User Reviews for Venlafaxine (Effexor)

I have had so many side effects with Effexor. Have felt nauseated since day one. Headaches, muscle cramps, mouth sores and not sleeping being just a few. I will stop taking this drug. I think it works ok on my depression but the side effects are troublesome.

tastes terrible and must be taken exactly on time or you will have a seriously bad migraine for hours, nausea/vomiting and uncontrolled muscle jerks.

I was on Effexor for two months at the lowest dose for PMDD. I am currently in withdrawal because I can no longer deal with the side effects...I have spent the last 3 days in bed and feel terrible...Worst withdrawal process ever! WILL NEVER TAKE THIS DRUG AGAIN!

when you start Effexor it really helps. The longer your on it the less it helps and the doctors ups your dosage. If you don't take it the same time everyday you start to have withdrawls within an hour. Weird feelings inside. And if you come off the Effexor this will be one of the hardest things you will ever do. I don't recommend Effexor if there is anything else out there.

It took 2 weeks before my migraines went away. I had nausea 24-7. Felt spaced out and fell down while using it.

Effexor Xr (Venlafaxine) was strategically designed to create dependency. My first attempt at discontinuing the medication resulted in 2 ER visits and 1 five day inpatient stay (worst experience ever). This medication lowers my motivation to press on and succeed in life and at the same time does nothing to help me deal with my anxiety. The drug only helps you care less when you don't succeed or lose something you love. I should have never been prescribed this medication but unfortunately I was and have been taking it at 300mgs per day for 7 years. The problem with caring less is that you let go of things that are important to you and as time passes the worst things become. The combination of the chemical dependency and screwed up life choices this medication promotes makes an impenetrable fortress of misery keeping you on the drug for the rest of your life. Please also consider the affects on your organs (liver) which will make your body sick. The positive reviews sound so fake. People who are depressed do not use exclamation points. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION!!!!Read More Read Less

I read all of the horror stories about this one, and I am happy to report I have had NO side effects whatsoever. I also missed a dose and had no brain zaps as they call them or other issues. I hope this ends up working for me. Remember that what we read doesn't always happen to everyone, and sometimes are mind takes over and controls our bodys.

Have been taking this for over 10 years, and it really works for me. I take a very high dose: 375 mg/day. I feel really normal now.

When I first started with Effexor it seemed to work fairly well but the longer I'm on it the less it feels like its working. I've talked with my doctor about it and he just shrugged his shoulders.

I've been taking the generic version of effexor for about 1 year now. I was on Cymbalta for anxiety, depression and neuropathy. I have been experiencing more and more bouts of depression lately and wonder it if might be because I'm taking the generic version and not the brand name or if perhaps my doctor should increase my dosage or change me back to Cymbalta. I'll discuss that at my next appt. Several years ago I tried to commit suicide. Lately I'm feeling worthless and very sad. I don't want to go that route again. I want to be happy I just don't know if it's possible. You see, I've suffered from depression most of my life and it seems perhaps it's just not meant to be.Read More Read Less

My doctor has had me work up to 150mg daily over the course of about 7 weeks. I am taking the drug for depression and social anxiety (some borderline traits) and to stop OCD thoughts. Initially the drug seemed to help me focus a bit better. That has gone away. I haven't noticed a significant improvement in any area, perhaps it's too soon to tell. However I am likely going to switch meds: the side effects are bothering me. Loss of appetite (have lost about ten pounds without intending to or wanting to), integestion that is getting worse, some difficulty n the toilet as well (sorry if tmi). This may work for some people, but it doesn't seem to be my best bet :)Read More Read Less

Effexor worked wonders for my anxiety, but was VERY hard to get off of! It took months to wean myself off and i had bad side effects - brain zaps, naseau and dizziness.

I was on this medication for 7 month it really helped me I was a different person on it was happy all time an very mellow only side effect for me was I gained 28 lbs and I was working out 6 days a week, I weighed off it slowly and was ok just little moody ,I am taking Wellbutrin which didn't help alone so I also take low dose of lexapro (10mg) I feel a lot better then I did on just Wellbutrin but I have to say I felt better on Effexor only reason I went off it was cause of the weight gain ....l

I have experienced varying degree of depression all of my life and the tears were always 'near the surface'. I began on 75mg, then increased and finally to 300. I have never felt more stable and content in my life. This is despite my husband's fastly failing health.

I seem to have none of the symptoms other users have stated in their reviews. I think this medication has helped me greatly with little side effect. I do occasionally experience some dizziness around the time of taking it but I cannot be sure as to what it is caused from. I do take several other meds at that time. I started at 37.5mg QD and have worked up to 150mg QD and it seems to keep me at an even keel.

I have been taking this drug for about six months now. At first it was helping but now I have had other issues. Upon review I have found my other issues to be side effects of this drug. I am now under a doctors care to go off this drug. However, going off has been horrible. I read comments out here and feel relieved to know it has not been just me. That I am not crazy or making things up. Now that I know I will have to tough through it. I am upset that my GYN doctor so casually prescribed this drug. Very angry and disappointed.Read More Read Less

I have a neuro-muscular disease and we were adding this medication in to help treat pain. Started on 37.5mg pill and was supposed to work up to 4 pills a day at bedtime. After several months I have only made it to 2.5 pills a day because of the side effects. It makes me REALLY tired, even the next day I am so groggy I am having trouble getting to work and staying awake for 8 hrs. I've gained weight, it's caused my severe mood swings and depression. The worst is when I take it I get really nauseated, anxious and I can't handle any sound (like the tv) or people or light. I've been hanging in hoping the side effects would go away or would be worth the benefit of non-opiod pain relief, but so far not! No interest in sex, I am way too young for this crap I'm done.Read More Read Less

I was prescribed Effexor for moderate anxiety about four years ago. After about 4 - 6 weeks, I suddenly started to feel calmer. Amazing difference! After all this time, I occasionaly feel a twinge of anxiety, but my lifestyle is definitely a factor and the anxiety is still far more manageable than it used to be. Just don't miss a dose because you'll get the Effexor dreams! They are bizarre and always have the unmistakable feeling of doom! During waking hours, you may get some buzzing in the brain as well. However, these symptoms only happen when your system gets low on the drug. Read More Read Less

Before starting Effexor, I tried Zoloft, Lexapro, Wellbutrin and Clexa. None of them helped with my anxiety, and made me even more depressed. I have taken Effexor for anxiety/ panic attacks for 3 years now. I had a one year break, due to loss of health insurance. Effexor is a miracle to me! I did not experience the severe withdrawals that others on this forum have commented on. Any symptoms I had when quitting were extremely mild. I have suffered fom panic attacks and recurrent 'episodes' of severe anxiety since I was a teenager. While taking Effexor my panic and anxiety episodes are non existent. I currently take the drug 150 mg/day and am so thankful, I can get out of bed without all the pain I used to have, due to having panic attacks at night. And since returning to normal on the drug, it has helped me lose the weight I gained from being so anxious/depressed before I started the drug. Everyone should ask their doctor for their professional opinion, because this drug is a miracle for some people! Read More Read Less

before you decide to take this medication, THINK AGAIN! This is by far the worst medication I have ever taken in my life (and mind you, I have taken about 5 other anti depressant/anti anxiety meds). Day one, as instructed took 50 mg at bed time. Felt so nauseous, almost puked twice, and had terrible sweating and insomnia. Day two (took 1/4 of a 100 mg pill 4 times throughout the day, in a fog all day, slept all day and all night. couldn't eat, was a mess. Day 3. woke up with head buzzing and felt high as a kite for hours. DID NOT take meds at all. horrible burning in stomach and anxiety at night from not taking, but went away. The side effects alone ruined two days of mine, and left me immobile and bed bound. The fatigue is nothing like I have ever experienced on any other medication. STAY AWAY!Read More Read Less