Effexor User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Cherno
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 10, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "I started taking Effexor at age 19 after about 2 1/2 years on Prozac. The reason for the switch was that I developed anxiety problems at that age in addition to depression, and the Prozac was not treating the anxiety. Effexor works very well to treat both anxiety and depression, but if I stop taking it for even 1-2 days (which is often because I am very forgetful), I become extremely depressed for the next 1-2 days. Right now, I am in one such downswing after taking my Effexor for the first time in about 5 days. If you avoid doing that, though, you should be fine, the medication does help a lot."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 22, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "I've been on Effexor for approximately two years. I recently had the extremely unpleasant side effects from coming off the drug, as I could not get a refill on my prescription for six days. I ended up in the ER due to a panic attack (never had one in my life before). It did reveal, however, that the medicine was not really working for me, as my pain level was virtually the same whether I was on it or not. Please make sure you gradually go off this medicine under the care of a doctor."

• Anonymous
• November 6, 2011

For Depression "Effexor gave me my life back again. I was so severely depressed that I had to struggle to find a reason to live every day. I was very suicidal. I was no longer able to function. 4 weeks after starting Effexor, I was returned to my 'normal' self. I was happy and could feel pleasure again, and I was excited about life. I have experienced a few minor side effects like constipation and nausea with dosage increases, but the benefits far outweigh the minor side effects!"

• Anonymous
• July 18, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder 10 years ago. I also struggled with panic attacks and depression. I could feel the positive effects of the medicine right away. Because of its immediate fix, I would recommend this to someone who has severe anxiety. The negative things I can say are that it is extremely hard to come off of. The withdrawal made me feel like I was crazy. I took myself off of it too quickly. I had hallucinations, tremors, and anxiety attacks. So make sure you use your doctor to wean off of it."

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "Before I started taking Effexor, I would get severely depressed, anxious, and my brain wouldn't stop. I have been on Effexor now for 4 weeks, and I feel good. I don't feel so anxious or down on myself. Even people around me have commented, and they don't know I am taking pills. The side effects I do feel are as follows: nausea (went away after 2 weeks), loss of appetite, no sexual desire, and blurred vision. Sounds like a lot, but I'd rather deal with these issues than be on a constant downward spiral."

• Anonymous
• October 4, 2009

For Depression "It saved me from committing suicide. Never thought there would be a drug that could help me since I tried many antidepressants and all didn't work. Was extremely suicidal and overnight after taking Effexor XR, my thinking and feelings changed. It saved my life."

• Kayde
• September 23, 2014

For Depression "Was so excited to try Effexor XL and did for the past 6 years. Well, I didn't realize that it made me anhedonia, or without feeling towards a lot of things. I just went on my merry way, but would do nothing... sat and watched TV, couldn't get anything done. Everything was just great!... that is what I thought... then I started gaining weight... gradually, but I mean 60-70# over the past 6 years or so... but just kept on eating. Then I thought I have to do something about this. I gradually took myself off, but wow the side effects of the withdrawal was unbelievable. My son told me never to do that again... and I told him see... this medication has so changed me... and I will never take that again...! Trying to lose this weight now."

• MissM...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 7, 2013

For Depression "I spent several years taking Citalopram, which I found to be very good until it stopped working. I was then prescribed Venlafaxine. I started off on 225 mg daily, but it was not controlling my anxiety and I became depressed on it. I was then told to up the dosage to 300 mg daily by my psychiatrist. Several months on, and I can firmly say this medicine has turned me into the same state I was in prior to ever taking any medication. My anxiety has increased, and I now suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts which I never had before. I have had no appetite, which can be a side effect for some people. I have lost a lot of weight. Food and drink taste strange, my skin has developed pimples."

• NLano
• August 24, 2015

For Depression "I have been taking Effexor for several years, first starting at 50, 75, then 150 mg. As far as treating my depression, it has been the best. I am a totally different person when taking it. I do have weird dreams, but I would rather have those than be a living nightmare in reality. What I do not like about Effexor is that it exacerbates my chronic constipation condition. I have tried taking other antidepressants, but they did not work as well treating my depression as Effexor."

• Health...
• March 4, 2008

For Depression "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."

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

For Depression "This was the worst 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 the process of weaning off this dirty drug. Poison."

• flying...
• March 25, 2013

For Depression "I've been on Effexor for 7 years now. After a crazy upbringing coupled with drug and alcohol abuse as a teenager, I spiraled into a deep depression after my wife died 13 years 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 mg, down from 150 when I started."

• BAC
• April 19, 2016

For Depression "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

For Depression "I stopped taking Topamax for mood disorder due to side effects of tingling in fingers and legs. I was recently prescribed 75 mg Effexor ER for chronic depression, the generic. I started on JAN 16th, noticed the loss of appetite the first day, and on January 21, 2016, weighed in at 228.2 from 234 at 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 I am 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 than we had before. Good luck."

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

For Depression "This was one of the better SSRIs 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

For Depression "I have been taking Effexor 300 mg 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 to. My depression is gone."

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

For Depression "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
• March 5, 2015

For Depression "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 antidepressants 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

For Depression "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

For Depression "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 isn't always better. Effexor is a good drug just sometimes 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

For Depression "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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "About two to three months ago, I was prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety problems (extreme nervousness, nervous habits, and constant worrying). I took Cymbalta for about three to four weeks and absolutely hated it! It made me feel horrible, so I asked the doctor to prescribe me something different. He started me off on 35 mg of Effexor. I have to say, this medicine at first wasn't all that great either. For the first four to five days, I was extremely angry and annoyed about everything! I thought it was going to be hopeless, but finally, the Effexor got better, and now I'm on 75 mg a day. My mind is not constantly racing nearly as much as it used to. Every now and then, when I start to have panic attacks, I will have to take either 0.5/1 mg of Ativan to calm me."

• Effex...
• April 26, 2019

For Depression "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
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 29, 2012

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I was prescribed Effexor XR for social anxiety and panic attacks, but an unexpected benefit was a decrease in my IBS symptoms (remember, bowel challenges are part of the symptoms of anxiety). After taking the medication for about a week, my bowel motions were normal and cramping in my bowels was eased - it emboldened me to eat more foods (before the medication, I hardly ate anything but blended foods, trying to alleviate the bowel cramping and gas). It was sensational - my health is so much better because I am eating healthier foods. I even stopped using Pepto-Bismol as a go-to for cramping! I am so appreciative of this medication. Also, another good aid for irritable bowel syndrome symptoms is swallowing peppermint oil capsules; not peppermint tea or candy. God bless you!"

• Creat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2013

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I have been suffering from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder for a few years now and have tried everything under the sun, but with the Effexor, I am feeling great. It does have some side effects, though, but they lasted for a few days and are now gone. They include the following: jitters, drowsiness, and a touch of nausea. Although with the sadness and anxiety under control, I now realize all the physical symptoms of PMDD. I'd rather have the physical symptoms over the emotions any day."