Effexor and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ano...
• October 28, 2018

For Depression "Had one dose of 37.5 mg and had nausea, shaking, chills, what felt like ice water through my veins. It's been 4 days and have yet to recover and have two panic attacks a day versus when I never had any before. I switched back to Zoloft yesterday, hopefully, I will be better in the weeks to come."

• kin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 10, 2015

For Depression "If I could, I would give this a 0. I was put on Effexor for anxiety, the little depression that I had, and I was told by my doctor that it would help with nausea. All was fine for a while, but when I ran out of the pills, I would get very violently ill and could barely see straight. Effexor messed with me emotionally, it made me more depressed and had an opposite effect on me. Now getting off the pills was the worst. It took 6 months from 150 mg to 0. Brain zaps, could barely walk in a straight line, walls would be moving and feeling sick 24/7. My advice to anyone is take Effexor with caution and just remember your body will become dependent on Effexor."

• sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2015

For Depression "Horrible drug, will never use it again. My doctor prescribed the lowest possible daily dose to try to see if it would help for anxiety and depression. After taking it for one week, I had nausea, constant sweating, made my head feel tight and foggy, did not sleep more than 20 minutes at a time because I was constantly waking with nightmares. Been off Effexor for over a month. Sweats gone, nausea gone, feeling much better but can't sleep more than 4 hours straight, then being awake for hours. I would not recommend this drug to anyone. Get your doctor to try you on something different first."

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2009

For Depression "I just started a few weeks ago, and it has helped stabilize my mood, give me energy. Not noticing any major side effects. I've had some headaches, some light nausea, and some crazy dreams. But I've always had crazy dreams. Other medications gave me much worse side effects. Effexor seems to be working for me. My daughter says that I'm 'funny' again. I love that!"

• Hay...
• November 28, 2016

For Depression "Please, please, please... If your doctor suggests this drug to you, do your research. I am 18 and just put full trust in my doctor when she told me to take it. Seven months later, and I wish I never, ever took it. I usually take my 150 mg dose when I wake up in the morning, and now I cannot even go until 11 p.m. at night if I forget to take it without having withdrawals. I experience nausea and feel uneasy on my feet, as well as shakiness. It is ridiculous, and I write this to stress that this is not a light topic. BE CAREFUL!!!!!"

• Hel...
• March 13, 2017

For Depression "Started Effexor 75 in October, started feeling fantastic besides dry mouth and a bit of nausea. Doctor upped it to 150 mg in November. I felt like a whole different person, I got my life back, but due to some side effects of the drug causing constipation and facial twitching in my lower lip and body jolts, the doctor tried to wean me off 150 mg, taking one pill every second day. It was too fast, too soon. Wow, just as well I didn't do it cold turkey. Brain zaps, crying, feeling lost in my own body. Scared, tremors. It has been almost two weeks with no Effexor, and I have got vertigo, felt like I was going to die. Today, I started taking 150 mg again, and I already feel a difference. This could be my drug: huge difference in mood, zapping gone, and dry mouth is back. I can live with that."

• aca...
• December 10, 2015

For Depression "I have been on Zoloft, Lexapro, and Effexor. Effexor has been the one that worked for me, the other two were nightmares. I took Effexor during a particularly bad time after high school, and it saved my life. I had wanted to die back then. Just recently, these past couple of years, I've noticed my depression creeping back, and the death of a family member has added some anxiety in there as well. I told my doctor I needed something, or I was gonna spiral downward. I am taking the lowest dosage, 37.5 MG, I believe. It's been two weeks, and I've had some expected side effects: nausea, constipation, trouble sleeping, and a little bit of dizziness. Nothing terrible. Within three or four days, I noticed a change. It's worked for me, and I'm glad I'm back on it."

• Sar...
• June 26, 2017

For Depression "So this drug really helped with my depression, but it also has some bad side effects. Please, please, please never skip a dose of this stuff. You will feel like absolute trash. As long as I take it every 24 hours, it works perfectly for both my anxiety and depression, but if I miss a dose, the side effects are awful. My whole body feels like white noise, my limbs buzz, I'm dizzy and nauseous, and can barely concentrate. Also, I don't know everyone else's experience with the medicine, but I used to be on the 150 mg dose, and let me tell you, I couldn't orgasm no matter how much I wanted to, and it sucked. I know it was the medicine's fault, 'cause when I lowered my dose to 75 mg, I could orgasm again. The medicine ridiculously lowers my libido."

• Dri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2022

For Depression "I wanted it to work so bad. I’m devastated. The Effexor made my mouth and tongue hurt so unbearably bad, severe dry mouth with a horrible taste. Felt intense pressure behind or under my ears, like just before it's trying to pop. I was severely short of breath along with this yawning urge which made me hyperventilate. My head was pounding like a jackhammer, my pupils and eyes felt huge even though they weren’t, and please forgive my lack of better words, but I felt “cracked out.” Hungry, but felt nauseous smelling food, I felt in a stupor and slept 15 hours and would have the most horrifying intense vivid dreams that were just about impossible to tell if they were real or not (not even exaggerating), making me feel very confused and overwhelmed. I stopped being able to cry or feel emotions. I am a very emotional person and watched my memorial video of my beloved cat I’m devastated over, and I felt nothing for her. That is not normal for me. Terrifying experience. Never will take again."

• Sle...
• April 19, 2015

For Depression "I've only been on this medication for about 2 weeks. That said, I've slept almost every day since starting it. I know sleepiness is a common side effect, but this is excessive. Almost no energy throughout the day. Nonstop yawning. My depression is still there, anxiety has been better. I just feel very drained and apathetic. I'll stick with it for a while longer because I know it will take a while for the full effect to kick in, hoping for good results!"

• Tin...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 22, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I took Effexor for many years. I believe I was becoming resistant to it because it wasn't addressing my depression anymore. I tapered off as slowly as possible, and I can safely say it is the worst withdrawal I have ever had in my life. Nausea, dizziness, sickly feeling, huge brain zaps, lethargy, headaches. It was horrible. I am so glad to be off of it. My new medication, Wellbutrin and Lexapro, are much better at controlling my chronic major depression. I will never be off drugs, but I would never take this drug again."

• Pet...
• February 21, 2017

For Depression "My doctor prescribed 37.5 mg to me. I took one at 3:00 p.m., and by 7:00 p.m., I was feeling dizzy and nauseous. I actually was able to fall asleep but woke up several times during the night with horrible nausea, shaking, anxiety, weird dreams, and a lot of gas! Thank goodness I had Zofran for nausea, or I would have thrown up. I also had to take an Ativan for the anxiety and Imodium for diarrhea. It's now 5:00 p.m. the next day, and I'm just now feeling better. I know others who use Effexor and love it, so it does work for some... just not for me. I called the doc, and she quickly switched me to something else."

• Pet...
• February 21, 2017

For Depression "My doctor prescribed 37.5 mg to me. I took one at 3:00 p.m., and by 7:00 p.m., I was feeling dizzy and nauseous. I actually was able to fall asleep but woke up several times during the night with horrible nausea, shaking, anxiety, weird dreams, and a lot of gas! Thank goodness I had Zofran for nausea, or I would have thrown up. I also had to take an Ativan for the anxiety and Imodium for diarrhea. It's now 5:00 p.m. the next day, and I'm just now feeling better. I know others who use Effexor and love it, so it does work for some... just not for me. I called the doc, and she quickly switched me to something else."

• Swe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 24, 2018

For Depression "I was prescribed Effexor 75 mg two years back, and subsequently, I decided to taper off once in a while. It helps a lot to be focused, but the side effects for me were sleepless nights and nausea. I am going back on it again. I felt that without it, I am spiraling down the dark tunnel."

• Nik...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 9, 2017

For Depression "I have used this drug for around 5 years now. I am ultra-sensitive to medication, so when I am stable (I am bipolar), I go down to 112.5 mg, and when depressed, I go to 150 mg. At these doses, I still get the side effects. And QUICK withdrawal if I miss my morning dose... i.e., by lunchtime, I am nauseous and getting brain shocks. Having been on some other types of antidepressants, I prefer this one as I have energy (despite drowsiness being a side effect). I would not change my antidepressant again."

• kma...
• January 4, 2012

For Depression "I have suffered from MDD, GAD, SAD, OCD, panic attacks, agoraphobia, and PTSD for the past 25 years. I have tried several other SSRIs and was recently switched to Effexor XR. I was prescribed 37.5 and was to build up to 150 mgs. The side effects were so severe I could not get past the initial dose. I took it for the past 6 weeks, and it abruptly quit working. I could not tolerate increasing to 75 mg. I will be switching to Celexa. The side effects include tachycardia, sweating, hypostatic, extreme blurry vision, nausea, headaches, insomnia, and weight gain of 5 lbs. I experienced 'spatial disorientation' where I would get waves of vertigo. I had great depression relief for about 3 weeks, but the side effects were too numerous to tolerate."

• Han...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 27, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on Effexor now for almost 6 months. I take a combined dose of 75 mg and 150 mg at once (225 mg). I started at 150 and was given the 75 mg a few days later to help with my anxiety. The meds do make me 'numb' to emotions, and they do help with my depression and anxiety. I have good and bad days. Sometimes my meds will make me sick to my stomach, I often feel dizzy and feel brain zaps and 'electrical' zaps down my arms and fingers. It often takes away my appetite, and I have lost weight. I often struggle with constipation too. And sometimes, it makes the voices, depression, and anxiety worse. Compared to other meds in the past, Effexor is better. On good days, I feel better and turn from a realistic viewpoint in the world to a more positive one."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2019

For Depression "I have been on Effexor CE 37.5 mg for a month now. I was feeling better up until a few days ago, so I went and saw my doctor, so she upped my medication to 75 mg. So ever since she upped my dosage, I've been having severe headache, neck pain, nausea, feeling like my depression is getting worse, no motivation, crying spells throughout the day. So I'm going to give it a few more days, and if I'm still feeling the same, I'm asking to get tapered off of it. I just don't feel like myself, I just feel depressed all over again before I started it. I'm scared to get tapered off, though, because of the withdrawal symptoms I've been hearing."

• Map...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2020

"Awful experience. Only took it for 6 days after GP prescribed it for nerve pain. Massive continuous headaches, vision affected, couldn't focus my burning eyes. Constant nausea and dizziness. Sense of taste affected. Very difficult to think coherently. Made me miserable with pain and new symptoms. Avoid at all costs. It took weeks for the side effects to subside, vision improved, but not as good as before taking this medication."

• Bri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 29, 2016

For Depression "This med worked okay for me, but then I got used to it, and I have to increase it. I personally think that my body builds up a tolerance to it. If I take these meds late, I get terrible night sweats. Coming off these meds was terrible. A GP advised me to go 'cold turkey,' and I had nausea, vomiting, so much crying, felt hot and cold, and dizziness. I also had some really bizarre dreams when coming off these meds. This med, along with Cymbalta, is hard to come off of."

• 51...
• October 8, 2015

For Depression "I was put on Effexor for depression and anxiety. (Was on Paxil for many years.) I told the nurse/practitioner I felt pretty good but always wondered if there was 'something better.' After starting on Effexor, I did have vivid dreams, and headachy, nausea, and dizziness, and was unable to have an intense orgasm (always fell short). The big problem came when I ran out of pills, and they wouldn't refill until I saw a nurse. So without my pills for 3 days... OMG! Terrible withdrawals... dripping with sweat, terrible headaches, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, to feeling hopeless and extreme dizziness. Awful!!! Don't run out! I was terrified of going off the pill (switching to Wellbutrin). Day two on half a tab, and so far so good! :) Effexor may have its place... just not with me! :) You need to wean off them slowly!!!"

• Tru...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 6, 2017

For Depression "Horrible drug. Do not take this. I was up to 250 mg before I decided to quit cold turkey. I was hearing things, nauseous, seeing things. I thought I was going insane. I was a first-timer on meds, and I had to work on top of it. I fully trusted the doctor to prescribe me the right meds. The doctor laughed me off when I told him what I went through. I thought I was going to die. After taking this drug, I can never trust doctors again. It ruined me. He acted like it was no big deal. Do not take this drug lightly. I'm so surprised that doctors are so cautious about giving benzos but not antidepressants. They only care about the money they are getting paid by big pharma. Don't get me wrong, some meds work. But be careful, you only get one brain."

• Anonymous
• October 16, 2010

For Depression "I was given Effexor XR for depression. I had the usual side effects at first: dizziness, nausea, weird dreams, and tingling. I was able to beat most of these by taking the medication at the same time every night. The downside was if I was late by a few hours taking it, the dreams and tingling feeling returned bad. I was started on 75 mg, and that worked for a few months, then the dosage was upped to 150 mg. This worked for a few months as well, then I hit rock bottom again and the dosage was upped again to 225 mg. Unfortunately, this only worked for a few months. A year after this, I was given it again, this time, it only worked for a couple of weeks. This was not the medicine for me."

• nrd...
• December 30, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "Someone here said: dizziness and 'brain jolts' = YES! This is what happens if I miss a dose. Add to the dizziness, nausea, and irritation. I want to go OFF this medication - and feel trapped. I have gone to 37.5 mg, but my doc has suggested I go to a psychiatrist to get recommendations on how to go off this medicine without the horrific side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2017

For Depression "I suffer from severe anxiety and mild depression. I had no idea how this was ruining my life. I was so nervous to try medication but finally got to the point that I was desperate. Tried Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and Celexa. Felt awful or had such strong side effects that I couldn't continue them. Finally tried Effexor at 37.5 mg for 2 weeks. Those 2 weeks were absolute hell. So sick and emotions were all over the place. I was about to give up on it, but my doctor suggested 75 mg. Wow! What a difference. Still have the side effects (nausea, constipation, some dizziness, loss of appetite, brain fog) but hoping those go away as I'm only on week 3 now at the new dosage. Mentally, I'm already feeling better! Not sure how much for my anxiety, but definitely for depression."