Effexor XR User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2020

For Depression "I have only been taking Effexor for a little over 2 months and noticed that if I was even an hour late taking my daily dose, I’d feel nauseous and anxious. I also began to notice that I was feeling nauseous anytime I didn’t have a full stomach, so weight gain was inevitable. I decided this drug was making my physical symptoms seriously distressing enough to outweigh any good it may be doing. I was shocked at how awful the withdrawal symptoms have been, even though I was only on it for two months at a dose of 75mg. I’ve been experiencing nausea and 'brain zaps' for two weeks now. My GP put me on Effexor, but after meeting a psychiatrist at a dinner function and casually asking her thoughts on Effexor, she said she doesn’t prescribe it, its withdrawal is so awful. I’m glad I’m getting off it, but alarmed at how nasty the withdrawal is. Can't imagine how bad withdrawal would be for those at a higher dosage and for much longer than my 2 months."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 3, 2019

For Anxiety "Effexor has been great. I had been on 25-50 mg of Zoloft for panic attacks and high anxiety, and it had worked for a few years. However, after I went off for 4 months and started experiencing them again, I encountered the worst morning panic with nausea, vomiting, and IBS for three months. I didn't want to switch, but it was getting so bad that I would have anxiety for most of the workday and was afraid I might have to miss work. It was fortunate that my cubicle was right next to the bathroom during that time! Finally, I told my PCP I was ready to try something else, and she prescribed Effexor XR. She advised me to stop the Zoloft and start 37.5 mg of XR venlafaxine. It was like night and day. I no longer experienced panic attacks, morning nausea, vomiting, anxiety, or IBS. It's been over a year, and I still like it. Initially, I took it in the morning, but gradually switched to taking it at night because I sleep better that way."

• Fit...
• April 16, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "At first, I read all the reviews, positive and negative, and was like, oh hell no! I would leave work early, wouldn't want to leave the house, or even go to the store. So, my doctor started me on 37.5 mg XR a few months ago. The only side effect was feeling sick to my stomach, but that went away after a while. I know people are different, but WOW, has it changed my life and thinking. I felt like the old me again, not worrying like a nervous Nelly about things, not in my head thinking about the what-ifs, stayed at work, and went to stores, and people around me noticed the change in me. I was more upbeat and less nervous. Today, I started the 75mg XR because my doctor said let's make you feel even better. Hopefully, this works, if not, I'll just go back down to 37.5mg."

• sar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 22, 2019

For Anxiety "I came to be on this drug in January 2018. I suffered from panic attacks and GAD. I felt horrible. I lost all my motivation, and I was scared of being crazy. I started with Effexor XR 37.5 mg for a week. Then I switched to 75 mg XR. The first month was the worst. Dizziness, akathisia, more panic attacks, sleepiness, my nerves were cracking. After 3 weeks, all the side effects were gone, and I started to feel better. Every day a little better. Now I am a new person! My husband is happier than me! Psychotherapy improved the effect of the drug. I really suggest complementing the drug treatment with psychotherapy. What I suggest is to resist quitting in the first month... it's always darkest before the dawn!"

• car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2016

For Anxiety "In my 25 years of being put on various medications, this is, by far, the best. I suffered from anxiety and PTSD, which of course, would lead to depression. I'd contend with crying spells and outbursts of anger. The first few days of taking 75 mg/day, I did have some side effects (such as racing thoughts, sleeplessness, etc.), but my body adjusted quickly. I now wake up every day feeling more hopeful, and with ZERO crying spells. I am still ME, and never feel like a zombie. I am still aware of my surroundings and what annoys me, yes, but my RECOVERY from processing those things is much faster, and I bounce right back. In other words, my perspective of things is normalized, and my days aren't ruined. Wonderful stuff!"

• Jen...
• September 29, 2016

For Anxiety "I wanted to leave my experience on here because this drug has changed my life!! I read all the bad experiences people have had and was worried this would happen to me too. Back in December 2016 for some reason I just lost it. Heart racing constant (although most of my life I have had heart racing at times due to anxiety), panicking over nothing, crying, depressed, lost interest in hanging out with my friends, wanted to just lay in bed all day, expecting the worst to happen, scared to drive anywhere past my town, dreading my husband coming home from work, etc. No logical reason for any of this. My doctor started me out on Zoloft and it helped a little at first. The side effects for Zoloft were awful for me the first week. 7 months in my doctor had me on 100 mg and at that point it felt like it wasn't working at all anymore. In August, he switched me to Effexor (generic). The only side effect was an occasional dizzy feeling a couple of times the first few days. I literally felt a change by the 2nd day. My heart started beating normally, I was happy, had lots of energy, and could drive everywhere!!! The best part, other than my heart not racing, is wanting to hang out with friends again and talking to complete strangers without sweating and panicking thinking they are judging me!! I did have to raise my dosage to 150 mg because 75 mg was only working half the day. I do hear when you do want to come off of these it is not fun, but at this point I hope I never have to."

• Sal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This drug, Effexor XR, saved my life. I had previously been on Effexor 75 mg for 30 years and thought I would try something else for OCD. Bad mistake. Other medications made me really anxious, depressed, and suicidal. I couldn’t sleep and had lost 20 kg. The doctor put me back on Effexor 150 mg, and within weeks, I was a different person. Back to my usual happy self and busy social life. Anxiety was way down. It saved my life. The only side effect is night sweats, but I can deal with that, I'm just happy to be me again."

• Blo...
• August 13, 2014

For Anxiety "Started taking Venlafaxine ER a year ago for anxiety. Started at 75mg daily and am currently on 150mg per day, and have been for about 8 months. It has helped a ton with the anxiety! While I am not completely clear from anxiety, it is much better to handle. I did not gain any weight whatsoever. I do notice that if I forget to take it, I feel a bit nauseous and lightheaded, so I have set an alarm on my phone. I take both 75mg pills at one time so that it's done for the day. All in all, I would recommend!"

• Cha...
• December 22, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I am a chemist and worked at a Pharma company when my panic attacks got really bad. My doctor put me on Effexor. The 75mg dose was way too much and I ended up in the ER. I decided to open the capsule and count the pellets. 1 pellet was about 1 mg. I was so desperate to get better (I had tried Xanax, Lexapro, and 1 other SSRI and I had severe reactions to them). I started taking 10 pellets a day and noticed an improvement immediately. I did have a headache in the back of my head at times and also had vivid dreams, but it was working. I only needed 10 mg a day for about a year and weaned off very slowly. Eight years later I developed POTS, and my anxiety, brain fog, panic attacks were terrible. Again I got on 10 mg of Effexor and needed to work up to the 37.5 mg pill. I have no panic or anxiety and can drive on the freeways again. It took 2 years to work up to the 37.5 mg. If you start on a smaller dose, these meds should work."

• MrP...
• August 16, 2015

For Anxiety "I tried Paroxetine, Prozac, and Celexa and had no positive results. So, my doctor advised I try Effexor XR, given it is an SNRI or a different class of drug. Almost immediately (less than 1 week), I felt a positive mood change, my social anxiety and mild stuttering seemed to dissipate, and I felt balanced. I have been taking Effexor XR for almost a month now, and my anxiety has dropped right off that I feel like my normal self again. I am a lot more social, and I hardly stutter. I also think more logically. The only downsides are that I sleep more, find it harder to get up in the mornings for work, and have noticed fluid retention around my abdomen. I do not mind these small side effects because this drug has really helped me get my life together. :)"

• Den...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 30, 2012

For Hot Flashes "I was put on Effexor 37.5 for hot flashes. I had uterine cancer and went into very fast menopause. After trying to live with the hot flashes for about 6 months, I asked for help. Effexor has been wonderful. I am now able to sleep through the night. I really only have a hot flash when I forget to take my medicine."

• ang...
• February 4, 2012

For Hot Flashes "Effexor XR works great for hot flashes, not to mention it elevates your mood as a bonus. I do recommend the extended release as the side effects are fewer. I have no hot flashes now at all. I recommend it to anyone who does not want to take hormones."

• Sha...
• February 15, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started this drug in Jan 2018. I started on 37.5 and went up to 75mg after 3 weeks. I have a history of severe anxiety with panic. I can tell you this drug is the only thing I have taken that completely erases negative thoughts and any and all thoughts of panic. I was never really depressed, but I can tell it has lifted my mood as well. I have tried every SSRI under the sun and Effexor is the only thing that worked for the anxiety AND panic. I encourage you to at least try it, if I made decisions based on the reviews I have read from this drug I would have never tried it. We are all different and react differently to each drug. I viewed the med as a nothing to lose situation so I gave it a shot and it worked for me."

• Wha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 27, 2016

For Anxiety "I've suffered from severe panic disorder since I was 10. I am 45 now. I was on 200mg of Zoloft for 18 years. It took away my anxiety, but also took away any motivation. I was a zombie for all of those years and slept all the time. My new Dr. suggested switching to Effexor. I was afraid that it wouldn't work and my panic would come back. I was so wrong. After a week on 37.5 mg, my energy was back and anxiety still gone. I'm on 75mg. I can't believe I stayed on Zoloft so long! I can think and do things again! I don't sleep all the time. Everyone reacts differently. If this med doesn't work for you, I'm sure there is one that will. Wish I would've switched sooner. No side effects at all!"

• ind...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 6, 2018

For Anxiety "I am a long-time generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic sufferer. I went on Effexor XR since Celexa stopped working for me. I love it. I feel better, I feel more motivated. I've lost 25 lbs because I am now out walking and just living my life with no worry or anxiety anymore. I still have a little, but nothing like it was. My husband says I am so different for the better. We are so happy since I took it. My husband jokingly says 'thank you Effexor.' I have to agree. It works for me."

• Bon...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 23, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was prescribed Effexor XR 75 mg to start off with in 1992. Twenty-four hours into it, I quickly noticed I was more focused. Two weeks into it, I stopped having mood swings and any feelings of depression. One month into it, my wife said I appeared to be less irritable and able to reason much better. About two years into it, I spoke with my doctor about increasing the dosage. I went to 150 mg. I am now taking 225 mg. My only regret is that it is addicting! Miss a dose, and you will feel so bad! However, looking back, I made the right decision and do not regret it."

• Unc...
• September 24, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was prescribed Effexor 37.5 mg for GAD and depression. I also have OCD. Side effects were as follows: 1st day: fuzzy, lethargic, unable to focus, stomach issues. 2nd day: same as the first day with loss of appetite. 3rd day: same as the second day. 4th/5th day: same as previous days, except slightly raised anxiety and notably raised depression. 6th day: felt better, slept better, appetite still down. 7th day: noticeably less anxiety and depression, no libido, which in my case is good because I have a tendency to have lots of unprotected sex with random women. 8th day: appetite is still not right, but I feel better than I did before I took the meds, and definitely better than I did in the first 5 days of taking it. For some, it takes longer, but if you are a person with bad anxiety, any physical ailments seem worse than they really are. I'd say the first 7 days on 37.5 mg are tough, but it eventually got better. By day 9, I am feeling okay, no anxiety, and more of a baselined depression."

• Gol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2017

For Depression "I'm a middle-aged professional that's dealt with depression and anxiety since my teen years. I've tried many different types of medications that target anxiety and depression, albeit with mixed results. My depression, stress, and anxiety levels had gotten worse within the last year (haven't been on any medications for over 10 years), so I went to see my doctor. I've been taking Effexor for about a month now and it's, by far, given me the most relief over any previous med. Stress levels have gone way down as I no longer tend to ruminate on things out of my control. It's much easier to drop the negative thinking and move on to something else. Anxiety and depression have also been greatly reduced. No major side effects for me (at 37.5)"

• Tra...
• December 11, 2015

For Anxiety "I'm a 26-year-old African American woman, and I'm so glad that I found Effexor (Venlafaxine, for me) because it has really helped me manage my anxiety and depression. It's not common to talk about medication in the Black community, so if you're reading this and think that the drug might help you - just give it a try! My therapist said that Effexor really tends to help young women. I have been on the drug for 16 months and went from 75 mg to 150mg. I just checked in with my prescribing psychiatrist today, and I figured I would take some time to write reviews for people who haven't made the jump to medication. I also use Beating the Blues CBT online tool - it's free at my job! The combination, plus eating healthy and working out, works!"

• GAD...
• March 22, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I’m a 32 y/o female with GAD diagnosed 2 yr ago & ADHD. My doc felt it was more important to treat my severe GAD before ADHD. After trying Zoloft for 6 months, I stopped it. NO libido. Lexapro, same thing!! Plus I was super tired. First two days on Effexor XR were amazing. (Placebo effect?) Then days 3-10 were filled with a little more anxiety than normal. Had vivid weird dreams, would wake up once in the middle of the night to pee then it would be harder than normal to fall asleep. Also, jaw popping like I was grinding the heck out of my teeth for a few nights. Day 11-now, it's wonderful. I don't feel panic attacks or anxiety anymore. I feel normal and relaxed. No more headaches, muscle tension, or sleeping problems. I'm not short-tempered with my kids. I don't worry as much! I'm just chill. Oh, and I can still pour some tears watching my chick flicks. With the sex side effect 'O'... I can still do it, just takes a tad longer. I can live with that!! I can also drink beer with this."

• Ric...
• December 15, 2016

For Anxiety "I have had terrible anxiety-driven depression my entire life. Effexor is an amazing medication. I waited until I was in my late 30s to do something about my anxiety/depression because of the stigma and fear of taking anything that might make me go crazy (the anxiety talking). I was a fool to wait so long. None of my fears materialized. As soon as I started the medication, I began to feel better and better. I was also prescribed Klonopin to act as a bridge to get through the anxiety until everything began to work and fall into place. Do not wait hoping things will pass! I was convinced I was the worst-case scenario, and I got better. Just do it and get treated."

• Mel...
• August 9, 2015

For Anxiety "I was on this medication for 2 years and I felt great. No anxiety. I weaned off over 3 months and have totally been off for 3 months. All my issues came back. Just started back today, fingers crossed it works again. I should have never stopped taking. It was a life changer."

• jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2012

For Anxiety "I am 18 years old and started Effexor 3 months ago for anxiety. It has given me my life back. I used to have a hard time even leaving the house, now I enjoy life. I haven't been this happy in a long time. I don't think I would ever quit taking it. The first week, I had the shakes, felt nausea, had headaches, and had no appetite. The side effects went away and now I don't have any at all. I am so grateful, it's changed my life for the better."

• EIR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2019

For Anxiety "I have been on Effexor XR 75mg for the past 4 months now for social anxiety/GAD. A sense of calm and relaxation has come over me. I have days where nothing seems to faze me and I couldn't care less attitude. For me, this is a good thing as I used to worry constantly about small, stupid things. I think this is called 'emotional blunting'. I also seem to look people in the eye and maybe give them a smile. This drug takes a while to kick in so I would suggest maybe sticking with it. I also take Mirtazapine 15mg at night."

• 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."