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

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2021

For Anxiety "10 days in on 37.5 and already feel decreased anxiety. Sleep issues still and some daytime fatigue, but I know this will pass with time. Worried about stopping them one day from all the reviews, but I'm looking forward to taking a year to feel good."

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

For Depression "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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

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

For Depression "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."

• Fre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2016

For Depression "Truly wish I had accepted my depression and sought help years ago. This medication has completely cleared my mind and has helped me dramatically in the first two weeks of use. Although it caused insomnia for the first two days of use and I felt like a space cadet for the first three, it helped me ease my moods and somewhat doesn't even allow my mind to wander into negative feelings. Highly recommended seeking help and support with this medication, although I do suggest beginning treatment over the weekend to be adjusted before a work week."

• SRH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2017

For Depression "I first used Effexor XR 75 mg at the start of 2016 to treat depression/anxiety. Side effects were things such as dry mouth, frequent urination, problems sleeping at night. After 2 weeks, these reduced greatly, and after a further 2 weeks, my mood improved greatly and my anxiety reduced. My ongoing side effects were strange (not unpleasant) dreams and sometimes night sweats - neck and chest. I tapered off to 37.5 and then stopped in October 2016. The withdrawals - head zaps in the main - lasted about a week and were not too bad. I stopped because I felt so much better. During mid-2017, I went downhill again and was back at the GP's, sobbing my heart out and at home being a complete pain to my wife. I started 75 mg again 4 weeks ago. Much better!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2020

For Panic Disorder "This drug, Effexor, literally saved my life. I was prescribed it for depression, anxiety, and panic! Side effects weren’t too bad taking 75 mg. Drowsiness, increased heart rate, increased tinnitus, nausea, bad nighttime sweating, increased anxiety at first, head felt a bit spaced out, and crazy bad insomnia. Most of these subsided after about 8 days. Dosage change amped it up again for about another week. If you can work through it, it’s so worth it! After three weeks, basically feeling like myself again. A little more time will tell if my anxiety subsides further."

• Kit...
• February 23, 2020

For Depression "I have been on Celexa in the past and had done well on it until the last few months, so my therapist recommended that I be switched to something else. Effexor XR was suggested as part of my treatment plan. For the first two weeks, I was on 37.5 milligrams + 10 milligrams of Citalopram and seemed to do well on it. After that, I was supposed to double the dosage up to 75 milligrams. When I doubled the dosage, my body had horrible side effects: I missed a full week of work; I was not sleeping; I was sweating in my sleep; I was starting to argue with my fiancé over stupid things; and it caused suicidal ideation. I ended up in the hospital, missed more work, back at the hospital again trying to seek more treatment, and had to see my therapist twice in one week, demanding a new medication. I have been off of this medication for a week and have been on Paxil (a drug that is in the same family as Citalopram) and have been doing well - like much, much better."

• AnP...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2017

For Depression "I was prescribed 37.5 mg of Effexor (raised to 75 mg after a week) after going off Zoloft for depression, GAD, and panic disorder. I took it for about 2 months, and it was horrible. I had terrible insomnia, and when I managed to sleep, I had night terrors that resulted in me waking up multiple times in the middle of the night, sweating through my sheets. My depression became so much worse, suicidal thoughts/self-harm ideation more rampant, and I had panic attacks at least every second day, sometimes more than once a day. I had a public nervous breakdown before I finally went off it and was prescribed Escitalopram instead. The difference was like night and day. Effexor is definitely not for everyone."

• B12...
• December 27, 2016

For Anxiety "Was on this med for 5 years. Worked fine but not great. Stopped the panic attacks and gave me relief from everyday nervousness that I was experiencing. Took months for the side effects to diminish when I first started taking it. What did not leave - insomnia, night sweats, lack of sex drive, and poor orgasms (or no orgasms at all)."

• Soc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 26, 2016

For Anxiety "I have tried Zoloft and Cymbalta. All equally effective in my anxiety level, but I find Effexor has been the best. While I still don't have a ton of energy, I was a zombie on the other two. My libido is back to normal, and I'm not hungry 24/7. Zoloft would be my second choice, except I needed to nap every day and I was always hungry. Cymbalta was very difficult to get off of, and I was also very tired. Negative effects of Effexor include insomnia - I have urges where I HAVE to get up - but usually melatonin and reading, and NO electronics before bed help that (or Xanax as needed). I also sweat a lot more on it. But having more energy and more libido makes it worth it. I have to take a beta blocker because I speak in front of people."

• 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."

• Mja...
• August 23, 2016

For Depression "I started on the lowest dose about a year ago. I was used to taking my meds at night. Seeing that I take 2 different meds for neuropathy, it's just easier to remember to take all meds before bed. Well, Effexor literally had me up for 2 days straight, so I contacted my doctor, who said to start taking it in the morning. I am now on 225 mg every morning and am doing better. I do take it for depression and anxiety, which I have fought with since I was a teen. Effexor is the only one that has truly helped, and I haven't given up on it."

• Nam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 25, 2015

For Depression "I can explain this drug easily. It will take away your problems, BUT...your sleep won't be effective, you will have extreme memory problems, you won't experience vibrant emotion (it's always dull). Did I mention you will be tired literally all day within minutes of waking? You will basically be a living zombie where every action you take feels forced and fake. You will gain a ton of weight. I was a bodybuilder, 200 lb, 7.5% body fat year-round. Counted calories constantly. Still did on Effexor, counted them all the way up to 4k a day along with 4-6 beers and no weight lifting. I just didn't care. I'm 215 lbs at 28% body fat. If you don't know what that means, basically I traded a 6-pack for a keg. Went from a size 32 to a size 38. In 8 months."

• Unb...
• January 14, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Pot...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 13, 2018

For Depression "Fantastic medication. At 75 mg, it brought me out of an intractable major depressive episode and reduced the anxiety that had been eviscerating me for months. I went up to 150 mg - which did make me hypomanic and caused rapid cycling, but I wouldn't have known I had Bipolar II otherwise. Currently using in conjunction with Lamictal and seeing great results. I am calm, have motivation, sleep well, and have hope for the future. Side effects: night sweats and slightly fragmented sleep when raising dose; abated after 3-4 days. Ongoing constipation - extra fiber helps. Make sure to take on time; I have panic attacks the next day if I'm 6+ hours late. It's a bear to lower your dose, but taking out a grain at a time from the capsule takes care of the bad effects ;) Highly effective medication if it works with your unique physiology! I'm a physically healthy 24-year-old female."

• Mil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2016

For Anxiety "So here is my experience with Effexor, I hope it helps you make an informed decision. I started taking it two months ago as a change from the Citalopram I have been on for over 5 years. I suffer from anxiety. The first three weeks, improvement in my mood, better temper control also. Week three, the insomnia kicked in and strange urges to have to get up and move around. Week four, serious shortness of breath on exertion, ringing ears, lip numbness, and malaise. Turns out I was allergic to it! Doc took me off it immediately, then the withdrawal began. Oh my G*#. The worst experience of my life. Paranoia, hallucinations, panic attacks (my first ever), breathing trouble, the list goes on. If you research the withdrawal, it's not worth it!"

• gra...
• October 20, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Nur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2018

For Depression "I’ve been on Effexor for 5 months, and I’ve gone from off the charts depressed and anxious to happy and productive. I tried an anxiolytic briefly the first week I started the Effexor but didn’t like it, so I quit, but I’ve found that my negative internal narrative has improved drastically on the Effexor, which has helped my anxiety significantly as well. My family and friends have noticed a huge difference in my mood and energy level. I was increased to 112.5 mg daily over the winter for relapse in some depressive symptoms and just decreased to 75 mg daily - having some side effects of sleep interruption with the dose titration, but otherwise so far, so good. My sleep was always interrupted titrating up as well, which always improved with time. My only complaint is that my sex drive decreased for a while upon starting the drug, and even though I now have it back, it’s still more difficult to orgasm. This side effect is improving over time as well, but it’s an annoyance for sure."

• JB7...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2019

For Anxiety "On a 150 mg dose for social anxiety and depression. I take the 75 mg tablets twice a day. It works better on my depression and is somewhat effective for my social anxiety. Still too early to tell if it will work. Mild tiredness and trouble sleeping at night are the only side effects that I notice, with occasional nausea if I don't eat small meals every 4-6 hours. The only time that I got scared was when I started Effexor and stopped the Prozac. I had a major panic attack for two days, but after that, it subsided. So I'm back on my Effexor. At least now, I notice some improvements in my mood compared to taking Prozac, which didn't work for me."

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

For Major Depressive Disorder "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 my 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 spiraling out of control. Withdrawal was horrendous but so worth it."

• Jad...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 23, 2013

For Anxiety "Had horrible side effects, did not sleep for 2 weeks. Developed tics. Felt like I was living a nightmare. Had to be hospitalized. They took me off Effexor. And I started Zoloft. Zoloft worked fantastic. Took Zoloft for a year. Been off meds for 9 years with no problems."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2017

For Postpartum Depression "At 3 months postpartum, I started experiencing slight symptoms of PPD. I handled it and worked myself through it, thought I had it under control until I found myself uncontrollably crying, panic attacks, insomnia, excessive anger, lots of feelings of self-worthlessness. My doctor first prescribed me Zoloft at 5 months postpartum, for 3 weeks, I had no luck. She then switched me to Effexor XR 37.5 mg, as they say, the 'light bulb' came back on after 2 weeks. I have had very bad anxiety since I was 14, I am now currently taking Effexor XR 75 mg daily and am at 7 months postpartum. Depression, the horrible self-feelings I experienced were not anything I have ever felt prior to this experience. Effexor changed my life!"