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

• Tru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and adjustment disorder, which mimic major depression. I was also diagnosed with glaucoma, which interacts with antidepressants because these medications can raise eye pressure, so my G.P. tried me on Effexor just through desperation due to my suicidal tendencies/thoughts. I didn't think it was humanly possible to feel worse than I could, but Effexor certainly did that. This is the worst of all the antidepressants, it's like hippie crack and angel dust combined. Within 3 hours, I was on the toilet, then constantly sweating, actually dripping in sweat, then the monster panic attacks and brain zaps kicked in. The first three days, I didn't eat a single thing, by day 7, I was wanting to get sectioned. I wasn't going to mess around tapering off this crazy juice, I came off it straight away on the 8th morning and was severely ill. The withdrawals are astonishing, it's not even possible to compare them with anything. I am not anti-antidepressants."

• Anonymous
• March 24, 2011

For Anxiety "I have been on Effexor XR 75 mg for almost 4 years now. It really has been the best thing for me. I tried almost everything, and this has definitely been the best. On the downside, if you begin taking Effexor, just plan on taking it the rest of your life. Doctors fail to tell you about the withdrawals and horrible discontinuation syndrome. I am pregnant now and having an extremely hard time getting off."

• Tbh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 12, 2019

For Anxiety "I took it for a few weeks and couldn’t come off, possibly the first time in my life I’d experienced real panic. You need to be aware that you may well be on this drug for the rest of your life, it is so incredibly addictive. Withdrawal is the worst."

• Ali...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 3, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been on Effexor XR for 6 years. I started it after a severe episode of rumination and anxiety. Began to help in some ways almost immediately. Slowly, I've tapered my dose down from 150 mg to just 37.5 mg (gone up and down some in between through the years). This small amount still makes a significant difference in my anxiety and has caused a big improvement in my overall outlook on life. It is an extremely difficult drug to taper off of. As someone who works in medicine, I wish they would educate healthcare professionals about how crazy the withdrawal can be from drugs like this."

• Pol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 25, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been taking venlafaxine 150 mg XR for nearly 3 years, along with an antipsychotic to treat bipolar 2. Having tried all kinds of antidepressants, this is the one that's worked for me. The downside is the withdrawal symptoms should you miss a dose, but these go away as soon as you take it again. Dizzy spells/feeling drunk is the only way I can describe them. It has a short half-life of 7 hrs, which indicates that they have these symptoms. I've had no side effects and would recommend venlafaxine over other antidepressants, including citalopram and mirtazapine."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 21, 2018

For Depression "Yeah, Effexor is all great and all until you want to come off of it. Then the withdrawals literally feel like you’re dying. I have been slowly coming off of it for a couple of months, and every day is a struggle because the withdrawals are so severe. This shocked me because I was only on this stuff for like 8 months. If you go on it, just expect to stay on it for life because getting off of it is pure torture!!!"

• sug...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 30, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "At first, I was on the fence about starting this drug after reading the reviews, but I started it anyway. Biggest mistake ever! Brain zaps, nausea, feeling of floating, tremors, shakiness, agitation, mood changes, and I feel like I’m losing my mind! I’ve been trying to get off this drug for 4 months, and I can’t because of the awful withdrawal symptoms. I remember reading that I will probably have to open the capsule and taper down on the little beads inside to wean off this awfulness. Totally not worth the trouble, and I can’t wait to feel normal again! Please take this post as a sign and don’t start this medicine!"

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 22, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "The best ad for my depression. Only thing was that it made me a little bit numb, and I didn’t have many emotions. But otherwise, my suicidal thoughts were gone. Also helped a lot with my insomnia, although I had strange dreams quite often. Have tried taking other antidepressants, I think I have tried every SSRI and SNRI, but Effexor was the only one that didn't give me intolerable side effects. I CANNOT tolerate any other medication. Didn’t work well with my social anxiety and GAD, but helped a lot with my depression. The withdrawal was so bad, though, I struggled for almost a year to get off of this medication, and now I have to get back on it."

• cd8...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 12, 2016

For Depression "Horrific side effects and incredibly difficult to wean off of as well because of the withdrawal symptoms. When I first started taking it, I felt some relief, but it didn't last very long. I'd taken Lexapro and Zoloft in the past and felt that, over time, they were no longer helpful in treating my depression, which is why my doctor put me on Effexor. It took me a while to realize this medication was worsening my depression symptoms, and I didn't realize it until after a botched suicide attempt. I don't recommend this medication to anyone for any reason. Worst of the worst as far as I'm concerned. It'll trick your brain for a little while into thinking you're improving, but the depression and anxiety will come back and hit you ten times worse!"

• Duh...
• October 16, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I took 200 mg of amitriptyline for 40 years for clinical depression. I decided to find a safer medication with fewer side effects. I started Effexor and was weaned off amitriptyline at the same time. Within 2 days, my depression lifted, repetitive/unwanted thoughts discontinued. Down to 50 mg of amitriptyline and at 75 mg of Effexor. It's working amazingly well and amitriptyline withdrawal is minimal."

• wan...
• September 6, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been taking Effexor XR 37.5 mg for 8 days, and the worse side effects are horrible fatigue and sweats. The first day I was light-headed, but that went away. I skipped today to see if I got withdrawal symptoms, and I did. Tomorrow I will go back on it. If the chronic fatigue continues, I will have to figure out which med to try next. For my depression to subside, I would probably need a higher dosage, but I don't think I could handle the side effects. I know for some people it works well at 150 mg, but I could never tolerate that dose."

• Sid...
• February 19, 2021

For Depression "I took this years ago and checked my journal when a friend mentioned she was starting it and that she was feeling dizzy, to see if this was the one that gave me withdrawals. It was. When I decided to stop taking it, it was a nightmare. The brain zaps were unexpected and scary. I felt so sick. After my doctor at the time told me there was no withdrawal and to just take more instead of less. I was done and decided to find a way to get it out of my system. I had to go to two more new doctors before I found one who believed me and was willing to help me get off of it. The way we did it was switching to Prozac and tapering off of that because it has a much longer half-life. It was still bad but not as horrible as coming off Effexor. I feel like it took a couple of years after getting off of antidepressants before I started feeling somewhat normal after being on different ones for over 10 years. Stay away."

• emb...
• November 14, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Effexor XR for almost a decade. The withdrawal symptoms have prevented me from stopping it. Every attempt in the past to change/stop the medicine has landed me in the hospital. I am now taking the generic due to the cost, I can't see any difference. I consider it my happy pill and have to take it every day, or I experience uncomfortable side effects."

• Ann...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 25, 2018

For Depression "I had tried just about every SSRI known to man (and women), and also several mood stabilizers, but they offered very little relief, and it was often fleeting. After the birth of my daughter, I was agoraphobic and suicidal. My psychiatrist put me on Effexor XR and Remeron. I am on a 300 mg dose and haven't had a major depressive episode in 4 years. The withdrawal effects are terrible but only if I forget to take it. It also helps with my fibromyalgia pain and narcolepsy symptoms."

• sou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 8, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "This medication has saved my life. I’ve been on it for a few years, and I think maybe it might have a slight effect on my immediate short-term memory, but that also just might be me normally, lol. I could not function without Effexor medication, not only has it saved my life, it has given me a life. I am 26, and in the past few years, I’ve become more social and tolerable to be around. I am so thankful I stuck with it. If I miss a dose, I get a wicked headache and the depression and panic ensue so intensely, but I rarely miss a dose. If you cut yourself off of it, you will withdrawal, and it is painful. Only downfalls. I am so happy to feel normal!"

• tes...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 14, 2022

For Depression "I have been taking Effexor for over 10 years, and it has helped me a lot with my depression. I tried almost all antidepressants that exist, and Effexor was the only one that really helped me. When I started, I almost immediately felt the effect of increased motivation and improved mood. It also helped with my anxiety, especially because I procrastinate a lot less. On the flip side, I feel like the effectiveness of the medication somewhat decreased over the years. But most importantly, there are the terrible withdrawal effects that start only a few hours after forgetting to take it. Plus, now that I want to start a family, I was told that I need to get off of it because it could harm my baby. Which is a problem because even though I only take out one granule from the capsule every day, I still feel extremely tired and sad on bad days. I was also extremely nauseous at some point. I have to taper down even slower now. I still would recommend Effexor because it is the only medication that has helped."

• Pir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2016

For Depression "My experience with Effexor was abnormal but still scary. My psychiatrist prescribed me 37.5 mg of Effexor XR. After a few days of taking it, I had a decrease in appetite, nausea, upset stomach, and some dizziness, but I was told that was normal. However, after a week, I felt as though I had no more emotions. My memory became terrible and I felt emotionally dead inside. Some moments I couldn't get out of bed and others, I couldn't sit still. After two weeks, she increased my dose to 75 mg. Within two hours of taking that dose, I was rushed to the ER because of intense stomach upset, diarrhea, and dangerously low blood pressure whenever I stood or sat up. After the ER, I quit cold turkey and had withdrawal symptoms for only a week."

• pus...
• August 25, 2017

For Depression "I was on this medication for about a year and never felt like it ever did anything other than make me irritable and kill my sex drive. It was extremely hard to wean off the 75 mg dose, which is a comparatively low dose. All up, it took me about 6 months to come off it completely, and the withdrawal effects after missing a dose would begin within just a few hours (brain zaps, twitchy, etc.). What I'm amazed about is the fact that the doctor who put me on it initially didn't tell me any of the side effects and didn't warn me how hard it was to come off. I realize it probably works for some people, but as a dispensary tech, I see people coming in who are taking 300 mg of this stuff a day. I shudder to think how hard it will be for them to stop this drug."

• ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 24, 2021

For Anxiety "I have now been on Effexor XR since the beginning of summer. At first, the first 2 months it seemed to calm my anxiety, and I didn't panic as much, but that quickly subsided as quickly as it started, so I went up a dose (from 37.5-75 to 112.5 mg), and it had not changed anything. About 5 or 6 months in, I started noticing spikes in my panic attacks, anxiety, and depression, the depression being the worst. I also got prescribed Adderall, which I take 'as needed,' and it also helps with everything. The Effexor now, I can't tell if it does anything, as my anxiety and depression came back full force. Like it didn't do anything to begin with now, or at least barely. Also, I do see many things about withdrawals. Yeah, it's said you get them, but at least for me, it is super bearable, like not smoking for a day. That being said, it seems to me as useless sugar. I'm really hoping to soon find something that actually does something. These kinds of drugs are sugar pills to me or increase depression and anxiety and irrational thoughts."

• sub...
• April 25, 2011

For Depression "Effexor XR treated my depression very well. It relieved me of the despair that kept me from leading a productive life. On the other hand, I felt an inability to feel strong emotion of any kind. I didn't get excited by anything, I didn't laugh in funny movies or cry in sad movies. I felt generally good, but also felt that I was missing out on something. I quit Effexor cold turkey - NOT a good idea - and experienced terrible withdrawal symptoms. Don't expect to come off this medicine easily, though it is possible. As a side note, I experienced intensely vivid dreams while taking Effexor, dreams that made absolutely no sense. I gave up telling anyone about them because they thought I was lying."

• Ots...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 9, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and ASD. It didn't do anything for my anxiety, it did minimal for my depression, but it did drastically decrease my irritability, which is good. The reason I can only give Effexor XR a 1, though, is because of the horrible withdrawal symptoms I had coming off of it. And no, I was not abusing it, I was taking it as prescribed. I have been on other drugs, such as Adderall and Xanax, which are known to cause bad withdrawal symptoms, but neither of those drugs caused a withdrawal anywhere near as severe as Effexor XR did to me."

• Msm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 1, 2021

For Anxiety "I have been on this medication, 75 mg, for a year now. It was my lifesaver for my anxiety. I don’t have side effects, so I guess I got lucky. Although, I ran out one time and couldn’t get the prescription for 3 days. I went through horrible withdrawal. I actually thought I was just so aggravated. So please, if you don’t like this med, don’t quit cold turkey, the withdrawal is horrible."

• Kka...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 18, 2018

For Depression "This drug got me through an extreme time in my life. I was on it for over 2 years and wanted to wean down. The withdrawal was so terrible that I was ill. Light-headed, dizzy, nauseous, could not function. Just switched to Paxil, and I'm hopeful. I don't want to be forever medicated."