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)

  

Results are sorted by Date added.

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
 
 5  Depression Initially sweating like a piggy day and night but days sweats disappeared after 4 weeks. Agonizing Clitoral priapism, Hair loss, deep sleep and long detailed wild dreaming. Constipation and flatulence. The side effects of Effexor suck and I have to deal with them everyday but the benefits of it make it worth it. This has really helped me manage my depression which had become unbearable. In the past I had problems with opiate addiction and Effexor seemed to really "click" with my brain the same way opiates did and the good feeling from Effexor is similar to the good feelings from opiates. I had always had a lot of pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia even though my doctor had never wanted to officially diagnose me with it and Effexor improved them as well. The side effects are pretty lousy ones but to finally be pain free and feeling very happy make them tolerable. Even though I had been off opiates for 2 years I still had a longing and craving for them and that went away completely with the Effexor as well. F 35 4 months
300mg 1X day
11/21/2011
 1  Depression This drug caused Cervical Dystonia (a neurological condition of the neck) as well as drowsiness, so I stopped taking it. Due to the aforementioned side effects, I stopped taking the drug. I heard that it is hard to come off of as well. M 49 1 days
25 MG 1X day
10/25/2011
 1  Depression & Anxiety Insomnia, weird dreams, tingling in the side of my head, horrible sweating, irritability, The medication was a nightmare to come off of. I wouldn't recommend this medicine to anyone. This was the worst time of my life. I honestly thought I was loosing my mind on this med. F 33 365 days
75mg 1X day
10/18/2011
 1  (Mis-)diagnosed depression... Became a "crazy all-season" SWEAT FACTORY; had VIVID DREAMS but not necessarily worrying dreams (nothing violent thank goodness); LOWER LIBIDO for first year, LOWER SEXUAL FUNCTION for first year (i.e. taking a looooong time to orgasm...so bad that couldn't orgasm through previously awesome oral sex/ BJ from wife); this DIFFICULT SEXUAL EPISODE was followed by "normal" sexual activity after that...but once I DROPPED the Effexor I was able to orgasm as I could not remember EVER having done before...and ORAL was once again FANTASTIC and FAST...not a bad thing always!! I JUST came off generic Effexor after 8 years of so. I believe I was misdiagnosed with depression by primary physician when REALLY I have AD/HD (attentive type - i.e. ADD). After a couple of false starts on dropping Effexor, I finally worked down reducing my dose by 3/4 to a half of prescribed dose by dividing my pills...finally getting down to 1/8th of dose before dropping it entirely. M 36 8 years
75mg 2X day
9/26/2011
 4  Cyclothymia On Effexor XR (32.5 mg) I had awful mood swings- mostly uncontrollable anger. I was also constipated, and if I took the XR after 3pm I wouldn't be able to sleep. However, I switched to 25mg Effexor (not extended release), and it works wonderfully. I sleep fine, no mood swings, no GI problems. I feel like my old self! The only side effect I have is teeth/jaw clenching after taking the pill. If Effexor XR doesn't work, try the plain old Effexor! It was life changing. I was terrified of this drug (I'm allergic to zoloft, wellbutrin, and celexa) but gave it a shot. F 22 1 months
25mg 1X day
9/21/2011
 3  major depression and anxiety In first few weeks I noticed my depression was getting better, but over time still have no desire to get out of this house. I have major issue with sweating, sleeping, and weight gain. I have decided to contact my doctor to change to something else. F 42 5 months
150 1X day
6/5/2011
Email
 1  anxiety I feel nausea, head is pounding, spacey, couldn't go to work, felt like I need to vomit, coughing, panic, feel eyes are wide open starring, couldn't fall asleep when I finally did I woke up feeling more nausea and spacey ringing in the ears. When I tried to fall asleep it was sort of like anesthesia but never falling asleep Called the pharmacy and he confirmed side effect, called doctor and she said I was having a panic attack which is why the meds were prescribed. This was worse than the original incident of distorted vision which lasted less than 5 minutes. I was to start on a low dose and then in a week double the dose, There was no calming effect from this drug. I cannot take it any more. F 57 1 days
37.5 mg 1X day
5/19/2011
 1  depression, GAD, panic attacks This crap made me feel like I was on speed! eyes felt popped open, irritability, shakiness, extreme heartburn, felt like My chest & neck were wrapped in an ace bandage, brain zaps, shortness of breath, & so many more side effects. I took only 2 doses of this at its lowest dose & I ended up in the damn ER! I felt like I had been poisoned. I don't recommend this drug to anyone unless you have a death wish! F 23 1 days
1X day
5/17/2011
Email
 5  Anxiety Eye twitching, No libido This has been a miracle drug for me. I'm low dose. The first three weeks I had a metallicaly taste, paranoia, forgetfullness. After that I'm doing great. Lots of energy, sleeping well, exercising, lost all the weight I put on, things arent a hastle and I have no fears or anxieties. My eye twitches whenever I hear loud noises or theres anything unpleasant going on, I can live with that and the little libido I had is gone, also not a concern. I'm also a bit careless but then I dont care so it's all good. I have no intentions of getting off of this drug or upping the dosage. I'm very happy and uncharacteristically outgoing. Everyone is different when it comes to how something works. F 30 65 days
low 1X day
5/16/2011
Email
 1  Depression/anxiety Increased anxiety. Terrible migraines and vomiting. Unbelievable overheating, sweating and fainting. feeling suicidal, complete loss of libido, extreme tiredness I usually ignore the more common side effects, dry mouth, stomach problems etc as just run of the mill, something we folk just have to put up with when taking these kind of meds. I have tried quite a few different meds, they start out ok, slowly stop having an effect, dose is gradually increased over time till I'm changed to a new med. Effexor has been the same pattern it has now stopped working, my doctor wont remove me off this drug. so I will remove myself. Counting out the little white beads and reducing it by 37.5mg per week, which should take 8 weeks by my calculations. The side effects whilst on it has been horrific, it has affected my work and generally my quality of life with my family. I have never had any side effects to such an extreme on any other crazy meds before. Side effects whilst coming off - unkown at this point! F 43 1 years
150mg 2X day
5/13/2011
 4  Anxiety/Depression For the first few months, I would wake up very sweaty, but that has ceased. I really can't say anything else is very prominent as far as side effects. The most prominent effect of this med is the ability it has improved my ability, perspective, on being able to better slow my mind so I am able to better analyze what I have done something, or am doing at the present time. I am increasing the dosage again after being at 75mgs for months. It did not stop working!!! And I could care less what a pain it is to stop taking!!! M 53 8 months
50 1X day
5/4/2011
 1  depression extreme weight gain, worsen depression, suicidal thoughts and terrible withdrawal When I first started the drug it took my appetite away, but eventually I got some of my appetite back, but even with less of an appetite I gained 15 lbs in two months of taking this stuff, including extreme water weight gain. I decided to come off because it was making my depression worse and I didn't need to gain anymore weight, and the withdrawals from this stuff is a nightmare and I was only on it five months, at only 37.5mg. I have been officially off it for about three weeks and I'm still have brain shocks and diarrhea. NEVER again will I take this poison. F 38 5 months
1X day
4/12/2011
 4  Depression None I know of This med did not work at twice my current dose. Side effects at 150mg per day were flu like and not effective for depression. Lower dose is much better. I have missed doses and have felt none of the effects people complain about here. Cry babies or pharm workers. It's a good drug. M 48 4 months
37.5mg 2X day
4/9/2011
Email
 1  chronic pain, depression, anxiety INFLAMMATION: SKIN, EZCEMA, CYSTITIS BLADDER, RESPIRATORY, ALLERGIES. KELOID SCARRING, SKIN PURPURA, PETECHIA. BLOOD NOT CLOTTING. SKIN BECAME LOOSE, SAGGING, VERY DRY. SIDE EFFECTS WERE VAGUE & CAME ON SLOWLY. FELT I HAD AGED 20 YEARS. F 60 10 years
300 mg 1X day
3/21/2011
 1  treat migraine & chronic depression awful withdrawal symptoms after a missed dose; upon trying to quit this drug under a doctor's supervision, same withdrawal symptoms. They continue long after cessation of this drug's use-- for months, in my case (for some people, years). My withdrawal (discontinuation) symptoms are neurological (painful and severely troubling sensations in brain) and others are emotional-- hopelessness, rage, aggression, anxiety, crying. DO NOT accept a prescription for this drug without being willing to take the risk of serious and protracted withdrawal (discontinuation) effects. Many, many doctors are ignorant about this issue and will assure you it is safe. Research "effexor withdrawal" on Google so that you can see what actual consumers of Effexor have experienced both on and off the drug, including loss of employment (from frequent absences due to Effexor) and permanent injury and loss. F 55 9 years
150mg 1X day
3/20/2011
 3  masturbated every hour all day and dry ejactulate M 34 6 years
250 1X day
3/17/2011
 1  anxiety 30 minutes after taking I felt like I was going to throw up,15 minutes later I did.After that it was all down hill.Very dizzy and felt like I couldnt walk,RLS,jaw clenching,my eyes feel like they are open very wide,increased anxiety,numb sensation in toes,I cant think straight,when I try to say something my words get jumbled up,and emoitionless This is only the first day I have only taken 1 pill and I took it at 7 am and its 4pm and I still feel weird.I hate this feeling and I want oit to go away NOW!I really hope I feel better soon!Ive taken all kinds of different antidepressants and I have never felt this before. I am not going to continue this horrible drug. F 28 1 days
37.5 1X day
3/10/2011
 5   No Libido, Brain is tranquil. I started effexor at a very low dose and slowly increased the level from 37.5 to 75 and continued to increase to a comfortable level. I have stopped taking the drug by tapering off as well. I have tried many popular anti-depressants and find Effexor is the best for me. Everytime I stop taking this drug, I come to the same conclusion-I will need to take this until I find something better. I also take Wellbutrin in combination and highly recommend the combination. I used to love smoking cigarettes. Started smoking at 10 and stopped when I was 31. I went back to smoking for 2 years after not smoking for 8 years. Now I don't like smoking anymore-this is from wellbutrin perhaps. The combination works well for me personally and can easily get off the drug when I decide to. I have stopped at least 3 times. I always come back. My girlfriend is very upset about my lack of sexual drive. Diabetes doesn't help. No erections or ejaculation. It is better than depression and anger. M 50 10 years
150 2X day
2/10/2011
Email
 4  depression/anxiety little libido I actually felt quite normal and life was ok but I missed feeling sexual so I cut back to 75 mg but was then sleeping more and less interested in life, so I thought I could deal with depression just not anxiety so I went off it slowly while taking buspar and natural seritonin enhansors. But I wasn't consistant and eventually crashed and was suicidal so ended up in hospital. They put me on Remeron which has no sexual side effect but I have been on it for 5 weeks plus the busparine for anxiety and I don't like how I feel and mornings are difficult to get up and do anything. Am going back to the doctor and get on effexor again. M 65 3 years
150 1X day
2/1/2011
Email
 5  anxiety tiredness in the morning F 40 1 days
150mg 1X day
1/11/2011

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