Anybody experience effects of missing a dose of Effexor?

I'm so glad I found this page! I take 375mg of venlafaxine (Effexor), (187.5 x 2 a day), high dose due to PTSD, anxiety and depression. I recently switched to this from 100mg amitriptyline which I didn't have issue with until the trauma happened and it just didn't cut it anymore.

I forgot to take my morning dose today, and didn't realize all day. All l afternoon I've been suffering with electric shock sensations by my eyes and nose mostly, sometimes going down my whole body to my feet. I started Googling my symptoms (briefly hyperventilated thinking it was a brain tumor) until I found the term 'brain zaps', which is caused usually by missing antidepressants. I took my missing dose around an hour or so ago and I already feel a lot better and the electric shock sensation has eased and more or less stopped. Will be speaking with my GP tomorrow as this worried me, especially after missing just one dose!! Hope my experience can help someone else, and you all start to feel better soon!!

I’ve been on Effexor for a long time now, and Oh my Gosh…! If I miss even just two doses, I turn into a total jerk!

I get grumpy and very irritable. Honestly I’ve been on Effexor for so long now that when something unexpected happens that causes me to miss a couple of pills, I know to immediately take action, and suddenly switch myself to introvert mode, which means I must try to avoid any form of communication with pretty much everyone. If I don’t avoid people during that time, I can very easily become angry and totally Irrational over small stupid stuff. I’ll end up getting so angry that I’ll say and do things that will total embarrass me afterwards. I also risk destroying perfectly good relationships. So, with that said I try to remember to take my medicine. Which is really hard when you’re someone like me that suffers from A.D.D.

I have been taking Effexor XR for over 15 years and definitely have terrible side effects if I miss one dose at night. I take them at bedtime because they make me sick. If I miss it at nite by mid morning I am feeling extremely sad, teary, make bad decisions, and emotional, nauseous. Then I have to take it during the day to get back on track. I think it’s worse when my dosage is higher. But I sometimes request changes in dosage. Does anyone else do that?

I've taken Effexor for years. It can't harm you in general, and missing a dose our two here and there are fine for me. Just no more than 2 days. I recently haven't taken my meds for quite a few days due to a mix up, and I'm suffering. Had to be out of work for a week with rapid heart rate, headaches, nausea and it's horrible. I want to kill myself with this pain. It was like I discontinued them suddenly and it's not wise. I am beyond normal. Don't miss a dose or else. Maybe one but no more.

Yes, I began experiencing withdrawal symptoms when I missed a dosage. It was awful and I didn’t remember that I had forgotten until my partner asked me if I had remembered to take my antidepressant.

Very old post but it kinda helped me.
I’ve been on 150mg of Effexor for the past 6 months or so for my Postpartum depression & ptsd dealing with the birth of my son. I didn’t realize I had missed a dose until I woke up and had to grab a Tylenol for my pounding headache and noticed my prescription bottle. Only about 6 hours since I was supposed to have taken my dose but other symptoms I had were HORRIBLE vivid nightmares, I had sweat so much during the night, had a very dry mouth and when I stood I was really dizzy (not a normal dizzy but one I would associate to being high). Will be buying a weekly pill reminder after this!

I Immediately get terrible , constant brain zaps .

Yes, I do have side effects if I miss a dose. I take once a day and I choose to take it at bed time. Sometimes i have forgoten or maybe i was out and I noticed I was very blah the next day, my head felt off and dizzying, almost like when you have a major head cold, easily agitated as well. I noticed a pattern so I spoke to my doctor about it and apparently this is common with effexor. Suggested I set an alarm so that I never forget it and make sure I call my script In at least 2 days before I run out.

Man oh man. I did this once and learned my lesson. I forgot to take my 75mg dose for 2 consecutive days, been on it for about 6 years. I got almost every symptom of discontinuation syndrome. Brain zaps are by far the strangest sensation ever and mildly disorienting. I got a heavy feeling as if I was carrying a 200lb load with me. I was super sweaty, couldn't stop. I was extremely nauseated but thankfully no vomiting. I swore I had the flu but no... it just forgot to take my damned medicine. Ugh. I took one dose as soon as I realized and felt a ton better in about 90 minutes.

I'm so glad to have found this question, I missed 2 days worth of venlafaxine due to a mix up at the chemist. Within hours I had such a sore head, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain then went between fits of hysterical laughter to crying it was really quite scary. Although within about an hour of taking my meds I felt substantially better. Think I may discuss changing anti depressants with my doctor as I can be forgetful but cannot handle the side effects if its taken late etc.

Hi there..

I SEE this thread is old, but I'm really trying to ride out this anxiety I've had all day... I have been on venlafaxine hydrochloride 75mg for 2 years... But and I know and it's very dangerous and silly, but I miss my meds for 2-3 weeks now.. I know I need them aswell, I didn't feel or should I say I may not of felt any withdrawal symptoms from them... However I fought I need start again, so I took new script tablet at 6pm, went to sleep 11pm and woke up wide awake with massive pupils at 5.45am.. I felt adrenaline and rushing as if high on drugs, it was horrible feeling... I managed go back to sleep... But all day I've had this horrible, nauseous gut feeling of anxiety all day, would this be the meds booting me back up to level as I hadn't taken them for 2 weeks?

Thanks

I had a few drinks (3 beers)12hrs ago so I called my dr and he said it will be fine to stop taking it for a whole day. I am mentioning the alcohol because I took my effexor on Halloween hrs after a few drinks(hard liquor) and I thought I was going to die. The worst experience ever. I don't recommend it to anyone. Never ever drink. Lol. I take 150mg of effexor xr with lorazepam. He did tell me to take my lorazepam to stop my nervousness and anxiety feeling. It did work so far. As anyone else had this problem? I know I'm not supposed to drink.

I take my dose at night before bed (150XR & 50tablet) but if I forget to I have insane dreams that are extremely realistic and vivid. Plus, when I get up the morning I'll have a headache, similar to that of being hungover. Not fun. The headache goes away 20 mins after I take my dose. The meds definitely control my emotions but it's scary just how powerful the effect is on the brain. I always have extra on hand so I don't run out.