Effexor User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• 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 everyday, 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
• 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 6 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 Dr."

• 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 then on a constant downward spiral."

• 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 it's immediate fix, I would recommend this to someone who is has severe anxiety. The negative things I can say it is extremely hard to come off of. The withdrawal made me feel like I was crazy. I took myself off of it to quickly. I had hallucinations, tremors, and anxiety attacks. So make sure you use your doctor to ween off of it."

• 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 withdrawl 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"

• NLano
• August 24, 2015

For Depression "I have been taking Effexor for several years, first starting at 50, 75 then 150mg. 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 excaberates my chronic constipation condition. I have tried taking other anti-depressants, but they did not work as well treating my depression as Effexor."

• 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 225mg daily, but it was not controlling my anxiety and I became depressed on it.. I was then told to up the dosage to 300mg 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 with depression and suicidal thoughts which I never had before. I have had no appetite, which can be a side effect for some people. have lost a lot of weight. Food and drink tastes strange, my skin has developed pimples."

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

For Depression "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."

• flying...
• March 25, 2013

For Depression "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."

• 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"

• 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 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

For Depression "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."

• 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."

• Iamok
• August 27, 2011

For Depression "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."

• 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 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

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 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

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-three months ago I was prescribed Cymbalta for my anxiety problems (EXTREME NERVOUSNESS, nervous habits, and constant worrying). I took Cymbalta for about three-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 o.5/1 mg of Ativan to calm me."

• Lane
• December 7, 2014

For Depression "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 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 for anxiety). After taking the medication for about a week my bowel motions were normal and cramping in my bowels were eased- it emboldened me to eat more foods (before the medication I hardly ate anything but blend 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!"

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

For Depression "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."

• Anonymous
• September 7, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I think Effexor has been very beneficial for me - I've taken it for about six years. A word of warning: Do NOT let your prescription run out or take yourself off Effexor abruptly! I experienced this by accident while waiting for a mail-order prescription to arrive (my doctor was just moving into a new office and didn't have samples available). Within 2 days, I was a wreck emotionally (depressive, sobbing for no reason), cognitively (all over the place, no concentration), and physically (impaired motor coordination among other things). The "brain shivers" a feeling like an electrical current running from the brain down the spine and back again, are very disconcerting! I got samples from my doctor's former office and was noticeably better within hours of 1 dose."