Effexor for Depression User Reviews (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 19, 2024

"This medication worked so well for me for about two years. It was devastating that it stopped working. It was the sixth antidepressant I had tried and the only one that worked. I was suicidal 24/7 for years and had attempts in that time. I couldn’t believe it actually took away my suicidal feelings. Not all of the time, but a lot less often and less intense than they were. I’d been severely depressed for over a decade and it was just getting worse and worse. When I got forced to the hospital, I was bedbound, severely underweight (BMI 15), had stopped eating and even drinking. This medication saved my life, and I’ll always love and be grateful for it. Since my current medication is losing its effectiveness, I am considering going back on it to see if it would work again. I was lucky that my only lasting side effect was night sweats, which I couldn’t have cared less about for how much it helped."

• LGG...
• March 28, 2015

"I had been on Zoloft (50 mg/day) for depression for 8 years. Following a major chronic health condition, a medical specialist was concerned the Zoloft was no longer effective. Increasing to 100 mg/day was disastrous - head spins, dry, dry mouth, vertigo - so a psychiatrist recommended Effexor. Initial 75 mg/day, then 150 mg/day after a fortnight. Initially, I was unable to orgasm, but this lasted only about a month (same when I started Zoloft). Main concern is weird dreams most nights. The only thing I can tie this to is the Effexor. I have been researching online and it seems I'm not the only one. What a relief to discover - I was becoming quite concerned (and irritated). But hey, I feel so much better that I can live with it. I'm smiling again."

• Hea...
• March 4, 2008

"I've been on Effexor XR for several years now. As far as helping to control my depression, it has been wonderful. However, I have had some severe side effects. I have gained 80 lbs since I started taking the medication. I have been diagnosed with benign vertigo. I have had countless specialists poke and prod me because no one can figure out why I get a sinus infection every month. I stopped getting menstrual cycles, and specialists can't figure out why. These are all possible side effects."

• Ann...
• March 3, 2016

"I have tried nearly all antidepressant/anxiety medication, and venlafaxine has been one of the best for me. My mood is more balanced, my sleep is improved, and I am more motivated than before starting the medication. The side effect of nausea lasts a short while after taking a dose (37.5 mg 2x daily for me), but the overall positive effects are worthwhile. I found that venlafaxine has a quicker effect than other SNRIs, with fewer side effects."

• dow...
• August 1, 2008

"Changed to Effexor XR 75 mg about 2 months ago from Celexa 20 mg. Having some dizziness and tiredness, maybe not feeling quite myself, so experimentation with the dosage is probably in order. Otherwise, no problems. Serious diarrhea side effect from Celexa stopped immediately upon changing treatment. But I am disturbed by some of the comments on this site about withdrawal from this medication. I have had no problem drinking in moderation while on this drug."

• Anonymous
• December 1, 2009

"Have dealt with GAD anxiety most of my life. Started taking Effexor for a major depression episode. Doctor started me slow: 33 mg for 4 weeks, then 75 mg for 3 weeks, then 108 mg for 2 weeks, and finally 150 mg. Been on 150 mg about 6 months, some side effects along the way. Just basically feeling 'weird' was the worst side effect. Wanted to quit many times along the way, but stuck with it. It doesn't work overnight. The sexual side effect is hard to have an orgasm, but I can deal with that if I feel better. Depression is no fun. Good luck all. Tomorrow's always can be a better day. God bless."

• Rac...
• May 2, 2015

"I developed depression when I was 14 after being bullied at school for some time. I decided that I had enough of all the crying and suicidal thoughts just before my 16th. My doctor put me on Zoloft in April 2014, which gave me urinary retention. He swapped me to another one, which I can't remember the name of, but I had a terrible allergic reaction to it. Finally, I was put on Effexor for 6 months until I was ready to come off them in October 2014. I experienced no depression for a few months until I became stressed with school. I started Effexor again in April 2015 and will continue on it because it works very, very well for me. At first, I experienced a little bit of nausea with Effexor, but it passed after a couple of weeks, then it's perfect!"

• Bec...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 25, 2021

"Hideous poison. Was on 225 mg for eight years. Sweating every night, neurological pain, twitching, shakes... withdrawal symptoms before I was even due my dose. Avoid at all costs. Am now on Remeron and I can sleep and function."

• Xmy...
• October 11, 2011

"One of the best medications I have taken for depression. One warning is do not run out of this medication, because you will experience terrible withdrawals, and when you re-take it, the nausea is terrible. If I can stay on this medicine for a long time, I will be happy, never had better control of my depression than I do on Effexor."

• Tri...
• June 15, 2017

"I never had depression in my life. Then I went through a major depression episode 2 years ago. I tried 7 different antidepressants, none worked, some made me even worse. My doctor decided on Effexor. I was very reluctant after reading horror stories about coming off of Effexor. Well, I'm happy to say it worked for a year and a half, it made me better within two weeks of taking it. However, I started to experience depression while taking it. I decided to wean myself off and had no problems coming off of it. I did it slowly, and it's been a month with no side effects of coming off. This drug saved me from the deep, dark hell of depression. Every drug is different for everybody, this drug worked for me. I only took it for a year and a half, 37.5 mg."

• fas...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 23, 2024

"I was on venlafaxine for my dysthymia in combination with major depression for 12 years. I gained a lot of weight and still had some bouts of depression every 4 years, but at one moment, I decided to taper it off after being almost depression-free. Tapering went smoothly, but after 4 weeks, all hell broke loose, and I went into a deep, deep depression like I never had before. I decided to try Celexa, but after 11 weeks, I am still spiraling down, 24/7 anxiety, burning body, and very little sleep...also a lot of suicidal thoughts. I have an appointment with my psychiatrist soon and will go back to Effexor...what a fool I was to quit. I vow that if it works again, I will take it for the rest of my life. I used to take 75 mg, maybe I have to raise that a little to prevent depressive episodes."

• nyn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 19, 2014

"Worked quite well for some time. Had side effects which were attributed to another medicine I was on at the time. Through trial and error, it was discovered the other medicine was not at fault. I was having kidney problems along with frequent edema in my legs and feet. Also, constant mucus and tightness in throat. Helped with depression, but side effects became serious. Also, weight gain. Dr. tapered me off this medicine."

• Anonymous
• May 19, 2008

"Effexor XR has saved my life twice. The side effect was major weight gain, but, sad as that was, it was worth it after trying several other drugs that did not work. The withdrawal is tough, but done easily if you just keep reducing your dose. The first time I went off of it was cause it was making me depressed again, even at the smallest dose. But, 3 or 4 years later, when I once again sunk into a deep depression, it was the only thing that could get me out. I've been on 150 mg for one year."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2015

"I was switched from Prozac to this (150 mg), and it is amazing! It really helped me, but I will say, DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE IT! My side effects of missing one day were these really weird dreams and a horrible headache, but if I was off of it for more than a day, I felt super dizzy."

• sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2012

"I just started taking Effexor last week for depression, anxiety, and racing thoughts. Seems to be working, but I noticed some side effects, like dry mouth and nervousness, but not a big issue. It works much better than Zoloft, Celexa, and Serzone, which I've taken in the past. So far, so good."

• N2H...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2018

"I dreaded taking Effexor. It put me into a darker mood, outlook was foggy, nausea, headache, loss of libido, incapacitating loss of motivation, and extreme/intolerable drowsiness. I was in an important meeting with engineers, and I couldn't keep my eyes open no matter how desperately hard I tried. For me, there was no upside to the medication. It was an entirely negative experience. Had to discontinue and will never take it again. Yikes!"

• Go...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 11, 2022

"Don’t let the reviews for this medication scare you or freak you out. Everyone is different, and it works for some and is less effective for others, but for me, it was the best, most life-changing decision I ever made to stick with it. I was going through a mental health crisis due to major struggles at work, a divorce, and a big move. I became catatonic, experienced hourly suicidal ideation, and lost all interest in existing in this world. It felt like my body and mind had betrayed me. I read all of the reviews, and I was scared to death to the point of almost not trying this medication, and my goodness, I am so glad I just went for it. Despite some minor side effects when you first get on the medication, 75 mg was my sweet spot and pulled me out of the deepest, darkest place I’ve ever been. I stayed on it for three years at that same dose. I am happier and healthier than I have ever been! Just go for it."

• CPA...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 14, 2015

"I started taking Effexor in 1995. I had GAD with some depression. For some reason, I let the Dr. continue prescribing for 12 years. I was only on 75 mg, and since it worked, I did not want to tempt fate. Last year, I started to have worse anxiety and went to one of the highly regarded MDs in NYC. He prescribed Remeron and Effexor. Eventually, the dose was increased from 75 mg to 300 mg. It had no beneficial effects. Worse is getting off of it. I'm now down to 37.5 mg over the last two weeks. The brain zaps and anxiety are tough. I think this drug should be illegal. The withdrawal effects are awful. I recommend trying something else unless this is your last resort."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2015

"I was given this medication after a major panic episode, and I noticed a good change a few weeks after taking it. It helps your mind wander and not focus on the bad things. It also just made me a generally happier person. However, I skipped a few days (I'm on the 75 mg), and the side effects were terrible. I got hot flashes, awful nightmares, I was so dizzy I could barely walk, I was disoriented and couldn't focus on anything, and I was absolutely exhausted. I started taking it normally again, but it makes me a little nervous to stop taking it permanently... Before taking this medication, I would definitely weigh 'do I want to be on this for a really long time?' or 'I can tough this out.'"

• And...
• July 7, 2017

"This medication worked for me for a few years for my anxiety, but eventually made me feel worse. When my new doctor recommended tapering me off, I had 2 weeks of pure hell. I was fortunate enough not to experience the brain zaps others experienced, but I had diarrhea, suicidal thoughts, terrible migraines, dizziness, couldn't eat, nausea, non-stop crying...the list goes on. I was a mess for 2 weeks straight and could barely work. I do not recommend starting this unless you plan to be on it for life. The withdrawal symptoms were not worth it, please try something else. This drug should not be on the market!!"

• Anonymous
• December 6, 2012

"I have been taking this pill for about four months, and it was working, and I felt a little better, not so many panic attacks, but it didn't help as much as I thought. Be careful when going off Effexor, the withdrawals are horrible. Most pain I have ever felt in my head. Do not just stop taking it. Effexor just wasn't the right one for me."

• Rui...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 9, 2018

"I took Effexor 150 mg. I had the usual sexual side effects associated with antidepressants. Tapered off under my doctor's guidance. My sex drive never returned, and that was almost 13 years ago. It basically turned me asexual or chemically castrated me."

• Anonymous
• December 2, 2009

"I have had to take this medication for years. Not because I need to, but because of the withdrawal symptoms. My doctor and I have been working on this for so long. My doctor even said it's too bad we didn't know then what we know now, he would have prescribed me anything but this."

• Fed...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2018

"I was given a dosage of 75 mg for a month, then up to 150 mg. It has been the worst experience I've had with any medication. After 10 weeks, my new psychologist has started weaning me off. It will take 4 months in order to avoid the worse effects. Anxiety, suicidal thoughts, headaches, stomach problems... just a few of my side effects."

• Mad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 12, 2015

"Trying Effexor was the worst decision of my life. I was on Celexa for about a year and noticed it becoming less and less effective, so I talked with my doctor, and he convinced me to try Effexor. The first few months, I experienced nightmares, cold sweats, grogginess, lack of motivation, and memory loss. After 6 months, I wasn't even the same person anymore. I had no emotion, no sex drive, and completely lost all hope. The only reason I stayed on it was because I knew the withdrawal was so miserable. A couple of months ago, I had an incident where I attempted suicide and had no choice but to switch medications. It took me about a month to get off the Effexor, and the withdrawal was absolute misery. Please, if you have a choice, do NOT try Effexor."