User Reviews for Venlafaxine (Effexor)

I started Effexor for crippling anxiety and I wish I never started taking it. I'm really bad at remembering to take my meds and if I miss a dose by even a couple hours I feel terrible withdrawal symptoms. One time I couldn't get the scrip filled for a few days and had to be hospitalized. I'm still severely depressed too. I can't stand being on this medication anymore and it's going to take a while to wean myself off of it.

You will feel flu-like symptoms if you forget more than one dose. Extremely dangerous to stop taking suddenly - it took 6 weeks to wean off it under a dr.'s supervision. Must decrease dose VERY slowly. Dr. said if someone stopped cold turkey, hopsitilization was likely. Didn't feel it was effective and in fact I suspected it was making me feel worse.

Upon awakening, if I did get any sleep, I had a deep crying feeling inside from my stomach to my chest. The feeling of loosing a close family member abruptly. Therefore, I could not get myself motivated to get out of bed or get dressed for the day, or general taking care of my needs/hygiene. After 6 days on effexor xr I no longer have that emotional pain inside and I get dressed half the time. I feel better, I am getting a bit more deep sleep. It is doing well for me, as I am paradoxical to so many medications. I hope it continues. I take 75 mg per day.Read More Read Less

My husband was prescribed Effexor for PTSD. Since he has been on it in the last two years I don't see where it has helped him at all. He's tried to come off of it once and he kept complaining that "his head felt funny" he eventually had to go back on it because of the withdrawal symptoms. His mood swings are terrible, angry outbursts and well I don't see where it helped him any besides becoming an addict to it. The sex drive is gone, erections that last for maybe 5 minutes and him complaining that he has no "feeling" anymore" in that department, headaches constantly. I wouldn't suggest anyone to start this medication. It has been the biggest problem in our marriage for going on two years. I just want the person back I married because this is not him. Read More Read Less

dry hacking cough I've had for over 18 months I stopped the effexor a year ago and still coughing I never had a cough like this before or any breathing problems and now it won't quit. Help

For years I suffered from anxeity when in groups of people or with confrontation at work, I also suffered from bouts of rage and depression. I take 75 mg daily and it has changed my life for the better. As with any antidepressent, when stopping usage or starting a new medication it must be taken in steps, your doctor shoul provide the best understanding of symptoms and withdrawl. I have had no weight gain, or sexual problems and am more relaxed and easier to get along with.

I wish I would of never taken this due to horriable eye problems, blured vision, pain in eyes, I already have ringing in the ears, this has made it worse, it has helped the depression, but I will wean myself off this, no problem w/weight gain.

Just take one month ago. I think it works good for me so far

I just started this medication 3 days ago and the side effectsare troubling me. First of all I think that the pharmacist gave me incorrect directions. Do they usually start someone off with: 50mg twice a day, 37.5 twice a day, and also 75 mg twice a day? That seems like a lot to me to start out with. I caaled my doc to ask about this but have not recieved a call back. I did it per these directions for 2 days and couldn't stand the vomiting after eating anything, the muscle tension that I could not control, and the clenching of my jaw. it also made me very dizzy and I had to lay down. Are these symtoms normal or am I having adverse reaction? I have been online looking up side effects but have not found an answer to how this drug is started and if I am taking too much . I took myself down to only the 50 mg twice a day until I hear from my doctor.Read More Read Less

My doctor tried 5 or 6 different medications before this one to treat depression/anxiety. They all gave me severe panic attacks and insomnia. The only side effect I had with this one was night sweats, which went away after the first 2 weeks. I feel normal again - great stuff.

Very useful with the feelings of sadness, hopelessness and helplessness. However, bigtime weight gain and impossible to wean off of!! Almost a curse!

THis drug has been very effective for me , i stoped taking it and was prescribed other drugs for a couple but none of these worked as effectivily as efexor.The only negative was when i had to come of the tablet the withdrawls were terribile

I took Prozac for 4 or 5 years but then it stopped working. My doctor called it "Prozac poop out" and said it happens sometimes. I've been on Effexor for a couple of years. I don't notice any side effects. I am grateful to feel "normal." I can laugh at things that go wrong. On the other hand, I also still cry over sad or sentimental movies. Before I started antidepressants I was worried I'd feel numb or zombie-like, but that is not the case at all.

I have been taking this medication for almost a year now and am quite happy withthe results. One side effect that does bother me though is the sweating. It is horrible at night, but I will live with it due to the results on my emotional state and mood.

I had a hysterectomy in 79 and ovaries removed in 83. I have have been on primarin since 83. I have had problems for years, finally we found the ovary & crevix grew back, we think it was the hormones. So to fight the hot flashes I was put on Effexor. Now I have very high blood pressure and many other side effects. Now I have slowly ease off the effexor. Hot flashes would be better then this.

helps to stabilze my moods

I took this medication for a long time. It had a reverse effect on me, as well as many others. It got so bad that i attempted suicide on this drug. I took a minimal amount but my liver and kidneys are about to fail. My doctor said if i would have taken effexor normally, my organs would fail in six more months. This is a horrible drug. Im sixteen and this drug has completely deteriorated my life as well as my esophagus. I recommend you do not take effexor.

There are a few problems I had with this medication: first, after only a month, my menstrual cycle lasted exactly 7 days instead of the normal 4 days. Also, this medication has had a very very dizzying effect on me. When I wake up or lie down, I feel like the room is spinning or my eyeballs are spinning around in my head. One thing I did like is my appetite decreasing, but that is not worth the dizzy effect. I have taken myself off of this pill.