Effexor XR and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Tee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2021

For Anxiety "I started taking Effexor XR 3 days ago. So far, I have just been nauseated, so I got nausea meds. I’m starting to feel a difference already. I feel the effects of the meds pretty early. I am really hoping this is my ‘miracle’ pill."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 28, 2020

For Depression "I was on Effexor XR for a few months and ended up stopping it around 1 year ago because the only thing it did was barely keeping me alive, that's about it. I have C-PTSD, MDD, and ASD. Feeling nauseous all the time, no emotions at all except vague sadness. Then I started taking it again a few months ago because I had another MDD episode. This time the side effects were even worse. I gained 15 pounds in 3 months, I spent my entire days in bed completely numb. I had nightmares, and at some point, it got so bad that I was sleeping 20 hours a day. I didn't have anxiety attacks in years and started to have them again. It's a pretty rough price to pay not to feel suicidal. A doctor switched me to Fetzima 2 weeks ago, and I already feel so much better. Better than I've been in years, in fact. I know Venlafaxine works for some people, but for me, it was the worst antidepressant I've ever had in my life. The 2/10 is for keeping me alive for a few weeks, otherwise, I'd give it 1/10."

• 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."

• Nde...
• May 18, 2016

For Anxiety "I had been struggling with OCD and anxiety and rage issues for a very long time. I decided to get help after my daughter was born. I was put on a myriad of different pills until Effexor. It calmed me down, and my OCD is almost non-existent. But miss a dose and you will be sick like you've never felt before! Think of the worst flu you ever had... it's kind of like that but worse. And all the anxiety comes back in full force. It has really helped me to function, but I would never have gotten on it if I knew how bad it was to get off it. Try everything else before taking this. It will help but at what cost?"

• sad...
• June 11, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I am a 19-year-old female who has been dealing with severe depression and anxiety for years now, trying out several different medications (Sertraline, Abilify, Trintellix). I couldn't keep taking Trintellix due to extreme nausea, so my doctor suggested Effexor XR. That's the last time I listen to my doctor. I am currently in a 12-day process of weaning myself off of this medication, after taking it for a little over a month. I had an extreme loss of appetite, to the point where I felt sick after a small fries from McDonald's or even a piece of fruit. I have found myself to be very anxious about death/illness/accidents and find myself wanting to spend the least amount of time sober as possible. I have no motivation, and have a hard time staying focused at work. Not to mention, I have had so much trouble with climaxing that it is affecting my relationship. Although I am not nearly as sad as I used to be and don't cry nearly as often, I feel like a numb zombie and not like myself at all."

• CA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2018

For Anxiety "My doctor prescribed this for ongoing anxiety, and it was horrible! I took one 37.5 mg dose at around 9:30 p.m. At 2:30 a.m., I was jolted awake from a bad dream. I never have any trouble sleeping before, but I suddenly had an overwhelming feeling that I needed to get up and go somewhere. I paced around my house, not understanding why I couldn't stop moving. My heart was pounding, and my body felt electrified. I had this cold sensation that felt like ice water in my veins, but I was sweating profusely. My mind was racing, but I felt confused over what was happening. I finally woke my husband up, and he had to sit up with me for over an hour until the worst of it passed. The next morning, I had nausea and felt like I had the flu, shaking and chilled. This was probably the worst I've felt in my life, and although I've never done meth, I imagine it feels somewhat similar to how I felt. Please beware when trying this medication for the first time!"

• 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."

• Jim...
• April 19, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "While Effexor has worked great for me over the last couple of 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 150 mg for over a year, and a few months ago we increased to 225 mg, as the 150 mg didn’t seem like it was cutting it anymore. Well, make sure you don’t miss a dose, even by a couple of 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 it 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 any more time to take another dose. I’m sick to my stomach. (21, f)"

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• hid...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 13, 2020

For Depression "My brain zaps are not brief or jolting. They are the worst headache of my life, lasting hours, waking me from sleep, unable to speak or move, any eye movement increases the pain tenfold. Today, I had so much pain I was nauseous. Once, it was so bad I couldn't speak. Taking Effexor XR 150 mg qd. Setting up an appointment with a psychiatrist who specializes in transcranial magnetic therapy, ketamine, and other advanced therapies to get off this stuff. Female, age 55, on Effexor 1.5 years for depression, social anxiety."

• 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."

• Vik...
• June 26, 2010

For Depression "I was prescribed Effexor XR about 2 years after my mom passed away, and it was like the miracle drug for me. Then, about 9 months ago, I received the generic substitute for Effexor (Venlafaxine), and I had this debilitating nausea and threw up every single time I took it. Feeling this daily wiped me out, and it caused problems for me at both of my jobs. I am highly upset about this change and want my Effexor back. I hear that I am not the only one this generic 'substitute' has affected this way."

• 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."

• Suz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 12, 2019

For Anxiety "My panic attacks started in 2012. I started taking Zoloft 50 mg, which was working well until 2018 when my panic attacks came back, and the worst was that my hands started shaking, which I think can be side effects of Zoloft. Since June 2018, my psychiatrist prescribed me Effexor XR. I started 37.5 mg for 1 week and then 75 mg and increased it to 112.5 mg since August 2018. I am very happy, and I feel that it is working. Side effects were a little nausea (if I take it with food, it is much less), sometimes I have headaches, and in summer I was sweating a lot, and sometimes I feel tachycardia. I believe tolerating the side effects is much easier than having panic attacks. The only problem that I have is my hands are still shaking, especially when I am doing delicate things."

• 26 ...
• February 6, 2009

For Depression "I've been taking Effexor XR for 15 months for the treatment of depression. Initially, I wondered if there was a point and if it was making a difference. I was very skeptical when I ran out during a storm, didn't receive mail, and my mail service pharmacy prescription arrived late. I felt like my head was 'sloshing,' and I was very sick to my stomach. Missing a dose was awful. But about a year after I began taking it, I noticed that I was back in control of my life and I felt like me, but better than I remembered. My friends say they saw a difference much sooner. I don't know if the passage of time, monthly therapy, or the medicine is what helped me get over my depression. I'm giving credit to Effexor XR."

• Kam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2023

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was taking Lexapro for PTSD for 7 years for anxiety. This medication worked so well for me until one day it didn’t. I had a big surgery in 2022, and it was a few weeks after that, the anxiety and panic returned. I was freaking out all the time, racing heart, nausea, felt like passing out constantly, foggy brain, and I couldn’t drive or be by myself (all the symptoms I got 7 years ago, which was the reason I started Lexapro). I signed up to speak with a psychiatric NP, and she told me SSRIs are known to stop working, and she recommended I switch to Zoloft, which has more room to go up on the dose since I was already maxed at 20 mg on Lexapro. I stuck with Zoloft for 2 months, and it was not a good fit at all-my body hurt, I couldn’t focus, and I was still freaking out, so after 8 weeks, she recommended a SNRI and started me on Effexor. She started me on 37.5 mg, and now I'm on 75 mg. I'm not 100% but so much better. It’s been about 5 months, and I am hoping to continue to see positive changes."

• Jac...
• February 6, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I took Effexor for about 2 years for my panic disorder, and it was a huge mistake! Effexor caused me to have violent outbursts, which I never had before the medicine, increased anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. I thought I was doing good on the Effexor, but everyone around me saw a complete change in me, and it was bad. Almost 1 month ago, I was sick for 3 days and was unable to keep my Effexor down from being sick, so without knowing, withdrawal began, which included manic behavior, crying spells, nausea, brain zaps, and a suicide attempt that landed me in a mental hospital, and while there, detoxed from the Effexor and put on new medicine. I know Effexor has worked for a lot of people, but I wanted to share my story so people will research before starting."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I took Effexor XR 37.5 mg for 1 month against general anxiety and major depressive episode after big setbacks in business and job. The first week, I had to force myself to take it with daily telephone encouragement from the doctor (GP). Headaches, nausea, sweating, and anxiety about taking the new drug itself. After 3 weeks, I did feel a bit better but had strong headaches and felt very tired still all day. I decided to reduce and phase it out over 2 weeks by taking out the little balls from the pill. To my surprise, this was much easier to stop than Paxil, which I had discontinued for 8 months (after long-term use). Now, without Effexor since 4 weeks; no more headaches or anxiety, feel more alive and productive without these 'numbing' drugs."

• 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."

• Fee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2019

For Depression "I was put on Effexor XR for depression after the other medication was not available. It was awful from the get-go. My sense of smell was heightened, I had severe nausea, hot flushes were terrible (worse than menopause), felt dizzy all the time, and my mouth tasted awful, and no matter what I did, it never changed. I have now been off it for over 6 weeks and back on my normal medication, but the feeling of nausea, dizziness, and the taste and feeling in my mouth is still horrible, and the hot flushes are out of control. I spoke to my Dr, and she looked at me as though I was crazy and ignored my questions. I honestly wish I had never taken the stupid things, they have ruined my life."

• 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."