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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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
 
 1  Situational Depression Violent temper, extreme frustration, effexor vaguely masking depressive state, bit of weight gain (chocolate!) -- and ... absolute hell through withdrawal due to the brain zaps. Have had read many comments on this website. Agree that there are many side effects with all anti-depressants. Effexor XR was prescribed to me as a soothing, no side-effects anti-d. Well that's bullshit. Three months ago I was on 275 mg. I went down to 175 mg for three weeks, 150mg for two weeks, and have slowly dosed down to 75mg for another two weeks, dividing capsules in half for another two weeks, taking out beads per advice on this website. Thank you! Throughout this dosing down there have been the proverbial EFFEXOR BRAIN ZAPS. I liken the zaps to people with low blood pressure, like my husband. When he stands up too quickly, he feels giddy -- light-headed -- for a few seconds. But it's not fun when it's happening to you all day. I did two days over the holiday season with zero Effexor, but absolutely needed my half capsule of beads on day three. Medication of this nature may work for some, but my gut feeling tells me that this is an extremely addictive drug, needs to be treated with caution by those prescribing and those using. The jury is not yet out. It has certainly not worked for me. I am offically off it and feeling so much more me. I completely understand why many of you who have written on this website feel that Effexor XR is addictive. Reading your comments, it's the brain zaps throughout the withdrawal that mostly need to be acknowledged and fully understood by those prescribing this -- as some of you have written -- "scary drug". F 48 2 years
1/2/2010
 4  depressing none none F 42 3 years
12/31/2009
 4  Major Depression Delayed orgasm Over the past five years, I've tried Prozac, Celexa, and Lexapro, all with no noticeable improvement. Actually, the first one I was ever on was Effexor, but only at 75mg. A few months ago, I started taking Effexor XR, this time a 300mg, and I can finally notice a significant improvement. M 28 5 months
12/30/2009
 1  Major Depression When I started the medication, I was also prescribed Xanax because it causes nervousness and anxiety. I also experienced a lot of yawning which is another listed side effect. It did work to control the depression, but I experienced withdrawal when I stopped taking it - and I did taper off exactly how the doctor instructed me to. I once again had to be put on Xanax to get through. When I stopped taking Effexor after being on it for about 3 years, my doctor first reduced my dosage to 75 mg (I had been on 150) then down to 37.5. I had no problems when I was taking it. It was when I stopped taking the 37.5 that I started experiencing what are now referred to as brain shivers. Every few seconds, I felt like I was getting an electrical zap in my brain. It was unpredictable and awful. It lasted over a month, probably about 6 weeks. The benefits of the medicine when I was taking it were not enough to make it worth it. The withdrawal was horrible. F 26 3 years
12/27/2009
 4  general anxiety increased dreams, weight gain, reduced anxiety the very first week I started I noticed an incredible sense of relaxedness. i remember this vividly but it didn't last. i ended up on 300 mg for most of my time on this drug. recently i saw my doctor and he felt that i shd try something different maybe due to the improvement re anxiety but the problem re OCD. Not OCD in the typical sense of locking doors etc but in the emotional and mental aspect of the worrying etc. So I have tapered off and am now completely off the Effexor XR. Started on prozac when i got down to 75mg of the EffexorXR. My biggest comment is this: that I had hardly any of the horrible symptoms that others describe in trying to get off Effexor - thankfully! Just to let others know that not everyone has a hard time getting off of this drug; and I was at the full 300 mg. F 48 3 years
12/23/2009
 1  Depression Extreme irritability, weight gain and sleepless are just a few side effects of this horrible drug. Sure it helps depression because it makes you not give a rats ass about anything! I was on 225 mg and have weaned down to 37.5... The only way I can sum it up is to say I wish I could be put to sleep for a month or so while this gets out of my system. Horrible Horrible Horrible F 30 3 years
12/19/2009
 5  depression and anxiety General: weight loss (30 lbs in 1 year), acne, insomnia and strange dreams during initial dosing, seem to be very susceptible to dehydration/headache secondary to dehydration (for example hangover-like symptoms from just one beer), decreased libido. Missed dose: night sweats, disturbing dreams, insomnia. Tried prozac and paxil. This drug is far more effective for me. Side effects have been very minimal - finally lost the weight I gained with paxil. F 42 1 years
12/16/2009
 1  Depression Right side of body muscles spasms, pain and weakness throughout whole body, tired and need rest after walking one block, other issues as well F 44 2 months
12/16/2009
 4  Depression/anxiety On start up, when increasing the dose, and when reducing the dose: dizziness, headache, mild nausea. THe dizziness was uncomfortable but none of the side effects was unbearable. They went away each time after about 4 days. I found that if I forgot or delayed my dose (normally taken at breakfast), I would have dizziness and a headache by about 2pm. I also noticed once I stopped taking it that my skin cleared up, so I guess it may have caused a small amount of acne?? Not sure about that one! Of all of the antidepressants I've tried, this one had the most bearable side effects on start up. I was on Efexor XR for about 3 years, most of the time on a dose of 300mg per day. It definitely helped with my depression and anxiety. I read a lot of horror stories about withdrawal symptoms, but in the end they were a bit of an anticlimax. I tapered pretty slowly - 150mg for about 6 months, then 75mg for a month, then 37.5mg for a couple of weeks, then I opened the capsules and took 1/2 for about a week, then I divided the little spherules into 3 piles, and did this for about a week. When I stopped, I got that annoying dizziness for 2-3 days, then on and off for another 3-4 days. Not really bad at all. F 33 3 years
12/12/2009
 3  Depression and Anxiety Jittery when missed a dose, horrible withdrawal symptoms (shaking, vomiting, etc.) LOSS OF LIBIDO! This drug really helped me with my anxiety, but I had to get another medication to help with my depression. I took it all throughout high school, and through that time barely any sex drive. Overall I would not recommend this antidepressant. F 19 4 years
12/7/2009
 3  Depression, OCD, PTS Shaking, Irritable, Energy, later fatigue, constipation, anxiousness, anxiety attacks, craving sweets, flu like symptoms, ear ache, weak, as if my heart was overly stressed if I done the least little thing My experience with effexor has been a mess. I'd have days on 75 mg 1 a day that I'd wake up early and be n a cleaning jolly mood until someone else stepped n that space whether by phone or n person. Well except for my boyfriend. But by the end of the day I'd b tired and easliy irritated. I was also on 200 mg wellbutrin sr 2x day. My pshyc. Lowered my wellbutrin to 150 mg 2x day after one mth of the 400 mg my regular doc had prescribed and raised my effexor xr to 225 mg a day 3 75mg pills n the morning. Things ain't so good. Can't tolerate much. My man touching me, my child talking in a loud tone, or someone even just interrupting me with myself time which I want all the time it seems. Think I'm gonna call my pshyc. Monday before I hurt someone, myself, or just their feelings F 28 1.5 months
12/6/2009
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 1  depression extreme fatigue, lack of motivation, wanting to sleep/rest all the time, sweating, hot flashes, weight gain, headaches, short term memory lapses electric shock/brain zap feelings with even 1 missed dose If I could go back, there's no way I'd let a doctor push me into taking this drug. I took zoloft for years with no problems. Then after two stillbirths, I let my doctor push me into switching to effexor. The side effects have been terrible. Trying to wean off is even worse-the withdrawls are brutal. I have insisted on stopping the effexor, and now the doctor is pushing pristiq (the "new and improved" effexor). I have declined and will be trying the zoloft again. F 42 3 years
12/4/2009
 1  depression, vulvodyniaa I was on a very low dose, so I'm not sure if the fatigue and brain fog was due to the drug or the depression that proceeded it. HOWEVER, I had experienced TERRIBLE withdrawal when coming off the drug. I was having painful, debilitating brain zaps, several per second, and though they gradually lessened, they lasted for months after I quit taking the drug. This drug really didn't help either of my problems at all. F 27 3 months
12/3/2009
 5  Depression with anxiety I experienced weight gain. Also, when I skip a dose, I feel jittery and anxious. I love this medication! When I was younger, I was very anxious, shy, and very suicidal. I would hide myself away in my room as a teen and self-mutilate. I spend many years crying. After I was placed on Effexor, I began to feel almost "normal". I can think. It's difficult to cry. The anxiety is GONE. I can function! I've been on other drugs and none of them affected me. Effexor, quite possibly, saved my life! F 29 5 years
11/19/2009
 5  Post Surgical Menopause Hot Flashes Major constipation, somewhat loss of libido, loss of appetite, yanwning. Have never been on any type of meds before surgery, other than occasional advil and antibiotics. I was very uncomfortable first few days, but have adjusted. Was not in menopause before surgery so have had rough time with hot flashes/night sweats, can't take hormones, doc recommended Effexor XR 75 mg. and for the most part, it has been great. Have adjusted time taken from morning to night and now midday to avoid drowsiness and/or insomnia. I just moved my dosage up an hour a day. Have probably lost 8 lbs. being on this, which is always nice, although I am not overweight. F 52 9 weeks
11/16/2009
 5  GAD/Agrophobia/minor depression a little bit of memory loss. but other then that non that i can notice. i been on buspar,celexa,cymbalta and lexapro. i tried a few months on nothing and that just made things worst. Effexor xr has truly been the best medication i have found to work for anxiety. i use to break out in sweats becasue i was so nervous. effexor helps me stay positive and gives me a better outlook on life. i actually feel like a normal person for once. i hate taking meds but i think of anxiety like a broken arm you got to wear a cast tell it gets better. i take 75mg every morning at the same time. be sure to take this med at the same time. i also drink a full glass of water with my dose. some meds arent for everyone. you got to just keep trying till you find one that meets your chemistry. this web site is good but id advise you to not go on it when your trialing a new med because everyones different. Good luck! M 18 1.5 months
10/30/2009
 3  Major Depression / Anxiety SEVERE Lethargy (could sleep 10 hours, get up and eat then sleep 6 more), constant yawning,word loss. While the med did help get me through the most severe portion of my depression I was in physical pain if I missed a single dose. My head felt so odd. I can't put it into words. Add in nausea and irritability. I feel I was kept on this med much too long. I do need 'long term management' but this is a hard core SSRI. I just started taking Celexa and feel much better - awake! THE WITHDRAWAL - I now have a new understanding for drug addicts / alchoholics. Damn! I was 'forced' into withdrwal. I had tapered down to 75mg/day (from 225) and was out of town w/o my Effexor. Long story short it was a hell of a week1 I was tapering because I eventually wanted to get off but not like that. TAPER SLOWLY PEOPLE!!! If I new somebody around me had Effexor I would have sold my body to 'get my fix'. Nausea, vomitting, irritability, tearfullness, the funny head feeling, on and on. What a rollercoaster ride! Glad to be off! Again, I did need it during the mosr severe part of my depression but there are so many other options that do not have such withdrawl symptoms. USE THIS DRUG WITH CAUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! F 39 3 years
10/30/2009
 1  Depression Effexor was awesome for relieving my depression!! But then came the "Weaning Off" period!!! OMG. Cold sweats, vomiting, dizziness, brain zaps (with noise). Thank God I was pregnant or I may NEVER have forced myself through to the other side!!! If a person knew how awful the withdrawal was, they would keep searching for other answers to their depression. I love the suggestion where a person opened their capsuals & removed a certain number of "beads" every day. I basically did the same thing on a day where I had a big commitment to my kids and knew I couldn't miss it. I opened the capsual and removed most of the medication. Put it back together & had relief from my symptoms in a few hours!!! If this drug is still going to be prescribed, a more appropriate taper method needs to be developed! Shame on the medical community for putting people through this type of misery!!!! M 44 4 years
10/27/2009
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 1  Depression Drowsiness, dizziness and temporary (several seconds) loss of vision after rising/standing up (probably due to lowered blood pressure), initially had dry and peeling skin on hands (palms and fingers), more vivid dreams, strange sensation when waking from dreams and slight disorientation, screaming/yelling out when dreaming and waking myself up, increased irritability, aggression, and violence, increased suicidality I had taken 20 mg of Prozac for a period of four weeks before trying this and had a bad reaction so switched to Effexor XR. I began with 37.5 mg for 2 weeks, then 75 mg for 3 weeks. Had side effects throughout, but eventually terminated treatment with it when it lead to a violent/explosive/suicidal episode. I have read Effexor XR is contraindicated in children and adolescents though because of this possibility of increased suicidal thinking. Withdrawals lasted about 3 days -- extreme dizziness, sweating and trouble sleeping. F 18 5 weeks
10/26/2009
 1  Panic Disorder/Depression The Effexor just didn't help with the panic or depression at all. Which is fine since everyone's chemistry isn't the same but the withdrawals were hell. When my Dr. started tapering me off the Effexor to try something new, I started getting "Brain Zaps" and felt like I was losing bits of time. Very bizzare and scary. I had to take Prozac for the last two weeks as I tapered off the Effexor. Which totally helped with the brain zaps and losing time stuff. Prozac makes me cry, a lot, for no reason but anything was better than the Effexor withdrawals... My mother took this medication after I did not knowing what I had been through. When she found it made her jittery she too was tapered off them with the same exact side effects that I had. F 41 4 months
10/22/2009

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