Effexor and Sweating: What Users Say

• vio...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 16, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've had depression for 20 years (both chronic/moderate, and 3 previous severe episodes). Tried every class of psych med (30 total), SSRIs all made me sleepy, numb, apathetic. I take Lamictal (150mg), Effexor (75mg), and Ritalin (30mg) which is the best medicine combo for my depression. Pros: Effexor demolishes anxiety and severe episodes (crying spells, suicidal thoughts). Less sedating (compared to SSRIs). I feel calm, no insomnia. Cons: Excessive sweating (at higher doses), some lethargy, and dry eye. ****Do not go cold turkey, ask for the 'Prozac Taper' to avoid the shock of withdrawals*** No drug is a cure-all. Effexor does not cause weight gain or increased appetite (for me). It's prevented severe episodes and I'll stay on it for life, unless something better comes out."

• Ama...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2016

For Depression "Effexor saved my life! I was so hesitant at first to try this drug because to me, it seemed so powerful compared to Zoloft and Celexa which I've been on in the past. I was also nervous because of the reviews I read with people talking about all the horrible side effects. I'm here to tell you, DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ. Effexor is absolutely amazing! I had no side effects at all. If I had to say I had any, it would be cold sweats for maybe a day but that's it. I take 150mg ER a day and I am back to my old self if not better. My advice is that everyone's body reacts differently to medication and not everyone experiences the same things. This drug is amazing and has helped my depression in every way."

• sfu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2014

For Depression "I'm a 27-year-old female with ADD, generalized anxiety (including morbid thoughts, OCD behaviors, hypochondria, and depression). Effexor has basically fixed me. I used to be irritable, negative, overwhelmed, and chronically fatigued to a disabling capacity, and now I'm evened out and confident, positive, patient, and kinder. My head feels clearer than it ever has. The only issue is that this medication causes some sweating and raises my blood pressure, so I've had to have that stabilized with blood pressure medication."

• NDG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2013

For Depression "I went on this medication as a last resort. I was at a point where I couldn't leave my house, I cried all day, and I had anxiety 24/7. I have just started taking the medication. The first day was terrible - cold sweats and brain zaps. I found I could not sleep. Now, 3 days into the medication, I find I am much happier. Perhaps I'm being optimistic, but the constant torture of obsessive thoughts and not being able to let the little things go has decreased. I would recommend this if you are at a last resort. The past 2 days have been reminiscent of how my life was before the year and a half of constant agony."

• Aym...
• May 13, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "I give this a 7 because it does work. BUT be very cautious of the side effects. I was on it for 2 years, first started on the regular dose, then switched to extended release as the medicine would 'wear off' throughout the day. While it helped tremendously with my depression and anxiety (it was almost non-existent) the side effects alone were debilitating. I gained 20 pounds, would fall asleep midday (we're talking I had to pry my eyes open to keep from passing out in the middle of a conversation), I was tired ALL DAY. I sweat PROFUSELY and the dizziness I experienced from missing a dose by only a few minutes, plus the heart palpitations were enough for me to stop."

• Can...
• October 3, 2013

For Depression "I was prescribed Effexor for menopause symptoms, and it treated my undiagnosed depression! It completely changed my life. I was an angry, laughing/crying mess, and Effexor turned me around and put me in a good place with an excellent attitude. Cons are brain zaps and sweating from the forehead. I was weaning off of it when I couldn't take it anymore and went back on it. I started crying and felt horrible. Night sweats were miserable too. I'll take the zaps and sweats over depression and night sweats any day."

• dou...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 16, 2013

For Depression "I have been on Effexor XR on and off for about 14 years. At first, it seems to work, but then I end up going back to where I was and then worse. I have suicidal thoughts at all times. I'm depressed and agitated, even more so now than ever. If I get a dose increase, I sweat more. I don't know what to do."

• NW6...
• November 1, 2008

For Depression "I've taken Effexor for 7 years, in a dosage that has decreased from 225 mg to 75 mg over the last 2 years. While I had some benefit with depression, I experienced side effects from Effexor. I experienced short-term memory loss, problems concentrating, blurry vision, weight gain, sweating, and dry mouth. I cannot drink at all on the medication since it exacerbates the memory and mental focus problems enormously, even with one glass of wine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 7, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I had been off all meds for 10 years when I had a major relapse and knew it was time to medicate again. Effexor is hard to get on, lots of dizziness and exhaustion. Also, if I am late taking it, I feel awful. Headaches, anxiety, mood swings. Don't ever miss a dose! I can't stress this enough. Withdrawal hits hard and fast, even within 12 hours. Sweats, chills, headache, dreams, whole-body pain. HOWEVER, it does help me get through the day. I have suicidal depression and clinical anxiety, so for me, it is worth some struggle to stay with Effexor because it does give me relief. It calms my brain, allows me to get moving with my day, and not have the threat of my own self-destructive tendencies."

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

For Depression "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."

• nab...
• December 15, 2008

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Effexor for over a year, and my dosage has been 37.5 mg daily. The drug has worked wonders for me, but I have had some side effects of sweating, strange dreams, and dizziness when I forget to take it."

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

For Depression "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."

• sgt...
• February 10, 2010

For Depression "I was prescribed Effexor after a major depressive episode and being diagnosed with general depressive disorder. I started at 75 mg of the XR, and a few weeks later increased to 150. I can't even tell you how much better I felt. I know that some people have problems with this medication, but that's how it is with any antidepressant. The only side effect I had was increased sweating, which was annoying, but was definitely outweighed by the positive effects. The only issue I had with this medication was a decrease in effectiveness over time. Eventually, I had the dosage raised to 225 mg, and I stayed with that dosage for a year and haven't had any problems."

• mr...
• May 27, 2016

For Depression "This medication has worked amazingly well for me, but the side effects are no joke. My mood is better, I'm less anxious, less angry, and more sociable. It works. It's great, but there are serious drawbacks. My libido and sexual performance are down. I get tired more easily. If I go outside on a hot day, my clothes are quickly drenched in sweat. Physical activity exhausts my muscles more quickly. My mouth is so dry I need to constantly sip water. And finally, if I miss a dose, I get the sensation of electric shocks in my brain. I personally find the benefits outweigh the side effects. Worth a try when more tolerable meds fail."

• las...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been through the gamut of antidepressant meds. Celexa, Lexapro, Cymbalta, Zoloft, Fetzima, and several others over the last 13 years. My doctor kept leading me away from Effexor because of the bad withdrawals it has. This drug is working pretty well so far. My insurance lapsed, though, once. I went without meds for 4 days, and I was on a high dose. She was right about those withdrawals. The worst I've ever had. Severe nightmares, sweats, extremely low energy, brain zaps, every noise would set my head in a tailspin. I've had pain med withdrawal and benzo withdrawal, and nothing compares to coming off this med. Thankfully, my insurance kicked back in, and after a day and a half, I was starting to feel better again. It works. But not without risks."

• Anonymous
• March 26, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "I've suffered from anxiety my whole life. I've been on and off so many different medicines I can't even count. At first, Effexor seemed like a heaven send. Recently, though, I've realized that if I merely skip a day or more, the withdrawals are indescribable. I shake constantly. I throw up. I sweat. I get headaches."

• 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."

• THE...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 10, 2016

For Depression "thought it was a miracle drug at first until I ceased feeling emotions, and I was only ever on a low dose of 75 mg. Been trying to wean off this drug for 3 months now, and I had brain zaps (feels like an electrical impulse going through my head), no appetite, diarrhea, headaches, dysphoria, aches and pains throughout my muscles and joints, dissociation (feels like I'm watching myself watch paint dry), tremors, and sweats. I feel hopeless and like this drug has taken my life from me for the past few months. I would NEVER recommend this to anyone ever."

• Jes...
• July 20, 2015

For Depression "My experience with Effexor was absolutely terrible. I was prescribed this for my depression (3rd medication I tried). The reason I gave it 2/10 was because I didn't feel any worse mentally on this (did not feel the slightest bit better either), but if it wasn't for that I would have given it a 0/10 if possible. The side effects and withdrawal were absolutely terrible. The head 'zaps' started to cause unbearable migraines, I had no appetite, and my vision was blurred some days. The withdrawal was something I've never experienced before, and I hope that I will never have to go through it again. I was completely bedridden due to the unbearable migraines, sweating, and vomiting. Everyone is different, but this did not work out for me."

• Gem...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 11, 2017

For Depression "I've struggled with GAD since my late teens, which worsened following a tragic and untimely death in the family, which also led to PTSD. I tried numerous antidepressants, but most of them slowed me down, I didn't want this. So many years ago, maybe 12 years ago, I was prescribed Effexor. Since then, my dose has gone up and down, I'm now on 225 mg daily. I was able to come off them cold turkey for three pregnancies. I can only suggest early pregnancy hormones took over, as withdrawal effects were minimal. But in general, withdrawal effects are horrendous if I miss a day or two, as I've failed to collect them on time. I have an upset stomach, sweating, and tremors, nightmares, feelings of terror. Luckily, they work fast! I'm a fan, they help and make me feel normal."

• Dep...
• February 22, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I wish somebody had told me how addictive this drug is before I started taking it. Had I known how bad the withdrawal symptoms were, I probably would never have gone on it. (Although that might be a good thing, as I need(ed) to be on it.) It has definitely helped. The worst thing is having to take it...literally. It's a full-out physical addiction. If we go somewhere and it doesn't get packed, I'm in trouble. It's not something to be taken for short-term or seasonally. Other than the withdrawals, the main side effect is sweating. I shower every morning, and by mid-afternoon, I have to put Kleenexes or some sort of absorbing pad in my armpits! In the past 17 years, I've also been on Paxil, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, and one other."

• 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."

• Scr...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 19, 2017

For Depression "I am a woman nearing 40 who has dealt with a handful of health issues: degenerative joint disease in both TMJ joints (20+ years), chronic migraines (20+ years), depression (20 years), and high blood pressure (6 years). I have been taking 250mg of Effexor for many years. Due to chronic pain, my doc increased my dose to 300mg in spring. Since then, my life has fallen to pieces. I have such terrible nightmares both at night and when I nap that I wake my entire 2-storey house. I have cold sweats and need to be woken up. I am usually in tears because as soon as I close my eyes, I am right back in the nightmare. This goes on night after night. I am in a vicious and scary cycle."

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2012

For Depression "While effective in decreasing my depression, I developed almost every side effect listed (including anxiety, muscle soreness, unbearable joint pain, excessive sweating, severe memory loss, GERD, dysuria, brain shivers, hypothyroidism, loss of menstruation) and found myself on medications to treat each of them, ultimately using 19 prescription medications to deal with the side effects. If I could have anticipated the side effects and the expected difficulty of weaning off this, I would have continued to search for a better alternative."

• Cri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 14, 2021

For Depression "I love Effexor!!!! I have had bipolar depression, extreme depression, CPTSD, and a lot of anxiety for as long as I can remember. Within a few weeks (I had to start a low dose and gradually increase due to bad reactions to most bipolar drugs). So when I got to about 175 mg, I started to have no suicidal thoughts AT ALL!! I am so happy to have those thoughts out of my head. I still have some issues, but this drug gave me my life back - with no side effects except extreme fatigue until I got used to it. Now I have no tiredness at all. HOWEVER, HUGE DISCLAIMER. DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS DRUG EVEN FOR A DAY!!!!! You must wean off this. I actually thought it was the end of me when I couldn't get my meds for 2 days. I vomited the entire time, like I couldn't stop. Extreme sweating, hallucinations, not severe, but still scary. Nightmares and the most painful headache that would not stop. The vomiting was the worst. I wasn't able to hold anything down, and I mean extreme cramping of the stomach area. Please be careful."