Effexor XR and Depression: What Users Say

• Taw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2020

For Depression "I take 150mg time-released Effexor. I am dealing with a head injury for 6 months now. I have been on Effexor since. I have no side effects, and it has really helped me with my anxiety, nervousness, and depression. This medicine is such a lifesaver. I can go to work and be around people. I don’t know where I would be without this medication."

• aim...
• February 25, 2020

For Anxiety "I'm a 27 y/o female, good health but have GAD and MDD. I began taking Effexor XR when I began having panic attacks while driving. I began with 37.5mg for 4 weeks, then upped to 75mg after that. After 3 months, I began to sweat in my sleep despite not feeling overheated. I began to suffer from sexual dysfunction, lost my libido and had difficulty reaching an orgasm (neither had been an issue previously). My appetite increased and I gained 25 lbs in 1 year. I also noticed I felt very 'flat' emotionally. I wrote this because I feel like positive reviews are lacking. Effexor absolutely improved my anxiety. The side effects were unpleasant but not severe. Stopping this medication suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms, so when I switched to a new one, I slowly tapered off it by opening the capsule and counting the granules, reducing them by about 4 per day. I did not suffer from any 'brain zaps' or any withdrawal symptoms."

• Nat...
• October 21, 2019

For Depression "I have struggled with eating disorders (Anorexia and Binging) for about 4 years now. It started at 16 and slowly began to follow me into college. I’ve struggled with relationships and often find myself extremely depressed and more anxious than ever. I started Effexor about 2 weeks ago now, and the first few days were much like the experiences listed on here. I have done MDMA before, and it does feel like that for the first two days. However, after I got through that stage, each day has been getting better. Colors seem brighter, and my motivation has started to get better. Before, I had struggled with finding any interest in life, and everything seems a little bit more open each day I wake up. I do have some very vivid dreams and find that during the night, my depression gets a little worse, but it has slowly subsided, and I’m able to push away thoughts that normally frustrate me. I’m excited to see how each day goes moving forward."

• Nur...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 26, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been taking Effexor for 13 months now. Initially, I was prescribed 75 mg while hospitalized at an inpatient psychiatric facility, but that was increased to 150 mg by the time I was discharged. Never in my life have I felt this way - normal!! My crying spells, anhedonia, suicidal ideations, psychosis... it's all gone, gone, gone! This medication has saved my life. I am so happy to take my meds every morning."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started 75 mg Effexor about three months ago for GAD and major depression. It has done wonders for me. The first month, I did yawn a lot and seemed to be experiencing the emotional blunting that they described. At one point, I was scared that I had lost all empathy, but I realized that being overzealous about others' opinions and worries was destroying me. I am a lot more carefree, and I haven't cried for no reason in over three months. The low dose is working, and I am much happier overall. I do sleep a lot, almost 9 hours a night, and I am slow to rise. But my day carries on well after that. I would consider this a success."

• anx...
• May 9, 2016

For Anxiety "I've had anxiety/panic attacks and depression for over 20 years now. My anxiety was so bad I had to be homeschooled. I've taken Prozac, Paxil, and neither worked and had bad mood swings on Paxil. My doctor suggested something newer, it was Effexor. He said he has had good results with it. So I tried it, heck I would've tried anything to make my anxiety go away. I was on Effexor (75mg) for 10 years, and it worked for me. No side effects except being tired at first. No more anxiety/panic attacks or depression but maybe a very few short episodes. I was happy and enjoying things I was held back from for so many years. Effexor changed my life, literally. If I did miss a dose, I felt tired, depressed, and the 'zaps.'"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2012

For Anxiety "I have been on Effexor XR for about 3 months now (75mg), and it's done a great job of controlling my anxiety. For the first couple of days, my anxiety skyrocketed, but I supplemented with Ativan to help with that. Then on the third day, I woke up and felt totally normal. It does make me a bit tired, but I also sleep better - and I do have very vivid dreams at times (not scary, just vivid). It also makes me a bit apathetic, but it's better than living in a constant state of anxiety. I'd had bad reactions to Lexapro and Zoloft, so I was happy to find something that worked. I hope to come off someday, but for now, it's giving me what I need."

• ale...
• August 6, 2012

For Anxiety "I took Effexor XR after I gave up on Lexapro (it didn't work for me, I waited for a couple of months). I started at 75 mg and 10 days later increased to 150 mg. I have been at 150 mg for about 5 months. I feel that I am at a stable point, so I don't want to change anything for a while. My doctor said to start weaning off, but I don't think I'm ready yet. I had gone through a gut-wrenching episode in my life that lasted for about 4 intense months of sleepless nights, hot sweats, heart palpitations, heavy chest, lack of concentration, and sadness. I felt as if I was at the doctor every other day trying to figure out what was wrong. My anxieties were so bad that I felt like exploding. Thankfully I waited it out, and Effexor has helped."

• SLi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 10, 2020

For Depression "Please, please, please take my advice. If Effexor is working for you, don't quit! I took Effexor for 8 great years (anxiety and depression). Tapered and quit. Started again two months later to be on the safe side while going through a stressful period at work. Within 24 hours, my life fell totally apart. Anxiety and depression through the roof. 18 months and 4 AD's later, I am still a wreck. Losing hope."

• ssh...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 3, 2019

For Depression "Started weaning off Effexor 150mg 1 year ago. Got to 37.5mg with hardly any side effects. Then weaning off 37.5mg was terrible. Headache/head pounding, nausea, vertigo, diarrhea, extreme tiredness, random crying spells, very emotional, etc. Did a lot of research and trusted that it’d get easier with time. 4 wks later, finally feeling physically well again... Then it got bad. Sense of constant dread, horrible anxiety, heart racing, emotional as hell, trouble sleeping, extremely depressed, and felt like a zombie. Missing work, sleeping all day, no motivation to do anything. Went back to doc and she put me back on the 37.5mg. Extremely disappointed not to get off this medication. Been 3 days since getting back on it, starting to feel somewhat normal again, just want my life back. Wish I’d received more info when I was first prescribed it - had no idea it would be such a nightmare to try to get off of it. This experience has shaken up my whole world. BEWARE."

• Ste...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 25, 2020

For Depression "I was put on a starting dose of 75 mg Effexor XR and worked my way up to a dose of 150 mg. I couldn't sleep, and my mind was racing. I wasn't myself at all. Back on 75 mg now, and I feel better than that, but still depressed. Switching meds soon, I hope."

• Dis...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 28, 2012

For Anxiety "I have been on this medication for over 15 years. I can tell you that this is the absolute best medication for panic attacks. The problem is that I never had any panic attacks until I quit taking the pill after a year of use. I was prescribed this when I was 18 after being hospitalized as a result of several traumatic events. I started on 32 mg and eventually was bumped up to 150 mg and then 225 mg. I weaned off and survived the withdrawals and felt amazing. Seriously, it felt like the best moment of my life, but about a year after I stopped taking it, the depression came back twice as bad."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• ada...
• July 24, 2014

For Anxiety "I'm 19 and have suffered with anxiety for three years or so. Previously, I had been on Prozac and Lexapro, which were both hellish. I began taking Effexor XR two months ago and started feeling better two weeks in, but out of nowhere, the medication not only ceased to work but actually made my anxiety a lot worse. I have horrible agitation, depression, irritability, and insomnia. Pity I could really do with an antidepressant that works!"

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2011

For Anxiety "I was prescribed Effexor XR for anxiety, and it has worked wonderfully. I have no panic attacks, my constant level of anxiety is gone. However, I think it has worsened my depression slightly. Everyone responds to this medicine differently, I guess, and I am more than willing to deal with minor depression if it means my anxiety is gone. This medicine has been great."

• Tor...
• September 27, 2018

For Anxiety "I was taking Celexa for anxiety, and when that stopped working effectively after three years, my doctor put me on Effexor. I cannot express enough how much I disliked this drug. I took it at a high dose for a while and decided to cut the dose in half because I just felt “numb.” And then I crashed. I felt so many emotions in one day, I felt like a different person. All of my personal relationships were failing because I was just pushing people away. I’ve never felt depression before, and I constantly felt alone in the dark with no light in sight. I honestly had no care in the world if I lived or died. So I stopped altogether. I would rather feel my old anxiety than any of the negative emotions I felt on Effexor. By day three with no meds, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. I’m now at a week clean, and I’m starting to feel like me again. I will never touch this medication again."

• 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."

• Doo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 17, 2019

For Depression "I started on 150 mg of Effexor after Zoloft didn’t work, then went up to 225 mg, and this medicine, after 6 months, made me more depressed. All I wanted to do was eat, sleep, and do nothing. I had outbursts of crying, had nightmares. I have PTSD and MDD. My doctor is changing me over to Wellbutrin. Hopefully, it will work."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2013

For Depression "I began taking Effexor XR 150 to treat anxiety/depression. The medication gave very few adverse reactions initially. I did notice benefits until the end of my second month. There was a mistake with supply, and I had to go 2 days without. Within 2 days, I was in full-on withdrawals. It began with insomnia, livable. Then came nausea, muscle cramps, hot and cold sweats, hives, swollen tongue, irritability, depression, hallucinations... those were the most significant ones. By the second day off, my withdrawals were bad."

• Syd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2021

For Anxiety "Took Effexor XR for anxiety and depression. This was not the drug for me, even though trying for months. My anxiety and depression worsened and brought in suicidal thoughts. I couldn’t eat or sleep without taking something to help, I would get brain zaps. It 100% made me so much worse and turned me into a different person. If going on this, make sure you keep a diary of how you feel each day, use family for support to help if you can. If it doesn’t feel right, speak to your doctor. I would hate for anyone to suffer as much as I did because the doctor kept saying, “it’s meant to get worse before it gets better.” Seek second opinions if it doesn’t feel right. I will never touch that again."

• AB9...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 13, 2017

For Anxiety "Only take Effexor if you want to be on it for life. The withdrawal lasted 3 months for me. I think my body and mind are permanently damaged from this drug. It helped anxiety by numbing me, but at the same time, made me more depressed at times."

• Nel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2016

For Panic Disorder "GP recommended Effexor 7 months ago when I was going through some extremely stressful life events. The Seroxat I was on for GAD for the previous 17 years was no longer effective, and now I had become depressed. Effexor 37.5 mg worked well at first, was upped to 70 mg. Benefits: Immediately made me feel less depressed (hooray - no more tears), no panic attacks at all, able to sleep all night. Costs: Felt like a zombie, lost my spark, didn't feel present when talking to people (the lights were on but no one was in), not bothered about anything including if I upset someone; more aggressive verbally (usually a very placid person), withdrawn (usually a very social person). Withdrawal if missed dose was torture. Currently tapering off it."

• NMa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "My goodness. On Effexor XR for 5 to 6 months, last 6 weeks tapering down. Went from 37.5 mg up to 225 mg, never did much for depression or anxiety, though it did good to rid of any and all NSSI/SI. My main complaint isn't the drug itself, it's stopping it. 6-week taper, feeling fine save for some headache/nausea-until I got to 75 mg. Then: always dizzy, more depressed, feeling physically paralyzed. It got worse at 37.5 mg, brain zaps causing such bad vertigo that I avoided leaving my apartment. Stopping it entirely, depression was worse than it had been in months, felt too sick to eat, moving my head slightly was enough to cause a migraine. I had so little energy that I-no joke-called my pharmacy to tell them the Adderall they gave me was defective. I was cocky because I never get any bad side effects from meds. Stopping this med is dangerous: I almost went to the ER twice, once because I was worried I couldn't keep myself safe, then because the brain zaps and vertigo were so bad I thought I was going to collapse. Weigh your options before STARTING, not after."