User Reviews for Venlafaxine (Effexor)

my life would not be as fullfilling as it is today had i not begiven this 6yrs ago life has bec ome easier to manage and cope with

Because of my faith I would not harm myself, but just felt tired of living and didn't want to do so any lomger. I am slowly getting back to old self and enjoying life.

Ive only been on this for a week, but have NO energy whatsoever. I am only taking 75mg 2x per day and am supposed to increase to 150mg 2 x per day but am afraid I'll never get out of bed! My head feels "swimmy" and my good vocabulary seems to have disappeared, as I cannot even seem to remember simple words. I think I'm pre-menopausal but my doctor seems to insist upon antidepressants. Not sure what to do. Feel stuck.

Was put Effexor after I was diagnosed with a stroke. Helped the fatigue and improved my walking. Gained 10 pounds in the 1st 6 weeks.

as negative experiences/pressure on life find it extremely difficult to make the adjustment without an extreme amount of rest-doesn't help attitude to challange responsibilities

I have been on Effexor for 4 years and have had satisfactory results. However, I have stopped taking it because of losing my health insurance when I changed jobs. The withdrawal symptoms are awful!!! I can't eat or sleep. I am agitated and very nasty. I am just wondering how long this will last. I don't think I can handle this for a long period of time. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know!!!

i only started on this drug a week ago. so it is probably to early for me to review the effectiveness.

225 mg has worked for me up until the last few months. I have gone through several life changes and am having trouble maintaining on this dosage now. I don't want to change drugs but not sure what to do.

Been on This med for years,it quit working and had to up dose to 225mg a day,Problamatic side effects have been weight loss,no appetite and no libido.This med has helped me in so many ways,Also my doctor warned me years ago that when i started it i would prolly have to stay on it due to its unbearable effects on you when you try and quit,He was honest and i chose to use it to get me back up from a very Dark and suicidal depression that i have had for many years.No Complaints here.Deal with your Depression or side effects its your choice.Read More Read Less

I started on a very low dose for 5 days then doubled to 75mg. I couldn't sleep, had weird dreams, gained 5 lbs, and stomach issues. Not worth it!

Took 37.5 mg, for hot flashes/anxiety. Worked well. When I wanted to go off it, I just dropped one tablet every other week. Started with every other Monday, for example. Two weeks later, skipped a Wednesday (too) as well. And so forth. It took about 14 weeks, then, to clear all 7 days of taking it. No trouble weaning off that way.

The Side Effects of this Drug are not worth taking it. Discontinuing is very hard and can take a very long time. If you have a choice, pick another med other than effexor for mild anxiety or mild depression.

This medication has not affected me in a positive way. Side effects experineced: pounding headache and blurry vision. No improvement in depression or anxiety.

I felt like a zombie on this medication. I was tired, but unable to sleep. My thinking was cloudy. It did not help my social anxiety or help me talk to people and make friends. It just made me accept my aloneness.

This has been the worst experience of my life with a medication at least with depression I didnt care. The severe side effects that are causing me to come off this poision happended overnight: gained 13lbs in less than a month, developed severe dry mouth so bad I would choke, severe severe rage. Im almost done with this poision and the withdrawls are horriable I lost 5lbs in this last week due to no appetitie and when I eat I throw up, I feel like I'm on speed and aggitated when I'm awake and when I crash I sleep and never want to get up, it has destroyed my life and marriage, please do you research 1st dont take your doctors word that this is a great drug i thought so until it caught up with me.Read More Read Less

My doctor just prescribed this for hot flashes, because I didn't want to go on hormones. She said this has been effective. I just took one pill and never felt worse from the medications than I have with the side effects of the menopause. I feel nausea, blrured vision and the worsest sudden headache and depression. I hope I don't suffer permanent damage from the medication. This is not worth the risk. Doctors need to think twice before prescribing this medication.

I can not get an erection nor do i have a sex drive

I was prescribed effexor to help with the depression that comes with fibromyalgia. I loved effexor, lost about 50 pounds, was singing instead of cussing. I have been on it for about 5 years. Started to notice extremely bad side effects if I missed a dose, progressed to the point if I did not take it at exactly the same time every day I would have terrible side effects. I literally felt Like I was dying! I could barely talk much less go to work! My heart felt "sick", head zapping numbness/pain, felt like a stroke or seizure, forgetfulness, extreme lethargy, brain fog, confusion, blurred vision, on and on it goes. The worst part was the mood swings, from crying at a toilet paper ad to screaming at and hitting the computer for going slower than a second. The rage is the worst...my poor family avoid me as much as possible because I have become such a horror to be around. It is the worst withdrawal symptoms I have ever seen. I kept trying to stay on it because of the weight loss and the "happy" syndrome (until I missed a dose of course). This drug is dangerous and nearly impossible to get off of.Read More Read Less