Effexor User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• Stable
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "After 10 years of Major depression and extreme anxiety- trying several different medication combos I was offered ECT, but I was hesitant. As a last resort we tried Effexor 150mg, Wellbutrin 150mg and Abilify 5mg. Within 3 months the anxiety and depression started to lift. 3 years later I have no anxiety or depression. I am stable and feel at peace. For past 6 months my dosage has been Venlor 37,5mg, Wellbutrin 150mg and Abilify 2.5mg. Over the next 6 months I will try and reduce further- but weaning off Effexor literally means reducing one little bead in the capsule per day otherwise withdrawal can be unpleasant. My only negative had been weight gain of 10kgs in 3 years, despite watching my diet and daily exercise. I am 58 years old and have always been slim, now I’m plump. I hope to lose the weight over time. Other side effects are dry mouth and constipation. But they are negligible if it means being happy."

• Lela
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 19, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "Effexor has got to be the worst of the worst to try to come off of. I am still trying to come off this completely after taking 225mg daily for 3 years I still cannot get threw the withdrawal symptoms they are horrific if any one has any suggestions how to help please let me know"

• Ace
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 19, 2019

"This drug literally gave me my life back. I was at the lowest point ever. I barely made it to work, the thoughts of everyday activities such as showering and cooking made me extremely anxious. I was sick to my stomach most days and was unable to sleep well due to waking up through the night with my heart racing in a full blown panic attack. Currently taking 150mg daily and my energy level is back to normal and I am able to function as a normal human being. So thankful!"

• Bette...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 3, 2019

For Depression "I have been on 300mg for the past 5 years, I cannot handle the withdrawal symptoms as the feeling of being completely disconnected from reality is too intense let alone the nausea etc. I'm 25 and worry that this will eventually do irreversible damage. The side effects are not worth it for me but again, I cannot stop taking it even though I want to"

• reeem...
• March 28, 2015

For Depression "Effexor helped me see the reality of my life when I couldn't. I took Zoloft for a while (up to 150mg) and I felt more numb than "happy". When I switched to a family doctor from my psychiatrist, they recommended Effexor XR; I've been taking 75 mg a day for the past four months and my life has done a complete 180. No depression, very little anxiety, and I finally have CONFIDENCE. I have more friends now than I ever did, a wonderful new relationship that I could never have foreseen myself happening, and I'm performing really well academically. Best decision of my life was taking Effexor- I can immediately see a difference in my thought processes when I forget to take it for two days at a time."

• Aussie...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 10, 2016

For Depression "Awesome! Changed my life for the better completely. Side effects are minimal but my mood has stabilized like never before. I wish I was medically compliant earlier. This stuff has changed my life for the better!"

• Sbrooks
• November 7, 2013

For Depression "I have been on this med for only 4 days after being on multiple other meds for general anxiety disorder for several years now. And I can already feel the difference in myself. Not exactly where I want to be yet but definitely positive results so far. It does make my pupils seriously dilated and at night when it's dark my vision seems like I'm on a merry go round if I moves my eyes to quickly. Other than that I feel much better than just a few days ago! Hopefully this med will work for me. I hate switching meds cause of the time I have to wait to start a new one. Sends me in a downward spiral of panic attacks and irritability. So far since being on Effexor EX I've not had even one episode!!!!!! And I was having them every single day!"

• feeli...
• September 1, 2010

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been taking Effexor for about 20 months and it's my MIRACLE! I'm 34 and began taking an medicines since I was 18. I tried Paxil, Zoloft, Buspar, Wellbutrin and finally Effexor. I am so genuinely happy and jubilant I just can't believe it. I'm sure part of it is maturity, life experience and such but WOW. I plan to continue taking it forever as my anxiety is not situational as in some cases. I have a chemical imbalance that will require a medicine forever so this is the one! I've never bee happier!"

• kns
• February 9, 2010

For Anxiety and Stress "This drug worked within a few weeks to alleviate panic attacks, stress, and anxiety. I still get stress and anxiety but not about everything like before. The overwelming stress and anxiety I had before taking the drug caused me to be depressed as well...crying a lot etc. It helped with that too. I am able to cope better and don't emotionally eat causing me to lose 25lbs pretty quickly. I have been on 75mg for almost 2 yrs now and don't plan on going off it anytime soon. The only thing that is a little scary is when I miss a dose there are almost immediate side effects. I get cranky and get weird electric like zaps in my head (hard to explain until you experience them)."

• Jeron...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 28, 2020

For Depression "Took 75 mg Effexor for 21 years. Dr said to come off and for 6 weeks I weaned off of this hard to quit drug. So now I stop taking it and 8 days later I'm still having the brain zaps. If you start taking it be prepared to experience a living nightmare if you want to quit. It did nothing to help me."

• jdofh...
• June 24, 2013

For Depression "Effexor might have saved my life because at the time I was given it I had damn near given up hope. Paxil and Zoloft did nothing. Depakote attacked my liver. Lexapro made me numb. Then Effexor was given to me. 2 weeks after taking it I felt better. 4 weeks later, I was back doing things again. Within a year I had all my interests and hobbies back. Cons: 1. Withdrawal is terrible. When I miss a dose I feel it. Neck pain. Headache. 2. I've found that I had to increase the dose after two years of usage 75 mg 3x times a day holds me. 3. Not really a con, but when more stress then usual I relapse for a few days with depression but it goes back to normal if you increase dose for awhile."

• Sazzl...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 27, 2018

For Depression "My experience with this drug was horrific. At 150mg I hit a new low, I was impulsive, severely anxious and constantly in tears. I was so desperate to be off this med I went cold turkey. Huge mistake. Developed discontinuation syndrome. Fever, tremors, panic attacks, vertigo, hives, flu-like symptoms, night terrors, constant vomiting. Got to the point I couldn’t even keep down water. By day 6 I was hospitalized with severe dehydration and exhaustion. Was immediately hooked up to an IV to replace fluids and given anti-sickness meds. Doctors introduced a lower dose and am now tapering. Down to 18 mg so nearly there. Have to take it slowly as I’m extremely sensitive to this medication. Another 2 weeks and I will be free of it. Can't wait to have my life back!"

• Dar
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2013

For Depression "I've been on 75 mg for two months now, started at a baby dose of 37.5 about 3 months ago. I can honestly say I woke up feeling the difference and the burst of energy. Only complaints are if you forget to take a dose you're not in for a good day until you take your next dose. I vomit and have a terrible headache, and also with the medication I found that I had a couple bad lows while getting used to it. But as long as you keep up with your dose and don't mess around with taking it you should be very satisfied with the result."

• Cantl...
• October 3, 2013

For Depression "I was prescribed Effexor for menopause symptoms and it treated my undiagnosed depression! It completely changed my life. I was an angry, laughing/crying mess and Effexor turned me around and put me in a good place with an excellent attitude. Cons are brain zaps and sweating from the forehead. I was weaning off of it when I couldn't take it anymore and went back on it. I started crying and felt horrible. Night sweats were miserable too. I'll take the zaps and sweats over depression and night sweats any day."

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2012

For Depression "I was on Effexor for a few months only and found it to be not particularly helpful. I had weight gain, extreme tiredness during the day and feeling 'blah'. I decided to go off them and it took me longer to get off them than I had been taking them. The withdrawal was terrible. I had head spins that would last all day, couldn't focus, extreme dizziness if I turned too quickly etc. "

• Toronto...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2017

For Depression "Stats: 26 year old. Female. 110lbs. Struggling with anxiety and panic attacks. I started Effexor 2 months ago when my panic attacks and anxiety got out of control and I tried to overdose on pain medication. I am extremely against drugs and it took a lot of convincing on my doctors end to get me on them. I read reviews and got scared away. I wish I hadn't. I started off with a 37.5 dosage. My initial side effect was losing weight/ my fever appetite. I'm a petite girl but I love to eat. I supplemented this by drinking protein shakes and started working out. I am back to my normal weight now. A month later went up to 75mg. Absolutely no side effects. Anxiety is much better and no more panic attacks. Also, my sex life wasn't effected at all."

• Anony...
• March 23, 2013

For Depression "I have been on Effexor for about 6 months now. I was prescribed it for anxiety and social anxiety. My social anxiety is basically gone. I still get a little bit of anxiety but it is way better than it used to be. However, if I forget to take it I get very bad withdraw symptoms. But, I consider it worth it."

• My...
• August 23, 2015

For Depression "I just started about two weeks ago. I completely see a difference in myself for the better. My children are even noticing the difference in my reactions to basic things. I won't say I don't feel anything..but this is a period in my life...feeling nothing is what I need. I am able react to situations with logic. Instead of being on the emotional roller coaster all the time! I was suicidal two weeks ago. I took my kids zip-lining yesterday. I needed this. I'll deal with the withdraws later..this medication saved my life. I work out 4days a week so no energy loss. I don't feel a change in my appetite yet. I did have headaches yesterday briefly. dreams.. falling dream a few times. No weight gain so far. Sex. I don't have a desire yet."

• dougs...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 16, 2013

For Depression "I have been on Effexor XR on and off for about 14 years. At first it seems to work but then I end up going back to where I was and then worse. I have suicidal thoughts at all times. I'm depressed and agitated even more so now than ever. If I get an up dose I sweat more. I don't know what to do. "

• Anonymous
• November 7, 2011

For Depression "I'm a 24 year old female with major depression and anxiety. I've been on nearly every antidepressant I can think of (Prozac, Cymbalta, Abilify, Lexapro...and even a few others) and Effexor has been the only one thus far to be effective. The others either made me an emotionless zombie, or didn't do anything at all. The only side effects I've had were a bit of shakiness for the first week I started taking it, along with some dry mouth. These only lasted a week while my body got used to the medicine. I've had no changes in weight or appetite, which I know is a common concern with this class of drugs. If you've been through the ringer trying to find an antidepressant, I would recommend this to anyone. I also take Buspar daily."

• pmano
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 13, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "About 15 years ago I started menopause had terrible anxiety and depression. Tried talk therapy did not work. Tried several antidepressants, until Effexor. I started out with 37.5 than upped to 75mg, then eventunally upped to 225mg. I have been on that dose ever since. It has been a life saver. Anxiety and depression no more. I do have some side affects. I do get heated quite easily, I have had vomiting on occasion, nausea. I have thought about getting off the effexor until I heard about the withdrawals. Most antidepressants are addicting and have withdrawals. I am going to talk to my doctor about a change since I have been on this medication for so long. But otherwise it has been a miracle worker"

• InThe...
• January 13, 2013

For Depression "My dr prescribed this for my depression, bipolar disorder and panic attacks. Within an hour of taking it, I couldn't keep my eyes open. 4 hours later, I was wide awake, jittery, nauseous, and having the worst panic attack I had ever had. Needless to say, I didn't try to take another dose. Even if my body had to get used to the medication."

• Denise
• March 29, 2014

For Depression "I'm 48 and in menopause. I've suffered bouts of little depression through life but since menopause, it hit me like a brick. I had had a couple of panic attacks throughout the years and I couldn't shake this gradual depression that was coming over me. I've always been able to talk myself through it but this time, I just couldn't. My doctor prescribed EFFEXOR. I took it 2 days. On the third day, I was driving to work and I SUDDENLY felt like I couldn't breath. I was shaking, my heart was racing and I really thought I was going to die. I pulled over thinking I was having a heart attack. I called 911, throwing up on the side of a freeway. By the time the ambulance came, my heart rate had skyrocketed! Worst experience of my life."

• 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 down swing 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."

• Natasha
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 26, 2013

For Depression "I've been on many anti-depressants. I experienced a few side effects from this one. The major one I experienced was the headaches. However within less than 1 week the side effects were gone. I also experienced night sweats in the first few weeks. This has stopped me from crying a lot which is good."