Nefazodone for Anxiety User Reviews
Nefazodone has an average rating of 9.3 out of 10 from a total of 41 reviews for the off-label treatment of Anxiety. 93% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 5% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Nefazodone
- Bar...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- April 9, 2021
"Twenty-year user. Nefazodone is a miracle drug for me. As others have said, taking nothing was far better than all the other options I tried. I had a 9-month back supply, which is now down to 4 1/2 months. Contacted TEVA, who told me the same thing they told everyone else. One note: TEVA is the one who made the active ingredient. Saying they can't get it is disingenuous. I will have to start tapering soon. I've read quitting the last 25 - 50 mg's is the worst part. I hope to need no substitutes. Bad days ahead, I'm sure."
- muf...
- August 8, 2021
"Been taking Serzone / Nefazodone since 1996 for panic, anxiety disorder. I have tried every other antidepressant on the market and NOTHING else worked! I tried several antidepressants. Now, after battling cancer and losing my girlfriend to cancer, my mother to cancer, and my best friend to a massive heart attack - here I am again, 10 months later, suffering due to lack of my med. Try this pill, that pill, this pill, that pill - NOTHING IS WORKING!! I NEED MY NEFAZODONE BACK!! PLEASE BRING THIS DRUG BACK TO MARKET!! WE ARE SUFFERING HERE."
- Too...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- May 4, 2021
"Contact the FDA drug shortage site, the email address is available online. Ask them to find another company willing to manufacture this medication. They have the contacts, knowledge, and know who to contact, plus it is their job! This is a medically necessary medication."
- Aim...
- August 2, 2017
"This drug changed my whole life. Suffering from anxiety and depression, it did not feel or look like depression; nevertheless, it was. Mostly this expressed in anxiety, especially new events or chores, not to mention jobs or large changes. Within 4 weeks, the psychiatrist asked me if it was helping; I wasn't sure, but within 8, I told him, 'I feel like...me!' That was 20 years ago. It still works and, no, that is not an illusion. I have tried to gently go off several times under doctor's care, and always return to my unsettled state of fear. I have had a successful career and personal life, am healthy and content. Nefazodone saved me."
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Your review helps others make informed decisions.- har...
- March 26, 2011
Serzone (nefazodone) "I have been using Serzone and the generic versions for over 15 years now. When the brand was pulled from the market, I tried Wellbutrin, Celexa, and Prozac. All three had horrible side effects, and I finally found a doctor who would prescribe me the generic of Serzone again. This medication keeps me on an even keel, keeps the anxious thoughts from overwhelming me, and helps me sleep at night. My liver panels are always perfect, and my only side effect is that I have to take it right before I go to bed as it makes me sleepy."
- Bea...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- July 11, 2021
"I was on Nefazodone for 26 years after trying several other antidepressants that had side effects. It had no side effects and made me feel like myself again. Now that it has been unavailable for almost a year, I have had to go off of it while starting Trazodone. I have been off of Nefazodone for a month and on Trazodone for 2 months. I am anxious, depressed, scared, and cry every day. I am hoping the Trazodone will start working since it is the closest thing to Nefazodone. I have been going up in 25 mg increments since starting it. I don't want to have to try something else. I am outraged at Teva. Apparently, they don't care about us. I believe that Nefazodone is or was used by so few people that it wasn't worth their while to make it. Back in April, I tried calling and writing Teva and the FDA and got nowhere. I am praying it will be made again, but I don't know how difficult it would be to transition back."
- nav...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 17, 2024
"I’ve suffered from severe GAD and treatment-resistant depression. Before trying nefazodone, I’ve tried many different classes of antidepressants such as SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, and other medications. None of them worked to calm my anxiety, which interfered in my life in an extremely negative way by preventing me from socializing, causing panic attacks, making me get in fight or flight mode over the smallest things, and causing me to isolate myself from the world. Also, before nefazodone, my depression was unbearable. There was no joy or pleasure in things. I did not look forward to anything, and life felt hopeless. One day, I was looking up medicines to treat severe GAD and treatment-resistant depression, and nefazodone came up. After reading up on it, I decided to ask my psychiatrist if I could give it a try, and he said yes. It has been 27 days since I started taking nefazodone, and one thing I can say with confidence is that it works. Anxiety, panic, and depression have drastically decreased."
- Its...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- January 9, 2022
"As of 12/20/21, nefazodone is out of shortage and again available. I was finally able to fill my prescription on 12/27/21. This medication has been so helpful for me. I tried many others, and this seems to be the only one that, along with controlling the depression, also keeps my anxiety in check. I have been on this for over 20 years."
- Hug...
- November 18, 2020
"A close friend of mine and I have been on nefazodone 50 mg for 20+ years. It has been a lifesaver. We cannot tolerate any other antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication. Now we are experiencing a shortage of the 50's. Wondering if we can group together to let Teva know that we depend on this drug. I called Teva to find out the availability, but all the representative would say is there is an ingredient that has been difficult to obtain to make nefazodone. She would not give me any more information. Wondering if we group together and let Teva know how important and necessary this drug is to us. Don't know how to get this going. Please help."
- OCD...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- July 29, 2021
"Teva needs to get its act together and get this drug back on the market! I have taken this off-label for OCD for 12 years, and it is the *only* thing that works for me. My psych put me on trazodone after I ran out of nefazodone, and it is not even close to the same thing. I'm close to quitting my job because my condition is degenerating so badly. Before nefazodone, I tried every SSRI and tricyclic in the book, and nothing worked. My psych made sure I understood the (tiny) risk when he put me on nefazodone. Teva, please please PLEASE fix this, real people are suffering!"
- Mar...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- September 5, 2019
"I had debilitating anxiety and was prescribed nefazodone. I have experienced no side effects as far as I can tell and almost perfect relief. I'm back to normal. I only need 100 mg a day. When I'm very stressed, I sometimes have to take another 50 mg."
- Red...
- December 24, 2018
"I have depression and OCD. Nefazodone (Serzone) changed my life. The chains of OCD and depression fell off within 2 months of starting this medicine. This medication was an answer to prayer. I have been off and on SSRIs, but they did not help much. Paxil was the only medication that helped my OCD, but the side effects were bad. I have not experienced any sexual side effects, weight gain, or fatigue with Nefazodone. It's been a wonder drug for me."
- Nef...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- January 15, 2022
"After trying several antidepressants and anti anxiety meds my psychiatrist gave me Nefazadone. It saved my life! I went from having almost daily panic attacks to none. Severe depression to mild at times. I got my life back and was able to function! This was 20 years ago and still doing well. This is a unique medication and usually works when others fail. My only side effect was some visual effects for about 3 months. There has been a shortage recently but now it’s back and I am so grateful! If your dr. is concerned about liver problems do not be discouraged! Unfortunately this drug got a bad rap from its brand name serzone years ago. It is no more dangerous than many other antidepressants and medications on the market including Tylenol. Hope this helps someone like it did me."
- Hop...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- April 23, 2021
"Very important to contact Teva and the FDA drug shortage department. Web addresses are listed online. Email them, share your experience with this medication, and ask them for their help. And continue to ask for their help! An email can be forwarded to the right people. And yes, also continue to call, too! Everyone needs to help us get this resolved. Stay persistent!"
- Jac...
- June 8, 2023
"I have taken this drug for many years. I’ve tried many others before, and all they did was cause dizziness or more anxiety for me. When they took this off the market, I struggled to live my life normally. I have not been the same!! When I found out that they were manufacturing it again I was so relieved! I just had my doctor fill it for me and I am a happy camper. I had agoraphobia for 7 years before they put me on Nefazodone . I can’t begin to tell you what I went through with two young children to take of. But I found a self help group and this medication saved my life‼️"
- Anonymous
- Taken for 10 years or more
- December 9, 2012
"I've been taking this medicine since I stopped drinking - 12 years ago! It was the ONLY medicine that ever worked for my panic attacks and depression. I had no idea at the time that they were related. I had been an alcoholic for about 15 years and had almost given up. A lady at work told me about it - totally by chance, and so I tried it. It worked so well after a few weeks I was able to get outside and function again, and I was able to get off the alcohol. I take it only in the morning and just after eating around lunchtime. If I take it too late in the day, it keeps me awake half the night. My speech has become a little hesitant over the last few years - a rare side effect. But it's manageable and worth the trade-off."
- Laf...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- June 16, 2022
"I took nefazodone for over 20 years before it became unavailable. I was then put on a combination of effexor and zyprexa in the hopes that it would mimic the efficacy of just nefazodone. It hasn't even come close to helping me feel as good as nefazodone did. I have an appointment in just a few weeks to talk to my medical provider who will hopefully put me back on nefazodone. I LOVE THIS MEDICATION!"
- TNg...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- June 16, 2022
"I have been on serzone/Nefazadone for 23 years. My psychiatrist had told me about it, that it could cause liver problems but so could many other drugs and meds in same class. Thought it got a bad wrap from few law suits. Advised labs yearly to have peace of mind. Never had any liver problems. This medicine saved my life. I had depression and daily panic attacks. Could not hardly function. No life. I was at the point of giving up. So many medications did not work. I’m still amazed how well this medicine worked for me. I was told by psychiatrist it was one of the best medications he has ever prescribed and it was a shame that other drs shy away from it. Hope this helps someone who is struggling and I hope this medicine will help you like it did me."
- Ron...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- May 25, 2022
"This medication literally saved my life. It is unlike all other antidepressants. The other antidepressants I tried, and there were many of them, actually increased my anxiety. I would wake up with fear, terrible fear each morning after another sleepless night and it just got worse from there. This r/x might not work for you, we do not share the same body chemistry, but I assure you, if it does, you'll want to live again."
- JBa...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- October 26, 2020
"I have taken 500 mg of Nefazodone and Xanax at night for anxiety and insomnia for 25 years. I think it was quite helpful. I have been wanting to take a vacation from it to see if it was still needed, but found the withdrawal unpleasant. It is currently unavailable in the U.S. so I thought, no time like the present to titrate off of it. I’ve been reducing the dose by 175 mg every few weeks. My only withdrawal symptom has been insomnia this time. I am excited to see if it’s no longer needed."
- Bet...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- March 31, 2024
"I developed intense anxiety in my 40s out of the blue. I tried everything with no success. I switched psychiatrists for a new perspective, and he recommended Nefazodone and told me how effective he'd seen it with his patients. So, I decided to try it. A couple of weeks later, I could feel the anxiety lifting. After about a month, I didn't even think twice about all of the things I couldn't do before (shopping, driving, taking a walk). Now I can't even will myself into anxiety or panic! Side effects are pretty much zero, except for sleepiness for the first month and with any increases. I'm now on 100 mg twice a day (which is pretty low) and feel better than I have in a long time. Definitely worth a try! Just be sure to have your liver enzymes checked before you start and then again at 1 month, 3 months, and then every 6 months. Liver problems have not been an issue for me or anyone else I know who's taken it."
- San...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- February 23, 2022
"I’ve been taking Nefazodone for 15 years. It’s the best medication for anxiety and depression without side effects. So happy to have it back. If anyone is having difficulty finding a pharmacy that carries it or need support then join on Facebook Nefazodone Shortage Survivors and Support."
- Amh...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- August 6, 2021
"I took nefazadone for 18 years. Somewhere along the way it stopped working because when I came off the medication I had no withdrawal symptoms. I recently emailed teva and they replied they have no idea when it will be released. Teva was offered to make the drug in the USA and they DECLINED! Teva does not care about patients at all. I was lucky and had no withdrawal. I can't imagine what everyone else is going through. Nefazadone worked amazing when I first started taking it. I actually think from taking it soon it corrected what was wrong in my brain. I will continue to fight for everyone by constantly emailing Teva, the FDA and whoever else I can get to listen to me. I'm concerned that if they bring nefazadone back that this shortage will happen again. Teva restructured the company and shut down several manufacturing plants. I did alot of research."
- Dav...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- April 4, 2018
"I have been on this medication for 18 years, and I'm thankful that I found it. It was the only medication I found that would reduce job-related stress/anxiety enough to let me sleep decently and not affect sexual function. The only reason I rated this a 7 instead of a 10 is because I have developed some tolerance to it (I am at max dose of 600 mg). I have had to also take large doses of SAM-E as well, but it does still work. It is still available from at least 1 pharmaceutical company."
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"I am a physician. I have been on this medication for over 20 years. Nothing else worked, and during the shortage, I was struggling significantly. This medication not only saved my career but also my life. Unique and highly effective, nefazodone needs to stay on the market."