EFFEXOR Reviews (VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE)

Average Rating: 3.0 (925 Ratings)

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 ANTIDEPRESSANTS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

EFFEXOR  (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: 1993-12-28 (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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RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR EFFEXORCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 2  Depression Vivid nightmares, trouble falling asleep, decreased sex drive, night sweats, weight gain, no significant increase in mood F 21 18 months
7/26/2006
 5  Depression Mild nausea if don't take with food, dizziness if miss a dose, mild tremor at first TAKE IT WITH FOOD AND IN THE MORNING - nausea and insomnia happen because people take it at night or without eating first, otherwise, worked great, gave me energy F 35 5 months
7/22/2006
 4  Depression Major loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, constipation The reason I logged on looking for comments is because I was curious how long the side effects would last? I can handle the loss of appetite and some sleep disturbance but not the constipation. I am surprised reading the comments about weight gain because since I started this medication I have had hardly any appetite at all. I also changed to this medicine from Prozac because of a decreased sex drive, so I hope I have an increase in sex drive like some of you note, and not a decrease. I have tried almost every antidepressant imaginable over the last 14 years. I have hope for this one reading the comments. F 28 9 days
7/19/2006
 2  Depression/Anxiety At first it made me very sleepy...but that discontinued after about a week. Also, if I don't take my dose at the same time each day...even if I'm just a few hours late...I get this weird swishy-brain feeling in my head. Once I take the pill, that feeling almost immediately goes away. NO libido AT ALL!!! (same as with Zoloft) I've taken various SSRI's including Paxil and most recently Zoloft. About 3 months ago, I tapered off the Zoloft and went up on the Effexor. I started at 37.5 mg, a week later went to 75 mg, and a week later 150 mg (which is my current dose). Since the time I've started it, I feel exactly the same as I did when I was taking Zoloft...apathetic, low energy, and absolutely NO interest in sex. Today, my psychiatrist gave me the option to continue going up on the Effexor, or start to taper off the Effexor and start Wellbutrin (which supposedly has no sexual side effects & gives you some energy...which I need!). I decided to go off the Effexor and try Wellbutrin. I've tried many drugs in the past (all combined with therapy)...Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Seroquel, Trazodone, & Effexor...and NOTHING has worked! I just am beginning to feel really disheartened by it all and like I'm immune to everything or something. Zoloft & Effexor are VERY bad for a person's libido...right now, F 30 3 months
7/14/2006
 4  depression, anxiety, panic dry mouth, erection and orgasm problems, numbness and tingling in the toes and hands, only sleep 3 hours a night and that is with taking ambien or lunesta, tremors, headache, ringing in the ears, sweats and chills, night sweats, acne breakouts, increased heart rate(100bpm at rest) and high blood pressure(138/98 at rest). effexor worked for my depression when i got to 150mg a day. side effects have been horrific. now trying to wean off with augmenting of prozac. hear prozac is just as hard to get off with alot of the same side effects. not a happy camper except that i don't want to become "worm bait" anymore. if anyone was really told about the side effects and withdrawl problems of this drug they would never start taking effexor. good luck to all of you and hopefully god will help me through this. M 2 months
7/9/2006
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 1  Clinical depression After two months and 15 extra pounds, I now have a high blood pressure reading for the first time in my life and also a high pulse rate. What I thought were rather late in life hot flashes are sweats from the medicine. I actually carry a fan in my purse at all times. My hair on the back of my neck often gets wet! Night sweats as well; wake up all clammy and have to put on a fresh night gown. NO MORE! My body is telling me to STOP. I have been on 225 mg. of Effexor as well as 150 mg Wellbutrin and 300 mg Wellbutrin XL. And now with these side effects from the Effexor, it is time to reevaluate. I can't even reach the psychiatrist who prescribed the Effexor, but my Internest said to drop one 75 mg Effexor and monitor my blood pressure. After reading everyone else' feedback...I am going to get off it no matter what it takes. I wish all of you well! F 63 2 months
7/5/2006
 1  seizure, depression, anxiety Continual and severe insomnia, extreme fatigue, confusion, stomache pain - constipation - gas, dry mouth This medication has helped with some of my seizure symptoms, but there must be another way to achieve this without the above side effects that are causing so much discomfort; the trade-off with effexor is not worth it for me. This med. is not for everyone. F 50 10 months
7/1/2006
 1  hysterectomy unbelievable how bad this experience was. I was very even keel when taking however gained 30 pounds in under a year (I am only 5'2") so I knew I had to stop taking before I blew up. The gradual "coming off" was the most awful experience in my life. Loss of memory, blurry vision, shakes, night sweats, "brain crashing" all of it, this went on for a month and to this day 7 months later I believe my poor vision (now wear bifocals) and stomach problems all stem from this horrific drug. Do your research and make sure your doctor knows this drug thoroughly, do not get it from an ob/gyn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would NEVER EVER recommend to anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! F 36 11 months
6/28/2006
 3  Depression Weight gain; vivid dreams; night sweats; loss of sex drive;mood swings Missing a pill sends me into huge mood swings - missing more than one pill makes me nautious and unable to stand due to dizziness and double vision. F 30 1 years
6/27/2006
 1  Anxious depression This drug made me crazy. Yes, I was crazy before, but not like I was on Effexor. I became agitated. I screamed and cussed at the sixth-grade kids I was teaching. Seriously. Both going on and coming off the drug were traumatic experiences. I guess I was just incompatible with this drug. F 26 2 weeks
6/26/2006
 5  anxiety disorder, depression first few weeks - unable to stay awake and vision tracers..... not really any long term effects that I can say for sure are from taking effexor, I have had some heart palpations in the last year and I have to get plenty of sleep I was a nervous child, OCD symptoms, wide mood swings, and had experienced a few panic attacks in my life. In feb 1996, I had a severe flu, and woke up one night towards the end of the flu in a panic attack that didn't go away. I was unable to do anything for myself - depression ensued. For the 1st time in my life, I saw a therapist & psych who tried a few other drugs that didn't work. As the weeks wore on, I saw a little improvement, but not much. In May, I started effexor. When I took the first pill, my body totally relaxed for the first time since february. Even with the effexor, it took me months to get well. I ended up at 375 mg, which I still take today, 10 yrs later. I think I had always needed something to make my brain right. I still feel, get sad, nervous, excited - but all at more normal amounts. I NEVER miss a dose. I have started worrying about extremely long term effects since it looks like I will take effexor for the rest of my life. I never even wanted F 42 10 years
6/25/2006
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 4  anxiety/depression The first day, I felt really loopy; like my head was floating above my shoulders (thank God I started on a weekend). This has pretty much stopped, but I feel tired in the afternoons. Weight loss (not very hungry at all), dry mouth, slight tingling feeling in fingers the first few days. Eyelids felt heavy (also lessened). This is the first anti-depressant I have ever taken so the side effects may have been worse on me. Feel a little weak from time to time. I can also get really spacey from time to time. I don't get as depressed. I feel better and more normal. I have only had depression the past 6 months and it was terrible. My anxiety has lessened, as well. I don't have the normal enthusiasm that I am used to, but I feel like this is slowly getting better too. F 27 14 days
6/22/2006
 1  Depression After second dose, felt horrid...Rapid heart rate, confusion, hallucinations, passed out in front of husband and children. Needed stitches in chin. Tried Zoloft and has worked great. Effexor was horrible drug for me. Couldn't believe the "wild caged animal feeling" it gave me. Worst night of my life! Thought I might actually have a heart attack at age 27! Start it slooooow and watch for side effects. Probably like any other drug it can work for some people. Worst thing I ever did was take it though. F 39 2 days
6/22/2006
 1  Anxiety Weight gain, lethargy, agitation and no libido. This drug is awful!! I began taking Effexor as a replacement for Zoloft, which made me a zombie. Effexor was no better than Zoloft and had the added side effect of agitation. Trying to wean off of Effexor was a NIGHTMARE! I had pain all over my body and suicidal thoughts, for the first time in my life. The daily withdrawl was worse than any panic attack. It took more than 4 months to completely get off of this drug. A more serious warning of the withdrawl symptoms needs to be made. F 43 6 months
6/17/2006
 3  Anxiety, depression Alot of sweating, nerves seem to never get in check, tired, sometimes even more anxiety. Tough drug to get use to. After reading all your comments I'am afraid to try and wean off. Overall this drug has helped me with my anxiety disorder, however I feel that all medicines should do good intead of harm. I just have my days. Some worse some good. My doc wanted to put me on 150mg but the side effects were worse than the benefit. M 27 2 years
6/13/2006
 5  depression I didn't sleep well at all for the first two nights; that has subsided. My blood pressure has increased A BIT but tends to be low so my doctor simply wants to keep an eye on it. I seem to have settled comfortable in 75 mg per day. The world is a kinder, gentler place now. My husband and children noticed an immediate change in me - for the better. I like the person who I am again. I'm not suicidal or so down in the dumps that I cannot go to work, function, etc. I think that my hormones have got the best of me and I haven't been myself for several years. Effexor seems to have brought me back to the old me and my entire household seems so much happier to have me back. My experience has been wonderful. F 47 5 weeks
6/12/2006
 1  panic attacks profuse sweating, weight gain, fatigue, nightmares I took it for 19 days. Dose 37.5 for 1 week then up to 75mg. could not tolerate side effects. lowered dose back to 37.5 for the last 5 days then quit. I am on day 55 of no Effexor and still experiences some withdrawal symptoms. Head swooshing, brain zaps and headaches. DON'T TAKE THIS STUFF!!! F 45 19 days
6/11/2006
 4  Generalized anxiety While on Effexor, I saw great improvement of my constant feelings of being "uneasy" or nervous for no reason. But, myself and my wife, especially, didn't like the fact that my orgasms would take 30-45 minutes if at all. Of course my wife, makes that all her fault that she can't please me and not due to the medication. After being on Effexor for 3 years I tappered off over the past week. I can orgasm now in 3 seconds or 3 minutes, but my anxiety has returned some and I feel frequent "tingling" sensations, itching and have had cold/flu like symptoms. I'm debating going back on, maybe a lower dose to see if it will still control the anxiety but let me cum in less than a very frustrating hour. M 40 3 years
6/10/2006
 2  Depression/Anxiety non-existent sex drive, weight gain (10-15lbs), more frequent migraines (especially if I miss a dose) While Effexor did help with my depression in the beginning, it never fully worked. Every few months I would get 'down' again and because getting off Effexor is so difficult, instead of trying another AD, my doctor suggested 'augmenting' the therapy. I ended up Lithium for about 9 months (which I stopped because of the side effects), and after that, he put me on Wellbutrin (again, side effects made it impossible to continue). He then prescribed yet ANOTHER drug that I never started taking. I'm trying to get off the Effexor but the side effects are so horrible when I lower my dose. I was talking as high as almost 300mg at one point and I'm down to 75mg but can't get lower without horrible side effects... F 26 18 months
6/10/2006
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 1  Depression and anxiety Nausea, weight gain (50 pounds), brain zaps, dizziness, sustained hypertension, tingling arm, headaches This should no longer be a drug of choice. It may work, but there has to be a better solution. This drug is addictive. It is very difficult to get off. F 46 6 years
6/10/2006

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