EFFEXOR XR Reviews (VENLAFAXINE HYDROCHLORIDE)

Average Rating: 3.0 (2225 Ratings)

Filter Results

Compare EFFEXOR XR with similar:
 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)

  

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.)

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 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112


More on EFFEXOR XR: Reviews Summary  |  Drug Safety Information

RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR EFFEXOR XRCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 1  Anxiety, Panic Attack I took one Effexor befor I went to bed at 11 p.m. Woke up at 7 a.m. sweating, disoriented and feeling like I was on PCP. I then had a seizure and was taken to the hospital. The doctor cannot believe that I had a seizure after taking one pill but I did. He feels that since I have low blood pressure, this may have lowered it even more. I do not take any other medications and have never had a seizure before. I was sent for numerous test after the seizure and everything came up great. F 43 1 days
10/31/2007
 2  Severe Panic Attacks Very tired, but not able to sleep at night. Moody, NO interest in sex, VERY BAD HEADACHES. I don't know if this is the right medicine for me. I have only been taking it for 2 weeks, but I feel worse than before I started this. I was on Lexapro and I was happier, but still very nervous and BAD panic attacks. My husband thinks I am crazy and that Effexor is making me that way. I think I should stop taking it but I am afraid to since reading all the withdrawal symptoms on here. Please email if you have any advice. I am going to talk to my Dr though, but I don't have much confidence in him. I just wanted him to up my dose of Lexapro to see if that would help, but he wouldn't and put me on the Effexor......I am so confused no though...... F 27 2 weeks
10/30/2007
 2  Anxiety Excessive yawning, some vivid dreams, twitching while trying to fall asleep. I was on 75mg for about two months. I mainly quit using it because I really didn't notice that much difference in my anxiety(which wasn't that bad) and my GF was getting pissed at my because I apparently kicked my legs all night while sleeping which kept her up. I weened to 37.5mg for a week and went cold turkey. Withdrawl symptoms were not horrible, just more annoying than anything. After two days effexor free I had a lot of short dizzy spells (vertigo?) and some hazy thinking which lasted about ten days. I do not recall having "brain zaps" Oh and a side note, I had the incredible urge to gamble large sums of while doing multiple shots of Don Julio.......well maybe not. M 32 2 months
10/29/2007
Email
 4  anxiety Decreased quality of sex life. Insomnia. Tinnitus. M 59 3 years
10/28/2007
 1  for anxiety Actually, I was originally on Celexa, and that was not not working, so they put me on Paxil and that was not working and then back to Celexa. I had heard of these 2 before and spoke with ppl who were on these meds. I had never heard of Effexor so I thought I would do some research after I had been prescribed the medication - I actually took my first dose of 37.5 and then started my research. After finding this site and seeing all the bad reviews I got freaked out and decided to take myself off ALL meds. I never thought it was possible to go off meds. I thought I needed to get better first. I was so paranoid, I was a hypercondriac, I had anxiety sypmtoms DAILY. Constantly taking Ativan along with the meds, when I was only taking it maybe once a week at the beginning. All meds were making me feel worse that what I was from the beginning when I had my first anxiety attack 5 months ago. I was so desperate that I started seeing a therapist (which I recommend for anyone), I see an acupuncturist( please, everyone try it - painless and you feel great), I see my chiropractor who also specializes in Kinesiology. He gave me some Nutri-West supplement pills and also Micro-West Whole System EEP drops I take 3 times a day. I don't know if it is working but I will tell you this ... I feel 90% better than I did on any medication. I have been off the meds for 3 days and have been taking these other things for the same. I don't even find myself being paranoid and anxious. I am relaxed and can actually F 28 5 months
10/28/2007
 2  depression sleep all the time eyes closed when awake do nothing complain all the time pain cannot breath M 71
10/27/2007
 1  Depression, anxiety I was unable to do anything besides sleep constantly. I had to work in order to pay rent and bills but I would get up and go to work horribly tired and then would come home and sleep until the next day. So, I wasn't able to eat much at all. Then I finally stopped taking it because I had a seizure. Never want to be put on a medication again. I've learned to deal with my anxiety and I dealt with my depression on my own. I found out that when I was taking it, it had just came out and had not been tested thoroughly and it made me feel like I was a test subject. Horrible thing to do to people, but ,hey, american researchers have been doing these types of things to people since after WWII and probably before. F 24 2.5 months
10/27/2007
 4  depression intermittent insomnia I have tried Prozac and Celexa. Was on Celexa for 6 years and sweated profusely the whole time. I thought it was just menopause, until I stopped the medication and the sweating stopped. Tried to stay off the medication for 3 months and mood crashed. Asked my doctor about Effexor after doing much research on my own (I'm a nurse) and wanted an energizer. Have been on Effexor 31 days...starting first at 37.5mg for a week, then 75mg a week and now at 150mg...on the second week. I know it takes approx 5 weeks to get the full effect. I haven't had any adverse side-effects except for some mild insomnia...and I had that occasionally anyway. I am feeling more myself, back to doing my fav hobbies and still working a 40 hr work week. I have always had a low libido, and haven't seen any improvement there yet. Noted Effexor may be approved for sexual dysfunction, so I'm still hoping things might get better. (I can hope, right?) My husband says he is noticing a difference, I'm smiling and l F 49 31 days
10/26/2007
 1  anxiety/depression This drug did help my depressiona and anxiety, don't really recall any bad side effects. It was when I decided to come off it that I had the problems. This drug has extremely bad side effects when coming off. I was weaned off at the slowest rate according to my doctor and it still took me about 2 months to get rid of it. I had nerve "shocks" where it felt like parts of my body were getting zapped constantly. I felt horrible the whole time. I craved the drug but refused to get back on it. I felt like I understood how crack addicts must feel! I would not reccomend this drug, even tho it initally helped. F 31 1 years
10/26/2007
 5  menopause, depression trouble sleeping The only side effect I have had is trouble sleeping, for which my doctor has prescribed sleeping pills. They actually give me a headache in the morning, but have helped get at least 5 hours sleep a night - which is fairly normal for me. I started with 37.5 mg for two weeks, then went to 75 mg. I do not anticipate the need to take any higher dosage, since my mild depression has gone away and I have a much brighter, more hopeful outlook on things - like when I was in my 20's! Although I am athletic and in very good physical condition, I have lost a few pounds since I started with this medication. Had never taken anti-depressants before now and wish I had started this a few years ago. F 54 2 months
10/25/2007
 1  insomnia I felt like I was going crazy, couldn't think straight, very lethargic, shaking. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG. I JUST ABOUT RUINED MY LIFE. It makes me feel better to know that it wasn't just me, it happened to thousands of people. Read up on this drug if you ever consider it. F 24 120 days
10/25/2007
 4  Depression and Aniety Jittery, mild nausea, mild headaches I was given a 2 week sample pack to start with and took the 37.5 dose for the first week. i just took my first dose at 75. I originally started taking it at night and found myself actually more tired during the day and when i would get home I was extremely tired and irritable. I decided to not take my dose at night and held off for about 8 hrs until the next morning and see how it was taking it during the day. I noticed a remarkable difference. First this overwhelming feeling of doom and worthlessness has lifted from me. Am I cured? No I don't think so but I am feeling signs of the old me after just a week. Am I still depressed and have anxiety? Yes but it's only been a week. I don't think medicine is the end all be all to my problems but Effexor XR (which is the first drug I have taken for this)has gotten me on the road to recovery. After reading some of the side effects on here after I took my first dose I about S**t my pants and thought I had made a mistake. As several others on her M 36 8 days
10/24/2007
 3  OCD/BI-Polar/Severe Depression Upon begining meds. Severe anxiety attacks. At times when I traveled and happened to forget meds with me I had extreme dizziness, nausia, fatigue, ringing in ears, & sleeplessness. After a time (1 year), effectiveness seems to have lessened -- raised dose from 75 mg to 150 mg. I don't know if I will ever have the courage to go off of effexor due to the extreme withdrawl symptoms. Please speak with a professional specializing in mental health about all the side effects before begining effexor xr F 26 1 years
10/23/2007
 1  Depression Erectile disfunction, delayed orgasm, lack of libido. Feel disconnected from my emotions, apathetic, no creativity or motivation, can't focus. Extremely tired, loss of appetite, slight twitching, agitated, slight abdominal pain. I have never been on any other antidepressant, and my doctor immediately put me on this. Let me tell you, _do your research first_. I didn't know anything about this kind of drug and dove into taking it as prescribed without a second thought, and I regret it, even after 2 days I'm hating it. The side effects alone make my previous bouts of depression seem pleasant. I'd rather have emotions. M 19 2 days
10/23/2007
 5  Major Depression/ Bi Polar Excessive sweating, body twitches, vivid dreams, headaches. I was first put on Effexor when I was 24 and stayed on it for 6 yrs. My doctor, at that time, switched me to Cymbalta to relieve me of the horrible headaches. That was the worst thing he could've ever done to me! Within four months of being off of Effexor, my world came crashing in. That may have a lot to do with being on Cymbalta and the doctor increasing the dosage with every complaint I had. I had to be hospitalized because of wanting to end my life. The new doctor put me back on Effexor and within 48 hours I could notice a remarkable change. I am on a "cocktail" of medications along with the Effexor to help me. I would recommend Effexor to anyone with more than mild depression. I currently take 225 mg every morning and yes, there are side effects if I don't take it. I would rather deal with the side effects than want to end my life. F 31 6.5 years
10/22/2007
 3  Bipolar Disorder Increased sex drive but difficulty reaching orgasm. when finally nearing orgasm, I get the worst headache I've ever felt. Strong enough to make it hard to stand & impossible to reach orgasm. The headache takes hours to go away & along with it I can hear my own heartbeat. Difficulty sleeping, Unsteady hands, feel like I can't hold still, increased appetite & increased heart rate. This drug has mostly succeeded in balancing my manic episodes. Feel like I think a little clearer. I haven't seen my doctor yet about the headaches but it seems to me like a blood pressure problem. The Headaches always start when my heart rate is high. I feel it helped with what it was supposed to, but the side effects seem worse at times than the problem it is treating. This drug is kind of scary. M 25 1 months
10/20/2007
 3  depression/anxiety HOW I AM WITHDRAWING FROM EFFEXOR - THANK GOD! My heart is breaking after reading all these posts about terrible withdrawls. I've had so many similar side effects. It did help at first, but then I went into the worst depression of my life @ 150MG. Didn't leave house, talk to friends, pay bills, clean house or clothes- I was devoid of emotion-like a zombie. THE KEY TO TAPERING OFF- TAKE YOUR TIME- VERY, VERY SLOWLY. I couldn't live like this any more. I started tapering 2/2007 with 150/75 alternating day 1/day2 etc. When I got thru side effects of that change I went to 75/37.5 alternating same way. It is 10/2007 & I'm on 37.5 per day. Soon I will go to 37.5/0 alternating until the side effects are gone & then I will stop. GOOD LUCK-THIS MAY WORK FOR YOU. F 55 6.5 years
10/20/2007
 1  depression/no energy very sleepy,cannot sleep through the night wake up around 2-3am hungry.going to the bathroom alot.weak and light headed,shakey. If you are going to take this medication do alot of research on it...after feeling like this for 2 days im going to stop taking it. F 30 2 days
10/20/2007
 1  GAD,SAD,PD Look on the website. it was horrorable. my legs danced in the air at night from the electrical shock, my girlfriend left me because of no sex drive. Never Take This Drug. When I stoped using the drug it was the worst Mo. of my life. The withdrawels are hell. The drug worked at first but the side effects were hell. Xanax works 50 times better and costs 90% less. the withdrawels are nothing compared to effexor. These types of drugs cause RLL (Restless Leg). Thank God I am off this medicine. I spent over $ 8000.00 on this hell. M 49 5 years
10/18/2007
 3  GAD Loss of appetite, "sweats", jittery feelings first week Current dose of 150mg daily (taking 75mg twice daily), generally calmer according to family, not as likely to fly off the handle about relatively small things, no medicine is a cure all but this med seems to be taking the edge off daily anxiety. I work for a family practitioner and no longer feel the increased anxiety as get closer to work each day. Must take same time every day! F 34 1 months
10/17/2007
Email

Previous Page       Next Page

BACK TO TOP