Effexor XR for Depression User Reviews (Page 4)

• bet...
• February 1, 2014

"Effexor XR with Abilify for bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder for over 6 years. From Lamictal to Seroquel (and all meds mentioned in reviews), by far this is the best medicine I have used with minimal side effects for me. 225 mg with 20 mg of Abilify, for me, a 57-year-old woman, allows for a full, rich life compared to a suicidal black hole. An added benefit (as a woman) is that it staves off menopause effects like hot flashes, etc. Warning: heed advice from me, please, and others who state about the effects of missed dosage or sudden suspension. This is dangerous; withdrawal is significant. Lastly, the generic does not work the same as the name brand for me. This is a very expensive medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2014

"People either love Effexor or hate it. I am on the side of adoration. I am 18 years old and have been taking Effexor for 4 years, and the change I experienced was amazing. I have a long family history of depression and a generalized anxiety disorder, and it doesn't help when you're trying to go through puberty and are constantly being told that everybody your age is going through the same thing. The side effects are not pleasant, I used to get headaches, my blood pressure increased (but with exercise, it can be managed), and I would get lightheaded and faint more often. Even with these, I still am happy and am grateful for Effexor."

• Abi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2019

"I’m on my fourth week of Effexor at 75 mg dose now, and it just started to work for me, so far so good. I’m on 75 mg, my sex drive is back on the fourth week and have no issues ejaculating. I take zinc and vitamin D with it. Male, 45 years of age."

• Peg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 4, 2019

"I've been on Effexor for about a year. Started it in Jan last year along with Buspar. I am 55, and with menopause, I got depression and severe anxiety. This combination of medication has really changed my life. I have a lot more get-up-and-go. It is the combination that works for me, I think."

• jja...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 3, 2018

"This medication has been life-changing for me. My depression has vanished, and my moods have stabilized. I'm a lot more pleasant person to live with, and happy to stay on this drug for the rest of my life if need be. I do have some unpleasant side effects, but happy to put up with them if it gets rid of my suicidal thoughts."

• ind...
• March 29, 2019

"It took the drug company 11 years to get this approved. This drug should not be allowed on the market. I have been on SSRIs for 15 years and was switched to this pill, which is the worst. I was constantly dizzy on this, also anxious and brain-zapped. If you take this medication an hour late, you are sick. It has a very short half-life. Going off of it, if you can, is like one bad trip. I had breathing issues, my whole body ached so painfully, vertigo, so dizzy, vomiting, and I tapered off slowly. It will take you 6 months to a year to taper off and get ready for the issues you will continue to have. Don't take it. When I read the reviews, I thought it would be different for me because of the lies from my doctor. These reviews aren't lying, or they haven't tried going off. The XR is the only one that is approved??? The other Effexor is banned now. Please go on something else. Not an SNRI, it will bring you to your knees to pray you never took it."

• Bry...
• September 28, 2017

"Wow, is all I can say. Was hospitalized for extreme depression after trying to take my own life, and all I can say is that this drug changed my life. It has been one year on it, and I am so much happier. I have no side effects from taking this, plus I have so much more energy."

• Ste...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 20, 2016

"I was prescribed Effexor for anxiety, which interfered with sleeping. Worry about getting to sleep meant that I wouldn't sleep, which made me feel exhausted, depressed, and useless. I've also tried Zoloft and Luvox, which didn't do anything. CBT and mindfulness were also pretty useless - just made me slightly more obsessive about my weird problems with getting to sleep. Effexor has been amazing. Apart from some insomnia and lightheadedness during the first week, I don't have any side effects. I don't have the same obsessive and weird anxious thoughts over getting to sleep or other minor things which preoccupied me and made me feel dreadful. I sleep well, and my head feels so clear."

• Ale...
• July 22, 2018

"I've been taking Effexor for two years, without much results until recently. I admitted myself to a psychiatric unit for my depression, where they raised my dosage from 75 mg to 225 mg. It's been a few weeks, and I've noticed my mood has greatly improved. I have more energy and motivation, and am no longer crushed by overwhelming sadness. I wouldn't call this a miracle drug, but for me, it definitely makes life more livable."

• 1da...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 27, 2014

"I've been taking venlafaxine XR for 15 years, and all in all, I found it did what it was intended for, which was to suppress my depression and assist me in coping with life. My dosage amount fluctuated through the years, from 75 mg up to 225 mg (I think), and I had very little trouble with it, except when I forgot to refill it. I will say that the side effects of stopping Effexor are horrific and a contributor to why I stayed on it for so long. I'm off it now, and I don't know if I'll ever get back on it again because I CANNOT go through the withdrawal feeling again, at least not with my sanity intact."

• Sue...
• October 1, 2014

"I have been taking the generic, venlafaxine for about 6 years. My doctor settled on 75 mg once daily, as increasing the dosage makes my hands tremble. It is not nearly as effective as it once was. Withdrawals for this medication are hellish. I ran out of pills on a few occasions and felt like I was losing my mind. I really would like to slowly taper off and eventually be free of this medicine."

• Bro...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 15, 2016

"I started experiencing depression and anxiety attacks at around 19 years old. At the time, I didn't quite realize what was wrong with me; I just knew something was horribly wrong. I have tried every medication known to man: Celexa, Prozac, Cymbalta, Pristiq, Viibryd, Wellbutrin... and nothing. The emptiness, emotional turmoil, and suffocation I felt were ruining my life. Then in 2011, I started Effexor. I feel alive again, and I never thought I would feel normal again. The one thing I will warn about is the dependency. If you miss one pill, you will think you are coming down with the flu. If you ever decide to stop, you will have to taper off. Adverse effects: constipation, weight loss, vivid dreams, insomnia, sexual dysfunction."

• ash...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 4, 2022

"I was actually on Effexor XR for Borderline Personality Disorder and did nothing except make me tired. When I cried at my doctor's appointment because I was so depressed (3-6 months in), they just said “jeez” and doubled my dose. This shut me up until I found a new doctor, but it seems like medical abuse to me. A total of 2 years on it with 0 benefit, at 150 mg. waste of time. I will never get that 2 years back."

• jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 19, 2017

"I've been on Effexor for about 2 years. It's changed my life completely. Before I went to rehab and before I was on it, I couldn't get out of bed for days at a time. It gives me energy and motivation! However, the withdrawal symptoms are horrific. If I miss a dose, I get severe headaches. I feel like there are fireworks going off in my head. Last year, I had to go to the ER because I couldn't breathe or stop shaking after 3 weeks of cutting it cold turkey (due to an insurance error). This is definitely not the drug for people who regularly miss doses or have problems with addiction pills. It's not for everyone, but works great for me."

• car...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 18, 2019

"I was using Prozac, and my Dr changed me to Effexor XR, started with 75 mg and up to 150 mg, and it's been much better. I still have my moments of anxiety and sleeping, but with other medication helping me with both. Without Effexor, I get too emotional and super depressed."

• Sha...
• April 19, 2018

"I have taken Effexor XR for almost 5 years. I was diagnosed with severe PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I take 150 mg in the morning. I don’t forget to take it because if I don’t take it in the morning, I start having withdrawal symptoms by 4 p.m. My lips get numb, and vertigo starts. The longer I wait, the worse it gets. I really had to discipline myself to take it routinely because forgetting enough times is hell, so generally, I never miss a dose. However, a few times a year it happens, and I remember. Overall, it’s the first drug I’ve stayed on because if I forget, it reminds me with the withdrawal symptoms. Generally, I feel very happy and able to deal with life. I’ve put my life back together after my trauma and feel empowered. I’ve set some great future goals and a timeline. There is nothing I can’t work at."

• Anonymous
• November 18, 2009

"I started taking Effexor XR 37.5mg capsules 2 months ago. I had a hard time for the first couple of days. I would wake up in the mornings feeling afraid and hot. But my loved ones convinced me to stick it out. I continued taking my medicine each day, at the same time each morning. And I wish I would have started taking it a long time ago! I can concentrate. I can focus on what my children are saying to me. Things that used to be overwhelming are no longer. I can go out in public and feel confident, not feel like the walls are closing in on me. Effexor XR changed my life for the better."

• Moo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2014

"Day 4 of venlafaxine, 37.5 mg at 6:30 am and 6:30 pm. I have only just realized the importance of taking it at the same time if you are doing split doses. Previously I was taking it as I woke up (5 am) and before bed (10 pm). Not good - headaches turned into full-blown migraine. First dose, I was sick immediately and was sweating, trembling slightly. I felt I could feel the chemicals literally swooshing around my brain and body. It was very strange. I calmed myself down, told myself to go with it. The rest of the day - fine. Day two, realized I had to EAT with the venlafaxine to ensure I wasn't sick. I've never been a big eater, but half a banana with a venlafaxine plus milk in between bites was enough to line my stomach. Much better this time."

• Spo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 4, 2021

"Please never allow anyone you love to take this drug! Effexor XR has been the worst experience for my husband the past 4 years! He has gone through so many changes, mentally, he doesn’t know what is real anymore. What I mean is life, love, emotions, etc. Our marriage was the ideal marriage before he started taking it, but now it has crumbled! He has been to a mental facility twice on this drug, gone through so many personal changes, it’s unreal! Please do your research before taking this because coming off of it is a living nightmare! I know 2 people who committed suicide on this drug, and thank God I have not lost my husband on it!"

• Som...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2019

"I was prescribed this drug by a PCP. I wanted to try Effexor for depression, anxiety, and irritability. I took one dose, 75 mg. I felt so bizarre. Felt like I was on drugs. I’ve actually done ecstasy before, years ago, and this is what it felt like. Jaw clenched, no appetite, tremors. I felt like I couldn’t look at my boyfriend. Like my eyes wouldn’t focus. That night, I could sleep. Dreams seemed to start before my body was asleep. It’s like you’re aware of the bizarre dreams while they’re happening. I will not be taking this drug. I’d rather be depressed."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 21, 2019

"These pills are horrible. The lights are so much brighter now. I always feel sick to my stomach. I have no motivation to do anything. I wake up 5-6 times a night having cold sweats. I always feel exhausted. My hands and feet are constantly sweating. Do not take this drug. The withdrawals are atrocious."

• Bab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2019

"Zoloft stopped working for me, so I switched to Effexor XR, and the results are amazing. That and gabapentin have alleviated my depression and anxiety. I feel so much better. The downside is not to miss a dose, or you feel it!"

• Pad...
• June 2, 2015

"I started taking Effexor 4 years ago to take the edge off my anxiety because my job is stressful, and I have to shoulder a lot of responsibility. I am on a daily 75 mg dose. Overall, I have found it to be a great leveller, but the consequences of missing one dose are bad... missing 2 or 3 is pretty horrific, with head shocks, disorientation, and feeling miserable. Really miserable. It's good medication, but do not forget it if you are traveling."

• Ell...
• January 7, 2020

"Our son, 16 years old, was put on Effexor XR in January 2019 for depression, after Prozac wasn't working on him. The dose was slowly increased to 225 mg. At the time, his psychiatrist went on holiday, and he developed dilated pupils, racing heart, jiggling, sweating. Took him to the GP, who immediately took an ECG, reduced his meds, said that he was developing serotonin syndrome. The psychiatrist did not have a replacement while away and had planned to add another antidepressant as Effexor wasn't working. The reduction side effects have been horrible, made more manageable by using micronutrients, but still losing a lot of school time. From August to December, we have gone down from 225 mg to 42, reductions have become smaller and slower as the dose reduces. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, head zaps, fatigue, and insomnia are his side effects. I wish I had done more homework. Since reading more, using it on those under 18 is not recommended."

• Kin...
• February 12, 2017

"I started off with 75 mg and have stayed on it ever since because I found no reason to change it. The first day, I could feel this medication working, it was a little much at first, but nothing I couldn't handle. But I soon noticed that it took all my emotions away and made me dull to everything going on around me and in my life. Most don't like that, but I really do, I feel as if I have no cares in the world at all. Nothing goes through my head at all, it's like magic. It takes me a little bit to actually get my brain going and operating, but that's fine with me. Sleep and sex drive have gone down, but I still get the sleep I need, and if I need to perform, I can. I just don't have the desire to want sex. It's changed my life in such good ways."