Nefazodone for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews

• Nef...
• October 16, 2020

"I call Teva once a week. I have been on it for 24 years, since 2021. I am keeping the faith they make more, they have not said it is discontinued yet. I call the FDA also, but Teva cannot give any date at all when it may be released again, which sucks for us. But they still have not said it is going to be discontinued. Hopefully, the reason that there is a shortage is their COVID shutdowns, which are what is causing this disruption from last March and April around the world, and this will get resolved quickly. We are not numbers or $$$ signs, we are people with a disease, and for some of us long-term users, this has been a lifesaver to improve our quality of life that some of us did not have prior to getting on this wonder drug. I know it is not popular, not a first or second choice, but for some of us, it has been a miracle wonder drug."

• Ern...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2021

"There is this company, TCIChemicals (Tokyo Chemical Industry), they do show the drug in their database. I am inquiring in that direction whether they can supply nefazodone. Hope that they do for all of us."

• Lau...
• March 16, 2021

"I am 66 years old and have been on nefazodone for 30 years. I had tried many other medications before nefazodone that did not work, or the side effects were outweighing the purpose of the drug. My doctor prescribed nefazodone, and I have been right with the world since. It worked beautifully, with no liver issues and no side effects. Then the hammer dropped. The pharmacy called and told me nefazodone was no longer available. It felt like the rug got pulled out from under me. With the pandemic and isolating, this is not the time to discontinue this drug! I feel my quality of life will not be the same, and I am afraid of what the impending depression will do to me. I feel like it's a farewell to what I've known and loved these last 30 years. I am praying this is only temporary. Teva is the only company that makes this medication. For those who depend on this medication, write to them and plead with them to bring it back."

• CGa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 23, 2020

"After 20 years of depression, doctors and pharmaceuticals, I finally found Nefazodone. I’ve felt better in the last nine months than I have in years! Even through the pandemic, my anxiety has been tolerable...until today. My pharmacy tells me the drug has been discontinued! I hope the stuffed suits who made that decision have some idea of what they’ve done to people who rely on this medication! I’ll sign this Panicked and Disappointed."

• Thr...
• October 29, 2015

"I have been dealing with major depression and terrible anxiety for the last 40 years. I had tried at least 6 different antidepressants, none of them really helped until one doctor put me on nefazodone. Within 3 weeks, what a difference, the relief, the sadness, the anxiety, the panic feeling all lifted. This medicine pretty much saved my life. To this day, I still take it. It's a wonderful medicine. I hope they never take this off the market."

• ven...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 31, 2020

"I just wanted to give you an update. Many of the reviews informing us that nefazodone has temporarily been discontinued are slightly incorrect. Teva Pharmaceuticals has temporarily stopped making it due to a shortage of its main ingredient. That does not mean it's discontinued as of yet. In the meantime, those of you who need to wean off of it so that you can successfully get on to a new antidepressant, please call around to pharmacies across your city. Many pharmacies other than the one that you currently use have supplies of it still left in their inventory. I managed to find many pharmacies around where I live and have been able to get another month's supply so I can wean myself off. Good luck to all of you, and I pray and hope that they will soon restart manufacturing. I hope this helps."

• Med...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 29, 2025

"Nefazodone worked for me when nothing else did. Remarkably, it has almost no side effects for me. I’ve tried so many treatments, including ketamine IV. I’m finally happy on just nefazodone. Loving life."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2016

"I've been taking antidepressants since 1999. I've taken most every SSRI plus many others that never worked long. I have MDD and GAD. I've never taken any med that actually worked. Celexa lasted about 2 years, then stopped. I needed help earlier this year, admitted myself. My doctor played with my medication regimen for a bit, but there's always trial and error with these meds. He kept asking me about all these different meds to see if I had tried before. I had. He finally told me about nefazodone and gave me its full history. I got that weed 'high' for a few days (including fatigue, nausea, blurred vision). It went away after a week or two, but I also explained to the doctor that the only word I could use for it was ecstasy. It made me feel so much better. No more side effects either!"

• tin...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 11, 2020

"All I can say is that this medication, Nefazodone, even when it was Serzone, took away my depression and anxiety, which was a monster. Been on it for 20 years. If this med goes off the market, my life is over. That's all I have to say."

• Anonymous
• December 4, 2020

"Nefazodone pulled me out of a 5-year depressive episode where I could not function. Since being on Nefazodone, I haven't felt better in my life! I am so stable... Now it's discontinued!! I am so upset and worried. I can't believe they could do this to people."

• Lin...
• July 22, 2021

"I have been on nefazodone since 1996. I cannot find another antidepressant that lifts my mood without drowsiness or blurred vision. I’ve tried Remeron and trazodone. Please make nefazodone available to patients who are suffering without it."

• Bon...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 6, 2020

"I started taking Nefazodone in January 2000 and continued taking it until 2015 when I was told that it had been taken off of the market. I had to drive about 25 miles to a pharmacy. So, my new doctor prescribed an SSRI called Celexa. I have been on the lowest dose possible and still gained about 30 lbs, and no matter what I do, I cannot get my weight to budge. Each time that I go to the doctor's office, my weight is up again even if I stick to 1200 calories a day. I am going to be going back to Nefazodone once I see my doctor in February. I will take it along with Wellbutrin. I started that regimen 20 years ago and felt the best that I had felt in years! I believe that I will feel better once again!"

• How...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 7, 2023

"This medication has worked so well for me. I was in a really bad state prior to getting prescribed nefazodone. I can actually function again. So many people complain about all the negative side effects of antidepressants. If you are looking for a medication with few side effects, try this one. I don't even have any sexual side effects from it. I found a very supportive community with this medication that really helped me, and I was able to learn a lot about it. If you check out Facebook groups, look for a group called 'Nefazodone Shortage Survivors and Support.' This has helped with depression, anxiety, and panic disorder."

• Ros...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 4, 2021

"I was on nefazodone for over 20 years, and it shaped my life. It helped me become myself by controlling my symptoms without any side effects. Without it, my life is falling apart. My last dose was 11/5/2020. I'm flooded with depression, anxiety is wrapped around me... squeezing, squeezing. I can't breathe. I've put on a lot of weight. My clothes don't fit. I don't go out, can't think, play guitar, or write. I keep trying other meds. No luck. Now I'm on Fetzima. Maybe it will help. I love my life, I miss myself. I called Teva and was told nefazodone would be back. Teva wants money, it's logical that they would want it back on the market. I'm 64. Being older wasn't supposed to be so horrible. Until then, I have prayer. God doesn't care if I'm fat. And I have all of you to talk to. Thank you."

• Nan...
• November 30, 2020

"I have had depression and anxiety issues for 31 years. SSRIs do not work for me. My doctor had put me on Serzone when it first came out years ago, and it was the only medication that truly worked for me. I am also on two other atypical antidepressants to combat other issues I have with sleep and mood. The fact that I can no longer receive nefazodone has really affected me profoundly, and not being able to be on it is a shock to my system, as I was not able to wean myself off of it as one should do. In my research, I have found that Teva is missing a compound to manufacture it. No answer in regard to if it will be available in the near future is disheartening since I would like to feel normal again. Now I am at square one again and have to see a psychiatrist, this will be my third, so he can prescribe some other medication that I hope will work as well as nefazodone has for the last 26 years."

• puc...
• June 24, 2021

"If unable to get this drug from Teva, I can tell you my experience of how to help get it back on the market. This happened with Teva clonazepam a couple of years ago. I was on a blog and found out people called Teva directly, asking to please put it back on the market... Our calls made a difference - it took a couple of months, but it worked! Now my doctor writes, 'Teva brand only' on my Rx. Try it... make several calls per day... it works! Currently not taking nefazodone but here to check it out for my depression."

• Sal...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 22, 2020

"Nefazodone works best for me after trying multiple antidepressants and failing. I have depression with anxiety and panic attacks, as well as manic depressive disorder and ADHD. Together with other meds, it keeps me going for the last 20+ years. I tried to stop taking it, but had super hard withdrawal and have to remain on it even though my insurance does not cover it!"

• sno...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 30, 2021

"Nefazodone, peeps. I too greatly benefited for 23 years using Nefazodone. The last year without it has been a nightmare. I have MDD, a major sleep disorder, both likely brought on by a single trauma event, PTSD. I didn't realize how effective it was until it went away. So many drug trials for me, no successes. But it's back! From an email I received from TEVA: 'Nefazodone is now available. Teva originally alerted the US FDA – and Wholesalers, Distributors, and Pharmacies – in the summer of 2020 about a potential shortage of Nefazodone and has been working diligently since that time in the interest of patients. We are pleased to now be able to once again provide Nefazodone as a viable option for those who need it. As always, patients should continue to speak with their physician about the treatment that is right for them. Kind regards, TEVA Customer Service Office: 800-545-8800 (option 3, option 5).' Good news! And happy New Year!!!!!"

• Nef...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 5, 2022

"Started with Serzone in 2002, switched to nefazodone in 2003, to treat major depression, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety. It kept me stable under emotional stress. I have tried every drug in its class that I can take, nothing works. Now I've lost my wife of 20 years and am struggling to function. I am barely managing to get out of bed. Getting help, but please bring back nefazodone."

• Pau...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 7, 2021

"I was on nefazodone for over 20 years. It helped stay on an even keel. Kept emotions from going too high or too low while still fully experiencing life completely. I have tried other meds, nothing works. The longest relationship in my life, 21 years, is ending. I can't put my wife through this returning nightmare. Things can only end in ultimate disaster."

• sad...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 10, 2021

"I took Serzone/nefazodone for about 20 years along with Effexor. I am still taking the Effexor but have been without nefazodone for 2 months. I was able to titrate off for a month until reaching zero 2 months ago. I feel horrible! I do not know who I am anymore. I had made so much progress in the last 20 years... through therapy, 12-step programs, and spiritually! Now, without nefazodone, I feel like I have lost any progress I had made! I don't think the same way. I don't feel like the same person. I've lost my self. I have a cold heart. This is no way to live."

• Zan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 4, 2022

"Just like everyone else, I was on this for about 8 years. I have been through every SSRI, and I mean everyone. Most SNRIs, nefazodone is the only thing that works. Or should I say worked. The only other 2 options that keep me stable are to take Xanax and Klonopin until I forget my own name. I can't believe it comes to this. Literally about 200 drugs between SSRI, SNRI, NDRI, MAOI, TCA's, 1st and 2nd generation antipsychotics, and there was one that worked for everyone, and they got rid of it for suicidal ideation? Uh, duh... read the papers. Every single one says that. EVERY ONE OF THEM!! I am beyond annoyed, now I really think they just don't want us to get better. Too much money marketing new SSRIs at $1,400 for a 30-day supply. Ugh!"

• Fre...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 20, 2021

"I took Serzone and then nefazodone 300 mg twice a day for about 25 years, and it worked great. When I could not get it anymore, I was put on escitalopram. Started with 5 mg and then went to ten mg. It works wonderfully for me."

• Hel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 31, 2021

"People are suffering. This was the only antidepressant that helped me, and it’s sad that people are having trouble getting this medication. I also have called Teva, the only response is fourth quarter. We need our medication. It’s not like it’s a narcotic, it’s for people's mental health. If you care about mental health, as you say you do, you will make this available soon."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2019

"I was prescribed Serzone in 1999 at the onset of major clinical depression. I was under the care of my GP and a psychologist. I experienced hallucinations and heard voices. My psychologist was worried about the drug, especially when I told her about the day I was being told to fly with the birds, and as a blast of cold wind blew me out of trance, found I'd climbed my balcony and was about to jump off. I ran indoors and locked myself in. I was referred to a psychiatrist who immediately took me off Serzone and started me on Effexor XR. I researched Serzone on the internet and saw many legal class actions against the drug company on the grounds it causes suicidal ideation in some patients. Effexor, like all psychiatric drugs, comes with its own drawbacks but has been safer and more effective for me. I continue to be on antidepressant Effexor medication to this day, 20 years later. Major depression is an insidious disorder."