Ive been on Effexor for about three weeks and I lost about ten pounds. My question is if people have success stories on this drug? (Either emotional or with weight) And if you did lose weight- did it continue or did it stop after a while?
So far I’m less anxious, feel more like myself, but I do get tingles down my right arm throughout the day- almost like pins and needles. I’m on 75mg but debating going higher cuz I still have a problem with crowds
Effexor for anxiety and weight loss- For anyone that lost weight on Effexor?
Question posted by jrmeans09 on 11 March 2018
Last updated on 10 October 2023
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18 Answers Page 2
crazygirl66
12 March 2018
I also took Effexor for a year, unfortunately it did nothing for my depression. I did lose 20 pounds while on it, which I did unfortunately gain back when I stopped taking it. Hopefully it works for you as it is terrible to come off of! Even doctors don't know the withdrawals even with tapering down very slowly. Best of luck.
WildcatVet
12 March 2018
I tapered off my Effexor over three weeks = NO discontinuation symptoms at all. I've always been in the majority of people who have few, if any, side effects when starting or stopping psych meds.
jrmeans09
12 March 2018
It’s scary how hit or miss anxiety/depression pills are. Did you find something that works for you?
crazygirl66
12 March 2018
No, I'm one of those people who are very sensitive to any meds. Hoping to try another antidepressant and cannot even take birth control pills as the hormones make my depression worse, another reason I'd like to find something that works. I did have the genetic testing done which is supposed to tell me what psych meds will work... doesn't appear to hold true for me.
WildcatVet
12 March 2018
Unfortunately, the testing doesn't reveal what WILL work, only the best guess at will cause the least side effects in sensitive people.
"“Even when a doctor makes a perfect diagnosis to use psychotropic medications, there are 38 to choose from,” Drosos told NBC News. “The doctor has to take a best guess for a good match. And we know from industry studies that half the time, they don’t guess right.”
The GeneSight test gives doctors a “traffic lights” guide to FDA-approved medications based on a patient’s genotype. Drugs marked “green” can be prescribed without many side effects; “yellow” ones should be used cautiously; and “red” drugs should be avoided."
Azores
10 Dec 2019
Hi when did you start losing the weight. I started Effexor today November 10th 2019
djchurn
12 March 2018
Be glad that you have found something to alleviate your mental issues. Depending on you situation weight loss MAY be a side benefit.
WildcatVet
11 March 2018
"Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Weight loss, decreased appetite, anorexia"
I took Effexor for about 7 years and lost a total of 20 pounds over the first year or so. I can't say enough about how effective it was for my depression and anxiety disorders. It gave me my life back!
Unfortunately, when I was in my 40's I began having manic episodes which precluded the use of antidepressants. Now I'm taking Bipolar medications which work well, but I would give anything to have my Effexor back. BTW, I started at 75mgs but required an increase to 150mgs as a maintenance dose.
Hope this helps you as much as it did for me.
jrmeans09
12 March 2018
Thank you for your experience. I hear so many different stories about Effexor (some loving it, others hating it and some just indifferent). I know the most important is it helping my anxiety and depression, but the weight loss does factor in for me. I’m obese, but love working out and eating healthy. It just seems like something prevents weight loss for me. So when I started on this pill and lost ten pounds it made me hopeful that it was fixing whatever was wrong. But part of me is worried I’ll just gain it all back again like all the other times. The horror stories make me worried about upping my dose, so I’m glad to hear you did well on the higher dose, at least for a while. Best wishes to you
jrmeans09
28 March 2018
Just an update because I hate when I see experiences based on the first few weeks of a new med, I am still on Effexor, I upped my dose a little and decreased my Wellbutrin a little. I am still losing weight, I am continuing to eat healthy and am having no negative side effects. The biggest thing is that yesterday at our religious meeting I talked to people! I didn’t run out to my car right afterwards or struggle to find something to say because I was second guessing everything. I just talked and enjoyed being there. Yes I was nervous at times and yes I second guessed a few things ( it’s not a miracle cure) but I haven’t been able to do that in years. Love Effexor so much and hope it continues to be effective. I’m scared it’ll stop and I’ll go back to being super awkward in crowds
Azores
7 Dec 2019
In 2009 I took Effexor not sure how much I was talking but I went from 130 pounds to 148 I got so depressed. But I see Effexor was and Effexor RX what is the difference
WildcatVet
7 Dec 2019
Effexor (which has been discontinued in the U.S.) releases the venlafaxine immediately and peaks in your system within 2-3 hours. It's generally prescribed in two to three dosages per day to regulate the medication in the bloodstream.
Effexor XR is a slow release medication that peaks within 5-9 hours and maintains its efficacy. It's prescribed once daily allowing the body more time to adjust to the medication.
Azores
10 Dec 2019
When do you start notice you losing weight. I started Rx Effexor today 35 milgrames. I hope helps my with my aggressive fibromyalgia we the burner all over my skin and pressure on my eyes..
Related topics
effexor, weight loss (obesity/overweight), anxiety, weight, drug
Further information
- Effexor prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Effexor (detailed)
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