EFFEXOR XR Reviews (VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE)

Average Rating: 3.0 (2225 Ratings)

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 ANTIDEPRESSANTS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

EFFEXOR XR  (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: 1997-10-20 (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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More on EFFEXOR XR: Reviews Summary  |  Drug Safety Information

RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR EFFEXOR XRCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 3  depression, social anxiety Racing/pounding heartbeat, sweating, loss of appetite, slightly decreased sex drive, insomnia, intermittent tremors/numbness in extremities Side effects are only slightly less bothersome 7 weeks into taking it. Concerned about heartbeat as cardiac problems and high blood pressure are prominent on both sides of my family. F 33 7 weeks
11/25/2003
 4  Panic attacks and depersonalization Initially some tremors, jaw clenching, and fatigue. Not bad though. The fatigue is still there a bit. The only annoying thing is the increased sweating, but it's worth it to be rid of the panic. It stopped the panic attacks and depersonalization in about 2 weeks. M 50 3 months
11/24/2003
 3  depression/generalized anxiety dizzy flashes when you miss even a single dose, no sexual desire, frequent yawning Effexor XR did help with the anxiety and depression. I've tried other anti-depressants (zoloft, serzone) and Effexor XR was the only med that didn't make me feel like an emotionless zombie. I advise anyone considering going on this drug to KNOW the withdrawl symptoms. I've heard that they're harsh and last for weeks. You can expect lots of dizziness and nausea when coming off this drug. Do your research! The withdrawl symptoms are similar to those of Paxil. F 23 2 years
11/21/2003
 3  Major Depression, anxiety Unbearable constant extreme sweating and night sweats. Insomnia, no energy, irregular heartbeat, chest pains. Dry mouth, weight loss. Dizziness and nausea if I'm late with a dose. I am on 375 mg and would like to be weaned off of this medication. I cannot handle the sweating, it is very uncomfortable. I can't do anything without sweating so bad that I have to sit with a fan on me to cool off. I wake up several times a night to change my clothes because of the sweats. This medication did help me initially but the side effects that I am experiencing are making me feel depressed as well. I am going to talk to my doctor about cutting my dosage or changing to another medication. F 46 2 years
11/20/2003
 3  depression dizziness F 35 9 months
11/13/2003
 1  Depression Nausea,trouble sleeping,weight gain,stopped mentrual cycle This medicine was awful.When I had to go off of it I went thru major withdrawls. I felt like I had been hit with a semi truck. My body ached and my head pounded. I have had a much better response to wellbutrin sr,without all the side effects. I am much better without this awful drug,the day after I went off it, my menstraul cyle came back. F 26 3 weeks
11/11/2003
 4  stress, depressed Hot flashes, hungry all the time, tired, low sex drive My doctor took me off the effexor and switch me to wellbutrin sr. The reason was I was still tired after taking effexor and it should have given me more energy, plus I had a low sex drive on it, and my doctor said Wellbutrin has no sexual side effects. Anyway after stopping the effexor and going without anything, the third day it seemed like I crashed, upset stomach, dizzy, light headed, exteremly tired, no energy. All I could do was lay in bed it was awefull. My doctor put me back on 30 millgrams plus take 1 Wellbutrin for 7 days. After I took the effexor and wellbutrin it took about 7 hours but I was totaly back to normal. Allways ask you doctor if there will be any side effects after you stop taking an anti depresent. F 40 5 weeks
11/7/2003
 3  depression/anxiety Weight gain (20 lbs. in 6 mos), nightmares, eye twitching, headaches, complete loss of sex drive, delayed orgasm, sleepiness (take it at bedtime, it knocks me out), has made PMS alot worse, dizziness. This is only the second pill I've tried. The side effects are unbearable. I'd rather be depressed than fat and single ( because boyfriends need sex). The eye twitching is annoying. If I wrote my nightmares down, I could write more gruesome novels than Stephen King. I've gained weight, despite the fact that I've completely changed my eating habits and follow a strict exercise regime. The people at the gym are baffled by me. I'm the only one getting fatter. And no it's not muscle. My mood is great though. I'm a social butterfly. But I'm down on myself all the time, too, because of my weight gain. I wouldn't recommend any antidepressants. Exercise, eat healthy, and volunteer or join groups or play a sport. I'm am going to try to ween myself off of this stuff. It's just not healthy. F 25 7 months
11/4/2003
 2  stress/anixety increased appetite F 39 5 months
11/4/2003
 3  stress, troubles in my life low sex drive, tired. None F 40 5 weeks
11/3/2003
 4  depression numbness M 24 3 years
10/27/2003
 1  I had my first and only anxiety att insomnia - which I wanted the med to cure nausea - if not taken with plenty of food bizarre nightmares - not as severe after 6 months but still have pulsating buzzing - right side of head (if you're not crazy to start with, this will help you to get there) forgetfullness - less so now that I'm being weaned off this med dizziness - if late with med and now that I'm being weaned This is a medication from hell. If I ever get off it, I'd never ever want to get on again. Wyeth-Ayerst do not give you the really bad side effects. There is a pending lawsuit (petition) signed by almost 4,000 people with horrific side effects. It's on the web. Mary Bateman F 76 1 days
10/26/2003
 3  Previous Anti D was being withdrawn At best, motivated/creative but impulsive/and sweaty, generally upbeat. At worst, frightened by occasional horrible thoughts and feeling vulnerable and fearful. Started on 75mg but felt wasn't strong enough upped to 150mg which for now seems manageable. Not sure if still strong enough or medication not suiting me.......Would like to ease off eventually but always seem to have an event to get thru.... F 42 3 months
10/25/2003
 4  depression, anxiety Dry mouth mostly- I seem like I am always drinking something. The side effects I have are mostly when I don't take effexor for a day or two, and my withdrawal symptoms are terrible: anxiety, vomiting, sweats, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, migraines. When my doctor put me on Effexor XR, my depression symptoms seem to diminish within days. My anxiety was still there, and I still found myself going to the ER for anxiety attacks, which were the reasons for the chest pains I was having. So in addition to Effexor, my doctor also put me on Xanax as needed, and I feel a lot better. I feel terrible though that I have these chemical imbalances and that I am dependent on Effexor, and I think I will need to be on it for the rest of my life. F 23 2.5 years
10/24/2003
 1  Depression and anxiety Loss of libido, lack of motivation, hypersomnia. Experienced dizziness, nausea, headaches, tiredness and low mood when I reduced dosage from 150mg to 75mg. Have so far been unable to come off this drug. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I've been able to come off other antidepressants without experiencing such adverse withdrawal effects. I would never have taken this drug if I had been aware of the serious withdrawal problems. F 30 3 years
10/18/2003
 4  Depression due to Bipolar Disorder weight gain, dizziness, headaches, Electrical shock like feeling-not constant, but takes a long time to get rid of, diareah, constipation, nausea.... I believe this medication is VERY ADDICTIVE in the long run. I expierience shock like sensations that run through my body for a brief period of time when effexor isn't taken for a period of 3 to 5 days. These electrical shock like feelings vary in intensity and duration, usually I feel it in my arms ,chest, and fingers. F 23 3 years
9/27/2003
 5  ANXIETY/PANIC ATTACKS WARMER THAN USUAL, REDUCED SEX DRIVE, JAW CLENCHING AND NERVOUS TICS I USED TO USE ATIVAN FOR MY ANXIETY AND FOUND THAT I TOOK IT EVEN WHEN I REALLY DIDN'T NEED IT. EFFEXOR XR HAS HELPED ME TO DO THINGS I HAVEN'T DONE IN YEARS. IT WORTH PUTTING UP WITH THE MILD SIDE EFFECTS. I'VE EVEN FLOWN WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT THE FACT THAT I WAS TRAPPED AND COULDN'T GET OUT IF I WANTED TO.I FEEL EXCITED ABOUT DOING THINGS WITH MY FAMILY. BELIEVE ME, I WAS NEVER LIKE THAT EVEN WHEN I WAS A LOT YOUNGER. TO THE PERSON WHO HAS THE JAW CLENCHING, I HAVE IT TOO! I ALSO HAVE SOME ANNOYING NERVOUS ARM AND HEAD TICS. BUT I STILL FEEL IT'S WELL WORTH IT. I STARTED ON 37.5 MG AND NOW I TAKE 75 MG AND I'VE BEEN THERE EVER SINCE. I HOPE I NEVER HAVE TO STOP TAKING IT. GOOD LUCK!!! F 46 1 years
9/26/2003
 5  Major Depression & Social Anxiety Moderate weight loss; Moderate loss of sexual desire; Drinking more liquids than usual. These side effects seem to be easing with time. Began with 75mg/day. Doctor increased doseage to 150mg/day. This medicine has been very effective in lifting me out of major depression. I now look forward to getting the most out of each day, and I enjoy interaction with other people. I had previosly tried Wellbutrin SR, Prozac, Paxil, and Lexapro. Effexor works far better than any of the others did for me. M 43 4 months
9/24/2003
 2  Depression and Anxiety Very tired and nervous. And Diarrhea M 71 2 months
9/21/2003
 4  anxiety and depression Delayed ejaculation for the first 3 months, consipation for first 2-3 months, some jitteriness first 2 weeks. After about 4 months of use, I noticed a small amount of short-term memory decrease. The drug was especially effective for anxiety reduction. Be sure to taper off when ceasing drug use. Expect some minor drug withdrawal symptoms for 2-3 weeks, mainly jitteriness. M 38 6 months
9/17/2003

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