Effexor and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Mee...
• October 9, 2009

For Depression "I've been on Effexor now for 2 years after trying Prozac and Celexa (which both had awful side effects). My dose ranged from 37.5 to 112.5. I am now at a point in my life where I feel like I can break through my depression and get off these drugs. I want to start having kids, and Effexor is very anti-baby. Today is day 5, and the only thing I have noticed is all I want to do is sleep, and I have cried every single day since lowering my dose. I still feel like it is worth it to get off them though. They had only minor side effects such as lowered sex drive and nausea if you don't eat, but I feel like I can find a more natural way to feel better! Good luck to everyone out there, it's hard, but you can do it!"

• Bme...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 13, 2015

For Depression "Was on Effexor for a little over a year and a half. I am a 25-year-old female, approximately 5'5'. When I began taking this medication, I was sitting around 165. I was prescribed 37.5 mg after switching doctors due to moving. Everything worked fine until I was on it for about 6 months, no side effects, no crazy reactions. After the 6-month period, I began feeling slower, less emotion, yet increased anger at little things a couple of times a month. Forgetting this pill was never an option as the nausea and headaches were out of control. I finally went back yesterday to be switched off it to something different and was prescribed Wellbutrin, so today is my first full day off, and my clarity is slightly back just beginning a day without it."

• Roc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2022

For Depression "Don’t be afraid to take this medication. Don’t read the bad reviews, do what is best for you. I suffer from GAD, depression, and panic attacks more so now than ever. This medication was one of my tools to help me feel me again. I have been on it for 10 weeks, and I’m now getting off of it because I feel it’s best for me. Only side effects: nausea and headaches. Before, I wouldn’t be able to step foot in a grocery store, public, but now I can without panicking or having anxiety. It doesn’t take it all away, but it’s something that will help."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was prescribed 37.5 mg of Effexor at the beginning, then to 75 mg, then up to 150 mg. At that time, I started having nausea. My dose was raised up to 225 mg, and there it got really bad. Strong nausea, vomiting, brain zaps, anxiety so strong I could rip off my skin with my hands, stomach problems. I wasn't suicidal for a long time, until now. I thought my harsh past was the worst time of my life. No, this is so much worse. I was not able to see my psychiatrist, so I had to deal with it alone. I lowered the dose, but I still had all these effects. Right now, it's a day I'm off. I'm feeling brain zaps, a fever feeling, can't do hard work, can't walk fast, difficulty eating and digesting, and anxiety. I've read some people responded well to this antidepressant, but if you are about to start taking this, don't. You either take it and it works, or it will bring you down, it's not worth it. Stay away from this, please."

• mig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2016

For Depression "I had a lot of side effects on Effexor 37 mg-dry mouth, constipation, increased heart rate and blood pressure, ringing in ears, nausea, shakiness, more anxiety, and so on. I don't remember having all these with Lexapro or Zoloft a few years ago. At least not to the same degree as Effexor, and if there were any side effects, they went away after a few weeks. I switched back to Zoloft 25 mg, and 3 days in, I already feel better-no more feeling wired or jittery. Effexor is not the med for me. It did help the depression, but the crazy side effects aren't worth it to me. I do have a friend that's been on it awhile, and it works great for her."

• Anonymous
• September 19, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "On Pristique for two years with good results, then started getting really depressed. Doc prescribed 150 mg of Effexor for six weeks. I didn't feel any better and was having horrible nightmares and constipation. I was so disgusted, so I weaned myself off over a period of six weeks. I thought I was going insane, the nightmares increased, and I was jumping out of bed during the night with leg cramps, was nauseated and dizzy. When the dizziness got so bad that I fell down, I went to the ER, and they told me that was withdrawal symptoms and to go back to the doc. Now I am down to 37.5 mg a day. Nightmares not so severe but have terrible leg cramps. Hope to be off after one more week."

• Aur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2017

For Depression "Tapered off generic citalopram 40 mg after 12 years, just didn't work anymore. Then tried Effexor after reading great reviews. I took 75 mg a day, and into the 3rd week, I had severe pounding migraines, pressure behind my eyes, nausea, dizziness/brain zaps that were constant, crying fits, insomnia, but vivid active dreams when I did sleep, body chills, leg twitches, and severe terrible neck soreness. All these symptoms were happening at the same time, and a few times I had hard pounding fast heartbeats that I almost called 911. I think it may have been moderate serotonin toxicity. If you start this med, start at the lowest possible dose. It shocks your body. Doc wants me to try Prozac but will talk to my psychiatrist first. Bad withdrawal symptoms too."

• NZ_...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 9, 2022

For Depression "It's fine. I have been using a 150 mg dose for depression for several years, and it is free in my country. Stabilizes my mood, especially anxiety/panic, but makes me feel dead inside, i.e., disconnected. Lose a lot of interest and joy and care less-which is the point, I guess. Made me gain weight (10 kg) but allowed me to turn up to work and function, although I would sleep a lot in my spare time. If I miss a dose, I feel terrible: feeling lightheaded, nauseous, and get an upset stomach, loose bowel movements, brain zaps, and vivid dreams. Obviously, it's a drug that works (in a way), but boy, the withdrawal symptoms make you somewhat cynical toward these types of synthetic solutions. In general, I don't like using it, but I also recognize it helps, although I'm still a 'sack of sad' (minus the anxiety)… so for me, it's ideal, but a temporary crutch that I'm hoping to replace with psilocybin in the future."

• Bro...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 11, 2015

For Depression "Horrible experience, although everyone is different. I was on 150 mg, I am currently tapering off while switching to Wellbutrin. With Effexor, tapering is necessary. I've tried going off cold turkey, and the withdrawals are like nothing I've ever experienced. I had intense brain zaps (Google it), flu-like symptoms, could easily sleep half a day away. Even if you miss one day, you experience these withdrawal symptoms. While on it, it only worked somewhat well for a month or so. I experienced light nausea, which went away. I also experienced impotence and was unable to climax, which has not gone away. Now that I'm tapering and introducing Wellbutrin, the sexual side effects seem to be getting better."

• Anonymous
• February 8, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been taking Effexor 150 mg for about 5 months now. When starting this medication, I had a lot of side effects including insomnia, nausea, and severely dry mouth and very low sex drive. That went away after a couple of weeks, but my anxiety hasn't been controlled as well as I'd like. I've had a couple of panic attacks and a lot of general anxiety (some situational and some not). I would probably like to consider switching to some other medication, but I am scared to because of the horror stories of withdrawal symptoms. I was previously taking Celexa for 10 years, which never worked the same once I restarted it after having a baby."

• Anonymous
• November 12, 2009

For Anxiety and Stress "This medicine works very well with me for my mood swings, but I have never taken any other drug for mood swings before. So far, so good, and the only thing that I can say about side effects is if I forget to take it, I feel sick to my stomach and I do become a little agitated, but once I take it, I am better within 5 to 10 minutes. Also, mixing a pain pill such as Vicodin seems to counteract with the Effexor because it has made me very, very irritable. Otherwise, as a drug for mood swings and anxiety, it works great!"

• MeF...
• October 11, 2016

For Depression "Venlafaxine made me dizzy, gave me nausea and diarrhea. My anxiety increased because of the severe stomach distress this medication caused me. I felt all around lousy. Took medication for 2 months hoping the symptoms would subside. The problems just got worse."

• lot...
• November 3, 2010

For Depression "I was on Effexor XR for almost a year. I started out on 75 mg a day, and it slowly progressed to 300 mg per day. I was 16 and weighed 105 pounds, while my 300 lb grandfather was only on 75 mg. While it helped with the depression (no suicidal thoughts, not sleeping all day, etc.), it aggravated my moods. I had manic episodes that I would not remember, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, and when I did get depressed, it was very severe. The worst part was the withdrawal. It made me feel like I had the flu and had been hit by a train. I ended up weaning myself off of it, with the help of 25 mg of Benadryl twice a day (it cut down on the nausea). I am now about to start Cymbalta, and I hope that it is a better experience."

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I have multiple health issues and am very anxious about them. Have been on and off Effexor 75 mg twice now (going off when felt better) over 3 years and just started again with anxiety about upcoming surgeries. Going on, I experience nausea and can only eat dry biscuits for about 2 weeks. Going off them the first time, no withdrawals, the second time was suicidal as I stupidly went 'cold turkey' - not recommended. Pupils dilated and some dizziness and sexual dysfunction (I think due to MS though), otherwise great. Day 4 now and already feeling less 'freaked out' about everything, but complete loss of appetite this time - not a bad thing after the summer indulgence. Have experienced insomnia this time, which I had not previously. Female, 37."

• Ls ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 24, 2017

For Depression "Well, where do I start? Middle-aged mom of three and wife, and a year ago it all went downhill. So I go to my doctor, explain things and how I'm feeling, and she prescribed me this medicine to me at 75 mg a day, then upped it to 150 mg. The first few days, I was so ill and sleepy I was passing out in the middle of sentences (eyes rolling back and body tremors), so I tried it for 6 months. It really affected being able to orgasm, which I didn't know it would do. So I started to wean myself off without the doctor's consent because it's clearly NOT working to control my anxiety, my mood swings, or bringing a balance to my ADD/OCD. The nausea is horrible, the dreams are HORRIFIC. I attacked my husband in my sleep and he had to pin me down. Don't take this medicine!"

• Tex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2016

For Depression "Horrible experience with this drug. It has a very short half-life, so you must take it at the exact same time every day, or you will become extremely nauseated. Then you have to wean yourself off of it. It was a nightmare. I now take 100 mg of Zoloft each day, and that is perfect."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2018

For Depression "Started taking Effexor for about 1 week now at 75 mg per day (37.5 mg in the morning and 37.5 mg after dinner) after a terrible experience with Cymbalta. The first few days, I had nausea and tiredness beyond belief and excessive yawning. The nausea has gotten better, but the tiredness continues and the yawning as well. Also, I am getting headaches every now and then, though they are not too bad. My mood has lifted a little, I believe. Also, I was on Wellbutrin XL for years, and though it helped a little bit in the beginning, then it stopped working. I am hoping this one works."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on 150 mg for 1 year now for anxiety. I have previously taken Paxil as well for years, but it seemed to have stopped working for me. Although Effexor has helped with anxiety (not a 'cure'), if I miss 1 dose, I experience the worst side effects: dizziness, nausea, vertigo, diarrhea, headache. It has also significantly decreased my libido. I will be trying to come off of this and probably switch to something else because of this."

• Rje...
• January 21, 2017

For Depression "I read all the reviews and still thought I could beat the odds and it 'might' work for me. The first day of taking it, I was so shaky, nauseous, and it made me even more depressed than usual. I am not on any other meds, so I figured I would try this first since my doctor just kept recommending it to me. NEVER AGAIN!!! Even if you think you're that 1 in a million who won't get the side effects, don't risk it!! There are so many others out there to try, it's not even worth the one day of being suicidal and miserable."

• The...
• July 25, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "I'm feeling pretty sick now. I'm extremely sensitive to medicines and am on only 1/2 of 37.5 mg pills. Correlation isn't causation, but my acid reflux (and assorted stomach problems) have come back full force with the start of these medicines. The backs of my eyes hurt, and I have a pounding headache right now with nausea. I have eating problems, and this seems to have exacerbated them. My body is in starvation mode, where I feel cold all the time, lethargic/tired. I don't feel hungry, and that's not good because my eating disorders dietician would like me to eat to pull my body back to normal functioning. The only good thing is that my depression started to lessen when I got started with them, but now, from suffering the side effects, I feel more depressed."

• Kiy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 9, 2012

For Depression "I am 130 pounds and 19 years old. I took my first dose of Effexor 75 mg. So far, I have experienced nausea, headache, dilated pupils, and drowsiness."

• Anonymous
• June 8, 2009

For Depression "Improves my mood, less stressed, but nauseous and sweaty."

• Anonymous
• September 10, 2010

For Depression "I am into day 4 of taking Effexor. I have been extremely nauseous, dizzy, and sweaty. I can barely eat and have lost water weight. Mood is great otherwise. I am told the nausea goes away."

• 775...
• January 14, 2010

For Depression "I'm 15 and I just started this. So far, I've gotten nauseous, and I feel very tingly, especially in my head, and hot and sweaty."