I am currently on 150mg of Effexor. Overall I am very happy with my progress but the only problem I have is that I have terrible nightsweats. The sweats are so bad that I have to change my pj's twice a night and put a towel down on my soaking bed. My whole body from my head to my toes sweats, I am literally dripping with sweat! My consultant says he has never heard of anyone else having such severe sweats. I would really like to know if anyone else has such bad night sweats?
Does anyone else suffer from extreme nightsweats while taking Effexor?
Question posted by sweatybetty on 26 June 2014
Last updated on 13 November 2021
52 Answers Page 2
Anastasiac
13 June 2019
Hi, I'm 25 and have been taking venlafaxine on off for about a year or so, I increased my dose about 2 weeks ago from 75mg to 150mg. At first I have nausea in the morning slightly again which faded after a few days as expected. But then these awful night sweats started and hot flushes in the day.
I'm having to take my pjs off in the night as they are soaking as well as my bed covers. Problem is I am so cold when I wake up in these wet clothes and can't warm up as my skin is cold and clammy. Can anyone advise if this will fade? or will this symptom persist? Or does anyone have any advice - I'm too cold to get back to sleep and want an instant warm up haha
Mbergman1
20 Dec 2018
I know this post is a few years old, but I wanted to share my experience with night sweats and effexor. I am on 225mg a day and I wake up from night sweats many times a week. You are not alone and it is not fun.
Manderslicious
17 Dec 2018
I'm having the exact same thing happen, but I am on 225MG. The sweats are so bad I have to change my blankets and PJ's multiple times a night. I'm hardly getting any sleep because of it. I actually found your question on here from Googling this issue. I want to go off of the medicine because of this, but kind of want to stay on it because it helps so much with my depression. I'm torn!
Harper2017
17 Sep 2018
Hi,
I have been having the exact same problem! I’m on 150mg (two tablets twice a day) and suffer 2-3 times pretty much every single night. My partner has learnt to deal with it but for me throughout the night I’m left feeling feverish and gross and also the sheer inconvenience drives me mad as if I’m staying at a guest house for example I find it mortifying!
At first I thought I was beggining to wet the bed as I was so drenched I didn’t understand that it could be from night sweats. Does anyone recommend times to take your doses to lower the amount you have these?
I feel this is working for me but am desperate to stop these sweats as I have very vivid dreams and my sleep is suffering from both now.
It’s great to know I’m not alone on this as I never had any problems like this at all before taking the medication.
Quanner
6 Nov 2018
Recently, if I have more than 5 hours of sleep, I will get really bad night sweats. It is during REM sleep, after I wake up from initial sleep. My dreams are vivid and so real, it is never a good dream, and I am soaked after the event. I don’t like it much, but the drug has helped me a lot.
Abetterdawn
12 Dec 2018
I was take 75s to start and had no problems but my doctor upped my dose to 150 and I started having crazy nightmares and night sweats. I will soak through all clothing and blankets.
Do you smoked cannabis? (I realise this is pretty late)
Susana10
11 Sep 2018
Although I know people who sweat at night and they think it all started since they take Effexor; I must say that I have been taking Effexor for 20 years, at its highest dose and I never had night sweats.
I believe that each brain is different and the same drug can have different side effects for
each person.
I recently asked my GP and she has used Effexor for menopausal women to stop the sweating!?
Harper2017
17 Sep 2018
It just shows how every body works differently doesn’t it! I never suffered from anything like this previous to beggining the medication and these symptoms started about 4-6 weeks after starting on it (I’ve been on it for over 3 years now) I sometimes have a month of almost none and then I’ll have periods (most of the time) where I have them 2-3 times every single night!
Personally it’s just nice to know you aren’t alone!
kama51
17 June 2021
Susana10, my son is similar to you,20 years too and then they started.His Physician (not a general doctor) ruled effexor out and tried him on PROPANTHELINE and this had a good response and stopped over 80% of them.
ChickenHawk79
9 Sep 2018
I tend to notice the night sweats, when I forget a dose. I do not recall it happening otherwise. But I believe I'm going to start keeping a log. In addition to nightsweats ( except it's a regular problem, not just when I miss a dose ) I have exceedingly vivid dreams. I'm normally a very calm, quiet, peaceful sleeper. But these vivid dreams keep me from being rested. This is fairly common. I keep having very active dreams. Involving believing I've woken up.
Inactive
5 Sep 2018
I’ve always been a vivid dreamer, but since starting Effexor about 15 years ago it’s gotten worse. I am glad to read I’m not alone in my sweaty nights. I’m 33 and take 225mg in the mornings. I drench whatever Pajama top I have on, and any poor person sleeping next to me. I don’t have to put down a towel or change sheets, but I did buy some great hemp sheets because they’re moisture wicking. I highly Recommend bamboo or hemp fibres for this. I don’t sweat overly during the day or exercise, and I live in a fairly hot climate, it’s just at night. And I’m still a wuss in winter, I hog the blankets and always want the heater on. By morning I’m just soggy and confused about my dreams. I talk and yell and thrash around too.
Unfortunately I like being mentally healthy too much to try to change my medication, and if I skip a day I feel awful within 24 hours. Nausea chills dissociation and eventually suicidal. I’ll take the weird sweaty dreams over that. If there was a way to switch without withdrawals, maybe I’d consider it.
Ostrinette
24 Aug 2018
Hey so cool facts 22% of people taking antidepressants experience night sweats. Tsks to your doctor for not knowing such. I'm not quite as bad but it's bad enough Ive learned not to shower before bed because I'll have to in the morning.
Tanrah806
8 June 2018
I’ve been on Effexor XR for only 3 months and I too have extreme night sweats. It has also caused mania and suicidal thoughts. I’m in the process of coming off of it completely.
WildcatVet
2 June 2018
Effexor:
Dermatologic
Very common (10% or more): Sweating (up to 14% of users)
Jenn1956
2 June 2018
Yes I do... Every damn night!!! I also change twice a night, and put towel on bed. I only go to bed with a tank top on and underwear cause of the night sweats.
Kimbobabilly
13 May 2018
28 yr old female, on 75mg. Been on med for 2 yrs and love it. Night sweats are the only side effect. In the summers it gets so bad that I have discolored spots that develop on my back and front torso. Doctor told me it is tinea versicolor and can be cured with anti fungal cream and head and shoulders (yes, gross!) It takes about 3 weeks to go away. This happened last year to me and now that summer is approaching I wanted to share this with my fellow night sweaters so you don’t have to suffer in silence if you have spots from the sweating!
Jerrodinc
13 May 2018
I have had severe night sweats on Effexor. Same thing, towel, changing clothes. I think it’s a timing thing. I’m starting to take mine in the mornings to see if that helps. I’m on 75mg/day.
Crystal7884
21 Feb 2018
Yes I do occasionally! Never used to before! I take 50mg venlafaxine x2
Spmc
20 Feb 2018
I've been on venalflaxine/effexor for almost a year and a half. I am a 33 year old female. My dose is 225. For the first two months the medication made me feel awful... stomach/bowel issues you name it (I was on a lower dose when I started). It also made me burp a lot and I am not a burper! Very embarassing side effects. I take it at night before I go to bed, I notice that if I wake up at night I'm pretty dizzy, that's why I don't take it during the day. I've tried a few different types/brands/doses over the years but this seems to have leveled me out. Those who feel dull etc. I am sorry that it has had that effect on you. And understand how difficult it is to adjust to meds. I hope you find what works for you.
As for the night sweats they started about 6 or so months ago. Wake up completely drenched and gross. This is the first time I googled if it could be related to the meds. I hate having to wake up and change pjs in the middle of the night. I also have found that i have gained a lot of weight, which I think is a combination of meds and dealing with chronic pain.
Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences.
Spmc
20 Feb 2018
Also wanted to add that when missing a dose I go through extreme withdrawal... nausea, chills, dizziness and awful headache. At first thought I caught the flu but realized it was the meds. Missing a dose is really hard on my system.
Spmc
20 Feb 2018
Also wanted to add that when missing a dose I go through extreme withdrawal... nausea, chills, dizziness and awful headache. At first thought I caught the flu but realized it was the meds. Missing a dose is really hard on my system.
Related topics
effexor, depression, hyperhidrosis
Further information
- Effexor prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Effexor (detailed)
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