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 |
| 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Major Dep. & Borderline Personality | Emotional Numbness towards other peoples feelings, Obsessively stuck when feeling bad (depressive, but not as severe as off meds), Light Sensitivity (severe causing migranes), I could sleep all day, no motivation, Blurred vision, Memory issues, concentration issues, increased anxiety, vivid and bad dreams (wake up confused and unsure where I am), irritability - and all of this is amplified 10X when dose is missed PLUS mania, impulsive thoughts, high suicidal thoughts, self harm increase, nauseau, extreme dizziness, brain/body zaps (and that is an understatement), tremors | My dose is rather high, 375 mg daily. I am terrified of withdrawal, which is what keeps me taking them every day, but my depression causes me to want to "give up" and I will sabotage myself, missing my dose, making me sick. My self harm issue has been kept under control when I am taking the medication daily and my emotional down times are decreased quite a bit, but all of the bad things that come along with these meds almost aren't worth it. I wouldn't recommend this medication solely for the withdrawal symptoms. I am afraid that I will be on EFFEXOR XR permanently because I don't think I would survive withdrawal from stopping. Either that, or I will be hospitalized. These are scarey, scarey pills! | F | 38 | 3 years | 9/30/2009 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 1 | Suicidal and Homicidal ideations | Dry mouth, cold sweats, clenching of the teeth, increased iron deficiency (already suffered from anemia) sleepyness, increased nightmares, hard time remembering things, weight gain. was raised from 75 mg to 225 mg and became apathetic and uninterested in participating in social events of any kind. | After getting off of it, i felt ill and drowsy, sometimes dizzy. | F | 16 | 5 months | 5/24/2008 | 1 | De pression | headaches, nausea, no feelings whatsoever. Worst drug EVER to come off of - took 4 weeks for the "discontinuation syndrome" to start to wear off and that was with weaning down to 37.5 first. | HORRIBLE DRUG. I don't think doctors should be allowed to prescribe this unless they take it for a couple months and then successfully get off of it. Brain zaps, watermelon head feeling, nausea, vertigo, brain fog...the inability to care about absolutely anything - horrible. I switched to Wellbutrin XL and it's been the best change ever....once the Effexor withdrawal finally ended that is. Good luck to anyone trying to get off of this drug - if you're about to start it - you have to decide that you'll take it for the rest of your life - really did nothing for my mood either except for the total mind dulling - I was still depressed. Good luck to all | F | 27 | 7 months | 5/26/2008 | 1 | depression | blurry vision, confusion | an evil drug that brain damaged my emotions...i don't care about anything i was supposed to FEEL now i feel nothing all i want to do is disappear from this life | F | 48 | 4 months | 3/31/2009 | 1 | anxiety and insomnia | I was taking 87.5 for 2 weeks. Immediatly felt increased anxiety. Woke up every morning at 4am. even after taking an Ambien CR. Stopped cold turkey after 2 weeks and had dry heaves and flu like symptoms. After 4 days I feel much better and sleep so much better. Anxiety is way less. What in the heck??? NEVER AGAIN!! | I really wanted to give this a chance, but it made me a wreck. Not worth it! | F | 55 | 2 days | 2/27/2009 | 1 | Adjustmnent Disorder | Nausea, dizziness, loss of memory short and long term, slurred speech, numbness in fingers and extremities, ability to concentrate, dry mouth, increase in sex drive, MASSIVE withdrawal effects when missed dose,and when trying to get off of it, anxiety, intrusive suicidal thoughts, hopelessness, loss of inhibitions, electric zaps to whole body, muscle aches, headaches, dry heaving, light sensitivity, | This is the worst drug ever, it made me worse, and now I cant stop taking it without SEVERE withdrawal side effects. I would not recommend this to anyone. | F | 40 | 9 months | 2/24/2009 | 1 | Depression/Anxiety | inability to focus, loss of interest, fatigue, headaches, weight gain(15pounds), and extreme nausea, dizziness, migraine, and brain zaps when trying to come off drug. | In my opinion, it's the worst drug ever. I started off losing a bit of weight due to a loss of appetite but then after the first 2 weeks I could hardly stop myself from devouring everything in sight. I ended up gaining 15 lbs. Then came the blahness. I couldn't get motivated to do anything. I quit several clubs teams that I was apart of at school because I was just too tired and disinterested to participate. My grades have also suffered. I also get terrible migraines that last for weeks. And the withdrawal is the worst. Just after the first day of not taking the drug I began to experience extreme nausea and dizziness. Oh, and how can I forget those fun brain zaps! And after all of that it has only made my depression worse. My anxiety is under control but the side effects in this case outweigh the benefits. | F | 15 | 4 months | 5/3/2008 | 1 | Mild Depression | The withdrawls are devestating. I can't stop taking this drug! | I wish I would have never started taking this horrible, horrible drug. | F | 27 | 5 years | 5/1/2008 | 1 | Depression | Now that I've been on it many years I am developing new problems including, liver, substantial weight gain, not being able to work, pressure in my head. And still have some of the old problems night sweats, insomnia, nausea. | This drug is terrible, it has taken my quality of life and my children have lost a healthy mom. My Dr.put me on it to help me cope while my husband was deployed over seas with the military. If you start taking it for any length of time you will have to take it for the rest of your life, approx 2 months ago I tried to go off because I didn't have health insurance and I couldn't afford the scrip. By the 5th day I was in excruciating pain, like someone was sticking my finger in a light socket and electrocuting me. And threw the years I have also had these electrical shocks if I miss a dose. This is bad stuff and no matter what I've tried I go back. I've weaned myself down to 37.5 MG daily. And hoping a solution is found. I personally feel the drug company should be responsible for those wanting to get off. They should have to absorb the cost of an in treatment center where a physician can be present at all times to help you threw the withdrawals. | F | 38 | 7 years | 12/17/2008 | 1 | Depression, Anxiety | While on 225mg, i was experiencing muscle twitching,(eyes& around mouth area)leg jerks and other movements that were involantory, weight gain and if i did not take it soon after i woke- brain 'zaps' and a feeling like there was water sloshing around my head. Also 'sausage fingers', derealisation and weird expierences at night time like someone was sitting on me and i was paralysed. I stopped taking this med, the s/effects got worse before they eventually stopped, after 2 mths. I still get an odd twitch. | Why do drs/psychs give out this med at high doses without telling patients all this- about side effexor? I do suffer from depression & anxiety badly, but came off this med myself as i didnt feel any different on it than i do off all anti-d's, and the s/effects were too much to bear. I have not self harmed since i came off it, while on it i had strong urges to that i gave into a few times. I have not told my drs about coming off it, as they never listen anyway! I am much happier without this in my system. | F | 38 | 1 years | 1/29/2009 |