Effexor XR for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• Bea
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 7, 2020

"I've been taking this medication for around five years. It has helped me a lot. I no longer have constant suicidal thoughts or feel as sad and as angry like I did before taking this medication. However, the withdrawal can be terrible. If I miss taking my medication by an hour, I begin to feel dizzy. As time progresses, it becomes a throbbing headache and a feeling of vertigo."

• Jimjam
• April 19, 2020

"While Effexor has worked great for me over the last couple years it does have its downfalls just like I’m sure anything else. I’ve tried at least five other variations of antidepressants and this has worked best. I was on 150mg for over a year and a few months ago we increased to 225mg as the 150mg didn’t seem like it was cutting it anymore. Well, make sure you don’t miss a dose even by a couple hours. It will mess up the rest of your day, personally I’m nauseous and turn into an emotional wreck. My mental illness and this quarantine got in the way and I unintentionally didn’t take for two days. I’ve never felt this bad in my life. I’m beyond nauseous. my stomach is killing me, my head is killing me, I can’t sleep to distract myself from it. I don’t want to even think about what would happen if I waited anymore time to take another dose. I’m sick to my stomach. (21, f)"

• Still...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2022

"Took it for about a week and started feeling great. But within a few days my blood pressure increased, I started getting migraines so I had to stop. THE WITHDRAWAL WAS HORRIFIC. So dizzy I could barely walk. Headache 24/7. And the BRAIN ZAPS were unbearable; always came out of nowhere and left me feeling dazed and afraid for my sanity. Not worth trying it, IMO. When you try to get off of it, God help you. You’ll regret ever hearing the name. I can’t believe this medication is legal!"

• zmb
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 29, 2014

"I'm taking this and Remeron for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Nothing else has worked. I was on Wellbutrin for 2 years, but it quit doing anything, and after 4 medicine changes, my doctor put me on this. Within a week, I was not sulking around, I had energy to get off the couch and shower, and actually found I could laugh again! My husband has noticed the difference in my mood as well. I am having horrible sweats at night, and a little blurry vision, along with nightmares/weird dreams. But I'm hoping that might fade some as I take it longer. I'm willing to deal with the side effects at this point as I'm getting myself and my life back."

• Anon
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2021

"Starting taking Effexor for major depression, anxiety (incl anxiety attacks). After my second child was born with health issues my previous conditions worsened. I’d never had much luck with medications anyway but I went on and off a few of the typical ones. Some had no impact, some made things worse. This is helping. I feel good about taking it as it’s making a difference. Like all meds there were side effects in the beginning - they ease up after a couple weeks and it was worth it for me. I’m not crying every day, I’m not filled with rage, I’m not filled with panic. Things are more manageable. My sleep is better. It’s a journey of course but this is helping. I feel a little more like me and the person I am in my head if that makes sense. I was at risk of losing everything and now I feel invested in things. I’m glad I’ve given it a go. Hope this helps someone out there figuring out what’s best."

• Itrie...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 6, 2023

"This drug worked for me for a long time. I was prescribed this med for MDD and Panic Disorder when I was 15 years old, and I used it until I was 28. I tried to come off of it, but the doctor who helped me titrate did it too quickly and I relapsed into depression again. If you've been on antidepressants for a long time, you should titrate off slowly over the process of a few years, and ALWAYS have a therapist to speak to. This drug helped me through college, through moving across the country twice, and helped me build a lasting relationship."

• Zilla
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2016

"Effexor has finally made me feel like myself again... Can't remember the last time I was me, it's been at least 7 or 8 years. Tried Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Zoloft with no relief and bad side effects. Celexa worked so-so. Effexor has given me my motivation and happiness back. Only side effects for me are night sweats and slight headache/dizziness if I forget a dose... worth it, in my opinion, to be me again! Don't forget counseling/therapy too... Didn't feel the most helpful most days (I cried every time I went), but I can tell my maladaptive thought patterns have changed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 18, 2023

"Been off and on Effexor XR for 7 years. Every time I come off this drug - which takes me 3 months to fully come off at 112.5mg - I crash and burn hard after 6 months off. Then once again, I find myself having to go back on and fight through all the physiological setbacks and side effects again that come with coming off and starting back on again. I've tried eating healthy, coupled with exercise and keeping myself busy, but honestly it wasn't enough. When something's not working right in your brain chemistry, no matter how many things you try aside from medication, you know it's time to recognize that medication is the only way to cope fully with the debilitating effects depression has on a person. Even though there are side effects initially, most go away. For me, I still have restless legs at night, urinary retention, lack of libido, and some off days here and there, but I know now that I need to stay on this drug for the rest of my life because it's better than misery and death."

• triiv
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 20, 2014

"Though I could only check the MDD box, I also suffered from anxiety attacks and social anxiety. There were also several other problems that Effexor XR seemed to control or help control. Depression is painful emotionally, mentally, and physically, without some kind of relief, I would have been institutionalized. For maximum effectiveness, counseling by a person trained in all aspects of the disorder is the only one I found to help bring me back to a realistic understanding of how to heal. Interestingly, I found several psychiatrists that attempted counseling and were totally inept in their efforts."

• bucke...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 7, 2018

"Okay, if you're reading this and scared to try this because of negative reviews of people who have taken it like twice do not be swayed. I have taken effexor for over 3 years now and I genuinely don't think I could live without it. I used to stay up ALL night because of unending panic attacks, and barely slept for months. I tried ambien and stayed up through that (traumatic let me tell you). My psychiatrist put me on this after a HORRIBLE time with prozac and it calms me so much. I can sleep now and I no longer feel like the world is trying to kill me. Side note I also take wellbutrin XL 150 during the day. It also has helped so much with my depression."

• happier
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 25, 2019

"I began taking Prozac in 2003 after several major losses in my life. It worked great up until 5 years ago, and so my doctor switched me to Effexor; I started out with 37 mg. and worked up to 150 mg XR. This dosage works well. I have occasional "break through" depression, but it doesn't last real long. It's usually when I'm having a lot of additional stress. The only downside of both medications is that both of them made me unable to have orgasms. I hate that part of it, yet I'm much more balanced by taking it. I'm 65, so maybe that's kinda normal? But I still hate that part!"

• anony...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 12, 2020

"Effexor XR is a miracle drug for me (I have MDD) in the first couple of days I got super sleepy, since then I feel great. I've been taking it for about 2 years. I have depression, severe anxiety, and panic attacks. Effexor XR makes me feel normal, and it keeps out all the unwanted thoughts. The only side effect I have is excessive yawning lol! -and I'm 6 weeks postpartum and the medication is still amazing in helping with that too."

• 14902...
• April 24, 2015

"It works wonderfully. I've tried many antidepressants, and they all left me feeling not sad. But I still felt lethargic and hopeless. Effexor gives me motivation and drive. Helps me get out of bed in the morning and off the couch during the day. And it started working within the first week. The ONLY drawback I've found is it really decreases my libido, and you CANNOT miss a dose. It will really ruin your day."

• Tom
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 24, 2024

"Works well for depression, but be aware that once you start this medicine you MAY not be able to come off of it. Because of the utterly horrific withdrawal effects. I can attest to these personally, and that is why since 2007, I am still on this medicine to this day and probably will be on it for the rest of my life. It can cause anger, hostility, lack of sympathy for others, loss of regret/guilt. I experienced all of these side effects, unfortunately. It also raises your blood pressure. I had to start taking high blood pressure medicine quickly after I got on this Effexor XR back in 2007. If you are worried about possible dependency for life, then you may want to consider another option instead of Effexor. It grabs ahold of you very quickly. Within a couple of weeks."

• Alexa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2015

"Out of all the serotonin-based drugs that literally have nothing to really do with true clinical depression, this is the better of the SSRI and SNRI class. Not anywhere as dangerous and toxic as Cymbalta, although this medication is something I want to warn everyone about: Effexor very quickly makes you its slave. Probably by purpose, it has a very short half-life, which makes even missing one dose produce horrendous withdrawal effects I would have to say are just as bad as abrupt benzodiazepine withdrawal (which is documented to be as bad as kicking heroin!). I will admit I do think it did help me, but I have to stress even the XR release only has a 24-hour half-life. So, 8 AM rolls around; you have no choice."

• Nicolas
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2019

"By far the best antidepressant that I have taken, the only one that worked well overall for my anxiety (social, generalized) and depression). Zoloft lifted my mood and reduced my anxiety but had me up and down all the time until it made me feel extremely tired after 3 months. Cymbalta stabilized me but did very little things for depression and social anxiety (worked well for generalized anxiety), Wellbutrin did almost nothing. With Effexor XR I had no side effects at all. I take 225mg Effexor XR along with 150mg Lyrica and 20mg Prozac."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 31, 2019

"Completely lost myself, I complained that it made me not feel right, my wife told me I needed to give it long enough to work, she was sure it was just body getting used to it. I was completely shut down was numb, no emotion, didn’t care about anything but myself and was completely in my own head, left my family. Had zero emotion none at all. Alienated myself from family. I have always had an addictive personality but I started drinking again and smoking (pot and cigarettes). Had horrible insomnia, compulsive lies about even simple things. Blew through money. Tons of anxiety, my blood pressure went through the roof, cholesterol climbed like crazy, headaches nausea and restlessness, Restless legs were horrible. Vivid dreams. Bouts of anger and rage. Brain snaps and blurry vision. Worst med of my life. I was spiralling out of control. Withdrawal was horrendous but so worth it."

• graysee
• October 20, 2019

"Didn't help the depression but caused hypomania, anxiety, and insomnia. Other drugs were added to combat these side effects. Some of the other drugs interacted with the Effexor and caused several mild episodes of serotonin syndrome. After two decades on this drug and all the auxiliary drugs to treat the side effects I am completely messed up physically and neurologically. Slowly tapering off the drugs one at a time and hoping to find a real person underneath."

• stan
• November 17, 2015

"Effexor worsened my depression. Made me feel exhausted all the time and impossible to be able to wake up in the mornings. I was unable to concentrate. My mood worsened, and my motivation to do anything lessened. My depression got worse every time they increased my dose."

• Breezy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2018

"I switched to this from Prozac after trying many different SSRIs. Some didn't do anything, some helped quite a bit. Effexor XR being an SNRI made a world of difference compared to Prozac. At first I did get some mild headaches and was a little jittery, but once I got used to it after a few weeks the side-effects abated. Just stick with it and don't let the side-effects at first deter you."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 22, 2022

"This medication is a nightmare. I started off on 37.5mg, then up to 75mg 1x daily. I started getting HORRIFIC brain zaps, it felt like I was getting an electric shock straight to the brain every time I blinked or moved. My doctor then tried 2x a day 75mg, and same thing. By the time I was ready for my next dose, I was a mess with brain zaps. So he put me on 3 TIMES A DAY saying it was just me metabolizing them too quickly. They worked for a little, but pretty soon I went right back to experiencing severe depression and anxiety, and this drug definitely didn’t hold up for serious life changes and additional stress. My current psychiatrist is weening me off of it and says she doesn't like this drug, and has the same issue with many of her patients who came to her after starting it. The withdrawal is a NIGHTMARE. Brain zaps, flu like symptoms, tremors, and wild mood swings with hysterics. I will never recommend this drug."

• Kano
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 22, 2020

"The best ad for my depression. Only thing was that it made me a little bit numb and I didn’t have many emotions. But otherwise my suicidal thoughts were gone. Also helped with a lot with my insomnia, although I had strange dreams quite often. Have tried taking other antidepressants, I think I have tried every SSRI and SNRI, but effexor was the only one that didn't give me intolerable side effects. I CANNOT tolerate any other medication. Didn’t work well with my social anxiety and GAD, but helped a lot with my depression. The withdrawal was so bad though, I struggled for almost a year to get off of this medication and now I have to get back on it."

• Conce...
• August 17, 2016

"I just wanted to let you all know my current situation in regards to this medication. I have taken Effexor XR for 12-13 years. The overall results have been good. I just wanted to share this experience. I had a MIR for chronic abdominal pain 18 months ago. The MIR discovered a shadowing on my lungs. This shadow was caused by the Effexor XR. This shadow is what we experience while on this medication as a shortness of breath. I did furthur research and the Effexor XR does contribute to lung conditions that cause shortness of breath and difficulity in breathing while exerting yourself. I have undergone several MRI's showing different levels of this lung shadow. I am currently seeking other treatments for my depression."

• upat4am
• January 26, 2016

"This is my second time on Effexor in the 7 months. I began taking 34.5 mg in June 2015, then it was upped to 75 mg after 2 weeks. The first week, the side effects were really bad, but they only lasted the one week, and then I felt great. Best thing I ever did, but then I started feeling better to the point I didn't even think about the medication and missed about 4 doses before I noticed. After missing that many, I just stopped taking it. About a month later, the depression was back and worse than ever. I just got put back on it, started last night, and the side effects are back, but I have to push through because I know they are temporary, and if I have to feel dizzy and nauseated for a week for the depression to lessen, it's worth it to me."

• Unbro...
• January 14, 2015

"I was started at a low 75 mg. This was a very dark time emotionally for me because I felt like I was taking candy, not medicine. As we slowly increased the dose, the heaviness of depression began to lift, but I also became VERY sleepy. Other early side effects were dizziness, insomnia, minor stupor, vivid dreams, stomach cramps, and worsened anxiety. All these are gone except anxiety. We added a sleep aid and Buspar to take as needed for anxiety and insomnia. But I had to up the venlafaxine XR to my doctor's max outpatient dose of 225 mg to get rid of the unmanageable depression. This dose combined with CBT (therapy) has greatly increased the quality of my life. But NEVER FORGET A PILL! Withdrawal is awful! Sobbing, 'shocks,' lethargy."