EFFEXOR Reviews (VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE)Average Rating: 3.0 (925 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare EFFEXOR with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Date added. 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 |
More on EFFEXOR: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR EFFEXOR | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 1 | SAD | Loss of Sex Drive | Fast acting against depression, felt better in a few days. However this was more than offset with a complete loss of sex drive and not being able to orgasm. | M | 29 | 5 days | 10/29/2004 | 4 | severe depression | Constipation, profuse sweating, feeling of invinsibility, loss or decrease of some emotions, especially fear, irritibility | I am on 225 mg of effexor and 300 mg of welbutrin. This mix makes me so calm at times, that when in an accident that totaled my truck and the other car involved, my heart rate never increased. I was so calm that after hitting the other car and running of the roadway I was able to pay attention to every detail of the accident and even downshifted my truck from 4th gear to 1st as my vehicle was out of control on the side walk and heading toward a fire hydrant. I will not back down to anyone. Sexually, I reach orgasm more quickly :( | M | 36 | 21 months | 10/28/2004 | 4 | depression | To begin with I had headaches and nausea. I forgot a tablet one day and did nothing but sweat buckets all night and had real lousy, lucid dreams. Decided to stop the 300mg and take myself down to 225mg - after about 2 weeks, I found I wasn't coping again and was really horrible to family and friends. Close friend took me to my GP and he wanted to put me back up to 300mg but I left there saying yes but not only stayed on the 225 but have also now reduced to 150mg. In reductions have had body tremors and headaches but nothing I can't live with. | Medication has been really good for me and without it I don't believe I could have coped as I have but just feel I want to come off them and try and | F | 41 | 7 months | 10/25/2004 | 5 | hot flashes | I have slept through the night since I took this drug and my hot flashes are reduced significantly. I used to go to bed and I would wake up every hour on the hour, sweating bullets - and now I go to bed and wake up the next morning. This has changed my life!!!! I think Effexor is amazing. I can't tell you that I have noticed a mood change but I will be a lot perkier just because I sleep. I have hot flashes still but they are minor most of the time. . | F | 53 | 21 days | 10/20/2004 | 1 | depression, panic attacks | I would love to be left alone for a few minutes in a locked room with ANY health care professional that states this is a safe drug. Absolutely NO ONE should consider this except as a desperate last ditch effort. ALL other drugs in its category should be tried first. I have talked to hundreds of people who have taken Effexor XR and only one is happy...but, she realizes she has to take it exactly on time or suffer the consequences and she accepts the other side effects. To me, the small benefits do not come near justifying the severe disabling side effects. I have been trying for 3 months to eliminate Effexor XR from my system. Down to counting grains in a capsule and taking a few every other day. And still the horrific side effects continue. I have joined a class action suit against the makers for NOT labeling this drug better and offering the warning that to MOST people, the side effects are common, severe, possibly disabling and lingering. Even months after discontinuing use. I realize that it can be useful to some, and I would not ask for it to be | F | 46 | 8 months | 10/20/2004 | 4 | dysthymia/major depressive episode | the first time i took effexor about 5 and half years ago was right after a major depressive episode. i took it for a few months and didn't think it was doing much, but i didn't have any side effects. i stopped taking it cold turkey so my doctor could get me on a SSRI asap, and i felt like crap. body tremors that started from the head down (feels like a slight electric shock. we called them head zaps) and nausea that is so bad that only migraine nausea is worse, and also sweats and cold sweats. people were asking if i was on drugs. took two different SSRI's before returning back to Effexor. I've been taking effexor now again for just over 2 years and didn't think i had any side effects, but recently found out that my | Effexor helped me get out of my major depressive episode and helps me get through daily life, like going to work, etc. It also helps me not be irritable, which was the worst part about my depression (being mean and nasty to your family is not nice, espeically when they are great ppl and just want to help). the one thing i find is that it keeps me balanced pretty well, but the couple weeks during my | F | 24 | 2 years | 10/17/2004 | 4 | depression....caused by thyroid | I have gained 20 lbs since last oct while taking this medicine. I am thirsty alot, have weird dreams at times. It has helped my depression a lot though but wish I could lose the weight. | F | 28 | 1 years | 10/16/2004 | 5 | Depression | When missed normal dose for 2 days, noticed dizziness, mild nausea, tingling in fingers/arms. This was true even though I was able to take half my regular dose late in day for those 2 days. | Remarkably free of side effects when taken regularly. I had been on Zoloft for 5 years and effectiveness was waning. So Effexor effectiveness was a big relief. | F | 46 | 3 months | 10/15/2004 | 1 | Depression | numbness of arms, back of the neck, and legs. DONT TAKE THIS DRUG. I thought I had some weird disease that caused this effect. I went through MRIs and blood tests only to find out this drug caused numbness. I came home from college, and I have to explain to my teachers that this drug has caused me living hell. Oh and I cant wait for the withdrawl because like everyone else, this drug causes dizziness, and every other horrible side effect possible. | this drug has made my life living hell. If you life pain take this drug for a month, then stop. | F | 21 | 8 months | 10/15/2004 | 3 | for after a misscarriage.. postpart | headaches,tiredness,,,generally not caring.. no sex drive | F | 36 | 8 months | 10/14/2004 | 4 | anxiety/depression | no problems while taking it, but after skipping even one dose its hell and gets worse as skipping continues. wild vivid dreams, hot/cold flashes, cold night sweats, mild headache, light sensitivity(i wore sunglasses inside lol what a geek), eye pain, depression. most noticably extreme anxiety, concentration difficulty, dizziness and light-headedness, confusion, irritablity, fatigue. i dont recommend driving after skipping although i do anyway... makes you a zombie | i ran out of the pills 3 days ago and couldn't figure out what was wrong (i figured it would go away) but eventually figured out what was causing it. very interesting dreams and all but i'll pass on that... the nightmarishness kinda ruin your day. it really is strange/scary to have both mental and physical problems so in tune with each other all at once.. i don't understand why the side effects are so much worse than seems to be with other meds. im only taking 75 mg. enough complaining; in any case it works great the rest of the time but im traumatized by the realization that i'm so at the mercy of this medicine | F | 18 | | 10/12/2004 | 1 | depression | Withdrawal from this medication is horrendous. | Be prepared for horrendous withdrawal symptoms that include: vertigo and subsequent nausea for three weeks or longer, even when tapering off; horrific dreams; severe anxiety; frequent crying episodes for no apparent reason; and hot spells. The vertigo is by far the most disconcerting. When I stopped taking Prozac and Serzone, withdrawal was minimal if anything. Withdrawing from Effexor has been one of the most difficult things I've ever experienced. If your doctor prescribes Effexor, do NOT take it. There are other medications that work just as well or better and do not have the horrendous withdrawal symptoms. | F | 35 | 2 years | 10/12/2004 | 5 | For hot flashes (taking Tamoxifen) | Tight jaw | My hot flashes were unbearable and Effexor has helped tremendously. I'm worried about future withdrawal symptoms as I've read about a lot of people complaining about this. | F | 47 | 3 weeks | 10/11/2004 | 4 | depression | My heart rate rose to over 120 resting. This is why I stopped taking it. | It was great for the depression but I couldn't stand my heart racing out of my chest. | F | 21 | 3 months | 10/8/2004 | 3 | depressions | sleepiness | F | 45 | 3 months | 10/6/2004 | 5 | Night Terrors/Anxiety | None other than some weight gain until I miss a dose then I have bad/wierd dreams again and feel | This medicine has been a lifesaver for me and I do not plan to ever stop taking it. It is important to take it at the same time each day and not miss a dose. | F | 41 | 2 years | 10/1/2004 | 3 | depression/anxiety | Night sweats headaches | My doctor and I have decreased my doses over the last month and I have not taken any Effexor for two weeks. My depression is fine, but the withdrawal symptoms are unbearable. Constant headaches, a disconnected feeling. | F | 27 | 2 years | 10/1/2004 | 3 | Depression and Fibromylagia | NIGHT SWEATS that drench even the matress pad. So bad that I now have to take another medicine to defeat the sweats. Feel like it shouldn't be necessary that in order to take 1 med you have to take another to combat side effects. Worried about coming off the Effexor if needed because of this site and my current mental state..... | F | 40 | 7 months | 10/1/2004 | 3 | Mild depression/anxiety | nausea, feeling | I really think that it will help me but after I've read all these horrible comments about the withdrawals, I'm not so sure I should continue to take it. It's kind of scary, but before this medicine, I was constantly pissed off and angry, and stressed about every little thing. I want to be like I used to and I want to be a wonderful mommy. Any suggestions on if I should continue taking this?? | F | 23 | 2 days | 9/23/2004 | 5 | Depression | Major Insomnia... sleep 2-3 hours at a time. Wild, vivid, dreams. | The insomnia has been bearable, and worth taking the Effexor. I am much more able to function normally. I've just started being treated for insomnia with the drug Trazodone. I am going to be on antidepressants all my life, and I have been through many treatments, and so far, this is the best... keep up the good work, all you scientists out there. | F | 35 | 2 days | 9/20/2004 |