User Reviews for Venlafaxine

Effexor (venlafaxine): I have been on effexor xr for about 8 years now, I currently am taking 300 mg per day, I tried to commit suicide several times before going on effexor, I had been on so many different antidepressants I thought this was how my life was always going to be my children slowly watching me sleep and then eventually die. The doctor put me on effexor and it was the best thing ever.

Effexor (venlafaxine): I was on effexor for 3 years, I recently was weaned off, the withdrawal from the drug is indescribable.

Effexor (venlafaxine): I ended up in the hospital after drinking a few glasses of wine getting my stomach pumped and extremely out of it. I should have read the side effects of effexor first and I would've known that you should not drink alcohol while being on this medication.

Effexor (venlafaxine): I've been using 75mg Effexor for 9 weeks now and it has changed my life. I wake up looking forward to the day and can remain focused throughout. I woke up on my 30th Birthday feeling very depressed and could not believe that's how I felt everyday before taking Effexor. My libido is back to where it was a year ago and the only side effect I experience is an upset stomach during very intense work outs. I see a therapist and that too has helped. My wife says I'm now a different person.

Effexor (venlafaxine): My girlfriend has been on Effexor XR for almost seven years now. We just found out two weeks ago she is pregnant. The doctor told her to lower doses from the 300mg she has been on to 150mg then three days later drop to 75mg then three days to 37.5 then your done. Doctor said that there might not even be any withdraws if it is done this way. I wouldn't wish these bad withdraws on anyone.

Effexor (venlafaxine): I was on Effexor XR for 8 years and I recently went off. I gave the drug 8 out of 10 because overall my anxiety and depression were greatly improved. I didn't have any sexual side effects and only felt dizzy when I did not take the medication at exactly the same time every night. I did lose a lot of my energy and was prescribed Wellbutrin to help out with that. However, the withdrawal, as others have mentioned, is terrible. My doctor prescribed a low dose of prozac (20mg) to ease the withdrawal and it really helped. If you are going off effexor, do it with prozac. I tried without it twice before and it was such a horrible experience that I went right back on.

Effexor (venlafaxine): I've been on effexor for 5yrs. I keep telling my Dr. that I wanted to quit this drug, mainly because I don't want to be on any anti-depressants anymore. I'm supposed to take 225mg, but all this time I've only tbeen taking 150mg, all this time. So, now I've reduced my dosage to 75mg a day, and I'm starting to feel alot better. If I can get some 37.5mgs. I can ease myself off to the point where I can finally be clear in my mind. The only side effect I've experienced is a little dizziness.

Effexor (venlafaxine): 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

Effexor (venlafaxine): 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.

Effexor (venlafaxine): I am 24 years old, female, 5'1, 130 lbs. Treated for major depression and anxiety. I have aversions to junk food (I am normally health conscious unless I am really depressed), weight loss (12 lbs), dry mouth, lighter mood, easier to focus, more motivated, mountains turn into anthills, lower sex drive, sometimes get headaches. For me, the pros overwrite the cons - I went off of this for 6 months with no problems. No addiction or sickness. I am back on it and boy am I glad to feel happy again.

Effexor (venlafaxine): 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.

Effexor (venlafaxine): Effexor has made me emotionless, don't give a damn, this is 10 months after coming off of it. Can't seem to communicate, can't drive, memory problems and the list goes on.

Effexor XR (venlafaxine): Life changing. I was prescribed Effexor XR for depression and anxiety with attacks. I suffered for years until I hit rock bottom and saw a doctor. This was the first medication I was prescribed and after 2 weeks I saw an improvment and after a month I was a completely different person. I actually for once feel normal and I am never sad and cry for no reason.I have energy, I dont feel crappy. I am hardly ever in a bad mood and the best part is I don't feel like I am taking anything. Best decision of my life.

Effexor (venlafaxine): I gave this a high score because I got lucky. I went for years struggling with depression, weary of Big Pharma, self-medicating. Finally a friend took me to a doctor. The first drug she prescribed was Effexxor. I was prescribed the 75mg capsules. I found it to be too much for me, so I take one every other day. The only side effects I feel are from withdrawals if I skip a few days, and 'ditziness' if you will. Other than that, managing my depression has changed my life. My weight has even dropped because I used to self medicate with food. I do recommend taking only the lowest dose possible for your symptoms. I am not a big fan of prescription drugs, but this was a lifesaver for me.

Effexor (venlafaxine): Effexor XR has saved my life twice. The side effect was major weight gain, but, sad as that was, it was worth it after trying several other drugs that did not work. The withdrawal is tough, but done easily if you just keep reducing your dose. The first time I went off of it was cause it was making me depressed again, even at the smallest does. But, 3 or 4 years later, when I once again sunk into a deep depression, it was the only thing that could get me out. I've been on 150 mg one year.

Effexor (venlafaxine): I suffered from depression and general anxiety disorder. After Effexor, I experienced memories I long forgot which cleared up a lot of confusion. Today I am clear on all the negative emotional feelings I experienced and when I cannot afford to buy it for a few days, I really experience depression, anxiety and confusion on my own self worth, life, etc. I feel this medicine is a God-send for me.

Effexor (venlafaxine): I have had to take this medication for years. Not because I need to but because of the withdrawal symptoms. My doctor and I have been working on this for so long. My doctor even said it's too bad we didn't know then what we know now, he would have prescribed me anything but this.

Effexor XR (venlafaxine): When I first started Effexor XR, it seemed to really help for a while. After a while we had to increase the dosage to its maximum, and had to add the max 80 mg of Prozac to keep me "normal". After about a year, I started having real problems with exhaustion and fatigue. It took a lot of testing and doctors and finally two separate sleep studies to find that my deep sleep had been disrupted significantly -- essentially I was getting NO restorative sleep, even when I slept for 8-12 hours!

Effexor (venlafaxine): I had serious depression. Feel cured with Effexor and on my way to a full life.

Effexor (venlafaxine): 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.

Effexor (venlafaxine): Changed to Effexor XR 75mg about 2 months ago from Celexa 20mg. Having some dizziness and tiredness, maybe not feeling quite myself, so experimentation with the dosage is probably in order. Otherwise no problems. Serious diarrhea side effect from Celexa stopped immediately upon changing treatment. But I am disturbed by some of the comments on this site about withdrawal from this medication. I have had no problem drinking in moderation while on this drug.

Effexor (venlafaxine): I noticed that I had no appetite at all while taking Effexor.

Effexor (venlafaxine): I noticed when I took Effexor and Adderall together, I got extreme anxiety attacks or panic attacks where my heart would just start randomly racing.

Effexor XR (venlafaxine): Effexor XL has worked very well for me in combating my depression. I have been very diligent in taking the medicine properly and on schedule every day at near the same time. This past weekend due to an oops at the doctor's office a refill was not called in properly to the pharmacy before I went out of town for the weekend and I left town without any Effexor. Needless to say I experienced Effexor withdrawal symptoms. Heed my warning! It's not a good idea to miss a dose and you DEFINITELY DO NOT want to miss any doses. It was awful. Don't let the script run out.

Effexor (venlafaxine): 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.