Fetzima User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2019

For Depression "Fetzima is ruining my life. It's like poison. After being on Paxil for 4 years, I weaned off it with my doctor's direction. After withdrawal was so awful, my doctor put me on Fetzima. The first 2 weeks I experienced all-day gut rot. The doctor said that wasn't Fetzima causing it. Weeks 3 and 4 were pure torture. From vomiting daily, diarrhea, crying nonstop, fits of rage, chest heaviness, lost 12 lbs. Can't eat, feel like I'm losing my mind. After 30 days, I stopped these meds cold turkey. I'd rather suffer with GAD than live on these kinds of meds. Never been so sick. Haven't been able to work. In my opinion, Fetzima is garbage."

• Jam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 18, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "After taking this medicine for six months now, I feel much better. I have a lot more energy. I could think more clearly. However, when I first started it, I had headaches for the first month, and still to this day, I sweat excessively, but it's worth the side effects to know that my head is clear and my anxiety is half of what it used to be."

• Nic...
• December 10, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "By the afternoon of the first day I started Fetzima, my lymph nodes were swollen and tender to touch. It feels like it just keeps getting worse. I'm now on my 3rd day and have pressure in my face and ear. I thought it was a cold, but after reading some of the posts, I think it may be related to the Fetzima because I have no other 'cold' symptoms. So, I figured I would share my experience so far in case someone else has experienced the same thing."

• Wom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2018

For Depression "Trying this for depression, nothing major, lost my motivation and enjoyment for the usual things. Horrible vomiting a few hours after the first 20 mg. Pharmacy says try Gravol with it. Tried it for 12 days, had chills; my extremities are frozen, feet, nose, and hands like blocks of ice. Nausea is debilitating; I felt exhausted 24/7. So I stopped for 5 days to allow the nausea to go away. Tried again after 5 days of break. Day one okay, days 2, 3, 4, and 5 the nausea is back and overwhelming. As soon as I try to get mobile, the nausea sets in. Sleep is non-existent. I don’t think this drug is for me. Back to the doctor I go."

• JTK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "Started on Fetzima 20 mg and increased to 80 mg over two weeks' time. Expected some weird feelings while coming off one med and starting another, but did not anticipate the horrible side effects that happened. By the time I got to 80 mg, my GI tract was raw from mouth to anus. I am now on a PPI to repair my stomach. I also experienced dizziness, eye pain, blurred vision, sadness, forgetfulness, and weird dreams. I saw no benefit from this drug and am currently titrating off under doctor's supervision."

• Kal...
• March 3, 2016

For Depression "Switched from Zoloft. After the initial first week and withdrawals from the Zoloft, I noticed that my irritability never went away and seemed to get worse. I was yelling at my kids for 3 days straight and realized this just isn't me. It's treated my depression, but the irritability and agitation, along with the other effects, just are not worth it. I have a hard time sleeping due to the dreams that I have that only started once I started taking it. Hallucinations started as well. It seems some days I have a hard time with what's real and what's not. Only when just relaxing, my mind seems to jump all over. Will be switching ASAP, this drug isn't for me. I would rather have the weight gain from the Zoloft. Expensive, even with insurance."

• Pau...
• November 25, 2016

For Depression "I too have experienced a lot of loss, especially with my divorce. I started up on the Fetzima recently, and I'm experiencing fairly persistent symptoms of nausea. I was at 40 mg, but I'm finding that I am having to titrate because I just can't take the effects of the nausea. I'm trying to stick it out, perhaps go down to 20 mg a day and see where I'm at at this point. I've also tried many medications, and I'm feeling extremely frustrated and somewhat hopeless. Have other people had similar experiences on this medication as far as getting over the hump of nausea? There just doesn't seem to be a lot of options."

• dep...
• April 9, 2015

For Depression "Didn't help my anxiety at all, although it does have serotonin in it. However, it did help me see reality a bit clearer and begin to feel good emotions again. Sadly, I had to get off of it because it caused an allergic reaction after four days, with hives and itching. It also made me feel foggy-brained. Shame after spending $87 on a month's worth and having to quit after four days."

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Tried this med after failure with a few other drugs (Paxil, Lexapro, Remeron, Prozac, Buspar). Figured since I really wasn't tolerating the SSRIs that maybe I had a dopamine or norepinephrine problem. I have anxious depression. Could only tolerate this medication for about a week and a half, and I consider myself pretty strong and able to suck it up since these meds take time to work. My sleep became terrible (nightmares, even if I did sleep), and I was super anxious, dizzy, and shaky all day. Week and a half, and I had to call it quits. Would not recommend this if you have anxiety, but then again, some people get anxiety relief from similar norepinephrine drugs (Wellbutrin or Pristiq). Not for me. Oh, and the cost was insane. $300/mo."

• The...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 1, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "After being on literally every other SSRI and SNRI available, I’ve realized that SNRIs are better for me. I tried them all before coming to Fetzima, and when I started it, I finally felt like WOW, this is the one. I didn’t experience any nausea, but I did have a strange testicular pain, as I have seen others mention. Not really a pain, but more like if you were standing out in freezing weather naked 24/7. Which is probably why it is very closely related to the number one side effect and reason I stopped taking it: premature ejaculation. Which is odd for two reasons: 1. Typically, SSRIs/SNRIs cause the opposite (which was true for me), and 2: I have yet to find one other account of this happening. Anyway, I felt amazing mentally, perfect almost, but these two symptoms caused me to go off and then back to it 4 times in 3 years."

• Dee...
• September 13, 2019

"My doc prescribed Fetzima 10 mg for my generalized anxiety disorder and said I’d feel better in 4 weeks. I couldn’t make it past 4 days on this drug. I quickly started feeling extreme depression, and I don’t even have depression. I cried constantly for days on end. I felt no emotion or connection to the things I enjoyed, and the moment that scared me the most was when I started having paranoid thoughts about my husband. I thought that he was the “enemy.” I couldn’t think straight at all, I actually had a hard time formulating sentences, and I felt drunk. My vision was blurry. I eventually told my husband if I don’t stop this medication, I don't know what could happen, as I had become really worried about myself, and he supported me stopping immediately. About 12 hours after stopping, I actually began to feel emotion coming back. I also had weird tingling feelings throughout my body while on the medication as well. Have someone with you monitoring you."

• Sco...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 27, 2019

For Depression "Tried many antidepressants. SNRIs are far superior to all SSRIs for my MDD, but at the higher recommended dosages. Effexor XR at 225 mg had been the best, fairly better than Pristiq and much better than Wellbutrin. Won't take Cymbalta or any other hepatic side effect possibilities. Did try it for 6 weeks with no improvement. My insurance covers Fetzima 40 mg, not much help, 80 mg vast improvements, and 120 mg first 2 weeks no difference after that 15 to 20% improvement. Wellbutrin no help. Zoloft importance and no help after 4 weeks, so no go. My advice: try Effexor XR and don't give up on it until 4 weeks at 225 mg, especially if SSRIs aren't working. I had no known side effects at any listed dose and have been on antidepressants for 17 years."

• CGu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2014

For Depression "Only was able to take this for two days. Second day, I felt just awful. Similar to Wellbutrin. I don't think my body can handle norepinephrine increase. I also got painful urination that lasted days after I took my last pill... ouch, it hurt."

• bth...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "Fetzima has to be the worst drug I've ever taken for my depression. I had been on moderate doses of Prozac for 8 years prior until the drug no longer affected me beneficially. The Fetzima had positive effects at first, but I think it was a placebo effect. A month into taking the drug, I still felt depression and frequently spaced out/felt a mental fog. The physical symptoms also presented themselves. I began to have frequent urgencies to urinate but could not. Always a false alarm. A few weeks later, I developed a clear discharge, which I thought was the result of an STD. My results came back negative for all STDs. I have been off the drug for about two months, and all side effects are no longer present."

• DoJ...
• November 14, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Was only able to manage a week on this drug. 40 mg. The side effects were pretty intense and intolerable. Cold sweats, nausea, headaches, and sexual dysfunction were very strong. Maybe some other less noticeable side effects as well, didn't stay on long enough to pinpoint. I did not notice any benefits during my brief use. I am also taking bupropion and did not adjust my dose after starting Fetzima, which I now realize I should have considered. Fetzima has a 1:2 serotonin:norepinephrine reuptake inhibition ratio, most SNRIs have between 20:1 to 5:1, so Fetzima is fairly unique and probably could have replaced my SSRI and bupropion. Found something new and won't be trying again, the side effects were just too bad."

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "Another fail. I had the opposite side effects as most people, though. I was drained. I was the opposite of constipated. I got chills/goosebumps, but painful ones. I had some sweats, but mostly painful goosebumps. I already feel like crap with depression. I don't need another medicine to make me feel worse. Cymbalta had a similar effect on me. I was sick and drained. Effexor didn't have that issue, just some nausea, and I did feel energized, but it would take me 10 minutes to urinate. Fetzima was my 20th antidepressant. I am looking into a clinical trial of ECT and Ketamine. I am over those useless medicines. I can't believe this garbage retails for $400/month. I got it at no cost with the savings card for the first month."

• bor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I gave it a 5 because I'm only on day 5 of treatment. The only reason I'm leaving a review is because the side effects have been awful already. I've vomited every single day between last Wednesday (first dose) and today (Monday, 5th dose). I've had a killer headache 3 out of 5 days. I can't sleep for longer than a couple of hours, which makes no sense as I'm on 2 different sedatives - I should definitely be sleeping. And I've been constantly covered in sweat. Even when I feel cold, I'm sweating like an animal. I haven't noticed any mood changes (positive or negative), which is expected because of the short time I've been taking it. I just thought I'd share the side effects and hope they go away with continued treatment!"

• Clo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "After over 25 years on every major antidepressant there is, I would find after a few years it stopped working. So this time my doctor suggested Fetzima. I took 20 mg the first 2 days, then 40 mg for a week, now I have been on 80 mg for 4 days. Although my mood is better for the most part, I’m so nauseous and constipated I don’t think I can continue this. I see my doctor next week, in the meantime, I’m going to go back down to 40 mg. Disappointed as I had high hopes for this one."

• Lun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "One of the only medications that has helped me with my depression without making me feel exhausted or like a zombie. Needing to do something for anxiety on the side as well since it doesn't help much, if at all, with anxiety. But overall, I have had a lot more good days on Fetzima. My mood is a lot more stable and generally a lot more good days."

• dia...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 5, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I had been in bed, depressed for like six months. I had tried several antidepressants that did not help for some reason. My doctor at the time gave me samples of Fetzima. I had never heard of it. So, over time it began to work, and it was a miracle for me because I had literally given up on life itself. I was thinking about changing because I have severe back pain, and some antidepressants say they help with physical pain, but I think of how far I've come from being suicidal and not able to get out of bed or stop crying. I will stick with the Fetzima. Thanks to whoever makes it, you helped me a great deal. I say the good outweighs the small side effects I get, like sweats and back pain. Worth a try."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2019

For Depression "Where do I begin? I’ve exhausted almost all of my options for approved antidepressants in Canada, with my fair share of negative and positive experiences. Fetzima is the second worst I’ve ever taken, right above Moclobemide. After only a couple of days, I had the worst headache of my life, felt like my brain was in a hydraulic press, couldn’t even open my eyes. This lasted four more days until I stopped taking this medication. I experienced nausea, but not as bad as some other reviews state. I experienced the body tingling, although this wasn’t too bothersome. I experienced heart palpitations accompanied by chest pain. There is a disabling brain fog that comes with this medication, it certainly numbs your severe emotions, but leaves you with a miserable feeling of apathetic melancholy. I also experienced ear popping and severe sinus irritation, although I’m unsure if this was related to the medication. Not even close to being worth a try for me, but everyone is different."

• 323...
• September 28, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was diagnosed with depression when I was 14 years old. Now that I'm 22, I decided to take control. I was basically a guinea pig by trying all sorts of different medicines to help me feel better. I was just recently diagnosed with anxiety and also PTSD. I started to talk to my doctor after my episode, and she put me on Fetzima. At first, when I started it, it made me sick and nauseous, and I was constantly so tired. She helped level the medicine out and put me on Wellbutrin to help keep me less tired. With these medicines, I have been on them for 2 months, and I can honestly say I feel normal again. I still have negative thoughts, but they only last a few seconds. I love Fetzima. It has seriously changed my life for the better."

• ch1...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 5, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on everything you can think of. This, along with Wellbutrin, has been the only thing to keep me out of a constant depressive state. I still have my bouts of depression (currently in one), but they are never as severe as they were when I was on SSRIs."

• Red...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2018

For Depression "After about a week, I had extreme sweating, palpitations, and testicular pain that would get so bad I walked funny. Was a bit pissed off in general and anxious. Soaked the bed and nightclothes in sweat several times a night."

• Bat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2017

For Depression "Age 60 male. Several years with BPH being managed by Xatral, but TURP coming soon. Past year, my depression/PTSD being managed by Cipralex 20 mg. Unhappy with weight gain and anorgasmia, so I was just prescribed Fetzima. Weaned off the Cipralex, and yesterday was the first day of introduction of Fetzima (20 mg), but within hours, I developed urinary urgency and much reduced flow. Discomfort increased through the day, causing pain and extreme gas/stomach bloating. So, 24 hours later, I'm not taking Fetzima again until I talk to the doctor. It may just be coincidental, but I fear the side effect of urinary retention is a real problem with the Fetzima when exacerbated by a pre-existing BPH condition, so beware!"