I have missed mulitple times (seperately) and was wondering how it has affected others as well as how they overcome these effects.
Anybody experience effects of missing a dose of Effexor?
- Asked
- 18 Jan 2010 by Bsteinbrueck
- Updated
- 9 January 2019 (7 days ago)
- Topics
- effexor, depression, bipolar disorder
Details:
Responses (40)
itsmetoo2
18 Jan 2010
Really you should try to avoid missing a dose. But keep in mind that it will stay in your system for at least 14 days. I always say do not push your luck.
To Good Health
adassel
18 Jan 2010
I am also on effexor xr and I do get weird side effects if I miss a dose. Somtimes I get strange headaches. What sort of things r happening to u?
Bsteinbrueck
18 Jan 2010
I get very tired and unmotivated the day after. I'm trying to figure out how to get myself out of it next time without just sleeping the day away.
sairy mary
2 Feb 2010
I feel tired and unmotivated while taking the blooming tablets!!! its not a nice feeling when you have missed a dose though, i feel drowsy, sick, confused and even struggle with my speech!
sgtkennedy2504
10 Feb 2010
I am on Effexor XR 225 mg. When I have missed doses, I am usually fine on the first day, but by the second day I will be very depressed and feel like I have no energy. I know you know this, but it's best just to try not to miss it. My therapist said that Effexor has a particularly short duration of its effectiveness when you miss doses, so if you have a problem missing them a lot, maybe it would be better to try another medication? What helped me was having my prescriptions automatically refilled because I usually missed doses when I ran out. It helped me a lot to make sure I filled my prescription before I had missed any doses because once I had missed one, I found it difficult to get myself to pick up more. I hope this helps
jdoggt
12 Feb 2010
well it usually takes about a week before you start to go through the withdrawls from it..thats why it is important for you not to miss a dose.but if you do dont double up just wait till your next time to take it and stay on a schedule try to take your meds at the same time every day..and if you are having trouble remebering to take it keep it right on your cofee table that way you will see it and remember..good luck
Cooper21
8 Feb 2017
Just as another question, what do you mean by take it at the same time everyday? Does that mean to wake up everyday (including weekends) i get up at 545am on weekdays and whenever on the weekends.. Does that mean I should try to wake up at 545 on the weekends too? Or is it going to be okay if I just take them when I wake up on the weekends?
Cooper21
8 Feb 2017
Sorry I just realized you posted this about 7 years ago but I'm new to effexor
ladynred2010
13 Mar 2010
yes. I have missed doses (mostly due to not re-filling in time) and I have experienced dizziness. I mean, any movement of my head or eyes makes me "dizzy" (the best way to describe it) almost like seeing trails. Its hard to explain. Have you experienced this? My Dr says this is a common side effect and she noted effexor has some pretty marked/prevalent side effects, more than most others.
Inactive
29 Apr 2010
If you have a cell phone, you should have an alarm setting on it.
I use mine to remind me to take my pills. you can set them to go off every day at what ever time you need to take your pills. I have 5 alarms on my phone and can set 5 different settings. You can set your alarm for the times you need your meds.
I tell you, it work great, I haven't missed any pills sense I've did this.
Stephaniejeane
30 Jan 2017
I missed one dose yesterday because I have a stomach bug I can't move my eyes without being dizzy even though I took it this am. I didn't feel any symptoms yesterday
tracylee719093
28 Apr 2010
I was on Effexor ER a few years ago..if i missed a dose..w/in 24hrs I started feelin the effects... crying uncontrollably was the major one... so major I cant member the other ones if there were anymore.
I got off of it cause the effects of missin or taking it late were so severe.
Hope you do better.
Princess22008
28 Apr 2010
When I was taking it, if i missed a dose I would get like adrenalin rushes. It was really weird to feel like that. That was the only thing that i felt that was noticeable.
Kittyb
1 Sep 2016
I'm only on Effexor 75 mg extended release , but I've been on Effexor for years. When I miss one dose I become very dizzy, nauseated , and have diarrhea. This usually lasts for approximately 6-8 hours if not longer until next dose has been in my system for a while. I used to be on Effexor 300mg daily but weaned off that high of dose with psychiatrist help due to unwanted side effects.
Inactive
1 Sep 2016
Yes, I quit taking Effexor for this very reason, amongst many other intolerable side effects! Worst antidepressant for me that I ever took. Gave me extreme anxiety and brain zaps and whooshing in my head, to name only a few.
But many people have taken it successfully for years.
"G"
the_real_ston
11 Jul 2018
To anyone reading this post, I'd be careful to think that these side effects are a reason to not take Effexor... They're exactly what you're supposed to expect when you stop taking the drug, and they (brain zaps, dizziness, whooshing, etc) are completely harmless. I'd try to suck it up, because if your overall mood is stabilized by the drug effectively without too many on-dose side effects (ED, weight loss/gain, etc), then you've probably found a good drug for you... anyway just my opinion.
taylor_elwood
25 Jan 2017
I love Effexor. I take 150 mg daily for depression/anxiety. I currently am finishing clinical rotations for school and have forgotten to take it the past 2 days. I feel extremely light headed, nauseous and the only term I can use is "I just don't feel right". I can't describe it but I feel icky and not like I should feel. As long as I take it when I get home tonight I'll be okay tomorrow. I've never missed more than 2 doses because the effects of that were so unsavory that I was sure not to forget a 3rd dose. After this I will start keeping a few in my purse as well as at home
migrainesuf1166
26 Jan 2017
I took cymbalta for years and it's similar to Effexor, it's also a SNRI and they have a short half life. They exit your body very fast so you feel it very quickly if you miss a dose. I would feel it the same way as you all describe. For me I would also get dizzy, very much like motion sickness, nauseas, headaches, depressed, very emotional, just all around sick. This would all happen within one missed dose. This is why when my latest option given was to go to Effexor, I still have not started it. For the 1st time in many years I am not on any antidepressants and feel great. Fingers crossed. I would try the idea the poster had about the daily alarm/reminder on your phone. Great idea!
cpike
28 Jan 2017
I have been taking 150mg of Effexor a day, and I missed a dose last night. The result is a very strange headache that hurts no matter how I move, a queasy stomach, and overall sense of feeling "unwell". I took my dose when I realized I could not function and realized why. I am waiting for it to kick in to see if it will help alleviate the side effects.
It prompted me to look online to see if this was a normal reaction to missing a dose. It's comforting--in a sense-- to know this is common and that it is a result of missed meds and not some virus I have picked up. This is really an awful feeling and I don't wish it on anyone.
saramacgal
23 May 2018
How long did it take you to feel somewhat normal after taking the dose after the missed one? I missed mine last night. Within 12 hours of missing it I felt like crap. Just took it an hour ago and am wondering when I will start to feel better.
kimbrella4452
7 days ago
The very next day I could tell my panic and anxiety had calmed back now.
Beckirainbowmrs
7 May 2017
I think im very late to this convo but I missed one dose today and was curious. Im on 225mg and have been for 10 years- works reasonably wellthough i have my wobbles. When i miss a dose i get the dizzy when you move your head, brain zaps and become really irratable and low in mood. Generally starts about 6 hrs after i miss a dose. I also routinely get whoosing in my head, crazy crazy vivid dreams and a rapid heart rate though thats probably because im unfit!! Anyone have any more unusual
Side effects whilst taking it normally? Do you find weight fluctuations effect the way your dose effects you?
chuck1957
8 May 2017
Beck; you really have most covered we all react differently. I wish you would of said when you take it am or pm, aS THEY SAY IF YOU ARE TWO CLOSE TO TONIGHTS DOSE SKIP IT BUT IF YOU STILL HAVE 8 HOURS OR MORE IT WOULD BE SAFE TO TAKE AT LEAST PART OF YOUR DOSE WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS I KNOW ONE OTHER THINK IS IT MESSES WITH MY EYES AT TIMES IF MY DOSE IS TO FAR OFF AND ALSO I GET THOSE NASTY ZAPS THE FEEL LIKE ELECTRIC ZAPS IN YOUR HEAD AND THEY COME AND GO THEY DO NO DAMAGE BUT
really my friend we have to get you like a pill container many pharmacies or dollar stores have them for just over a buck and you fill it weekly that way you look at it and know you have taken it. ALSO, TRY AND TAKE IT ABOUT THE SAME TIME EACH DAY. IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE IT DAILY.
Nan1104
27 May 2017
I just found this while looking up if anyone else had symptoms after a missed dose. This is the only medication I've ever been on that I have such a strong reaction from missing a dose. I'm on 150 XR once a day. If I miss my dose which I always take in the AM , by the evening I begin feeling anxious, vivid dreams and horrible night sweats. By the next morning my mood goes downhill fast. I take my next dose but while I wait for that to work I fall into a depressive state and can become impulsive ( like almost quitting my job) and have sucicidal thoughts. I also take Wellbutrin 300 mg per day which if I miss my Effexor I miss that too. It's very scary how fast the effect is. Effexor is a strong drug.
Becklina
19 Jun 2017
I take 75mg daily (very low dose I know) but have been on this dose for 3 years now and it's enough to keep my panic attacks away. I take my dose every morning. Today was the first day ever I missed a dose, unexpectedly had to stay the night away so did not pack my meds. By early afternoon was feeling as others described "just not well" by late afternoon was full on nauseated after eating, a little while after that, was vomiting. Still feel very nauseated. And like I just need to vomit for relief :(
I finally returned home and took my missed dose. Shall see if it helps. I did think (as a previous member did) I was getting a virus until it dawned on me I missed it and did a web search and found this thread.
If this happens in one missed dose, and such a low one at that, it's going to be hell ever stopping Effexor altogether
Tgus
23 Jul 2017
+1 for dizziness and drastic mood change 24 hours after missing a dose.
Sometimes if I do not take my dose in the morning I am fine throughout the day. I will actually feel a small afternoon boost of energy.
If I do not take the dose during the evening and wait for the next morning then I have emotional dreams and wake up depressed. I have a much more difficult time keeping my thoughts positive and rational. My mind will pull me to more and more negative thoughts, then sort of spin out fairy tales of how my situation (whatever it may be that morning) will only get worse.
Does anyone have experience stopping this medication? My experience this morning is making me unnerved at how drastic the effects are... Thanks
Kells1984
17 Aug 2017
I hate the side affects of missing a dosage but I doubt I will ever be off them
WildcatVet
19 Nov 2017
I had to stop Effexor when my diagnosis and medications changed for Bipolar ll disorder. I was taking the maximum dosage of 225mg/day and my doctor gave me a reducing schedule to use over a three week period. I had no problem at all with having any symptoms of discontinuation syndrome.
The key is to do it slowly as prescribed by your doctor or psych nurse.
Further Information
- Effexor Information for Consumers
- Effexor Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Effexor (detailed)
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Yeah, trust me i know. :) I'm just looking more for how it's dealt with when a dose has been missed... Any thoughts?
You will be fine : )
It will stay in your system for 14 days, but I can attest to the fact that I feel significant side effects from missing a dose by as little as 5 hours.
Effexor does not stay in your system for 14 days. It stays in your system less than 36 hours. Do not miss a dose. If you do, take it as soon as you remember. I have been taking Effexor for the last 15 to 18 years.
In my experience you’ll start feeling a little depressed on the 2nd or 3rd day of not taking it. The depression got a little bit more each day and the depression will get worse and worse. If someone looked at me wrong I would cry. I’m wondering if I double up on it for a day or 2, will that help me get out of this funk???