clinic, after many years of untreated panic disorder, agoraphobia and mild depression culminated in a total nervous meltdown, where I could barely function. The Effexor took about 4 weeks to start working noticibly, including weekly followups at the doctors. After 3 months I am feeling fairly good, compared to the first month of fear of what was going to become of me, plus verbal abuse from my disappointed husband, who expected me to get "better" instantly with pills. I got some great support after finally speaking to a Mental Health nurse, plus confiding in a good friend (admitting my disorder), plus other family members, then husband sort of fell in line. Advice: If you are taking antidepressents make sure someone explains the treatment process thoroghly to your "important other" so they won't take out their frustrations on you. Now I am actually driving a car by myself fo | F | 43 | 3 months | 3/5/2007 | 4 | Poat Traumatic Stress Syndrome | Tiredness, nausea, insomnia, weight gain, impaired/blurry vision, frequent urination | I had no choice to take this. Nearly lost my baby after birth (and has consequent helth problems) and had a meltdown almost three months later. Started having severe anxiety attacks and depression lasting a week. Had mental health team intervention. I have never experienced ANYTHING like this in my life. Effexor was the only medication that didn't make me sick. As I am not naturally depressive started on 37.5mg for 3 weeks then 75mg for 4 months. Now going of it is PURE HELL! Emotionally feel normal but pysically I am a mess. I am currently alternating 37.5 and 75. The days I take 37.5 I am sleepy, dizzy, feel like my head is spinning, blurred vision. I can't maintain this as I have two young children. However as some comments have suggested the benefits far outweigh negative aspects, only experinced when going off the medication. Hoping things get better... | F | 31 | 6 days | 2/23/2007 | 4 | bipolar/depression | dry mouth, sweating and dreams in the begining, they faded but I put on 30 pounds, that I am having a hard time losing. | I took effexor xr 150mg for 2 years, it worked wonders for me, better than any other drug I've been on in the past, but the depression was still there. Went cold turkey to get off, it's been two weeks now, and it isn't pretty. | F | 36 | 2 years | 3/20/2007 | 4 | Poat Traumatic Stress Syndrome | Tiredness, nausea, insomnia, weight gain, impaired/blurry vision, frequent urination | I had no choice to take this. Nearly lost my baby after birth (and has consequent helth problems) and had a meltdown almost three months later. Started having severe anxiety attacks and depression lasting a week. Had mental health team intervention. I have never experienced ANYTHING like this in my life. Effexor was the only medication that didn't make me sick. As I am not naturally depressive started on 37.5mg for 3 weeks then 75mg for 4 months. Now going of it is PURE HELL! Emotionally feel normal but pysically I am a mess. I am currently alternating 37.5 and 75. The days I take 37.5 I am sleepy, dizzy, feel like my head is spinning, blurred vision. I can't maintain this as I have two young children. However as some comments have suggested the benefits far outweigh negative aspects, only experinced when going off the medication. Hoping things get better... | F | 31 | 6 days | 2/23/2007 | 4 | generalized anxiety | I have been on this medication for 5 years and it has helped extremely well with my anxiety levels. However, it has decreased my libido and I am not able to orgasm while on it. I have to miss a dose a couple of times a week in order to have a good sexual relationship with my spouse. I am also extremely tired all the time... need to take daily naps... | F | 46 | 5 years | 3/26/2007 | 4 | Depression/Anxiety | No side effects. | Has worked rather well but I'm not adding Wellbutrin to lessen the depression even further. | F | 27 | 2 years | 2/20/2007 | 4 | depression | Horrible missed dosed side effects; diffculty in orgasm | I think the medication itself, when taken properly is fantastic. DO NOT MISS A DOSE. This can not be stressed more imprtantly. When I missed two days because I was too busy to pick up the refill, I started having SEVERE panic attacks. Be careful. When taken regularlly - it's great. No decrease in sex drive - though seem to have lost ability to orgasm, sure wish I could find it. No weight gain. | F | 33 | 2 months | 10/27/2005 | 4 | depression, anxiety, ADD | Initially on 37.5 mg - yawning, jaw flexing, light headed. Currenlty 375mg + 200 mg Wellbutrin: Sleepy during the day, frequent awakenings during the night, occasional light headedness, decreased appetite but unfortunately no weight loss. | Libido -- seems unaffected, in fact much improved after starting the Effexor, maye due to the lifting of the depression. Intermittent Crashes -- I've had small crashes after 3-6 months at which time the dose is increased. The Wellbutrin was added to improve the effexor -- I'm not sure it did. It seems to take about 2-3 weeks before the increased dose improves my mood. I'm at the max. dose now -- discontinued the Wellbutrin and my psychiatrist (ADHD specialist) has added Concerta. I'm at the starting dose of 18mg. It has made my head more clear, reduced my anxiety but my I'm having interupted sleep again. | F | 38 | 3.5 years | 10/18/2005 | 4 | Depression | few side effects at first, but now, after about months on the stuff, at about 20 hours after last dose, I start to get wierd feelings. ALmost shakey, or tremors, but they are "below the surface" rather than something visible. More like I feel as though I am vibrating. Sometimes ringing in my ear, or lightheadedness. I was here looking for anyone who sensed the drug was moving them towards taking a higher dose (one friend suggested this might be the problem) | It did work well for my depression, but reading these make me wonder about other things that have been going on - like the pins & needles I attributed to some other mystery. Still concerned about the apparent 'withdrawl' in less than 24 hours between doses... | F | 43 | 6 months | 10/25/2005 | 4 | Anxiety and Depression | I wake up around 2-3 AM for an hour almost every night. Switching taking the pills to AM or to PM does not change this (so that release times differ). I also have a tremor or shaking in my lower back and legs when I am resting. I tend to move a little slowly - procrastinate more than usual. My skin is more sensitive, and cuts or scratches remain for a very long time. Vivid dreams. Decreased ability to orgasim. LOST weight - at the right dose for me, if I stay away from carbohydrates, then I don't think so much about food. Lost 20 pounds and that feels GREAT! | I was extremely depressed and taking effexor may well have saved my life. Within 2 hours of the first dose, symptoms of anxiety disappeared. Within 3 days - 2 weeks, the depression went away. However, it was less affective after 2 weeks, so the dose was increased. Eventually went to 150mg - this was too high for me. I was tired all the time, not thinking very fast or clearly, and going through emotional swings. Reduced to 112.5mg - experienced about 3 days of side effects tapering the dose, however, this is much better. Can function very well, still a little tired, probably from waking at night. Social anxiety is COMPLETELY GONE!! Still have up days and depressing days, but no where as severe as the depression before I started on effexor xr. | F | 41 | 6 months | 9/27/2006 | 4 | Ansxiety/Depression | Great experience with Effexor XR 150mg for chronic anxiety and depression. Depression is completely gone. I have vivid but pleasant dreams, am a bit spacy at times but absolutely no sexual side effects unlike with Paxil and Prozac a big plus. Lost 10 lbs :) | I was on a combo of Prozac/Paxil 300mg for about 2 years. Although the drugs worked I had real bad side effects loss of libido, inability to achieve orgasm, tremors and insomnia. After an initial 30 lbs weight loss, I started gaining weightafter 18 months. I decided to stop the drugs that lasted about 10 months then I started getting terribly depressed. So here we are again back on meds. Effexor solved the depression problem almost immediately but I am still antsy. Shrink prescribed Depakote to bring the anxiety under controll but I have feaked when he mentioned the side effects. Yikes, can I keep my hair? :) | F | 3 months | 6/28/2006 |