Brands > Effexor

I took this medication after my marriage ended 4 years ago. I started suffereing from depression and anxiety. My doctor tried Prozac and Zoloft but I saw no difference. Then we tried Effexor. I started feeling better in a week and when I went to a follow up appointment my doctor was amazed at the change in my mood. Yes, I need to make sure that I do not miss a does because I feel nauseous, get headache and feel uncomfortable. But I am careful about taking it at the same time every day and I'm greatful for how much better I feel.

The medication worked so-so while initially taking it, though the positive affects slowly waned and my doctor kept increasing the dosage until I was on 75mg three times per day. Still, positive affects started going away, and since I had no insurance, I opted to pare down my dosage and wean off of the medication.

Unfortunately, Effexor had awful withdrawals, I could barely function normally at work, and the symptoms lasted for months. I had constant dizziness and stomach upset, and at the worst of it, experienced extreme confusion and wasn't even able to drive.

I am probably never going to take another anti-depressant again after this experience, even though I had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The after-effects of Effexor were just an awful thing to go through.

I cannot say enough good things about Effexor and how it's changed my life for the better. I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder when I was 23 and started on Effexor a few months later. What. A. Change. Before I felt like I had heavy chains attached to my ankles and I was having to fight to keep from being dragged down. Now, I feel like I'm swimming free in the sunshine. When I first started I experienced tiredness and some nausea, leading friends to tease me about being pregnant. There are times when I've forgotten one day to take my Effexor and I really feel it the next day in being Really Tired and have a head full of cotton wool, not to mention Bizzare dreams that night. Other than that, no side effects. I also take Wellbutrin to help w/ focus and concentration b/c I have ADHD and haven't suffered any side effects from the combination.

This medication was the worst thing I've ever put into my body. It was pushed on me by a psychiatrist after a single, half-hour visit to talk about some minor depression I was experiencing. I have never taken an antidepressant before, nor since.

I experienced every side effect on the list. I experienced "brain zaps" for weeks after I was finished tapering off, and experienced a strange effect I called "8-o-clocks" (they happened at roughly that time in the evening) for months after; dizzyness, disorientation, confusion. Not good when using sharp knives or cooking with hot oil.

Tapering off of Effexor was like having the flu.

In a way, it was "life changing," as I realized my problems were not solved by a pill but by making some external changes in my life. My psychiatrist was of no help.

I developed chronic depressive symptoms after being treated for Cushings Disease: sad-feelings, down times, fatigue, pain in joints, weakness. Initially I was prescribed 75 mg Effexor XR which I took in the mornings. My aches/pains and extreme fatigue were remarkably better in about 48 hours. This amount seemed to work well for 2 years, but I was experiencing increased anxiety and fatigue again and my doctor prescribed 75 mg twice/day. That helped and is the dose I remain at today. I tried taking 150 mg XR once/day but doesn't seem to work as well for me as 75mg XR twice/day.

I have been prescribed various amounts of Effexor XR to help control anxiety, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome. Out of all of the SSRIs I have taken, Effexor was the only one my stomach could tolerate, and it actually helped my IBS. Unfortunately, it also has awful withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches and cold sweats. I adjusted my dose various times to try to deal with the night sweats it provoked and to see if my energy levels would increase on a different dose. In the end, I have discontinued use of the Effexor due to the side-effects.

I am on wellbutrin but I also need one other drug to help keep depression at bay. Last summer, that other drug was Effexor. Good news: it helped. Bad news: I ended up in the ER because of chest pain. It turns out that I had serotonin syndrome, which can be a negative side effect of combining a couple of antidepressants. It is a good idea to become aware of the symptoms of serotonin syndrome because some doctors don't think of it when you present with the symptoms. I have also heard that some people have difficulty getting off of Effexor, but I did not have this trouble. I was not on it very long.

I have tried several medications for my anxiety and panic disorder, but I have to say that Effexor gave me the worse side effects out of all of them. I fealt like I had taken an illegal drug and that I was high or something. The side effects were the same as the other anti-depressants, but much worse.

The side effects for my were blurred vision, constant yawning and stretching, feeling "foggy", and a severe increase in my anxiety. It was so bad that I locked myself in my apartment the whole time and avoided talking on the phone. I tried to wait it out like the doctor said to see if the side effects would lessen, but it was so bad that I just couldn't take it. I stopped taking Effexor fairly quickly.

This is another medication added to my list to never take again.

I was prescribed this medicine for chronic depression while I was going through perimenopause. While the medicine helped, I could not tolerate the horrid withdrawl side effects I experienced if I missed even ONE day's dose. Missing one dose would land me in a whirl-wind of jitters, anxiety and mental confusion.

I spoke with my doctor about my reactions and he confirmed that this was not uncommon. We decided to change my medicine, but I had to first go through a lengthy tapering down period before I could stop this medication entirely.

I would stay aware from this medication.

I didnt like these to much I didnt like how they went down when you take them. Also they made me kinda sick feeling all the time. I donr recomend these to anyone. and they didnt do much for me

After trying numerous other anti-depressants, my doctor started me of Effexor XR. I started with a fairly low dose to keep side effects to a minimum, eventually increasing to 300mgs/day. This medication has been extremely helpful in fighting my depression and I experienced results within 2 months of starting it. The only real bothersome issue I have is if I miss a dose, before 24 hrs has passed I will begin experiencing terrible withdrawal symptoms. Emotional and physical symptoms. The emotional are somewhat like PMS times 50. The physical are rather hard to explain. It is almost like I am receiving a serious of electric shocks that increase in intensity and frequency the longer I go between doses. I have corrected this by making sure I don't run out and setting up a system where I almost never miss a dose. I will have to be slowly weaned off of Effexor when/if I stop taking it however.

This drug is extremely helpful in low doses of 75 mg/day for people with anxiety issues. That's the way it was used for my best friend at first. She said that she felt an immediate effect and was soon thereafter able to stop becoming overwhelmed with all of her fears about getting into law school. About 6 months later, she got into law school, and she developed a problem with depression. The dose was eventually increased to 200mg/day. It worked well for a while, but then she started developing side effects of rapid heart beat (+100/min). She then decided to quit (with her physician's support). It took several tries, and eventually what worked was slowly decreasing the dose by 10mg (using non extended release to supplement), and adding sertraline as venlafaxine was decreased. This was a miserable time in her life, as she expereinced this terrible feeling behind her eyes (dizzy/almost itchy) everytime she turned to look at something. Her dreams during this time period were also terrible.

I was prescribed Effexor for depression. I felt the difference in my mood and energy level more quickly than I had anticipated. Although the medication wasn't prescribed for treating my panic attacks, I have had fewer panic attacks and they are much less severe. The only real side effects I have from taking Effexor is dry mouth and hot flashes, it feels as though I have a problem regulating my body temperature . I have reduced my dosage and the hot flashes have mostly subsided. According to my doctor, the sweating/ hot flashes are very rare side effects, and it usually has the opposite effect on most people.

This medication was used to treat depression with mild anxiety. I was amazed at the difference it made in my day to day life. I did not feel my depression as intensely as I had prior to receiving treatment and I was much less anxious at work and in social situations. The only side effect that I had was a difficulty in reaching orgasm; this can be overcome, however, by not taking the prescribed dose on the days I plan to have sex (this was approved by my physician). The sexual side effects are then mild to almost non-existent.

I take effexor for hot flashes caused by menopause brought on by chemotherapy. Also it did not eliminate them, they are fewer and not as severe. The drawback is that it is difficult to wean yourself off of it. I have tried several times and got very agitated and severely depressed.

I have been on Effexor for 4 years now. It was originally prescribed because I was under a great deal of stress. I was sole caregiver for my Mother (alzheimers pt), maintaining a full time job and caring for my household as well. The Effexor worked beautifully for me. I never experienced any side effects that I can recall at that time.
The original reason for the prescription is no longer thankfully. My mother now has a live-in companion/caregiver. However, I have elected to remain on the Effexor for one very important reason, to me anyway. I have been plagued with horrific nightmares for as long as I can remember. I don't have them when I take Effexor. I do dream, vividly, but the dream is forgotten within absolute moments after waking. Getting rid of the nightmares is a biggie to me and I will remain on Effexor for as long as my Dr will allow.

Effexor XR tends to work well for reduction of anxiety and stabilization of mood. However, it has a propensity, especially with Bipolar individuals to push them towards mania, rather than a moderate level of calm homeostasis. This is of significant concern because the ongoing elevated mood can mask or create other challenges for the individual. For example, an individual with active Epstein Bar may not be as readily aware of the fatigue they are experiencing, or if they are, they may not be able to rest sufficiently to engage in active recovery.
Another concern with Effexor XR is the difficulty in coming off of this medication. One has to be slowly titrated off of this medication to avoid sharp changes in mood, and potential increase in suicidal ideation. This is defiantly a medication that should be cautiously used with Bipolar populations.

I have been taking Effexor XR for the past few years to treat general anxiety and depression. Overall, it has been a great medication and has helped me to stay mentally fit. Although right now, I am not taking the right dosage (couldn't afford the additional milligrams it while I was off of insurance), and so I do not think I am receiving the full benefits of the drug at this time, as my anxiety and depression are more apparent than I'd like them to be. That is, compared to when I know I am on the right dosage of medication.

The side effects for me really only include Inorgasmia, which I notice with all anti-anxiety/depression medications. Otherwise, the only ill effects I notice are when I skip a day. In those cases, I am fatigued, off-balance, have very vivid dreams, and can sleep for extended periods. As long as I take it every day, though, side effects have been very minimal.

I have ME/CFS which is not only very painful, but can and does cause depression. It's a chronically disabling neuro-immune disease for which there is no cure at this time. I was prescribed Effexor specifically for the aid in reducing pain, as the chemicals in our brains tend to become off-balanced in situations like this, and also to help me to better cope with having a chronic health condition. I have to say that although the effects weren't ground-breaking, it has helped immensely. I plan to continue taking this medication until there is a better treatment for this illness which will alleviate the constant pain and other debilitating symptoms.

I have been taking Effexor XR (150mgs) since 2003 for social phobia. I hesitated to put a rating on it, because there have been good and bad effects from this drug. I will start with the good.

Effexor XR changed my life in a good way. Coupled with therapy, the use of Effexor XR has made me able to talk to people, whereas before I was too shy to do so. Everyday social situations were too much for me before I began taking Effexor XR. I was scared at parties and at work to talk to people. Even people I knew, I was afraid that they were constantly negatively judging me. I was even afraid to use the telephone or to use public restrooms for fear of others judging me. Now that I've been on Effexor XR, all of that has changed for the better. I am able to go about daily life without looking over my shoulder to see who is watching me.

The reason I am unable to give Effexor XR a high rating is because I worry about its side effects. It has a short half-life and if I don't remember to take the medication at the right time, the side effects make themselves known quickly. The side effects that I personally have experienced are a tingling in my skin (this is the first side effect I notice) and agitation over little things; anything could set off my temper. If I forget to take it for longer periods of time, perhaps two or three days, I start to feel what people refer to as brain zaps, which is hard to explain, but feels as though the world bounces around me or as if my brain is banging against my skull. My advice to anyone thinking of taking Effexor XR: do your research and see if another alternative wouldn't work better before you get on this drug, because it's very hard to get off of.

I was on Effexor for about a year for depression, and had to stop taking it because of the cost. My dose eventually reached 75mg of the Extended Release Capsule. It worked wonders for me, and changed my whole perspective. While other medications had worked, this was top notch. I was stable, and didn't have that cloudy, overcast feeling to my mood. I could tell how effective it was, because if I forgot one dose, the drastic change in mood I experienced was intense. The only downside is when I stopped taking the medication. The withdraw symptoms are some of the worst I've ever had. I would wake up throughout the night drenched in sweat, but chilled. I was a totally different person, always flying off the handle. I was also on Trazodone, for sleeping. Lately I've also been taking Depokote, a mood stabalizer. I did not have any adverse side effects. Effexor worked very well for me, and I will be starting back up on the generic as soon as possible.

I was on Effexor for about 1 year primarily for anxiety/stress. The side efects far outweighed any benefit I received. First of all, when getting on the medication, I went through 2 weeks of agonizing stomach issues - which unfortunately was timed with a family vacation. Once on it, I was always sweating, and I mean always.

My cholesterol and blood pressure also spiked while on it. I don't know if there is a conection, but now that I am off of it, they remain my primary health issues. When weaning myself off the drug, I experienced the same awful electrical impulses through my body tha everyone reports, although not as severe as most. It took about 2 weeks for them to stop completely.

Now that I am off it, I can't believe my doctor ever prescribed it. It's like using an elephant gun on a termite. I do not recommend the drug to anyone, unless you have serious mental health issues that need to be addressed.

I began taking Effexor after the birth of my fourth child. My doctor and I decided that I was not suffering from postpartum depression. I was simply suffering from too much to do and too much stress. I now had 4 children, my husband had just taken a pay cut and I was fired before my baby was even 1 week old.

My doctor suggested I try the Effexor. He seemed to think it would relax me enough that I could begin to get my life back on track. I began by taking 1/2 a pill for seven days. Then I increased to the full dosage daily.

In the beginning I felt so relaxed I could hardly stay awake. This passed within a few days. Now I am not sleepy during the day but I do sleep wonderfully at night. I also noticed some taste changes. Foods that I have always liked suddenly were not appealing. This also went away after a few weeks. I have noticed that I am not nearly as inclined to eat. I don't know if this is because I was eating due to stress or if I am just not as hungry. I have lost almost ten pounds. A nice side effect that I was not expecting.

I have now weaned myself to only taking 1/2 a dose every day. I have skipped days and noticed a change in myself immediately. Never has anyone said "Wow, you must be on something, you are so much happier." The strange thing is if I forget a dose my kids are quick to say "Why are you being so ugly today?"

I was first diagnosed with depression in 1994. In addition to counseling, I tried several different anti-depressant medications at that time. They seemed ineffective and caused side effects that made functioning in a normal manner very difficult. Then I tried Effexor which didn't give me the bad side effects, so I stayed on it for about a year. My depression became worse, although probably not due to taking Effexor. About a year later things in my life improved, I seemed free of depression, and my psychiatrist slowly weaned me off of the Effexor. I continued to be free of depression.

Five years later I lost a close family member and my depression came back. I went to see a different psychiatrist, as I had relocated to a different city. I told the psychiatrist about my previous bout with depression. The psychiatrist asked about my prior counseling and medication treatments, and their effectiveness. I gave him a brief synopsis and we decided that I would try taking Effexor Extended Release, along with counseling.

I took Effexor Extended Release and had weekly counseling sessions for approximately 9 months, and my depression seemed to continually improve. I seemed to hit a plateau where I consistently no longer felt depressed. So I suggested that we end the counseling and medication treatments. The psychiatrist agreed, weaned me off of the Effexor Extended Release, and ended the counseling sessions.

I don't know just how much of a positive effect the Effexor and Effexor Extended Release, or the counseling sessions, had in helping me pull out of depression, because both times there were significant positive things that happened in my life that also were at least partially responsible for my improved emotional state. But I cannot rule out the effectiveness of the medication and counseling either.

One good thing about Effexor was that I didn't experience any side effects that kept me from working or functioning in a normal manner, which was not the case with the other medications I had tried.

I have been treated for depression for about 25 years now, and will likely have to take meds the rest of my life. From time to time something that was working well may cease to work for me and the doctor will experiment with something else, until they get me back on track.

For one horrid month I was put on effexor, and it was the very worst antidepressant I was ever on. I've been on quite a few - I could name at least 6 or so just off the top of my head and I'm sure there's more, but I'll never forget effexor.

I had very strange, horrifying psychotic dreams while I was on effexor. I would wake up in terror with my heart racing. I would not want to go back to sleep for fear the dreams would return. It was absolutely awful and when I went back to the doctor I told her I never ever wanted to take that stuff again.

To this day I cringe whenever I hear someone say they're taking effexor. I know it doesn't effect everyone the way it did me, but I've never had a med bother me the way that one did, and I want others to be aware that effexor can have that kind of side effect and if it does, there are OTHER CHOICES out there - don't stay with it!

Effexor is an excellent antidepressant medication that provided my life with much needed light and hope. This medication has helped to rescue me from darkness and make it possible for me to associate relatively normally with other people. Without Effexor, I think that I would have likely retreated to my room and rarely emerged from it. Now, I did experience some side effects while taking this medication, including sleepiness and sweating. The sleepiness could be particularly difficult to cope with because there were some days where I could not get myself out of bed at all and there were other times when I was out the house and I found myself overcome with sleepiness, but luckily I was with someone each time. Overall, the side effects, in my opinion, are bearable as long as you have family or friends around you in the hours after the medication is taken. This medication can help you emerge from a world that looks like it has been permanently covered with dark clouds that are constantly swallowing up all the warmth from the people and the ground.