... 11 years and shortly after starting it experienced itching followed by sores which start small and get bigger because of my scratching. I saw a dermatologist who diagnosed me with prurigo nodularis. I am convinced it is caused by one of my medicines. I have so many scars (white spots) from this that I can't even wear short sleeves in public. I am so embarrassed by how I look. For some reason they never develop on my stomach or lower back. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this.
Has anyone taking Effexor XR experienced itching or rash as a side effect? I have been on it for....
Question posted by Meme42 on 27 Dec 2017
Last updated on 21 April 2025 (1 week ago) by WildcatVet
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4 Answers
WildcatVet
21 April 2025
Hi, Meme!
Although rashes are fairly common with most antidepressants if it's persisted for that long you and/your doctor should report it to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Wildcat
Jake9164
21 April 2025
I had started taking the med and a month into it I began breaking out. I have large like blisters all over arms, chest, face and my back. The other thing was I started having this plastic like particals coming from my skin. I was told it was Morgellons disease. Before someone calls you delusional, they need to go thru it. I am not delusional or psychotic. I did finally go to a dermatologist. He said it was hard dried skin cells due to the trauma from the medication I took. Who do you turn to when your own physician dosent believe you. I am more than 6 months out and still trying to heal. I have never been so miserable and then you can't get help because they try and make you believe you are crazy. But yet you will see the same question over and over and people are in a lost cause. I truly just want to know what it is.
graysee
27 Oct 2019
YES!! I had been on Effexor a few years when I developed the same exact problem. Doctors had no clue, said it had to be a change in a soap I was using but I hadn't changed any of those things for years. Now researchers know that increased serotonin levels in the skin causes pruritus. I too have horrible scars all over my upper back, neck, shoulders, and upper arms. Nothing below my ribcage. I'm now slowly tapering off this drug. It has caused so much damage to my health and it never really helped my situational depression.
chuck1957
27 Dec 2017
Meme42; Sorry but after 11 years it just could not be the Effexor XR or you would be so much worse and be cover with them if you don't think it is what the doctor said you should think very hard about body soaps, Laundry soap, the things they put in the dryer just some suggestions then you got thing that you eat regularly. But anyway I did not see this as a side effect on Effexor. Sorry, and I have been on it for 20 years.
Meme42
29 Dec 2017
I remember it started right after I got on the Effexor so I thought that could have caused it. I was also under a lot of stress at that time which can also trigger the PN. I guess just grabbing at straws trying to figure it out hoping to end this terrible condition. Thank you for your comment!
LisaAnneHill
9 Sep 2018
I have been on Effexor for just over 8 years now and every year my itching gets worse! I was looking to see if anyone else had an itching problem too
Itelect
29 Sep 2018
Effexor XR does cause itching all over the body it is an allergic reaction to the drug. Reducing the drug to 75mg helps. Im currently withdrawing.
Itelect
15 Oct 2018
Just an update, While on 150mg I had no itching, then increased to 225mg I had extreme itching all over the body. Now since I have reduced the medication down to 37.5 and now counting my beads the itchiness and the majority of side effects have gone. My doctor told me it wasn't his problem because Effexor XR does not cause irritation of the skin.
Related topics
effexor, effexor xr, pruritus, skin rash, side effect, dermatology, diagnosis, prurigo nodularis, sores
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