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 |
| 3 | Depressive Episode | hypomania, agitation | This worked really well to get me out of a severe depressive episode quickly but overtime I started to feel a little bit manic, agitated. I was making impulsive decisions and felt out of sorts so I decided to stop taking it (under medical supervision). The withdrawal for this was absolutely terrible and I needed several sedatives to get me through it, shaking, panic attacks, brain zaps, awful. Overall I have mixed feelings about this because after being off it for a few months my depression has come back. | F | 26 | 4 months 37.5 mg 1X day | 8/15/2015 | 3 | Depressive episode | Initially helped me to be able to deal with day-to-day tasks. Have been trying to get off for over a year now, but to due to withdrawal side effects (feverish, shaking, nausea & feeling disoriented) I always revert back to taking it. Basically for the last year I've been on this medication purely because of the side effects of withdrawal & just couldn't afford time off to be sick. I wish i had been more informed about this medication before taking it. | Would like information and advice from patients who have successfully come off efexor xr and would like to know how long it took before withdrawal symptoms finally subsided? | F | 26 | 3 years 75mg | 8/29/2015 | 3 | General Anxiety/Social Anxiety | At onset and each time dose increased (started at 37.5mg - now at 150mg daily) I had a week or so of terrible exhaustion. I would fall asleep anywhere during the day for an hour or two - just couldn't keep my eyes open, then just as suddenly wide awake. Also nausea and vivid anxiety dreams. Been at 150mg for 2 months now and notice weight gain of 8lbs which is distressing as I had worked hard with exercise to lose 10 lbs over the past 3 months - now all back in about 6 weeks. The excessive sweating is accutely embarrassing, but luckily I am at an age where I can pass it off as "hot flashes". Noticing I bruise very easily and a minor bump will leave a 2-3" dark bruise. Have never missed a dose, nor taken with alcohol after reading all these dire warnings. This weekend I am away from home and realize I forgot to bring my meds. So we will see what missing 2 days will do - I just hope I am OK to drive home again Sunday. Also past 2 weeks I have been unable to sit st | So far I am a fan overall. It calmed me down greatly, I no longer get edgy and snap or feel overwhelmed and tearful. I feel I can cope with everyday home life. Returning to work is still an issue - but I don't want to increase the dose after reading all these posts. Still have some anxiety. | F | 46 | 8 months | 9/26/2008 | 3 | Depression, mild anxiety | Weight gain, severe loss of libido, headaches, "brain fog", brain zaps if dose is missed | When I first started taking Effexor XR I couldn't stay awake and I never felt hungry when I was awake. So I intially lost some weight. Which made me happy since I'd also gained weight on Paxil, Lexapro and Elavil. Once the drug built up in my system, I felt better but sort of detached. Nothing was great, nothing was terrible; everything was just OK. I settled for Ok rather than being depressed. But the weight came back and then some, lack of interest in the outside world, weepiness, sleep problems and NO LIBIDO AT ALL. I've taken 75mg and then doc increased to 150 during winter. I now want to get off and try Wellbutrin SR to help with depression, lack of libido, smoking and weight. But doc increased my Effexor instead. I hate the way this drug makes me feel---or not feel. | F | 38 | 4 years | 4/10/2009 | 3 | Anixety | constapation, low sex drive, weight gain, never cried | I took effexor xr 75mg for a year and a half. It made me feel more in control of myself and emotions. I did gain 30 pounds but I may eat alittle more now too. I would recommand this drug. I have read about the side effects of withdrawl, this is my 1st time getting off an antidepressant and my doctor told me to take 37.5 mg for two weeks and then 37.5 for 10 days every other day. I do not have any side effects yet other then a headache but i am still taking a half a dose. I do know in the past if I went a couple of days with out it by the third day, I was crying and irritable. When I did finally take it, I would feel sick to my stomach most of the day. | F | 26 | 1.5 years | 4/28/2009 | 3 | Anxiety, Depression | Totally disconnected from the real world, no emotions, fuzzy brain, always tired, no sex drive, no remorse for doing wrong, became a hermit after taking Effexor XR when I used to be the social butterfly. Now I could care less if my kids were fed or not. | I started taking Effexor after my husband died. Major shock for me and the anxiety and depression was overwhelming. I first took Lexapro which didn't do anything for me, so the doctor switched me over to Effexor. At first I didn't notice anything, but then gradually after each dosage was upped to 150mg I not could care less if my bills are paid, groceries are in the fridge, etc. Major disconnnect from the real world, lost my job because I just didn't care if I was late or not. I have been on the drug for a little over 2.5 years. I need to get off, but am scared of the anxiety returning, but scared even more to be alone the rest of my life because I have NO sex drive and could care less if I ever date again. What is worse, is my 15 year old is on it too. Yikes! Very scared of the withdrawls she might have. | F | 34 | 2.5 years | 9/25/2008 | 3 | Irritability | Loss of appetite, night sweats, vivid and outlandish dreams, loss of sex drive, insomnia, dry mouth | Effexor worked well on my moods, but the side effects were too much to handle. I was hardly eating or sleeping. When I finally got to sleep I would wake up soaking wet from sweat or wouldhave so many vivid dreams that it felt like I didn't sleep at all. | F | 21 | 1 years | 9/25/2008 | 3 | depression/anxiety | night sweats, headaches, loss of appetite, severely decreased sex drive | I started taking Effexor XR (75 mg) about three years ago. Recently the side effects were getting too severe, so I cut my dose down to 37.5 mg. No adverse reactions were noticed upon decreasing my dosage however, my side effects were unchanged. Last month I decided to take myself off of Effexor and was shocked... I immediately gained a huge appetite, my sex drive was out of control, haven't had a headache since, and night sweats are gone. I however was very lethargic. I gained apx ten pounds in the past month and social situations give me the chills. I want to try something, but Effexor is just not for me... I've tried many other anti-depressants in the past with no luck. Now I'm looking into holistic/natural ideas...does anyone have any advise??? | F | 29 | 3 days | 5/13/2009 | 3 | depression | withdrawal symptoms SEVERE when dose was only 2-3 hours late. I can tell within 1-2 hours that I must have missed a dose, stange feelings in my head, like electrical shocks, as others have reported. Take 150mg 1X day. | Done NOTHING for my anxiety. I am a RN, I know everyone responds differently to medication. I'm glad this drug has been a "life saver" for some of you. But, any drug that gives you such terrible withdrawal symptoms, for example, when you are only 2-3 hours late on the next dose, well that is NOT a drug I want to be on. I see my doctor tomorrow to discuss weaning off Effexor XR, 150mg daily, SLOWLY. I need something, but don't know what to ask my doctor for. Many primary care doctors just don't know what to prescribe. Please - what have you found helpful to ease withdrawal? I can not go through withdrawal and take care of my children. I physicaly will not be able. Please responed ASAP with any help, suggestions you might have. And I agree, WHY doesn't the doctor educate their patient about side effects-withdrawal BEFORE the patient takes the first pill? I've worked in the healthcare field for over 15 years, I just don't get it. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WILL MAKE A GOOD SWITCH WITH EFFEXOR XR???? Thank you!! | F | 48 | 3 days | 4/26/2009 | 3 | depression/anxiety | sweating, really weird dreams, headaches, twitches | F | 26 | 6 months | 6/19/2009 | 3 | anxiety | weight gain | I have had a lot of trouble getting off of Effexor | F | 29 | 1 years | 6/2/2008 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 3 | mood swings | weight gain, sleeplessness, memory problems; but my moods have leveled out and I haven't started smoking again! | I'm planning to get off this soon. I was put on it when I was diagnosed with breast cancer and quit smoking...thought it would be very short term...almost 2 years now...drs keep saying don't get off yet...I'm worried about how difficult it may be to get off | F | 52 | 20 months | 8/2/2008 | 3 | For Depression and Anxiety | Brief headache, increased sweating at night | Effexor has been fine in that it helped me function, but I've never actually felt like myself. No real bad side effects unless I missed a dose then I'd cry a lot. Still, it worked better than Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil. However, I'm now on 300mg and it's not working at all any more, and I'm really afraid of withdrawal. My doctor is immediately switching me from Effexor to Cymbalta because he says it's easier to withdraw from the latter. I've heard horror stories out there about that one too. Is there no drug that will help us? | F | 35 | 4 years | 8/27/2008 | 3 | depression | I want to get off this drug. If you miss a dose you get dizzy, confused, and have weird dreams. It is suppose to be not addictive but it has all the side effects of an addictive drug. I have gained weight and find it very difficult to lose it. I am tired most of the time, still depressed and very sad. I wish I did not take this drug. | F | 56 | 6 years | 7/13/2009 | 3 | Depression, anxiety, OCD | Absolutely no motivation and can sleep all day, weight gain, sweats, very weird dreams, weight gain, can’t remember nothing, weight gain, don’t know if I dreamt something or it really happened and did I mention WEIGHT GAIN! I gained a total of 50 lbs in the last 4 years on anti-depressants. | I am sooo confused.. These meds are made to make you feel better. In the beginning you start to feel better, but I wonder if it’s just a mind game. In the August of 2005, my life changed right before my eyes. I tried to kill myself because I could not handle everything. My husband and I decided I should get back on anti-depressants. It had been quite some years that I had taken them. I got on Zoloft and in time was up to 150mg. I felt better, but the weight gain was killing me. OK, now I don’t feel better, at least I think I do, but the way my body looks, makes me want to jump off a bridge and kill myself. Now I am right back where I started from. After time, I was tired of the weight gain and didn’t feel like the Zoloft was working for me anymore. I went to the Dr. and he switched me to Effexor XR. In no time, I was up to 150mg. Today, I have not lost any weight, just gained. AND to tell you the truth, I guess I really don’t feel any better, cause I am depressed about the way I look. I weigh more now, than when I was 9 mon. pregnant. I cry for everything. My family and I feel like now is my time to get off ALL anti- depressants. I hope with the LORD, my husband & family in my corner along with exercise, I will be able to beat these awful withdrawals everyone is talking about. I can’t be any more depressed off than I am on them, especially being FAT! Wish me luck.. | F | 33 | 2 years | 7/9/2009 | 3 | Depression/GAD | I've gone up to 225 and am having difficulty sleeping through the night. Sexual side effects - disinterest. Funny spacey-dizzy feeling if miss a dose or taper down faster than 35 mg decrements. | When I went down to 75mg I had a major depressive episode. | F | 43 | 5 years | 7/29/2009 |