Effexor for Depression User Reviews (Page 4)

• Lano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2019

"This was the worst of of all medications i have tried for anxiety and depression. This antidepressant made me more depressed than I have ever been in my life and made me suicidal. I tried it for 6 weeks and now am in process of weaning off this dirty drug. Poison."

• Health...
• March 4, 2008

"I've been on Effexor XR for several years now. As far as helping to control my depression, it has been wonderful. However, I have had some severe side effects. I have gained 80 lbs since I started taking the medication. I have been diagnosed with benign vertigo. I have had countless specialists poke and prod me because no one can figure out why I get a sinus infection every month. I stopped getting menstrual cycles, and specialists can't figure out why. These are all possible side effects"

• flying...
• March 25, 2013

"I've been on Effexor for 7 years now...after a crazy up-bringing coupled with drug and alcohol abuse as a teenager I spiraled into a deep depression after my wife died 13 yrs ago. I still have bouts of anxiety but they are short lived. I try to avoid people that trigger situations where I might start to feel like an anxiety attack is coming. I had a huge weight gain and struggle with that, I've lost 80 lbs so far due to a gastric bypass,and am on only 25 mgs down from 150 when I started."

• BAC
• April 19, 2016

"It changed my life. 48 years of just dealing with anxiety and depression not wanting to be on medication. With the onset of pre-menopause the depression was unbearable and more feelings of hopelessness. My doctor prescribed 75 mg and I feel alive again. The torment of paranoia, anxiety and the depression are gone."

• Queen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2016

"I stopped taking Topamax for mood disorder due to side effects of tingling on fingers and legs. I was recently prescribed 75 mg Effexor ER for chronic depression the generic. I started on the JAN16th noticed be loss of appetite first day, and 21Jan16 weighed in at 228.2 from 234 @ 5'6. My mood has also improved, now I have a bit more energy, and feel hopeful despite my situation not looking that way. I will be adding Wellbutrin with my Effexor. I hope the depression continues to get better and hoping to lose 70-80 lbs. as well. Give it time if it isn't working try something until you find the pill(s) for you, different pills work for different people. We all deserve a better quality of life then we had before. Good Luck"

• Purpl...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 4, 2012

"This was one of the better SSRI's I've been on. However, after using it for a few years I began to notice that some of the granules were not getting absorbed into my system. The granules were showing up in my stools completely whole. It worked wonders on my rage and moodiness though."

• Iamok
• August 27, 2011

"I have been taking Effexor 300mg for 2 years, and it has saved my life. I didn't care if I died prior to taking it. I never get sleepy or tired, and I can concentrate much better than I used too. My depression is gone."

• Effex...
• April 26, 2019

"Was on lexapro for anxiety and depression but it just wasn’t helping so I switched to Effexor and I've definitely seen improvements. I used to have to take Xanax before work every morning but now I don’t. Highly recommend. Just remember to never skip a dose or you’ll feel terrible, my doctor told me."

• Anonymous
• March 5, 2015

"I am taking 35 mg and it works great. I have strange dreams but that's about it for side effects.It doesn't interfere with sexual health like a lot of anti-depressants do.I can see staying on it for as long as I need to.I am glad that I tried, also lessened fibromyalgia outbreaks."

• zepman
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2015

"I had to restart Effexor for the 4th time and it still works very well. My depression started to lift by the second week. The last time it took longer - about a month - before I felt any relief, it all depends. If the period of time before depression is one full of stress, longer, with many irritations, then it takes a little longer for Effexor to work. This 4th time it was only a sudden stressful situation with my mother's health - she was diagnosed with cancer - that sank me into depression. Somehow Effexor worked again and I thank God for that. The side effects for me are almost not worth mentioning and exercise helps a lot. I feel like myself again and some joy of life is back. I first took Effexor in 2005 and I'm glad it still works."

• Jimmy
• November 15, 2008

"I started taking Effexor about a year ago. Started on 75mg and went all the way to the maximum 375mg over a 6 month period. The side effects were really quite bad, thus had to cut back to 225mg, this dose works very well. Some doctors are quite quick to push up your doses if your progress is slow. My advice is give it plenty of time before increasing doses. More isnt always better. Effexor is a good drug just somtimes can be a little slow working, the withdrawal from cutting down tablets wasn't really that bad at all; as long as you take it slow. Good luck to everyone who takes this drug."

• Anonymous
• September 13, 2008

"I had the 5HTTLPR biomarker and CYP450 genotyping tests from a blood draw (which can help doctors determine how antidepressants are metabolized by your specific genetics and help predict which medications may be most beneficial as well as how long it may take for you to notice results), and was prescribed Effexor based on that info. It has helped me GREATLY for 6 months so far."

• Lane
• December 7, 2014

"I am a 21 year old female. I was on Prozac for ten years (40 mg at the end) before switching to Effexor (37.5 mg at first, 262.5 mg now) because I was having issues with anxiety. I was ok for a while then I became extremely depressed and suicidal. My doctor increased my dose and although it did take away the misery and suicidal thoughts, I wouldn't describe myself as happy. I feel constantly tired, sleeping up to 16 hours a day. I can't work and social situations exhaust me. It took me a while to realize Effexor might be responsible for some of these symptoms. I am talking to a psychiatrist about changing my medication but I'm very worried about the infamous withdrawl from Effexor."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 19, 2024

"This medication worked so well for me for about two years. It was devastating that it stopped working. It was the sixth antidepressant I had tried and the only one that worked. I was suicidal 24/7 for years and had attempts in that time. I couldn’t believe it actually took away my suicidal feelings. Not all of the time, but a lot less often and less intense than they were. I’d been severely depressed for over a decade and it was just getting worse and worse. When I got forced to the hospital, I was bedbound, severely underweight (BMI 15), had stopped eating and even drinking. This medication saved my life, and I’ll always love and be grateful for it. Since my current medication is losing its effectiveness, I am considering going back on it to see if it would work again. I was lucky that my only lasting side effect was night sweats, which I couldn’t have cared less about for how much it helped."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 29, 2019

"You better make damn sure your diagnosis is correct because if you are manic depressive instead of plain old depressed this medication could cause huge disruptions in normal life which it did to me ...twice."

• Unknown
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2019

"I had the worst depression and anxiety. I was taking Zoloft and it quit working. I am now taking Effexor and my anxiety completely went away! I was having to take Xanax throughout the day for my anxiety before I took Effexor. I now no longer have to take Xanax, I had NO side effects from Effexor and my depression is completely gone and my anxiety. The only thing it did not help is that I have no energy. I feel tired and fatigued and have no motivation to do anything. I also have had no problem sleeping at night."

• eseehlk
• April 14, 2009

"I have depression, anxiety and stress caused by my workplace. I have noticed that for the first time I can actually enjoy going to work. Before this medicine I used to cry and shake in bed before work, and my poor husband had to drive me there like I was a little kid going through withdrawals from parents. I've noticed I don"t "freak" out as much, and the best thing is my anti-medication" husband calls Effexor XR a "miracle pill". The only side effects I've noticed are extreme racing thoughts, and night sweats."

• johnc...
• December 11, 2015

"I would highly recommend this medication. I tried multiple SSRI's like prozac, zoloft, abilify, and welbutrin and this worksd far better than those. For once I actually feel happy, talkative, and good. Do not stop taking this medication cold turkey or withdrawal effects will be bad. You should always taper over an extended period of time."

• Drugs
• January 17, 2020

"I've been on Effexor for 3 or 4 months. So far I've noticed things are more pleasurable and I have a tiny bit more energy. Still have depressed days though. As for the anxiety... still there, and hasn't improved much. Panic attacks aren't as frequent or intense. But still get them. My anxiety is so bad it's to the point I can barely leave the house unless I really have to. If you're on this drug, you're going to want to stay on it and make sure you don't skip doses. I get major withdrawal symptoms like extreme dizziness, headaches. Make sure you ween off it. Overall, still depressed and definitely still anxious. The effects of relief are mild and sometimes hard to notice. I still rate it a 7 because if it has helped anything it's the panic attacks which are easily the worst mental experience you can go through aside from being tortured to death. It's very tormentuous. But because Effexor hasn't relieved much else, I'd consider trying something new."

• NW64PA
• November 1, 2008

"I've taken Effexor for 7 years, in a dosage that has decreased from 225mg to 75 mg over the last 2 years. While I had some benefit with depression I experienced side effects from Effexor. I experienced short term memory loss, problems concentrating, blurry vision, weight gain, sweating, and dry mouth. I cannot drink at all on the medication, since it exacerbates the memory and mental focus problems enormously, even at one glass of wine."

• bluej...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 27, 2016

"Effexor has been absolutely brilliant for me. I was on and off Lexapro for years, it made the anxiety less but I felt blunted and almost more depressed as there was no meaning in my life. I have hardly any side effects with Effexor (75mg). nausea the first couple weeks. Excess sweat for about 6 months. Orgasms slightly less intense, but still very enjoyable and probably easier to reach as I'm more relaxed. I find I have less control over sugar/carb cravings and am a bit lower energy and have thus gained some weight - maybe 5 kilos. All in all, I was very reluctant to try this, but it has changed my life for the better. Sometimes worry about withdrawal and safety in pregnancy - but I think Effexor saved my life, so that's the main thing!"

• ep1268x
• March 10, 2017

"I am so very thankful for this medication. It has allowed me to get a handle back on my life. I have panic attack disorder, separation anxiety, depression, and generalized anxiety. I was prescribed the Effexor for my depression. I was so depressed that I wouldn't leave bed, I'd have crying fits daily, everything would upset me, and I had suicidal thoughts. I take 150mg daily, as well as some other medications, and I can honestly say I am a huge fan. I haven't had any side effects, I don't go through withdraw if I don't take it the same time daily, it doesn't cause any serious problems. My only advice is to take it with food, like most medications. Although this drug works for me, it might not work for everyone."

• Aweso...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 25, 2017

"I have been on this medication for at least a year and a half. I started out with Celexa which at the highest dose completely stopped working for me, I was in a panic, cry for help. I became so much more depressed and my behaviors were so impulsive. My Dr started me of Effexor and what a difference this medication has made in my life. My mood became stable, I am no longer angry at the world, and l don't have the desire to go back to the way I was before Effexor. Remember everyone, we are all individualized, some things may with for others better than ourselves!"

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2012

"I'm 17, about 125 pounds, female and a senior in high school. I've had depression for a while and started taking Effexor. I strongly encourage trying this medicine for any teens or college students who deal with depression. Helps me concentrate and feel all together in a stable and happy mood. I've had weight loss also only thing that makes me nervous is the withdrawal effects I've read about."

• Becky
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 25, 2021

"Hideous poison. Was on 225mg for eight years. Sweating every night, neurological pain, twitching, shakes....withdrawal symptoms before I was even due my dose. Avoid at all costs. Am now on remeron and I can sleep and function."