I am on 150mg Effexor Xr, and take 75mg 2x a day. I did not take it for 2 days due to BS insurance reasons. I felt completely dizzy and off balance for those 2 days. Could not figure out why. A very weird feeling like I was drunk! Is this normal for missing 2 days of this? This is the only thing I can think of that made me feel like that. Got back on it today, and no dizzy spells. Anyone have this? Guess I wont be skipping any doses!
Would I feel dizzy if I missed two days of taking Effexor ER?
Question posted by Kat girl on 9 Aug 2010
Last updated on 16 February 2020 by mmblank2
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
5 Answers
mmblank2
16 Feb 2020
I was looking for some answers and it seems I’m not the only one! I missed yesterday and haven’t taken it today but I feel my ears and inner ears go “fuzzy“ from time to time. Idk how else to explain it but “fuzzy” but I’m glad I’m not just making things up to scare myself.
Peppermintpatti
11 Aug 2017
Hi. I've been on Effexor 75 mg for about 15 years and I've noticed if I miss even one dose I have major vertigo. Dizzy, nauseas, can't close my eyes without wanting to throw up. It's horrible. It's happened three times. This last time being the worst. I took a pill and about four hours later I felt better. God only knows what's gonna happen if I ever have to stop taking it.
WildcatVet
11 Aug 2017
patti, your doctor will give you a gradual reducing dose schedule that can take weeks or even months for a few folks but that will avoid any symptoms of discontinuation syndrome.
I had to stop taking my beloved Effexor because I began having Bipolar symptoms but I never even felt a twinge of a problem with it.
cgressler
28 March 2015
You can ABSOLUTELY feel dizzy if you miss even 1 day of Effexor! I've been on 300mg for almost 4 years and Effexor work's extremely well for me!! That said..I make sure to NEVER run out because missing even 1 day causes me to feel dizzy, experience "brain zaps" and flu-like symptoms. Of the 8-10 SSRI's that I have tried over the past 20 years Zoloft and now Effexor have been the MOST effective for MY brain chemistry. I had to give it about 6 weeks to build up in my system before even thinking about a different medication but it worked so well that I didn't have to,
Typhoon
15 Oct 2016
Brain zaps was the best way to describe what I am feeling as I missed 3 days of 150mg of Effexor. The sweats and the nightmares. This drug worked for me years ago and I went back on it. I missed the doses and wow, it's not one you want to mess around with. I know your post is from years ago, however I am thankful for it!
AuntSha51
24 Oct 2016
I suffer from migraines and vertigo. I have now missed 3 morning 75 mg doses and 2 nightly 75mg doses. I am getting prescription today. I started feeling dizzy last night but thought it was due to not eating all day yesterday as I ran around doing errands. I ate something and sat on my sofa resting. I fell asleep and when I awoke I was in a vertigo episode. Not the worst kind when you can't sit up at all because of what severe vertigo does to you. At least I am able to get up & get the meclizine I take and get a pitcher of water to drink as I have been neglecting drinking my daily 8 12oz glasses of water. Even slight dehydration can bring on the vertigo. So between missing the Effexor and being slightly dehydrated I am experiencing moderate vertigo which makes you really sick. I too like the last person to comment 10 days ago find it very difficult to "type" this comment. I must go to bed.
Thank God my LeMac - member of the independent pharmacies group Health Mart delivers. As I live by myself (I am 65) downstairs from my nephew and his wife and their 2 boys - my grandnephews but nobody is home. My niece who is a nurse told me this drug has a very short half life and wears off very wuickly. I want to get off this med but it works very well for me. Thank you for "listening".
Ross05
5 Jan 2017
I missed 3 days of 150 mg effector because I ran out and don't have the money to buy script I also missed blood pressure atacand and diabex 3 days,now dizzy,on edge, headache and pins and needles (bzzzzzzz) vertigo and feel like crap
wellness1st
14 Sep 2011
I missed two doses one weekend. It was a nightmare. I was depressed, dizzy, incoherent, and the depression was to say the least, overwhelming. I cried day and night. It was very scarey. I had the feeling of helplessness and actually needed someone to stay with me. Don't ever miss a dose of your Effexor. It is also used to treat seizures and may send you into one if the Rx is stopped abruptly. As soon as the Pharmacy opened I had the prescription filled. That was about 4 years ago and I learned my lesson. Never discontinue a prescribed medication without discussing with your MD first.
Bsteinbrueck
13 Aug 2010
Definitely avoid missing doses AT ALL COSTS!! See if your doc has samples that you can take while you're waiting for insurance stuff to happen again...
This time you only felt dizzy, but next time it could be a lot worse! The effects of missing a dose of Effexor is unpredictable and can be very dangerous. Trust me, I know from experience.
So yeah, talk to your doc about avoiding missing doses next time something like that comes up.
Good luck!
-B
eleng
15 Jan 2011
Can you tell me if taking Effexor Xr twice dayly make you feel better in the morning? I am taking 225 mg for three weeks in the morning at once. Afternoons I'm feeling better, but in the morning I want to die. I tried to take it twice a day for two days (but the first day I increased it myself to 300) and I went crazy with all the bzzzzzz. I went back to 225 mg in the morning and I'm not feeling better yet (it has been two weeks)..thanks
Bsteinbrueck
17 Jan 2011
First of all, I would HIGHLY recommend not changing the dosage of any medication without talking to you doctor first... ESPECIALLY Effexor! I would say just talk to your doctor about how you're feeling. They'll be able to help you figure out the reasons for your feelings and help find the right medication to take for it.
As for me, I know it is to not feel good in the afternoons. I used to get tired soooo early... sometimes before noon. I can't say my problems have gone away, but it has definitely helped me taking Vyvanse, an ADHD drug. (which i was tested for but do not have).
If you'd like more info on that, let me know :)
-B
Hapemom
26 Jan 2012
If it's anyway Possible try not to ever even miss one dose. Today is my second day not having any due to problems at pharmacy. I do take 150 once a day. I feel absolutley horrible. I'm tired,extremely shakey. I can't eat or drink anything bc it won't stay down for two minutes. My mouth is so dry. Have the sweats and had nightmares the past two nights. I would never wish this on anyone. Even writing this is hard for me to concentrate. I feel as if I was drugged. I went to get my pills an hour ago. I took one as soon as they were in my hand. I still feel like this. I really hope for not to much longer. Also besides all of these wonderful withdrawal symptoms I'm feeling headaches all over my body, heart beating fast , blurred vision and hard concentrating. So if you are taking the same dose as I am please make sure you don't miss a dose and try if your close to a refill, refill them before this happens just so you don't have to deal with this..
This is my experience, hope not yours. I will NEVER go a single day ever again with out them. But otherwise they help me wonderfully. Just don't miss a dose!!! I hope I helped someone else by reading this. Sorry it's so long.
Typhoon
15 Oct 2016
I've spent the time to read many of those that were kind enough to disclose the symptoms of missing 150mg of Effexor. I have been through some other health issues at this time and usually I prepare my medications for two weeks in one of those boxes. I was negligent in doing this! Well, 3 days later I feel twitchy and jittery, have thrown up violently and had diarrhea and can't eat at all. I do not have dry mouth. The nightmares I've had are very realistic. I just took my dose and set up the medication box. The huge fact I wish to express to others is that my psychiatrist of many years has never asked me about my blood pressure medication. I am currently seeking another doctor. Best to all who have felt like this. The feeling is very unsettling. Bless.
3jgirls
24 March 2017
I missed 3 days of my 225mg daily dosages (my fault for waiting last minute to refill). I finally took my dosage a few hours ago. Does anyone know how long the withdrawal symptoms will continue? Never again will I do this.
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effexor, effexor xr, side effect
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