User Reviews for Venlafaxine (Effexor)

I have been taking Effexor for 5+ years - I have Fibromyalgia. It seems to help with some of the systems and helps with depression and anxiety due to the Fibro. On 112mg day. If you forget to take a dose one day, not pleasant experience - you feel like you have intense flu and very strange feelings. Don't like the 50 pounds gained, but Effexor has given me more of a normal life - I am thankful for that. I sometimes think I should start weaning off this drug, however, I then think of where I was to now, so I then stop and think, what the heck, weight gain, being on a anti depressant - humm, it helps me function - I'll stay on the low dose.Read More Read Less

been taking for 5 months now, began with 37.5 and am now at 75, the first week was rough i felt detached and shaky but that went away, i was havening severe ups and downs before beginning effexor and now i'm pretty leveled out if a little emotionally numb. my dreams have gotten super intense as well, and i have lost about 10 pounds. all in all so far so good, everyone is right though, whatever you do DO NOT miss a dose or it feels like your brain is being zapped.

helps with the anxity have had no side effects

It is OK but would prefer something with a little more change for my life. Tried Effexor XR what a change. Suicidal thoughts. No thank you. Will stay with non ER...slow but efficient.

I have tolerated this drug better than others (BuSpar (hallucinations), Paxil (intense lethargy but lovely sleep), Zoloft (ugly rash), & Prozac (intense suicidal thoughts). Xanax - a calmer - is so nice, but unfortunately docs fear its addictiveness and it treats anxiety but not depression (unless the depression is caused by anxiety). The nice thing about Effexor: it covers both of my symptoms - depression and anxiety. I have gained about 50 pounds, however, which has been consistent in the past 14 years since I started it. You definitely will know if you miss a dose as you will have waves moving through your head and feelings of detachment from reality. This scares me as I'm sure it will affect tapering off, which I hear isn't easy to do. It's a powerful drug and can be very effective. But, you have to be strongly committed to sticking with it. It takes weeks to kick in and you can't stop taking it abruptly. Also you must be sure to not miss doses or you will suffer extreme side effects as your brain tries to adjust to life without the chemicals it craves. I had weird intense dreams before starting Effexor but they have become even more extreme on it. Be ready for that. The dreams will intensify your psychological conflicts.Read More Read Less

My sister was on this medication for nine years. She feels like she has lost nine years of her life. She was very delusional,parinoid, seeing and hearing things. Finally she had a breakdown and ended up in the hospital she was screaming throwing things. The DR. that was treating said she was in orbit for two days before the other medication brought her back to reality. THER NEEDS TO BE A WARNING ABOUT THIS MEDICATION. I'm just wondering how many people are suffering needlessly due of the severe side effcts my sister suffered with while taking this medicationRead More Read Less

After only a week I felt like a switch turned on and I'm living again, feeling happy and motivated to clean up the clutter I accumalated during my years of chronic depression

I've only been taking 75mg a day for about 3 weeks now so the meds. may not be working fully yet. However you need to know that if you have to take a drug screening for anything this med. will cause you to test positive for PCP. I was not made aware of this until my supervisor (a nurse) explained it to me...Be sure to take your prescription w/ you for any drug screening!

I have been placed on several medications like Effexor and I have to say that none really keep me stabilized. I'm not sure if the benefits outweigh the risks, since these medications tend to raise blood sugar and cholesterol, both of which I am dealing with now. I take it with Lamictal, klonipin, adderall, and mirapex. I don't knowh how they all combine, but I wish there was a safer way to stay stable.

I have taken this for 4 yrs and it did help me thru a tough time the,only problem is if I miss a dose..it's horrible strange dreams,ringing ears, pulsing head...I want to get off it now, I have cut the dosage in half for 3 weeks and want to go lower but can't without feeling sick any ideas??

Much better than Zoloft, at least I have a sex drive now.

I was supposed to take 37&1/2mg for a week then graduate to 75mg but I only lasted 5 days. I was nauseous and light-headed. My anxiety worsened and I developed uncontrollable tremors in my hands and legs. I'd rather be a little down than feel like I was going to shake to death.

Found Effexor to be effective on depression. Nausea went away after a short time. Sweating still bad and libido very low. I have to stop though, because my cholesterol has gone from 135 to 295. If you are using Effexor, monitor this. It is rare, but can happen.

Took this for bout 7yr. changed Dr.s a couple of times and they just kept me on it. Lost effectiveness and weened myself off taking 37.5mg. a day for bout 3 mo. Last dose on 12/31/09 and on 1/22/10 still having withdrawals. The zooming behind eyes, 20lbs. gained. Eating to try to settle nauseau. Feel like I have the flu every eve. at sunset!! WTF! Just got diagnosed with high BP, 150/101 and diabetes sugar aroun 215. From stopping Effexor???!!! Anyone going through this let me know.

before taking I cried over everything, felt like crawling in a hole and disappearing. Now I just am, no feelings at all. Better ?????

I originally reviewed this drug 11/29/09. I gave it high marks then because it was working great. However, after 2 months I developed constant and severe indigestion, and I always took it with food. I also experienced weight gain and extreme laziness and always wanted to sleep. Weaned myself off in a few days which triggered headaches, but they are decreasing now. The Dr. switched my meds to Cymbalta. I guess I'll have to wait and see if that works any better.

After only taking this medication for 3 days, I have lost 5 pounds. It has made me violently ill. I don't even have an appetite. Other side effects have included: blurry vision, tremors, hot fashes, night sweats, and serious fatigue (which probably is due to not being able to eat). This was certainly not the medicine for me...

I started taking EFFEXOR 4 years ago VERY EXPENSIVE Drug 150 MG. My Doctor started me out with 35MG and I worked my way up wasn't till I got the genaric form did I truly love these after I got my dose down on my own as I could have went off them at that time. I take 75MG a day. And by breaking the pill down I could go off them now if I chose to.I did not like the high dose as It made me sleepy all the time and not care about nothing and I do not like not caring. Even at low dose I know when it is time for Medicine. I too get headace's, and a strange sinsation in my head but when I think of how I was with panic it is O.K. Read More Read Less