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

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

For Depression "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."

• Mar...
• September 7, 2015

For Depression "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."

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

For Depression "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."

• Anonymous
• October 20, 2012

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking Effexor XR for about 3 weeks now for depression and generalized anxiety disorder. For the first three days, I felt a little dizzy but continued with the medication, and the dizziness went away once my body got used to it. I get a dry mouth and have lost interest in sex and cannot reach orgasm. I do feel a lot more focused at work and can think more clearly. I do find if I don't take the medication right on time around 9 a.m. every morning, I get a headache and agitated, so I try to take it at the same time every day. Despite the dry mouth and loss of sex drive, I will continue with it for another month or two and see what happens when I see my doc again."

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

For Major Depressive Disorder "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; they always came out of nowhere and left me feeling dazed and afraid for my sanity. Not worth trying it, in my opinion. 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!"

• 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."

• Eff...
• July 27, 2015

For Depression "I just dropped in on the internet to see if there was something 'better' or maybe 'newer' than my Effexor, but after several sites, I know I'm still in good hands. I've been on 150 mg Effexor, or venlafaxine, for more than ten years, and I've lived a normal life since the right medication-finding game. Yes, the withdrawals within 24 hours are dizziness so bad you shouldn't drive, but I've asked my doctor to write a second prescription for the non-XR version in half strength, and I keep that filled for emergencies, or it's open to fill in another city if I have to fill it unexpectedly. Or if I miss my dose and need it to kick in immediately."

• ket...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 28, 2024

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Effexor changed my 4 years battle with anxiety. It was rough in the start. I was sick, dizzy, feeling worse... But you have to take benzos in the start so you don't have a horrible time when your body adjusts to it. Now I can finally live normal and work on everything that caused this. And for all people, trauma is. And the only thing that will set you free forever is to find someone to work with you on causes. But you have to be better to work on it."

• Lev...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 12, 2019

For Anxiety "Suffered from anxiety from a kid. Didn't get diagnosed until I was in my 30s. Was on Celexa for a couple of years, but found that it never really kept the episodes away. Doctor decided a switch to Effexor might help. The electrical shocks and the way it made my nerves feel was something else for a good month or two before it started to calm down. Always feel on edge with this drug at 75 mg. Don't miss a dose or go too long between the 24 hours, or you'll notice weird head episodes. I found taking it before bed was the best way for me. At one point, the doctor thought it might help going up to 150, but that sent me to the hospital with serotonin syndrome, lasted 2 days. After 3 years, I started having shaking and dizziness symptoms similar to someone with MS or Parkinson's, along with other neurological issues. Noticing the symptoms are worse close to the time of needing to take the next dose. Looking to get off the medication this year."

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

For Major Depressive Disorder "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 as 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."

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

For Major Depressive Disorder "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 as 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."

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

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2019

For Anxiety "Stopped after the first capsule. I had nausea, headache, dizzy, disoriented, rise in blood pressure to 170/93, blurred vision, extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing, tightness in chest, caused onset of IBS. I couldn’t get out of bed for 36 hours."

• Bio...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 16, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Prior to taking Effexor, I had daily panic attacks, suffered from agoraphobia, and would cry for hours at night without any reason (I was a mess). 35 mg Effexor put me completely back to normal-no more anxiety, but plenty of happiness and typical emotions. I would go as far as saying it cured me. However, the side effects are brutal. The first 2 months were daily dry mouth, dizziness, 'brain zaps,' and constipation so bad it put me in the hospital. If I miss a day, the dizziness hits hard until I take the next pill. Overall, I think it is still worth the trouble because I'm mentally healthier than ever before."

• Blu...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 22, 2019

For Anxiety "After starting Effexor (went up to 200 mg) for my anxiety/panic attacks, I felt great. No more anxiety or panic attacks at all, and it was amazing. After having suffered so much, I thought the side effects were worth it at first. Then I gained 15 pounds. If I didn’t take it exactly at the same time every day, I would get dizziness and headaches and often had headaches even if I properly took it. I had constipation, so I had to take meds for that. Then after a while, the stomach pains started and only got worse until I had to start taking meds for that too. So after 8 years, I felt it wasn’t working as well as before for the anxiety, and I was fed up with the side effects, so I decided to change meds. Getting off of it was hard (lots of side effects), and it had to be done VERY slowly (took months). Now I have been off it for 4 years, and my stomach is still destroyed (heartburn & reflux), and I still need to take meds for my stomach!"

• You...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2023

For Anxiety "I have never taken any medication like this in 40+ years and was really nervous. The reviews I kept reading didn’t help, and I almost didn’t fill the prescription. I decided to give it a go and am so glad I did. Initial side effects: weird eye twitches and perhaps some fatigue. Ongoing side effects: none. One of the things that scared me was all the talk about withdrawal if you had to miss doses or stop. As it happens, my pharmacy ran out, so I had to go two days without and experience it for myself. I was okay the first day, but on day 2, there was dizziness, a foggy head, headache, nausea…but I still worked and lived life. Nothing debilitating. I was glad to get it back though, and it took 24 hours to feel back to my new normal. If you’re considering this, it’s for a reason. No shame, just do it!"

• Sam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 22, 2013

For Depression "This medication has been life-changing for me. Suffering from depression and extreme anxiety, I have much more control now, and the black moods are not so dark. I no longer feel suicidal and am so relieved to have some relief from the constant pressure of being depressed, moody, or anxious. It is important I remember to take it every day, or I start to withdraw pretty much straight away with dizziness and a strange sensation in my throat, plus rather severe radical dreams. Other than that, I am grateful to have something that works with minimal side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2020

For Anxiety "Was prescribed Effexor XR to help with menopausal hot flashes and mild anxiety. After just one dose, I was up all night, vision distorted, muscle twitches. Finally, I slept and woke up violently ill, with a horrible stomach ache and severe nausea. I got up to use the bathroom and had extreme vertigo and blurry vision. Felt like a bad case of brain fog. I was unable to get out of bed except to use the restroom and wouldn’t dare attempt to drive. It ruined the entire day. I would not recommend this to ANYONE. The side effects are unbearable. I’d rather have hot flashes than feel like I did on this drug. Oh, also, my gums had inflammation and bleeding, never a problem before."

• Bon...
• September 1, 2016

For Depression "I have been on Effexor for over 5 years now, and I cannot imagine life without it. I was crying all the time for no reason. My doctor put me on 75 mg a day, and it made me extremely anxious. He then upped it to 150 mg per day, and I have no side effects and function great! The only side effect I have noticed is that if I forget to take it, I start to feel dizzy after a few hours, and by night, I am crying."

• KAP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2019

For Anxiety "Doctor wanted to take me off Xanax and try Effexor. It was the XR 37.5 dose. I took one dose, and that was the worst experience I ever had-just about landed in the emergency room. Awful headache, severe dizziness, and nausea. I tried walking to the bathroom, and I didn't know where my feet were landing, and my heart was racing. Thank goodness I only took one dose of this. Obviously, everyone cannot tolerate it. Xanax it is for me (0.5 mg once or twice daily). Never ever had any side effects from that."

• Ele...
• March 4, 2019

For Depression "I've been taking this for about half a year now. It's been working great for me. My depression is a bit better, I get fewer suicidal thoughts, and my social anxiety is reduced. However, I still do feel anxious (in non-social situations) most of the time, but at least I haven't had a panic attack in quite a while. I'm taking 75 mg every morning. The first week on it, I had severe headaches and felt really dizzy, but it lasted only a week, so that was fine. As for side effects, like any medication for anxiety and depression, my sex drive became nonexistent. One other thing - it causes you to have wild dreams, but to me, this is more of an advantage."

• Sno...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2019

For Depression "Only took 37.5 mg Effexor for 6 days, zero appetite, constant bloated sick stomach, lost 7 lbs and feel like a zombie. I’m completely emotionally numb/dead. I’ve been shaky, dizzy, thick-headed, and very fatigued. I admit I’m not depressed and crying, but I feel so sick that I can’t handle it. Sips of water make me feel nauseous. I need to know if I can just stop cold turkey since it was only 37.5 mg for 6 days. What do I do? Doctor thinks quitting cold turkey is okay, but so many horror stories online, I’m scared."

• PPD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2020

For Postpartum Depression "My doctor told me Effexor is supposed to help with anxiety and depression. It didn’t help with my anxiety. I first started experiencing side effects when I was a little late taking my dose. Turns out that the side effects are actually withdrawal! It feels like I’m being electrocuted briefly, then I immediately get vertigo and a sharp headache until my next “zap,” which can occur every couple of minutes! The only thing that helps is taking more of this drug! I’m trying to come off of it slowly, but it will take at least 3 weeks, and the withdrawal symptoms just keep getting worse and more frequent! Right now I experience the zaps every 45 seconds all day long, and I’m only in my first week of trying to come off of it! I would never recommend anyone take this medication, rather, ask your doctor for an alternative as the side effects are making my anxiety worse since I literally feel like I’m getting “zapped” constantly, and it is a scary feeling!"

• upa...
• January 26, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• ind...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2019

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I was started on 37.5, then moved up to 75 mg, then 150 mg. I always had brain zaps when it was just about time to take my next dose. I also got hives when I started this drug, which I thought were bug bites. I got really red-faced and flushed and got dizzy and nauseous on a continued basis. This drug may work for others, but not for me. I have anxiety all the time. Now I am going off of it. I was on it for 1.5 years. It has been living hell. Very bad brain zaps, non-stop crying, dizziness, very unfocused. I have had to take off three months from work because of this drug. I am feeling so sick right now. Best of luck to those who take this. They have banned the non-Extended Release in Canada, so they need to take this off the market here too. It also made my heart rate go to 190 bpm and I had to go to the ER and was given two IV treatments to slow it down. Don't take this with clarithromycin or Biaxin, it can cause heart issues."