Effexor XR and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Laz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2019

For Anxiety "This medication Effexor was a lifesaver for me. I took Prozac 20 mg. It worked for a week or two, and then I had to raise the dosage until I got to 60 mg. My depression was treated, but my anxiety was not. I kept having anxiety attacks every now and then. It depends on what form of anxiety you have. Prozac helped with not panicking in stressful situations but did not help with my fear thoughts. With norepinephrine, things drastically changed. Though, when I raised from 37.5 to 75 mg, my anxiety went way up. If you want to start at 75 mg, make sure you take half and the other half at least after four hours until you build up tolerance. Hope it helps you too!!!"

• hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2019

For Depression "After being admitted to the hospital following a panic attack and suicide attempt, I was prescribed Effexor because I had tried four different SSRIs and none worked, so the doctor thought I should try an SNRI. My first dose was 30 mg, and half an hour after taking it, I started to feel really weird-terrible headache, blurred vision, anxious/uneasy, jittery, and kept spacing out. The next day, they moved me up to 75 mg, and the headache went away, but the other symptoms remained. The next few days were awful. It gave me horrible social anxiety (which I don't normally have), and I couldn't get any work done because my eyes wouldn't focus and I would stare off into the distance for minutes at a time, sort of dissociating. Also made me SUPER lazy. It made me just want to sit on my couch and stare into space."

• hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2019

For Depression "After being admitted to the hospital following a panic attack and suicide attempt, I was prescribed Effexor because I had tried four different SSRIs and none worked, so the doctor thought I should try an SNRI. My first dose was 30 mg, and half an hour after taking it, I started to feel really weird-terrible headache, blurred vision, anxious/uneasy, jittery, and kept spacing out. The next day, they moved me up to 75 mg, and the headache went away, but the other symptoms remained. The next few days were awful. It gave me horrible social anxiety (which I don't normally have), and I couldn't get any work done because my eyes wouldn't focus and I would stare off into the distance for minutes at a time, sort of dissociating. Also made me SUPER lazy. It made me just want to sit on my couch and stare into space."

• GSt...
• September 7, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "It has changed my life. I've been on Effexor (75 mg) for almost 2 months, and it's hard to realize that your life was a mess before Effexor. It took away my physical pain and my anxiety. The first few weeks felt as if a veil was pulled out, and then I was able to feel me again and to see everything around me in a new light, a calmer light. And I realized I was not a choleric (bad-tempered or irritable) person but a pretty laid-back one."

• Pop...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2015

For Anxiety "Not perfect but pretty close. Switched from Paxil (no emotions) -> Wellbutrin (aka severe anorexia) -> Effexor. Basically, all medications were pretty decent at anxiety coverage. I found Paxil to be the best without thinking of anything but anxiety attacks. Wellbutrin to be the least effective. Effexor was somewhere in the middle while still letting me enjoy life with an occasional anxiety attack. Since I've been on Effexor, I've had maybe 3-4 small anxiety attacks in the span of 2-3 years."

• tqu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "You have to get through the uptake before judging. I am taking 75 mg of XR, and it took 12 days for the nervousness, hot flashes, complete loss of appetite, and weird nerve sensations to subside. I now feel great and have a sense of calm and happiness that I did not have before with GAD and mild depression. I don't worry as much. I'd give this drug a ten (10) if it wasn't for the delayed ejaculation (I'm 47) during intercourse. Ativan helped get me through the uptake. Buspar (hot flashes, dizziness) and Mirtazapine (weight gain) did not work for me."

• Fre...
• February 10, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I never write reviews, but I figured I had to share how truly life-changing Effexor has been for me. I've suffered with GAD and Major Depressive Disorder for quite some time. I was on and off of Prozac for about five years. When it stopped working, I began taking Effexor XR 37.5 mg. I started feeling better, more calm, less anxious. Last year, someone I had dated for years and had recently broken up with passed away tragically. I was a disaster. My dosage was increased to 75 mg, then 150 mg, and now 225 mg. Honestly, I don't know how I would have made it to where I am today without this medication. It has controlled my anxiety, my panic attacks, and my depression. I still have bad days, I'm still in mourning, but I finally feel normal."

• Bir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I started on Effexor XR 37.5 mg 12 days ago. Prior to this, I had been on Lexapro 20 mg for 8 weeks for extreme anxiety. The severity of my anxiety was so shocking on Lexapro after the 8 weeks compared to the commencement of Lexapro. I had heard so many people have success with Lexapro on review sites, but for myself, it was a nightmare. After 7 weeks, it felt like I was in a hole. My doctor took me off immediately without even reducing the amount, and within 5 days, I felt so much better with a significant reduction in anxiety. I still needed support, so my doctor put me on Effexor 37.5 mg, and within 5 days, I felt much better, then went to 75 mg. After 10 days on this, I am already starting to feel better, with anxiety problems only now and then."

• Wor...
• September 25, 2019

For Anxiety "I was prescribed Effexor 37.5 mg ER by my doctor to help with menopause symptoms (mood swings, hot flashes, etc.), and I have mild generalized anxiety disorder. She said it would help also. I took one pill at 10 pm. By 11 pm, I had the worst anxiety I've ever experienced: shaking, hot/cold flashes, nausea, diarrhea, muscle rigidity, and complete loss of appetite. I tried to ride it out. By day 4, I still had the symptoms and ended up inpatient psychiatric. It's been 9 days now since I took just the one pill, and I'm still dealing with these side effects. My anxiety is higher than I've ever felt it. I feel like I'm in a constant fight or flight state. I'm having multiple panic attacks a day. I still can't eat or drink much. I've lost 12 lbs in a week. The psychiatrist at the hospital said this drug at this dose can induce an 'anxiety episode' in some people. How long this episode is going to last, no idea, but I hope it goes away soon."

• ind...
• March 29, 2019

For Depression "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."

• Hap...
• November 1, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "On 75 mg once a day in the morning, and I feel great! Before, I suffered from panic attacks and anxiety endlessly, especially while driving and even being around strangers in a grocery store. Now, I have no anxiety at all and can live a normal, happy life. Effexor has given that to me. I probably will have to stay on it for the rest of my life, and that's fine with me. I tried going off of it before for 6 years, and all my anxiety came back. I tried Celexa, and that was awful-major headaches with that one. I also tried Wellbutrin, but I felt like I was on speed 24 hours a day, which made my anxiety go through the roof. Recently, in July, I went back to my favorite Effexor XR and feel awesome. Good luck to all of you! Anxiety is no fun."

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

For Depression "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."

• Len...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I’ve been taking Effexor XR for about 8 weeks now and have noticed a pretty great improvement with my general anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. I still have days where I feel like I can’t leave the house or even take care of myself because I’m so focused on my anxiety, but those days come a lot less often and don’t feel so intense compared to how I felt on previous medications (Zoloft and Prozac). I feel like benzodiazepines are what work best for my severe symptoms like panic attacks, but the side effects (like increased anxiety and dependency) are enough to keep me trying SNRIs and other natural remedies to keep my panic attacks and obsessive thoughts at bay. Will definitely keep taking the Effexor as it seems to be helping."

• Anonymous
• April 11, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "The people saying they don’t get side effects maybe they just don’t notice, but there are side effects. I sweat more, sleep less, and have no sex drive, but those are all things I can live with in exchange for the positive effects I get. I started taking Effexor in high school because I was sleeping an average of 16 hours a day, likely had depression because I was anxious so much, and my quality of life was abysmal. I left the house like four or five times a week at the most as a 16-year-old. Once I started Effexor, I started to feel more energized, I didn’t need nearly as much sleep, and my depression has cleared away completely. I still have issues with anxiety attacks, but have recently lowered my Effexor dose and started taking Lexapro as well. This is a medication you cannot miss doses on because you will start to feel serious symptoms of withdrawal if doses are skipped, but it’s a great medication worth trying if you haven’t found what’s worked for you yet."

• Djf...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 3, 2025

For Social Anxiety Disorder "This drug has helped me a lot with my social anxiety. I realized how bad it was when I started to ignore my own parents and everyone around me. It helped me get my mental clarity back. It took me out of a dark place that I was in when I first took it. It felt like I was on meth, then those side effects went away, and now everything seems better. No more negative thoughts towards people, no more feeling heat all over my face when confronted or starting a conversation. It seems to me this drug works, and it helped me a lot. Still need to do mental health appointments, though, to get the full benefit. Doing cognitive behavioral therapy. Glad to share my experience with you people."

• Ano...
• October 2, 2013

For Depression "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."

• Osg...
• January 6, 2017

For Depression "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."

• Ano...
• January 27, 2010

For Anxiety "I have been taking Effexor XR for about 8 years after suffering a serious mental breakdown. This medicine has given me back my life. Having said that, the UK government has recently told all doctors to prescribe the generic version. THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE, I began suffering terrible headaches and anxiety again. After speaking to my consultant psychiatrist, I am now back on Effexor with all the nasty symptoms gone. There really is no substitute for the real thing."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2022

For Anxiety "I used to be a person with extreme anxiety. For over a decade, I always had to rely on Xanax bars and/or Klonopin. Until my Dr. prescribed me Effexor 37.5 mgs, now almost four months later, I'm on 150 mgs, and Effexor has almost completely taken away my anxiety while at the same time has helped control my stress, agitation, and depression. I thank my Dr. for prescribing me Effexor, it has changed my life for the better."

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Started on Zydus Pharm generic venlafaxine ER 37.5 mg for 1 week, then on to 75 mg. Been about 6 weeks on medication. First 3 days I felt amazing, immediate relief of anxiety. After that, the side effects were very difficult. Everything in me told me this was not the right medication for me: constant mood swings, anxiety, insomnia. I stuck through after reading positive reviews, hoping when side effects cleared up, it would work well for me based on first few days' experience. Side effects disappeared suddenly right on the 3-week mark, and the medication really started to work. After reading reviews on generic vs. brand name, I switched to the name brand. Name brand definitely feels cleaner and more effective. Generic side effects went away immediately."

• Rca...
• January 28, 2018

For Social Anxiety Disorder "Started out taking 75 mg at night and could not sleep at all. Taking 37.5 mg now in the morning and still am dealing with being very jittery at night when trying to relax or sleep. On the positive side, this has been great in dealing with past negative issues and moving past them. Also, much more relaxed in social situations and a much more positive attitude about life in general. Every day more confident and things seem a little better."

• Bet...
• September 18, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was diagnosed with GAD, with symptoms including general fatigue, anxiety, panic, and insomnia. Started off at 35 mg, but now on 150 mg in the morning and 75 mg at night, which seems to be keeping me pretty stable. However, the withdrawal is horrendous. If I miss a couple of doses, I get brain zaps, I can hear my eyeballs moving in my head, very anxious and panic. It works, but this is some seriously messed up stuff... I can see I may have to be on this forever, whereas I gave up Prozac cold turkey with no problems at all."

• Cin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2022

For Anxiety "After reading so many mixed reviews, I want to share my experience, because if I would have listened to the reviews on here, I would’ve stopped taking the medication. I was put on this medication for anxiety and panic attacks and mild depression. The side effects I had were awful. I felt anxious, my panic attacks were completely heightened, and I didn’t start getting used to the medication for the full six weeks. They say that it takes about 4 to 6 weeks for your body to get used to the medication, because if you think about it, it’s basically reprogramming your brain. I experienced feelings of almost being on speed, like my body couldn’t calm down, my skin felt weird. I was lucky enough to have an aunt that also took it, and she experienced the same things, but said that all the side effects are worth it, and one day you just wake up and feel normal, which is exactly what happened to me."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2019

For Depression "I started taking 37.5 mg of Effexor XR with breakfast in the middle of December for my depression after being on Celexa for many years. I'm a 44-year-old female, and I was told to just switch over. I was dizzy, spacey, and sleepy for a couple of weeks, a lot of gas, bouts of stomach upset/poops. I struggled with bad anxiety during the first 10 days, and then that leveled out. I lacked motivation, although I knew what I wanted to WANT to do, just had no focus. My PMS was worsened at the beginning of February and again in March. Completely drained, like fighting a tranquilizer. In April, mind wandering between past and present sadness. I was then bumped to 75 mg daily, and I'm at day 7, it's been a long week. Day 5, I had really bad anxiety-fearful, I felt paranoid for a few hours for no reason. Then at 7 pm, a surge of energy for a couple of hours, sleep wasn't good. Day 6, I was teary and felt hopeless. Today, I feel chill, not so spacey. Probably my best day, my appetite is okay, smaller, frequent meals plus a few snacks. I feel that this medication is good."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2019

For Depression "I started taking 37.5 mg of Effexor XR with breakfast in the middle of December for my depression after being on Celexa for many years. I'm a 44-year-old female, and I was told to just switch over. I was dizzy, spacey, and sleepy for a couple of weeks, a lot of gas, bouts of stomach upset/poops. I struggled with bad anxiety during the first 10 days, and then that leveled out. I lacked motivation, although I knew what I wanted to WANT to do, just had no focus. My PMS was worsened at the beginning of February and again in March. Completely drained, like fighting a tranquilizer. In April, mind wandering between past and present sadness. I was then bumped to 75 mg daily, and I'm at day 7, it's been a long week. Day 5, I had really bad anxiety-fearful, I felt paranoid for a few hours for no reason. Then at 7 pm, a surge of energy for a couple of hours, sleep wasn't good. Day 6, I was teary and felt hopeless. Today, I feel chill, not so spacey. Probably my best day, my appetite is okay, smaller, frequent meals plus a few snacks. I feel that this medication is good."