Effexor User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 9, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on antidepressants for 16 years. From Celexa, to Prozac, to Paxil with none ever truly taking away my depression and anxiety. I suffer from major depressive disorder, PTSD, anxiety and I'm bipolar as well. Since starting Effexor, my life has dramatically changed for the better. I'm honestly the happiest and calmest I've been since the age of 15. I started with 37.5mg 2x daily and I'm now up to max dosage. I've zero side effects and can function fully without benzodiazepines for my anxiety thanks to this medication. I HIGHLY recommend giving it a try, especially if no other antidepressants have truly made you feel 100%. It's possible to beat depression with the right medication, just keep on trying and hang in there!"

• Law...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2014

For Depression "I am a physically healthy (runner) 25-year-old male. I have never been mentally healthy, so I have tried antidepressants. I tried Prozac and Wellbutrin. Prozac didn't help or hurt, but it gave me dangerous mood swings. I was prescribed Effexor 2.5 months ago. It seemed like a perfect fit for me. I was wrong. I was on 75 mg each day. It actually made me sadder. I had no weight or sexual side effects but had vertigo. The worst was CRIPPLING insomnia while taking it, and now I am close to 0 mg, but I still get night sweats and 'brain zaps'. As I write this, I've had 13 hours of sleep in the past 5 days."

• Anonymous
• December 1, 2010

For Autism "This is a great medicine for those it helps. It really changed my life around. It has helped me so much to be more comfortable with having Asperger's Syndrome and to deal with all the associated issues (OCD, depression, etc). It's literally saved my life. I do recommend trying this medicine as if it works for you, it's worth trying."

• Gc6...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2014

For Depression "I started this medication about 4 months ago after being on Prozac for 5 months. Antidepressants react differently for everyone, and I am happy to say I have had a very good experience with this medication thus far. I have much more energy, will to live, and my anxiety has also decreased immensely. I have not experienced any side effects with this, however, I strongly recommend staying away from alcohol. After a night of drinking, I would fall into a depressive state or have a panic attack. This never happened to me before taking this medication."

• Anonymous
• September 28, 2011

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was walking the streets at night before I started Effexor. Diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Been on it for over 10 years. Once in a while, I try to wean myself off and I start to have those terrible feelings again. I will stay on it the rest of my life. I can live normally."

• Mik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 10, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I'm currently on venlafaxine, 300mg/day, and have been on it for 6 months now. This stuff works beautifully for me. I had/have MDD, GAD, SAD, and took Paxil for 10 years, which worked quite well until 8 months ago. I was scared of switching because of the fact that not all antidepressants work for everyone, and I was terrified of fully reverting back to my suicidal, petrified old self. My psychiatrist was able to convince me after a couple of months to go for it. On the venlafaxine, I feel calm, happy, able to concentrate, mildly euphoric, and better than I did in my early days of taking Paxil. This stuff is hit or miss for different people, but don't be scared to try it if you haven't. And give it time to work."

• Sun...
• August 25, 2011

For Depression "I've struggled with depression since I was a teenager (and attempted suicide then). In college, I started having panic attacks. A few years later, I was put on this new medicine called Effexor (after getting no relief from Paxil nor Zoloft) and for the first time in my life, I felt relatively normal! I've been on Effexor - 150 mg/day for 20 years now, and it has REALLY helped me to function at a high level. I have gone off it several times - VERY slowly, but each time, a few months after being completely off, BANG - unbelievable depression, and I'd go back on. I'm at peace knowing I'll most likely be on it for the rest of my life. Helps with depression AND anxiety. No problems drinking while taking it, had three healthy kids while on it."

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "Effexor has saved my life. I had depression and anxiety so bad, I couldn't function and was suicidal. Couldn't leave my house, I wouldn't leave my bedroom or eat for days at a time. Since taking Effexor, I can't believe how much better I feel. I feel 100%, doing the things that I should be doing, just like everyone else."

• kam...
• August 8, 2009

For Depression "I gave this a high score because I got lucky. I went for years struggling with depression, weary of Big Pharma, self-medicating. Finally, a friend took me to a doctor. The first drug she prescribed was Effexor. I was prescribed the 75mg capsules. I found it to be too much for me, so I take one every other day. The only side effects I feel are from withdrawals if I skip a few days, and 'ditziness' if you will. Other than that, managing my depression has changed my life. My weight has even dropped because I used to self-medicate with food. I do recommend taking only the lowest dose possible for your symptoms. I am not a big fan of prescription drugs, but this was a lifesaver for me."

• Blu...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 1, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "Having suffered from chronic low mood for years, I was prescribed Venlafaxine (Effexor) by a psychiatrist in the UK. Initially 225 mg, but didn't find that much of a change. Then on 300 mg, I suddenly felt better. That was over 10 years ago. I am now 45 years old and have had no further periods of depression since and have continued taking it. That is despite being almost permanently depressed before taking it. Yes, I have low moods now occasionally, but they are due to situational stress and a normal reaction to rubbish things happening. And I have not suffered from any major side effects, certainly nothing that would stop me from taking it. Night sweats are probably the worst. And I do suffer from withdrawals if I forget to take the medication for 24 hrs. Overall, a very positive and life-changing drug. Btw, I also have done CBT and self-help alongside taking medication, which has helped, but the drug definitely made the main difference."

• And...
• March 13, 2012

For Depression "I have been on Effexor for 15 years, 150mg per day, except for a 1-year period ending about 6 months ago. It is very effective for me. It made me tired when I first started it, but it was worth sticking through that. For my time not taking it, I was on Zoloft which didn't work as well. Effexor has kept me from depression, but it does other things for me. First, it reduces my inattentiveness to near nothing. Therefore, I am very productive at whatever I do. Second, it greatly reduces anxiety. Stress does not cripple me any longer while on this medication. Going off the medication has a weird withdrawal symptom that isn't painful, it's just odd. Do not go off the medication without a doctor assisting."

• Anonymous
• September 22, 2008

For Depression "I was on Effexor XR for 8 years and I recently went off. I gave the drug 8 out of 10 because overall my anxiety and depression were greatly improved. I didn't have any sexual side effects and only felt dizzy when I did not take the medication at exactly the same time every night. I did lose a lot of my energy and was prescribed Wellbutrin to help out with that. However, the withdrawal, as others have mentioned, is terrible. My doctor prescribed a low dose of Prozac (20mg) to ease the withdrawal, and it really helped. If you are going off Effexor, do it with Prozac. I tried without it twice before, and it was such a horrible experience that I went right back on."

• fee...
• September 1, 2010

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been taking Effexor for about 20 months and it's my MIRACLE! I'm 34 and began taking medicines since I was 18. I tried Paxil, Zoloft, Buspar, Wellbutrin, and finally Effexor. I am so genuinely happy and jubilant, I just can't believe it. I'm sure part of it is maturity, life experience, and such but WOW. I plan to continue taking it forever as my anxiety is not situational in some cases. I have a chemical imbalance that will require medicine forever so this is the one! I've never been happier!"

• Aym...
• May 13, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "I give this a 7 because it does work. BUT be very cautious of the side effects. I was on it for 2 years, first started on the regular dose, then switched to extended release as the medicine would 'wear off' throughout the day. While it helped tremendously with my depression and anxiety (it was almost non-existent) the side effects alone were debilitating. I gained 20 pounds, would fall asleep midday (we're talking I had to pry my eyes open to keep from passing out in the middle of a conversation), I was tired ALL DAY. I sweat PROFUSELY and the dizziness I experienced from missing a dose by only a few minutes, plus the heart palpitations were enough for me to stop."

• Gin...
• October 20, 2013

For Depression "I have been on Venlafaxine XR for 8 years (first Effexor XR then generic without problems). Started at 150, then plateaued after about a year, went up to 225 and plateaued again. I have been on 300mg dose for over 5 years. I like this prescription a lot. I haven't tried other antidepressants, I was started on this because it worked for other family members. I know it's a high dose and some people are shocked, but I find this offensive and more or less stigma about mental illness and meds. I started Adderall about 4 years ago and that combination has been incredible for my depression (and ADHD). My sex drive recovered 3 months into VFX. The only complaint is when I miss a dose, in which case I have a lot of complaints: migraines, dizzy, tremor, hypersomnia"

• her...
• September 8, 2007

For Depression "My girlfriend has been on Effexor XR for almost seven years now. We just found out two weeks ago she is pregnant. The doctor told her to lower doses from the 300mg she has been on to 150mg, then three days later drop to 75mg, then three days to 37.5mg, then you're done. The doctor said that there might not even be any withdrawals if it is done this way. I wouldn't wish these bad withdrawals on anyone."

• Hap...
• February 25, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I switched to Effexor after taking Prozac for years, and it just didn't seem to be working for me anymore. I'm so glad my doctor suggested I switch to Effexor. I've been taking it for about 2 years, and it seems to be working great for me. I very rarely have a down day. You must take it as directed and not miss dosages. I can't miss more than 1 day's dosage, or I will get nauseous and dizzy."

• The...
• October 23, 2014

For Depression "I started this medicine in nursing school. Very much so needed. I started seeing myself with less worry, and a more 'whatever' type of mentality. I figured that worked for me. However, my biggest problem has been the weight gain. Before I knew it, I gained at least 25 lbs. I'm a very active person and I watch what I eat, especially since I am a cardiac nurse. Also, make sure you NEVER miss a day of the medication. My side effects would be vertigo and shooting nerve pains in my head. I just upped my dosage to 150mg hoping it will increase my energy and help with weight loss. I was really bad off emotionally before, so besides everything above, I have my life back."

• Aus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 10, 2016

For Depression "Awesome! Changed my life for the better completely. Side effects are minimal, but my mood has stabilized like never before. I wish I was medically compliant earlier. This stuff has changed my life for the better!"

• Alm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I am on 150 mg daily of Effexor and have no apparent side effects. Started on 37.5 mg, then went to 75 mg, then 150 mg without major complications. My depression has decreased. I feel like a normal person again since I was having a really debilitating episode that didn't get better with other antidepressants. Currently, this is the only medication I am taking. I have been on it for two months, and it also eased a lot of my PMS symptoms, which used to get quite severe mood-wise. However, PMS/PDD wasn't what it was prescribed for and haven't heard anyone else's experiences regarding this issue."

• Ano...
• September 20, 2019

For Depression "I was on apparently the lowest dose of 37.5 mg for anxiety, and I had the worst experience of my life. I had severe gut pains every day and felt hypoglycemic all the time. I thought my liver was going to give out, it hurt so much. I was not myself. I was more anxious and depressed on the meds than I was off them. I couldn’t take it anymore and took myself off. Quitting cold turkey probably wasn't the best idea, but make sure you go to your doctor to get tapered off properly first to avoid major withdrawal symptoms. I do not recommend this medication, it’s not worth the risk."

• Sbr...
• November 7, 2013

For Depression "I have been on this med for only 4 days after being on multiple other meds for general anxiety disorder for several years now. And I can already feel the difference in myself. Not exactly where I want to be yet but definitely positive results so far. It does make my pupils seriously dilated and at night when it's dark my vision seems like I'm on a merry-go-round if I move my eyes too quickly. Other than that, I feel much better than just a few days ago! Hopefully, this med will work for me. I hate switching meds because of the time I have to wait to start a new one sends me in a downward spiral of panic attacks and irritability. So far, since being on Effexor XR, I've not had even one episode!! And I was having them every single day!"

• jdo...
• June 24, 2013

For Depression "Effexor might have saved my life because at the time I was given it, I had damn near given up hope. Paxil and Zoloft did nothing. Depakote attacked my liver. Lexapro made me numb. Then Effexor was given to me. Two weeks after taking it, I felt better. Four weeks later, I was back doing things again. Within a year, I had all my interests and hobbies back. Cons: 1. Withdrawal is terrible. When I miss a dose, I feel it. Neck pain. Headache. 2. I've found that I had to increase the dose after two years of usage. Seventy-five mg three times a day holds me. 3. Not really a con, but when more stress than usual, I relapse for a few days with depression, but it goes back to normal if you increase the dose for a while."

• ree...
• March 28, 2015

For Depression "Effexor helped me see the reality of my life when I couldn't. I took Zoloft for a while (up to 150 mg), and I felt more numb than 'happy'. When I switched to a family doctor from my psychiatrist, they recommended Effexor XR; I've been taking 75 mg a day for the past four months, and my life has done a complete 180. No depression, very little anxiety, and I finally have confidence. I have more friends now than I ever did, a wonderful new relationship that I could never have foreseen myself happening, and I'm performing really well academically. The best decision of my life was taking Effexor-I can immediately see a difference in my thought processes when I forget to take it for two days at a time."

• kns...
• February 9, 2010

For Anxiety and Stress "This drug worked within a few weeks to alleviate panic attacks, stress, and anxiety. I still get stress and anxiety but not about everything like before. The overwhelming stress and anxiety I had before taking the drug caused me to be depressed as well... crying a lot, etc. It helped with that too. I am able to cope better and don't emotionally eat causing me to lose 25 lbs pretty quickly. I have been on 75 mg for almost 2 years now and don't plan on going off it anytime soon. The only thing that is a little scary is when I miss a dose, there are almost immediate side effects. I get cranky and get weird electric-like zaps in my head (hard to explain until you experience them)."