User Reviews for Venlafaxine (Effexor)

Too soon to know if it is really helping, but I have noticed if I drink any alochol I am very sick the next day. I have also gained some weight.

I have been on Effexor XR for over 10 years. Began at the 75mg level at the age of 18 and switched to 150mg after a year. Recently switched to the regular from the extended release due to my insurance. This medicine has been amazing for me. I used to experience severe mood swings, anger and anxiety. The only side effects I have are vivid nightmares on occasion and I bruise very easily. I did take this drug with both pregnancies due to the fact that the benefits outweighed the consquences and at the time not much was known about the effects Effexor has on pregnancy. My boys were perfectly healthy and happy. I have tried to go off of Effexor a couple times working with my doctor. I was weaned off and put on another medication over a few months. The withdrawl and side effects were horrid. I had severe anxiety to the point I felt like my insides were shaking. I had flu-like symptoms and felt like my head was in a cloud. The anger was the worst. I was full of rage for no reason and was extremely mean. I can't say for sure my symptoms were caused from withdrawl or were from my depression. I would highly recommend this medicine if you truly need it but be very careful and research the side effects. Plan on being this medicine forever once you begin.Read More Read Less

When I took it it gave me a terrible heartburn.

Ihave A Lot OF ANXIETY AND CAN GET VERY ANGRY. hAVE ptsd from witnessing suicide. Am on low dose 75Mg which helps a lot. But medication is addictive so do not want to increase.

I'm 55 and have had anxiety disorder since the 7th grade, but didn't get medical help until I was 49. My doctor put me on the generic version of Effixor (Venlafaxine)about 6 years ago and I have been on it since. I have to say it is a "wonder" drug. It's made life on earth worth living. The improvement this drug has made greatly out weights the negative side effects. I take 150mg per day. 75mg in the morning and 75mg at bed time. You can't miss a dose. If I do my brain starts to hum inside, (i can't explain it as there is nothing i can reference it to),I become aggitated and I know something is wrong. The biggest side effect I notice is my reduced sexual drive. It really puts to "death" my libido. I don't have the sexual desires as I use to have before the medication, but again this drug has given me my life back where I can function and contribute to society. Read More Read Less

Effexor is excellent for anxiety...but don't miss a dose. I have used this at a very low dose (75mg) along with Celexa and it effectively manages severe depression and anxiety. Two downsides with this med: 1. If you miss taking it, you will get sick. Even at 75mg. 2. Regular Venlafaxine hurts my stomach. I have to take the extended release capsules or risk an ulcer.

I started through the menopause thing and a friend said she knew someone who used Effexor and it was successful. Since I didn't want to start hormone therapy, I suggested it to my doctor and we tried it. It leveled off my mood swings that came with the hot flashes. I started exercising regularly and trying to watch what I eat. This combination was successful for me. I am at 75 mg. and I feel more balanced in my life. At 50, I have met a man after being single for 10 years and have fallen in love again! Life is good, and the Effexor has just leveled things for me so that I feel more myself! Read More Read Less

a missed dose results in uncomfortable "side effects". I know when I've missed a dose.

Worsens conditions, gave disorders that took almost a year to regain my "natrual chemical balance". Gave me a phobia for pills and a weak stomach. I would literally gag at the sight of a pill. Doctor said it was normal, it only got worse within the next months and as the doctor up my dosage. The Withdraw from this drugs is very strong. Made me never want to take pills again.

I only took one dose of this medicine and I had a bad siezure and passed out.. When I woke up my chest felt like it was on fire! I was shaking really bad..Felt like my whole body had falling asleep and tingling. I was sweating so bad I couldn't stand it! It was horrible!! Not recommended by me!

Dizzy and Nausia. Total lack of appetite. Bad insomnia. Doctor said stick it out they will go away. But I couldn't. Then read a study that Lexapro is equally effective with milder side effects and that it works faster. Another study said it's discontinuation syndrome was considerable less. It wasn't without side effects, but I can tollerate it and getting of it is pretty easy.

WARNING!!! What ever you do Do not take Effexor without reading the effects you will have when you want to come off it...#1 The effects you will live with when coming off this drug are not worth it....I weaned off the best way possible going from 150mg to 107 to 75 and finally to 37.5 over a couple months and still had to live with the worst side effects / withdraw symptoms you could imagine for months!! You dont get warnings on this before taking this drug. Look/google it up and read the horror stories before you decide to take this drug... You will be sooooo sick no matter what when you try to get off this drug.....tons of people can not get off because of how bad the withdrawl is. You just can not function...You are to ill to move, you get so dizzy you vomit, you get weird brain zapping feelings, you cant concentrate, I was afraid to drive it was so bad and so on... #2 Now being off this drug and the side effects slowing I feel so alive, motivated, happy,I can finally poop like normal and sex !! Being on Effexor you might as well forget sex... I forgot how fun it was (lol). I had no idea what this drug did to me, looking back just a month later and how I feel now,,,,Was I a walking zombie?...I dont know but Im so happy to be off it....I would not recommend Effexor to anyone!!! Personally I will stick to prozac...... Good luck to all....Read More Read Less

I was on Paxil, gained 40 pounds and was still depressed. Now, I'm on 300mg of Effexor and I'm able to lose the weight. No side effects that I can tell. I've been on it for about 3 years. It has saved my life

oNLY BEEN ON 4 COUPLE OF WEEKS...CAN'T SAY YET

not found this to be prescribed to many my age, but in any event, have seen an improvement. Other than incredibly vivid dreams I wake up to having a hard time determining whether they were real or not, this has been incredibly successful. No more overwhelming anxiety and mood swings. When I do get sad, however, I get really sad. This happens rarely.

i have headaches from the medecine and diabetes and high blood pressure. it helps me explain my thoughts and feelings and i notice my mood has improved a lot. I have taken it for 5 days and i noticed an immediate help unlike celexa. Depression runs in my family and most of my cousins and my sister are on effexor. My doctor hesitated to give me this. she said it is hard to come off of this drug unlike the other antidepressants i had taken before.

I can't say enough positive things about Effexor. I took it for about 2 years, 75 MG and it was a lifesaver. It's a great companion to Wellbutrin, and helped both my anxiety and depression. I felt level headed and human again. I took it to get over a rough patch in my life then was slowly weaned off. My anxiety returned within 3 months to monstrous proportions. The only side effect I experienced was a slight feeling of being "doped up", but when I found the dose that was right for me, that mostly subsided. I can't recommend Effexor enough! For my current anxiety the same doctor is prescribing Lexapro instead to see if it makes me less "doped up". But, if Lexapro isn't for me, I will have no hesitation in taking Effexor again.Read More Read Less

Severe depression, anxiety, sadness. Tried many different medications over the years. My psychiatrist decided to put me on Effexor. Felt immediate relief. More cheerful, more energy and weight loss. No more side effects than any other meds. If you listen to all the cons you are setting yourself up for failure. It's scarey reading some of these reviews. I wouldn't have started it if not for a psychiatrist I trust and who monitors me closely.