Effexor XR for Depression User Reviews (Page 5)

• Ano...
• October 2, 2013

"I took 225 mg of Effexor XR for about 6 years for MDD and was doing well until I started to notice a drop in its effectiveness. I then tried Lexapro (terrible) and Cymbalta. The latter worked well for about a year and a half, until, again, its effectiveness waned. My physician suggested that, since Effexor XR had worked in the past, I give it another shot. I've been back on 150 mg now for over a year and a half and am doing well on it. The medicine, along with talk therapy, has helped significantly. The side effects I experience are: increased sweating, dry mouth, and loss of libido. Also, missing a dose for more than a day is miserable, as it causes nausea, a 'disconnected head' feeling, and slight anxiety."

• Nif...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 6, 2019

"I have been on this drug for about 3 years. This drug has its positives and negatives. After being on it for so long, I’m starting to think the negatives outweigh the positives. The side effects long-term are horrible: non-stop night sweats. If you miss a dose, you’ll know, because it feels like your whole body gets random electric shocks (especially in the arms or hands), little to no interest in sex, random sleep patterns. I’m sure I could list more."

• Bar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 30, 2019

"My prescription was for anxiety, pain, and depression. After taking it for a year, I beg to discontinue taking it. PLEASE READ OTHER REVIEWS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING WITHDRAWALS. I have spinal cord damage and have gone through withdrawals from opioids. The withdrawals from this were ten times worse and took almost a year. After going to the lowest dose, I was ready to start the every other day. That did not work. One day and brain zaps, dizziness, nausea, and a horrible sense of unwell. I took the pill apart and reduced it by ten little grains each week. It did not matter. Each ten was a horrible withdrawal. Down to five grains and stopped. I still had brain zaps and incredibly horrid withdrawals for weeks. This drug should not be on the market."

• Hap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

"This is rubbish, don’t take it. I was feeling bad after going through some difficult times in my life and thought I was depressed because I didn’t seem to be as happy as I was before, so I went to a doctor, and she told me I had depression and prescribed the Effexor 75 mg with sleeping pills. She told me I need to take Effexor for six months, but first with sleeping pills for two weeks. I took only two pills for two days! It was awful, I felt like a zombie. I couldn’t function or think or concentrate or feel. Nausea and slurred speech, extreme fatigue. I stopped the medicine after the second pill. I immediately felt better, meds are not for everyone. It would have been a life mistake to take this medication for me."

• Osg...
• January 6, 2017

"I used Effexor XR for depression and anxiety for almost two years. Effexor has terrible anxiety and nausea the first several days. I started at 37.5 mg with .5 Clonazepam in the morning and before night, then upped to 75 mg. Clonazepam was removed once my sleep was restored. Great drug, gave me life and energy. Side effects: lowered erection, sex drive, and orgasm. Kept me going well, gave much more energy compared to Lexapro. Getting off after 2 years was not a problem. I was slowly reducing the dose every 2-3 weeks."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2016

"I've been on this for almost three months at this point for my depression and anxiety. I started at 75 mg, raised to 150 mg, and then lowered back to 75 mg. While it doesn't at all touch my anxiety, I definitely feel a lot better depression-wise. My psychiatrist raised it to 150 mg in the hopes it would help my anxiety, but it didn't, so we lowered it and simply added 50 mg of Seroquel XR to help the anxiety. I honestly can't say I really have any side effects. Perhaps I have minor night sweats at times, but if there are any side effects, I don't really notice them, and I feel satisfied using this for my depression."

• Wen...
• August 19, 2015

"I was on 300 mg of Effexor XR for 3 years and did not realize what it was doing to me until I weaned myself off it. I had constant suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide several times. I had severe alcohol cravings and was labeled an alcoholic and had several very expensive stays in rehab. I suffered horrific nightmares, paranoia, and at times had difficulty rationalizing what was reality. I lost all ability to handle my finances. My relationships were severely damaged because of this, and I almost died 4 times. I have now been off it for 4 months, and I am a different person. I no longer have nightmares, suicidal thoughts, or crave or drink alcohol. This is an extremely dangerous drug! Avoid it completely! My story is not unique."

• Mar...
• September 7, 2015

"I started with Prozac and could not sleep at all. With Effexor 150 mg, I could sleep standing up and was so sedated that I could not function. Withdrawal from 150 mg to 75 to 37.5 mg was OK, but after that withdrawal was hell with dizziness and nausea. Changing back to 75 mg, I still slept well, had a good sense of well-being, and could still function. With it 20 years now."

• Jeo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 28, 2016

"Used it during menopause for extreme emotional distress. That was 15 years ago. It was slowly increased from 33 mg to 225 mg due to ineffectiveness. I finally decided after reading up on it that it wasn't worth the side effects that I had if I ran out or if I wanted to get off. Well, I decided to get off. Please do not go on this drug if there is a chance you will ever want to go off of it. It took me 4 months to wean myself off. This past week was the first week I have been completely off. It has been an excruciatingly long 4 months. I took my time, but the withdrawal is bad. I cannot imagine withdrawal from other drugs being much worse. Feel sick to my stomach, joints ache beyond belief. Emotionally I am a mess, but I try, I try!"

• Cam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2017

"So I have OCD, depression, panic disorder, anxiety, possible ADD, and I have been on many different medications for the past ten years, and this medication has relieved my symptoms. Before taking this medication, I was taking Luvox 300 mg and Valium as needed. Before that, I was taking all sorts, up to five different ones at a time, including Seroquel, which put on weight. I now feel more cheerful, not depressed, less obsessive thoughts, less anxiety, and can concentrate better. I now feel I can do more in my life. I am also less moody. I am currently taking Effexor XR 150 mg."

• wit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2024

"I had the weirdest and rarest side effects on other meds. Effexor has the least side effects so far. I'm on 37.5 mg. For the first few days, I experienced drowsiness, trouble sleeping, a little panicky on day 1, a little stomach problem (I suggest you take it after food). Fourth day: very little drowsiness. I could drive. A little constipated. Chill as a tomato. And I'm telling this as someone who was scared of new meds. 10/10 would recommend if you responded poorly to other meds. Before this, I tried SSRIs, Wellbutrin, and clomipramine separately. I couldn't tolerate them."

• dep...
• May 28, 2016

"I have been on Effexor XR for 11 years now, and it works wonderfully for me. The only side effect was dry mouth and constipation. It's not for every patient. Always contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen."

• bpd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 25, 2022

"I was given this after a breakdown in late 2020 (borderline personality disorder with major depression), and my dose was increased slowly to 300 mg a day. No matter the dosage, though, I was completely numb. Unable to feel anything properly except the depression, which was much, much worse. I became lifeless and didn’t care about anything. I’ve tried many medications for my major depressive disorder and have since been diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression. While it did help my anxiety, that was only because it made me numb. I couldn’t even cry, and I’m someone who usually cries over a lot of things. Even when a family member died, I didn’t react at all. I have been reducing over the last 2 months, and within 3 days of reducing, I cried and could feel emotions again a little. I’m now a couple of days into having none at all, and other than the horrific side effects, I feel back to my old self. Side effects of withdrawal are certainly the worst of the 10+ medications I’ve tried."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 17, 2015

"I've taken this medication for about 5 years now after having no success with other antidepressants. I take 75 mg every day. On the rare occasion that I run out of pills or miss a dosage, the side effects are incredibly hellish. The nausea and dizziness are hindering, and I have found nothing that can help these side effects."

• KLy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 22, 2023

"This medication is a lifesaver. I was suicidal and had bad depression and social anxiety. I started on a low dose and now take 300 mg a day. I had to put a review that this has been a massive help, thank goodness."

• Rav...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 10, 2015

"This was indeed the scariest medication ever. I started it, and the first two weeks were too much. I had the normal beginning-taking-New-antidepressant side effects, but I'd have hallucinations in the dark. Things would move and sway and melt together. It began to make me numb over the five years I took this medicine. I couldn't 'feel' anything. All I wanted to do was sleep and sit there and zone out. I felt as though I was in limbo. They tried all doses, and absolutely nothing changed. Not only that, I would miss a day, and it was a nightmare. Eventually, I cut myself off of it in the way the doctor told me to. Scariest experience ever. Worst few weeks of my life. I still had nighttime hallucinations, I felt like I was falling off a skyscraper."

• Dan...
• June 9, 2017

"This drug is heaven. I feel no side effects whatsoever. Just 37.5 mg a day keeps my depression symptoms at bay. The only minor complaint is a lower sex drive, but that is a given side effect with antidepressants in general."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 15, 2012

"Effexor XR changed my life. Before I was on it, I suffered from constant, unremitting generalized anxiety and deep, dark depressive episodes. 150 mg Effexor XR gave me my life back. Over the years, I had to increase my dose, ultimately ending up at 450 mg. Unfortunately, after year 9, it pooped out on me altogether. How I wish it would come back! A great antidepressant. All side effects for me went away within the first few weeks. Now giving Pristiq a try."

• Kls...
• March 14, 2019

"Please do not take this drug. I’ve had depression and anxiety for years. I’ve gone to many doctors and therapists, and nothing has worked. About a year ago, I was prescribed the generic venlafaxine. I exhausted all non-drug options first and finally caved in. I decided to give up this drug recently and go back to trying more natural remedies. Going off has been a nightmare, and I was only on a 75 mg dose. I tried to taper off like everyone says, but that wasn’t working. I’m on day 6 of diarrhea and stomach pains. The first day, I couldn’t move, I had such a headache, and my whole body hurt. No drug should do this to a person. I read reviews just like mine and thought my doctor knew best. They don’t. You know what’s best. Don’t ignore your instincts. This drug does more harm than good and should not be on the market. Shame on the FDA for allowing the continued sale of this drug."

• Ver...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 19, 2018

"I have had anxiety my entire life, and about a dozen depressive episodes. SSRIs have always seemed to help me in the past, but not long-term. After experiencing a severe depression a year and a half ago, my doctor started me on 75 mg of Effexor XR for one week, then 150 mg thereafter. This drug has been a wonderful treatment for me. I don't recall any horrible side effects, perhaps because I needed help so badly that I was willing to tolerate most anything. I truly have never felt as calm as I do now! No medication is perfect, and it sounds like some people have not tolerated this medication well. For me, it helped me get my life back."

• Hap...
• October 11, 2009

"I've been on Effexor XR 75 mg once a day since December 1999. I originally started taking it for depression. It has worked superbly for me. It removed the frequent crying spells and feelings of worthlessness, disinterest, etc. The only side effects I had were yawning at first and vivid dreams (which can still occur). During the fall, around September/October, I find I double my dose to 150 mg once a day. If I miss my dose, I get weird vertigo-like symptoms. I can heartily recommend this medication to those with 'milder' forms of depression with some anxiety. I don't care if I have to take it for the rest of my life! I'm a 'normal' human being now!"

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 19, 2017

"I have been tapering off Effexor for the past few weeks. I was originally prescribed 150 mg per day, and the dose was too much for me. I was brought down to 112.5 and stayed on that dose for almost 2 years. My mood was greatly improved, and my anxiety was nearly non-existent. The downside was that I was always tired and taking naps constantly-most of my weekends were spent sleeping. I'd drink a few cups of coffee in the morning, and I could barely keep my eyes open. I became a napper and would nap for 2-4 hours at a shot. I became extremely lazy and gained about 25 pounds due to a complete lack of energy. The side effects of missing a dose were extreme nausea and horrible headaches."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 28, 2018

"I was basically a zombie for over a year. I could not stand to be awake, I lost my job and couldn’t handle my college courses at school. I couldn’t leave my room most days and wanted to die most of the time because of it. Getting off the drug was a long, hard road because I was on such a high dose too. I would never wish upon anyone what I went through."

• Rog...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2016

"Male, 6'2", 150 lb. I take 75 mg of Effexor XR in the AM and 15 mg of Remeron in the PM for suicidal depression and generalized anxiety. Some days I take higher doses of 112.5 mg and 30 mg. The combination has worked wonders for my condition. I started on Remeron initially and titrated to 45 mg/day, but did not feel it was working for my depression, although it did help with sleep and appetite. I tried gabapentin for a while and was able to quit Remeron entirely for some time (wanted to give my receptors a break). Gabapentin was great for anxiety but made me more suicidal. I quit gabapentin and went back on just 15 mg of Remeron, this time also adding the Effexor. I have been very happy with the results. It seems to be the first medication that really works for me. I had significant side effects when starting Effexor, but they subsided completely after about a week-feeling high much like MDMA, and I had diarrhea and some insomnia. When I increased from 37.5 to 75 mg, the only con I noticed was lower energy level (and some yawning). I started drinking some coffee to help with that. This is a very serious medication to be taking, as I know it can be very hard to withdraw from; however, I am committed to sticking with it. Eventually, I may increase my dose up to 150 mg. Effexor makes me feel very mellow. I am less concerned about what people think of me. I am quite confident with the ladies. My sex life has been better than ever on this med combination. I have wondered if my sense of humor is dulled, however. I am also somewhat lazy, but this may change when I go up to a higher dose. Risk-taking behaviors should be watched when increasing the dose, as I broke my ankle playing sports. Overall, I give this medication 9/10 and am very happy that I got the script. I recommend taking it with Remeron to better manage the nighttime and to counteract the side effects. They have a wonderful synergy. My only concern is that they may eventually stop working, and I may eventually have to stop taking them and suffer the infamous withdrawals."

• bet...
• February 3, 2014

"Effexor was a mixed bag for me - it was very numbing, and the side effects (which lingered for years after I stopped taking it) were awful. I attempted suicide a few weeks after starting it because I was still depressed but was more numbed to the guilt I would usually feel. Be careful of this, make sure someone is aware if you feel at risk. It took a few months, but I began to feel positive things again, but eventually I was stuck in a zombie state where the side effects outweighed the good. I tried it on a few occasions with the same result: taking myself off them because I wanted to feel again. The best advice I can give is to see a psychiatrist, not a GP. There is a range of medicines, make sure you get the one that is tailored to YOU."