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
 
 5  Severe depression, pannic attacks, It tool about 6 weeks to work.. Now I'am driving,shopping,back in church it has really worked. Not like some of the others. I feel better now than I have in years. F 41 8 weeks
12/10/2007
 5  depression anxiety Please don't let people scare you about getting off this. If you are depressed and anxious this is a very effective medicine.The first week on it is rough as you will be a bit more anxious but as the weeks go by one gets better and better. If you aregoing to discontinue, do it slowly and if you are too scared ask your doctor for for some help. This is the most effective med I have been on and I have tried over the years the gamit. F 55 7 months
12/10/2007
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 1  depression, suicidal thoughts Inability to gain an erection without significant physical stimulation from partner; even then, orgasm was infrequent. I began to get twitches that felt like bodily electricity, which was not only startling and uncomfortable, but also led to me developing an incapacitating social anxiety that used to be only nominal, and i still retain a modified form of the latter two side effects to this day (it's been a year and a half). I firmly believe that it should not be approved for medical use unless some method of effective test is made to make sure that it won't worsen your state while you're on it, but even more importantly, after you get off of it. I had to begin taking a different prescription (Lamictal) to counteract the side effects that it gave me for a couple months longer than I was on Effexor XR, and now they are TOLERABLE, but I still feel a social anxiety unlike anything I'd ever experience before... When I get nervous (which is often) my body will literally move in coordination with other people's bodies... I used to describe it as if vague, kind of abstracted strings were pulling me and everyone else around me in accordance with eachother. When I told my doctor that he most likely misunderstoof and thought I was exhibiting schizophreniform symptoms, when in reality, I didn't believe in any of it, it was merely the only way I could describe the sensation. M 20 4 months
12/8/2007
 5  Bulimia/Anorexia, Depression The first time I took effexor, I felt like I was a paraplegic. I could not move, think, did not want to eat (weird because Im bulimic), and I slept in bed all day, did not want to exercise, felt pain in my joints, horrendous headaches, sometimes i would feel these odd sensations in my brain which felt as if I was being electrocuted. This was at a dosage of 37.5mg and happened the first week. So after telling my doctor, he transfered me right away to zoloft, which did absolutely nothing for me. I had faith, so I went back on effexor, and the side effects I had experienced before, were no longer present. I increased my dosage to 75 mg. This started to help me feel much better about myself, the world, and I became less depressed over all without the severe side effects I experienced before. Last week I increased my dosage to 150. I feel so much better, I can get up in the morning and go out and continue on normally with my day instead of being completely miserable. Food does not c I am pleased, so far with effexor. I dont think that I could continue with my life if i hadnt taken any SSNRIs. It really helped me...and continues to do so. I feel really hiper and happy sometimes, which is GREAT, and I am pretty much back to my old self again. For other information as to what medication I have tried that did not help: -zoloft: worsened bulimic episodes, made me edgy, no improvements, felt the same even at 150 mg. -celexa: do difference what so ever, i stopped cold turkey after two months, nothing happened. -prozac: wow that made me so suicidal that I started writing a book on ideas of how to commit suicide. IT WAS NUTS! Bad experience But then again, it depends on the person: everyone reacts to these types of medication differently. It takes a while to find which medication works best for you. But dont loose faith, and keep up the hope. I know its hard. But it is worth the wait. F 19 3 months
12/6/2007
 4  depression fatigue and night sweats. Small white slow release balls in stools. this was alarming until i was told it is a side effect. Very good, but don't forget a day. F 40 8 months
12/6/2007
 3  BI-Polar II Weight loss, hysteria,drowsiness,paranoia,depression,suicidal thoughts,self-harm,dizziness,halucinations,confusion,stomach pain,vomiting,violent migraiine,loss of appetite. Much better than Effexor. Works eventually,bad symptoms wear off after a few months. F 44 18 months
12/6/2007
 1  OCD/Anxiety/Depression Severe depression, insomnia, require massive ammounts of sleep, inability to organize thoughts, panic attacks, thoughts of helplessness It regressed me back to a state that I started taking this type of medication for in the first place, but I think it's even worse now. I've taken it for seven months during my first semester in college. It has ruined my college experience, turned me into another person, and I haven't been able to get off of the medication because of the withdrawals until Christmas, a time when I shouldn't have to suffer. If I miss even a day of medication, my symptoms increase. This medication is very dangerous and should only be used if you have monthly visits with a psychatrist. F 18
12/6/2007
 5  YES Slightly blurred vision. Minor constipation. Dizziness. All these resolve within two weeks. HOWEVER: you must taper off this med very slowly. Cut the tablets in smaller and smaller dose. It takes me at least a month to come off this. Know this going in and you'll be fine. As a depressive, this med is a very powerful weapon in the toolbox. I use it to halt downward spirals that tend to end in clinical depression. I have abuse issues from my childhood that can trigger serious feelings of pain and abandonment. Once that gets going long enough I get depressed as well (there is a difference between emotional pain and actual depression). Now I just start up the Effexor and go to just 75 mg. Within exactly 11 days I pull out of the emotional slide and I'm fine. After that I stay with it for a few months and taper off SLOWLY. Essentially I'm off meds about 75% of the time and this tool has eliminated any fear of future depression. I am very fortunate to find something that works so well, so fast and at such a low does. I take 20 mg of Prozak in the winter for SAD because Effexor is just to strong, taking away my feelings. However, in a pinch, Effexor kicks in faster than the SSRIs. It's the most effective and powerful med I've ever used. Everyone is differen M 57 5 times
12/5/2007
 4  Dysthymia, anxiety. Developed night sweats a few months into treatment, but this stopped soon after. Perspire heavily after light exertion during waking hours. Gained weight but not certain it was a side effect. I am much less anxious and irritable. Sleep patterns have improved a great deal. Much less negative self-talk. Also undergoing cognitive group therapy which is likely related to improvement. Hope to come off Effexor withing the next 6 months M 49 1 years
12/5/2007
 3  conversion disorder excessive sweating, lack of sexual desire,weight gain F 51 6 months
12/5/2007
 1   vision.sweat insomnia headaces dissy anxiet depression worst gastro problems living in hell suicidal this drug kills u should not be on market M 38 6 months
12/4/2007
 1  Moderate depression Bruising, twitching (that became stronger), finally serotonin syndrome, aphasic seizures I have seizure disorder and my psychiatrist should never have put me on it. He tapered me up by 37.5mg, till I was taking 300mg. after three months. Mild to moderate twitching and easy bruising, some weight gain. Then he raised the dose by a whole 150mg. Serotonin syndrome and aphasic seizures. F 60 6 months
12/4/2007
 4  anxiety loss of apetite, weight loss, digestion difficulties Before taking effexor I was suffering from severe physical and mental symptoms of anxiety. This included sweating, increased heart rate, constantly feeling like something bad was going to happen, problems breathing, increased stomache acid etc. I have not been on effexor for very long however already I have noticed an improvement. I no longer have problems breathing and I am motivated again. ( i had lost motivation for anything entirely). I am faced with digestion issues and a lack of apetite in result of taking this medication. However because my anxiety is under control currently I am beginning to truly live my life once more and I feel that the positives of this medication out weighs the negative by far. F 17 42 days
12/3/2007
 2  Hot Flashes Was given to help with mild hot flashes....was given more as a comfort drug. Had been taking 75mg daily with only side effect being no sex drive. Was on it for 4 years and I decided it was time to stop, so I just stopped taking it back in April 07....and it has been hell ever since. I had no idea of the withdrawal sysmptoms until I finally put two and two together a couple of months ago and found this web site. Sick at stomach, get angry at the drop of hat, tired, depressed (which was never a problem before I started with this drug), head "zaps" still, etc. This has lead to my husband leaving in June, demmoted at work in August (due to "getting upset" at work) and now after 7 months the new problem that has been developing is thyroid issues. Finally had a scan done and one side is now 10 times bigger than the other, neck is swollen all the time, hard time swallowing, and needing to cough all the time. The problem I am having is that my primary care dr is the one I may have benefits for some, but should be used only as a last resort. The withdrawal can take a major part of your life away and create medical issues. F 53 4 years
11/30/2007
 1  social-anxiety & depression loss of sex drive and ablity,dont care about anything.i went from freaking out about every thing to couldn't care less.i gained some weight but nothin to rave about.loss of friends and made my relationship with family hard. THE WITH DRAWS OF THE MED IS SO INTENCE... I WANT TO ANY ONE TO PLEASE DO NO TAKE THIS VERY ADDICTING MED. I AM STILL TRYING KICK IT.. I STARTED TO OPEN THE CAPSEL AND EMPTY OUT HALF. BUT OH MY GOD , THE HEAD ACHES .SENCEITIVITY TO LIGHT AND MOVEMENT. I MOVE TO FAST AND I WANT TO HUREL... PLEASE I MEAN PLEASE BEWARE OF THIS MED... M 30 3 years
11/29/2007
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 4  depression sleepiness, really weird dreams, bad nausea I have only been taking this for about 2 weeks and haven't really had the side effects like with Zoloft or Lexapro. Just nausea and really vivid dreams but nothing major. I hope it stays that way, from some of the posts it sound like it could get worse F 22 2 weeks
11/28/2007
 4  Severe Depression, Panic Attacks Sexual Libido is gone, Yawning, Dry Mouth, Eyes dialated all the time, Shortness of breath, Sometimes I have what feels like minor electrical shocks going down my arms, Vivid nightmares, Occasional night sweats, Muscle tremors off and on, Really tired most of the time, Elevated High blood pressure, VERY VERY VERY SEVERE WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS. Effexor was prescribed to me by the VA in Aug 04. They started with 75mg and it has progressed to 225mg daily. I developed severe clinical depression with frequent panic attacks while in the military. They first prescribed me Prozac, which made me mean and agitated. Then I was given Zoloft, which made me lightheaded and just "high" feeling. Then came Effexor. I first thought it was a Godsend. I woke up after the first night and felt like I had been reborn. I know that sounds stupid but the trees were greener, the sky was brighter, everything was just better. At first the only symptoms were shiny and dialated pupils, and sexual dysfunction. Both of these are common side effects. About 6 months down the road is when the serious side effects really began to surface. As many already know, at this point it's too late. 6 months on this medication is like a decade on prozac. I dropped prozac and zoloft with no pro M 29 3 years
11/27/2007
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 2  PTSD, major depression, anxiety increased sleepiness, intense weight gain it helped with my depression and some with my anxiety, but i gained 35 lbs!! never felt satisfied after eating. i have a history of eating disoders, so this did NOT help with that. Recently switched to Wellbutrin XL... F 21 4 months
11/27/2007
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 1  Anxiety, depression, perimenopause Dull headaches above eyes, migraines, ear and neck pain, arthritis pain, vision problems, sinus problems, watery eyes, strange feeling in head (hollow), problems concentrating, fatigue. I have been on Effexor about 4-5 months. I was switched from Lexapro 20 mg which I did very well on for about 4 years, however it was not completely calming my heart pounding and feelings of generalized anxiety (which I believe are caused from a combination of perimenopause and increased life stress the past few years). I have been tested for all sorts of heart problems and none exist. I tapered off the Lexapro and began taking Effexor 37.5 and felt horrible for a few weeks until my doseage was upped to 75 which I am still taking. I felt better but then started having really bad side effects. I am going to my Dr. next week to be taken off of this med. It makes me feel horrible - constant headaches and sinus problems and joint pain. Since I do not have many meds left and I have both 37.5 and 75, from now until next week when I see the Dr. I will be altering between the two doseages. I do not know if I will go back on the Lexapro (which I felt much happier on and no side effects e F 44 5 months
11/27/2007
 4  Generalized Anxiety Disorder Extreme sleepiness if I sat for any more than 10 minutes. Began taking Adderall in the am. No problem with the sleepiness. At first, I jerked while asleep/had vivid dreams. Now, I sleep so soundly that I'm lucky to remember dreams. Some dry mouth, but that went away.Sex drive has been lowered, but it's still there...so my sex life is still good. I take 225 mg of effexor at night. It's approved by the FDA for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It has worked wonders on my anxiety/ocd symptoms. I forgot to take it one night. By the next evening I felt so sick. Sicker than I have felt in my life. I realized I had missed a dose...took it/30 minutes later I was back to feeling good. F 42 8 years
11/26/2007

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