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 |
| 5 | Social anxiety disorder | Dizziness the first 2 days and feeling yucky in the evening, vivid dreams, yawning, dilated pupils, night sweats for a few days. | Moved from paxil to effexor. I immediately stopped the paxil and started the effexor -- no paxil withdrawals. Paxil had made me a sleepy hungry slob who could not have an orgasm (It took about an hour to ejaculate, therefore getting off sexually was tiring, frustrating, and not practical). Effexor has been excellent. Much more effective for me than the paxil was, and without the horrendous side effects. I hear some people find effexor too activating to be used for anxiety. In my case, I disagree with that very much. This med has blasted SSRI's out of the water with regards to side effects and symptomatic control of anxiety in social settings. I am not emotionally flat nor zombie-like on this med. Keep a few caps stashed away somewhere. You have to be responsible while taking this med. Keep to the routine. It's like the insulin of psych meds, you do not want to be caught without it on short notice. The withdrawals can and will be a nightmare if you are not careful with this med. | M | 22 | 1.5 months 150 mg 1X day | 6/27/2013 | 5 | Depression/Social phobia/Pain | None, because I take my dose everyday at the same time in the morning and that I'm a responsible person. | Very useful for chronic pain and social phobia. Before Effexor XR, I was avoiding social situations and I was so nervous in public. It also helps my depression and anxiety but if I increase my dose above 150 mg, it has the opposite effect and I become wired and emotionless. It's more effective than SSRIs beside Prozac. I tried Zoloft, Celexa, Paxil, Lexapro, and I felt like a lethargic zombie. | M | 37 | 3 years 150 1X day | 6/12/2016 | 5 | Dysthymia/Social phobia | Increased sweating, initial fatigue, insomnia, decreased alertness, weight loss (9 lbs) | Effexor XR saved my life. I can function normally and went back to work full time. It is a miracle drug for my social anxiety and I am way more sociable. My mood increased after 1 month and it keeps going up everyday. I can enjoy activities I like again and my motivation is better. I am more active and go to the gym. My self confidence is way higher, but I can even become arrogant, so I have to work on that. I take along with Wellbutrin SR 150 mg 2x daily, Vyvanse 60 mg and Lamictal 50 mg. Thats a good combo for me. | M | 37 | 7 weeks 150 mg 1X day | 8/30/2016 | 5 | Anxiety | Weight gain of 30 lbs over 3 years. Stabilized now. Increased thirst. Side effects I can live with. All in all this drug has helped me greatly. | Works for me. | M | 52 | 3 days 150 1X day | 8/10/2020 | 5 | Depression, suicidal ideation | Loss of interest in sex, occasional upset stomach, hot flashes/sweating (worse at first, now maybe for a few minutes a few times a week), decreases alcohol tolerance | The sexual side effects are a bummer, but overall my experience with this drug has been fantastic. I went very quickly from being in a dark place and on the verge of suicide to feeling hopeful, grateful, and patient with myself and others, all in the midst of a pandemic and general national and personal chaos. I wish I had started this ages ago. it feels amazing to me now how much energy I was expending just to get through the day before. Cutting down on sex and drinking feels like a small price to pay for a functioning brain. | M | 34 | 4 months 150 MG 1X day | 10/15/2020 | 5 | GAD, SAD, Panic Disorder | Brain Zaps, Increased Nervousness for the first 5-6 weeks starting the Effexor XR. | I am now, sadly, having to taper off of Effexor XR due to getting side effects from it, probably my brain finally got used to the drug after 12 years. Going to try Cymbalta and if that does not help then I'm going back to this drug. It saved my life basically. | M | 42 | 12 years 187.5 mg 1X day | 11/23/2023 | 5 | Depression/Anxiety | stomache upset, sleeplessness (when taken at night so I switched to mornings) dry mouth | I've been on Paxil, Remeron, Sinequan, and Tofranil and Effexor seems to be the most helpful for me. | M | 43 | 1 years | 1/11/2005 | 5 | Depression | Not worth mentioning! Nothing comapered to depression! | This drug seems to be sent directly from god! I'v tried all of other AD-s with zero response. This worked in a week. And those, who complane about the drug, please keep you're word to youreself! People respond very different to drugs and if you werent lucky dont mistaken other's!!! It has saved many many lives! Allways remember, there is light at the end of the tunnel!!! Good luck to you all! Be sure, you'll find the right AD, just keep looking. | M | 20 | 1 weeks | 1/7/2005 | 5 | depression | the first two weeks had a dry mouth and dry stool. Also felt very lethargic but it is starting to subside. | I had read alot of negativity about this drug before taking it and was somewhat scared of the side effects. Having taken it now for a month I couldn't imagine living life how i did before. The side effects were minimal and very manageable. Before taking this medication i would have had extreme difficulting coming up with this short description. Now my mind is alot clearer and i look forward to starting a new day. Life saver! | M | 21 | 4 weeks | 1/7/2005 | 5 | GAD and depression | First few days mental confusion, memory loss, hard to put thoughts together. I started at 37.5 mg, then 75, and now at 150 mg. The side effects are non-existant now. I recommend taking a week or two off work when beginning to take this medication for the first time. | This is absolutely the best anti-depressant on the market! I do not feel any fatigue like I did with Paxil CR. I feel very normal and I can feel it in my voice when I talk. I am enthusiastic about life now and can get up and tackle things. I highly recommend this medication for people that can't seem to find the right one. Effexor works differently than Paxil. I was on Paxil CR 12.5 mg and quit it cold turkey and went on Effexor. Paxil worked for awhile but I just did not feel like myself and always fatigued as well. Effexor is now the one!! | M | 33 | 3 months | 1/8/2005 | 5 | severe depression | dizziness when standing after bending down. reduced sex drive and difficulty is reaching orgasm. | It took 6 weeks to take full effect. Started with 37.5mg and now on 225mg. | M | 56 | 5 months | 1/20/2005 | 5 | tremors | M | 44 years | 2/21/2005 | 5 | depression | extremely vivid dreams... actually very detailed, complex and rather bizarre, but entertaining. NO dream analysis could ever explain them, but never nightmares.I remembered them clearly when awake. | No other side effects. I had experienced a tragedy that eventually produced a deep depression much like post-traumatic stress syndrom. This medication helped a great deal.I felt much better and able to cope after 3 weeks. Previous to medication, I was not able to function, cried continuously without reason. Not sure where I'd be if I had not begun this treatment. | M | 45 | 8 months | 3/28/2005 | 5 | Depression | Side effects were minimal, just a slight headache for the first 7-10 days. | This drug has been fantastic for me. I had been on Lexapro, which helped with anxiety at the 10mg dose, but when it was increased to 20mg to deal with the depression, it was horrible and made the depression worse. Doctor put me on the Effexor and although I have not been on it long, I can honestly say I can't remember feeling this good in a long time. I used to sleep 10 -12 hours a day and still needed naps. I did not want to socialize or even do anything with my wife or kids. Since being on the Effexor, I have great energy, feel completely rested after only 6-7 hours of sleep. I am having a blast with my kids, and it's like a new day for my marriage. I have seen a lot of comments about sexual side effects, but luckily I have not had any. Actually quite the contrary as now I have much more interest and energy. | M | 40 | 3 months | 4/13/2007 | 5 | Depression/panic attacks | loss of sexual drive, slight brain zap | This drug has worked tremendously for me. At lower doses it did not really affect me. I had taken 75mg for 2 years but really noticed a difference when I increased to 225mg. Now on 300 and I feel the world better. | M | 25 | 6 years | 6/27/2007 | 5 | Depression and Anxiety | No side effects -- other than brainzaps if I miss a day. | I was on Paxil and Serzone, neither of which was really effective for me. I've been on Effexor-XR for almost 10 years and it's great. Depression and anxiety is well controlled and no longer a problem and I have a life! I ocassionally get stressed from work -- but then who doesn't. I understand that it can be difficult to get off. The only side effect I notice are the brainzaps when I skip a day. Everyone responds differently, but my life would not be the same without Effexor. | M | 61 | 10 years | 9/11/2007 | 5 | Panic Attacks, Social Anxiety, GAD | occassional headache, delayed ejaculation ( a plus), easier to sweat, mild raise in blood pressure | In terms of panic and anxiety, this drug has been a miracle for me. My panic attacks were terrible and induced agoraphobia. This medication has been the cure. I have come off this medication before and did not experience the withdraw problem many speak of. Effexor has only provided mild relief of my depression. | M | 24 | 3 months | 4/13/2007 | 5 | Depression-What Else Is It Good For | ----------------------------------NONE------------It Just Works ! | I NEVER EVER Have Had A Problem Quiting Anything---I Also Take Vicidon And 270 MG Of Morphene A Day---I See NO Reason Why Any Body Should Not Be Able To Drop Anything---I Could Quit Any Of The Above Products If I Was Told To---I Have Taken The Above For Years And Have Quit Fo 2 Mo. At A Time To Prove To My Self I Could---I Take The Above To Help My (Art Right Us)If You Are Told To Quit JUST DO IT ! | M | 71 | 3 months | 6/13/2007 | 5 | life improvement | At first minor breif headaches,now none, sex drive back..I have put myself on a normal diet lost that 30 lbs my other SSRI packed on me.Right now feel like I will see 170 again. ((Another SSRI killed my sex/ejaculation and I gained 30 pounds 261 heavy weight)) | Funny how one SSRI may cause certain side effects on one person and completely different ones on another,weird stuff ain't it. I tried five meds before I hit gold with effexor 75 mg.per day,keep on tring maybe you'll find one that does your mind good..... | M | 43 | 5 months | 5/28/2007 | 5 | Depression/OCD- negative obsessions | Stomach problems early on: bloating, nausea, constipation. These disappeared after a few weeks. No side effects now accept for yawning. | I have been taking 75mg dosage for a year now and it has greatly improved my depression. The negative obsessive thoughts playing over and over in my head have disappeared completely. I have not experienced any sexual side effects. I was on a 100mg dose of Zoloft prior to taking Effexor and it completely crushed my sex drive. I no longer have that sense of dread every morning and I am able to handle the stress of daily life. I would definitely recommend Effexor XR. | M | 32 | 1 years | 5/20/2007 |