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  One and a half years I don't remember any side effects at first, but once you are on this medication for awhile, beware of the withdrawls when you taper down to eventually get off the drug! It was awful! I had dizziness, nausia and headaches for three months after slowly tapering off it. F 31 1 years
5/1/2007
 5  Anxiety When I first began taking Effexor XR, I experienced some bad dreams, very tired, nausea; it felt alot like the flu. BUT here is my advice. STAY WITH IT! The symptoms are only your body getting used to the medication. The sympoms occur anytime there is a dosage change; down or up. The good news is this. THIS MEDICATION WORKS GREAT! I've take this medication for over a year now and had amazing results. The highest dose I took is 75mg 2X per day. This gave me a VERY even feeling. I felt normal for the first time in many years. In combination with this medication I've been seeing a psychologist. I've learned to talk myself down from the anxiety; so now I have reduced my dose to 37.5mg 2X per day. I had a few withdrawal symptoms for a few days, it felt like the flu. Also it kind of felt like my axiety was returning; but just like my doctor told me that was just the dosage change. Sure enough I feel fine again! I will hold at 37.5mg 2X per day for about three months then drop the daily dosage to 37.5 1X per day for another three months; and then off all together. REMEMBER any dosage change will create symptoms; RIDE IT OUT! The symptoms go away! This is an awesome medication that gave me my life back! M 42 1 years
4/30/2007
 4  anxiety, panic and depression Extreme Sexual Side Effects! Nausea- if not taken with food. Short term side effects at the beginning of taking this medicine. I've been taking 75mg for about 4 years now. -thats as high of a dose that I could handle without bad side effects. (If your having bad side effects at a high dose, talk to your doctor about lowering it). Up until now the medicine has done wonders for my anxiety and depression. Before taking this medicine I couldnt leave the house for about 2 years, suffering from panic attacks that controlled my life. The only real down fall was the low sex drive and unability to orgasim. But now the drug seems to be wearing off. I'm starting to have panic attacks again and anxiety and racing thoughts that make me feel like I'm gonna go crazy. I would really like to get off this medicine and switch to something else- Hopefully something that will take care of my anxiety and not kill my sex drive. I'm really scared to get off the drug though. My advice would be to those seeking info about the drug. IS that all drugs work differently for everyone. Make sure you start at a low dose and work your way up. F 23 4 years
4/30/2007
 1  depression could'nt sleep much, mood swings,explotions,hurting myself like pulling hair out, punching myself, argumenitive, very hyper, F 15 8 months
4/30/2007
 5  Post pardom depression This medicine has helped me so much. My anxiety, depression, and panic attacks are gone. However I do have some negative side effects. I am currently trying to wean myself from 75mg to 37.5. Eventually I want to get off of it. If I skip a dose of effexor xr I have night tremors and mood swings. I have gained about 15 lbs in 6 months. My hands are swelled. I have had a loss of sex drive. Also, I did have extreme hair loss and itchiness in the beginning but that could have been due to hormones as well. F 22 1 days
4/29/2007
 2  anxiety fatigue,sexual side effects seems over time not to work as well as in begining. M 31 9 days
4/29/2007
 1  depression 1. Paresthesia or neuropathy (continuous intense tingling, burning, stabbing pain over entire body) 2. Weight gain 3. Lethargy and fatigue 4. Lack of desire to do anything but lie in bed 5. Grinding teeth so badly I need braces again 6. Difficulty in finding right words 7. Profuse sweating 8. Jolts through body when lying at rest (made sleep difficult) 9. Hair Loss 10. Loss of coordination (resulting in two falls with injuries) 11. Mental fogginess Been on EffexorXR about 8 yrs. Not much help. Dr would only increase dose. Side effects, worst of which is neuropathy, intense tingling, burning, stabbing pain over entire body. I asked doctors if the Effexor could be the cause of the neuropathy. Both stated no. Prescriped Lamictal w/Effexor. Symptoms worsen dose was increased. 3 weeks ago Lamictal was not helping much at all. Had me taper off Effexor for 9 days so I could change to Cymbalta. By that time, the Neuropathy symptoms had totally disappeared. Skipped and doctor had me taper off Lamictal. 4 days later, ER visit. I was in full blown withdrawal. Violently shivering as if cold, but actually hot & sweating profusely. Foggy thinking. Couldn't focus. Crying easily over anything. Weird & vivid dreams. Panic Attacks! Intolerable! It is so bad you think it would better to die than to feel like that. The ER Doctor has me taking the smallest dose of Effexor until I go to my regular doctor on Monday. As soon as I took the Effe F 51 8 years
4/29/2007
 3  Depression Tinnitus, absence of sexual function for years now, terrible night sweats (I have to have a shower in the middle of the night sometimes and it looks like I've wet the bed), poor memory, memory "blanks", joint pains, painful neck muscles, emotionally flat, not depressed any more but a general lack of enjoyment of things too, I'm a great concert goer but don't get the "buzz" of excitement now when going to see a band I really like. The worst thing is the impotence though. If I miss more than one dose of my effexor fx 150mg I feel terrible, I get a numbness/prickling around my face, headaches, restleesness, irritability, insomnia and generally feel awful. Have tried to dump it on slow withdrawal on three occasions with no luck whatsoever. If anyone can help me get off this drug I'd be most grateful for any help. M 53 8 years
4/27/2007
 5  Severe depression, anxiety The only side effect I have is occasional tremors, mostly in my hands. This occurs almost exclusively when I am over-tired. Effexor gave me back my life. I had been on just about every antidepressant out there and none worked. I couldn't leave my house due to anxiety and sometimes couldn't even leave my bedroom. I wouldn't bathe, brush my teeth or wash my hair. I thought about suicide nearly every day. I wasn't living; I was just existing. F 49 4 years
4/26/2007
 3  situational depression At first, I did notice a loss of appetite for which I was thankful. I started 37.5 and gradually increased to 225 mg. I began having occasional vertifo and dizzy spells. I couldn't shift my eyes without feeling like I was going to bottom out. I now experience constant constipation, and have occasional nausea and horrible night sweats, literally soaking the entire bed. My horomone levels are normal so I know the night sweats must be associated with the Effexor. Also, I have lost so many things within the last few months such as new prescription eye glasses and my wedding ring, among other important items. I believe this also must be associated with the Effexor. I reduced my dose to 150 mg three weeks ago, and am going to have my Dr. wean me off entirely. The side effects are worse than any of the depressive ymptoms I had before going on Effexor XR. I have begun to meditate in the mornings with brainwave tapes and am taking Yoga 3-4 days a week. I have terrible balance now to The Effexor did calm me and allowed me to still have emotions. I did completely lose all interest in sex and began to believe that I was asexual at this stage in my life. F 46 8 days
4/25/2007
 1  Panic/Anxiety Thank God for this site. My doctor prescribed Effexor XR today. He wanted me to change from Celexa to this because I've been on Celexa for five years. Celexa ia WONDERFUL!! No side effects for me EVER! My doctor just said that he wanted me on something else because I had been on Celexa fo so long????? Whatever. I am so glad I found this site. I am throwing the samples away as soon as I post this! I am staying on the Celexa and if he doesn't want to re-new my prescription, then I will go to someone who will. I had severe panic disorder (i couldn't leave my house to even take out my trash!), but after being on Celexa for only a few days, I saw MAJOR improvements. That was five years ago and I have felt fabulous ever since, like my old self. I have been without Celexa for months due to lack of insurance at times and experienced NO SIDE EFFECTS. I don't have to take with food, no worries about nightmares or dreams, lack or sex drive, weight gain, drinking with coffee, NOTHING! F 45
4/25/2007
 4  anxiety and depression decreased appetite, decreased sex drive, inability to climax Effexor has worked well for me--while I don't feel "happy", I do feel very balanced. I don't experience mood swings or emotional lows like I did prior to taking the medicine. I experienced a difference within days, which seems impossible but did in fact occur. While I have experienced the oft-mentioned decrease in sexual desire, I have not experienced the notorious weight gain. F 19 2 weeks
4/23/2007
 1  depression, anxiety Stroke (at least 4) until I stopped effexor xr (150 mg p/d)While on the medication my head floated about a foot above my body. I had NO emotion, I just existed. This lasted for 2+ years. The worst thing was that I didn't realize I was just existing until I got off the medication. I feel better than I ever was while on it. My libido is excellent! It didn't exist while on it. I feel like I just woke up out of a coma practically. Again, if you've just started this medication, if you have any strange problems with your eyes (even if it's just once) stop them at once. This means that you're having constriction in the vessels in your brain. EXERCISING caused my strokes. Luckily, i'm young.(relatively) F 32 2.5 years
4/23/2007
 5  Depression Only side effect experienced was sweating every night when asleep. kinda annoying but bearable because everything else worked great Lets first say i have not experienced any withdrawls yet... still on the med. im a bit scared of the withdrawls by reading others tales of it but whatever ill deal with them when i get off. i havnt missed a dose yet either. This medicine has helped me out a TON. my outlook on life has GREATLY increased and I am much more happy in general because of it... currently on 150mg. Tried wellbutrin and had every possible side effect so had to stop that... then tried lexapro and had bad sexual side effects and felt like a apathetic zombie so stopped that... effexor has given me zero sexual side effects (i guess im just lucky?) and i havnt lost libido... i am happy in my day to day life and am not as stressed out as i used to be.. anxiety is still a little bit of a issue but greatly reduced after taking this... give it a try if other meds dont work on you... you may be surprised like i was! M 21 3 months
4/22/2007
 3  DUAL DEPRESSION Sleep sweats, memory loss/fuzzy memory (really pisses my friend off), loss of libido, short breath/ bad cardio (used to run a 19:15 3 mile) can't take any stimulants (NO-Explode) because they hurt my heart. hard to keep weight off. tight chest, coughing, general numbness/mental "blankness". The first two weeks, the first two months, and the first six months, had the most pronounced noticeable side effects. Now after about 15 months I mostly suffer from memory loss and a "floating" emotional experience of life moment by moment. Otherwise I can say that effexor XR has most likely saved my life. But I can't wait to get off of it too, I am going to wait until i am back in sunny, happy CA for that. M 25 15 months
4/22/2007
 1  depression and anxiety i have actually just taken effexor and stopped about six months ago and am no longer on it thank god but i am now trying to come off of what has turned out to be a very very close cousin that is just about identical to the experience i had with effexor. therefore this is really about them both. CYMBALTA. i'm coming off of it now because this is a nightmare again just like i was afraid of. just like effexor. and its just getting worse. pharmacutical companies are pushing doctors and don't seem to know their own product. this is aa vicious cycle that i dont think will ever stop i'm in college and this is ruining this semester! I've had pretty much every side effect on that horrible list. The worst being very rapid hair loss. i'm 21 not 50! I love my hair more then anything. It was long thick and really curly and now i have to try to hide the thinning and cover up looking like i'm going bald, which i guess i am. ...i don't know what to do...BRAIN SHIVERS! can't really explain to just say no. research any pills before taking them.. thats the lesson i have learned from this.. should have known better... my doctor told me it was different, just like i'm sure she was told by the rep that brings them to her. but guess what, its in the same family, closer related then you think and does just about the same thing. she was stunned when i told her i was having the same problems with it. i trust my doctor, she does try and has my best interest at heart. are they not fully educating doctors .. have they not researched enough about these medications, are they just putting them out on the market for unsespecting people to take because people trust them. WHY IS IT THAT BRAIN SHIVERS CAME AS SUCH A SHOCk TO EVERYONE AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE EXACTLY? why did my doctor not know about them until a couple of her patients started getting them, and word was spreading about them in general. pharmaceutical companys don't know, and i don't think they do because t F 21 2 months
4/22/2007
Email
 5  depression, anxiety vivid dreams, oversleeping because my dreams are soooo great! Don't forget a dose - funny electric shock feelings Love it - the only thing that quells my anxiety and depression; couldn't function without it! Plan to be on it for life! I'm like a new person. F 45 5 days
4/20/2007
 3  Depression, anxiety, suicidal I came out the depression somewhat at 175mg. A further suicide attempt landed me back in the hospital where the Effexor dose was increased to 300mg. My mind was like mush. Memory loss and slow thinking made me resign a position on my local school board. Loss of balance kept me from participating in any activity that involved in running or climbing. Terrible weight gain!! Loss of sex drive and inability to reach orgasm was devastating for my wife and I. Lost total feeling in my penis. Head "sparks" would make me more depressed and anxious. Vivid and strange nightmares lingered into the day. After seven years on the drug, i developed severe tremors, mostly in the right hand. A neurologist determined no neurological issues. He recommended that I talk to my psychiatrist about reducing the dose of Effexor. A drop from 300mg to 175mg reduced the tremors greatly. The decision was made to eliminate Effexor from my drug regimen. After reducing the dose to 37.5mg over four weeks, I stopped the Effexor. What devastation!!! The next day I had a severe headache mostly on the right side of my head. I developed severe nausea and what I can only explain as constant head "sparks". The second day after discontinuation of Effexor I was a "basket case". I couldn't think or remember recent events and developed a crying spell that would not stop. My wife put in an emergency call to my psychiatrist. He immediately put me back on 175mg of Effexor. The next day I was fairly well withdrawal symptom free. Now what? I have an appointment with my psychiatrist in two weeks. Don't you think I should have seen him the next day? I will wait until then since I have returned to "NORMAL" (See above) Don't get hooked!!! Lawsuit pending!!! M 65 7 years
4/20/2007
 1  For Menopausal symptoms Extreme nausea; diaphoresis; tremors; muscle twitching; tachycardia with irregularity; migraine; hallucinations; anxiety; agitation; insomia; dilated pupils. I only took one dose (lowest possible). Six hours after taking the medication I felt like I was on a bad acid trip. My migranie lasted for 26 hours (I have never had a migraine prior to this). Be cautious with this med. F 50 1 days
4/20/2007
 4  Major Depression, PTSD and Anxiety Frankly, I have been on Effexor XR so long that it is hard to tell what side effects I do have. I guess I can say that there are times my blood pressure increases. Other than that, I can't think of a side effect. I have been on so many of the SSRI's i.e. Celexa, Prozac, Serzone, Lexapro, Wellbutrin XR, Remeron. None work like the SNRI, Effexor XR with me. I've been as high as 300 mg and as low as I am now at 112.5 mg. I've been on Effexor XR for over 9 years. My doc will add a mood stabilizer when I need one. Other than that, I'm staying with Effexor XR. F 53 9 years
4/17/2007

Previous Page       Next Page

BACK TO TOP