Effexor User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• My...
• August 23, 2015

For Depression "I just started about two weeks ago. I completely see a difference in myself for the better. My children are even noticing the difference in my reactions to basic things. I won't say I don't feel anything, but this is a period in my life... feeling nothing is what I need. I am able to react to situations with logic. Instead of being on the emotional roller coaster all the time! I was suicidal two weeks ago. I took my kids zip-lining yesterday. I needed this. I'll deal with the withdrawals later, this medication saved my life. I work out 4 days a week, so no energy loss. I don't feel a change in my appetite yet. I did have headaches yesterday briefly. Dreams... falling dream a few times. No weight gain so far. Sex. I don't have a desire yet."

• Tor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2017

For Depression "Stats: 26-year-old. Female. 110 lbs. Struggling with anxiety and panic attacks. I started Effexor 2 months ago when my panic attacks and anxiety got out of control, and I tried to overdose on pain medication. I am extremely against drugs, and it took a lot of convincing on my doctor's end to get me on them. I read reviews and got scared away. I wish I hadn't. I started off with a 37.5 dosage. My initial side effect was losing weight/my fever appetite. I'm a petite girl, but I love to eat. I supplemented this by drinking protein shakes and started working out. I am back to my normal weight now. A month later, I went up to 75 mg. Absolutely no side effects. Anxiety is much better, and no more panic attacks. Also, my sex life wasn't affected at all."

• Ace...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 19, 2019

"This drug literally gave me my life back. I was at the lowest point ever. I barely made it to work, the thoughts of everyday activities, such as showering and cooking, made me extremely anxious. I was sick to my stomach most days and was unable to sleep well due to waking up through the night with my heart racing in a full-blown panic attack. Currently taking 150 mg daily, and my energy level is back to normal, and I am able to function as a normal human being. So thankful!"

• j1a...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2014

For Depression "Celexa stopped working, and I was put on Effexor. My panic attacks are worse than they have ever been, my depression is totally off the charts, and I physically shake all the time. The irritability is by far the worst part for me. I'm forever angry now on this medication. My friends and family have noticed a big difference in my personality. I'm definitely getting off this medication!"

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2012

For Depression "I was on Effexor for a few months only and found it to be not particularly helpful. I had weight gain, extreme tiredness during the day and feeling 'blah'. I decided to go off them, and it took me longer to get off them than I had been taking them. The withdrawal was terrible. I had head spins that would last all day, couldn't focus, extreme dizziness if I turned too quickly, etc."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 6, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "Effexor ruined my life. I had no mood problems before starting. I had stress over hard life circumstances. I started Effexor and was explicitly told there were no side effects or withdrawals. During the use of Effexor, without noticing, I lost myself. I was numb to huge things, like the death of a loved one. I made very out-of-character decisions. I chose a partner that did not fit me. Feelings of connection to self, others, God, nature, and music were gone. When I quit... horror continued. I had horrid physical and psychological withdrawals. My mood was all over the place, from horrid depression to weird euphoria. I did not suffer that ever before. I had grueling anxiety. And I even became psychotic and had to be hospitalized. I never recovered. Effexor changed me from a bright and positive person, full of life, to a depressed, anxious, and chaotic hermit. I wish to die every day since I used this. Avoid this. Psychiatric meds ruin lives."

• Anonymous
• November 7, 2011

For Depression "I'm a 24-year-old female with major depression and anxiety. I've been on nearly every antidepressant I can think of (Prozac, Cymbalta, Abilify, Lexapro... and even a few others) and Effexor has been the only one thus far to be effective. The others either made me an emotionless zombie or didn't do anything at all. The only side effects I've had were a bit of shakiness for the first week I started taking it, along with some dry mouth. These only lasted a week while my body got used to the medicine. I've had no changes in weight or appetite, which I know is a common concern with this class of drugs. If you've been through the ringer trying to find an antidepressant, I would recommend this to anyone. I also take Buspar daily."

• Plu...
• October 22, 2016

For Depression "I am extremely disheartened in reading the negative reviews. I have taken Effexor since 1993. I began taking 37.5 mg and later lived for one year in a private psychiatric hospital for a suicide attempt. My psychiatrist, then the President of the American Psychiatric Association, increased my dose to 600 mg per day. This miracle drug kept and still keeps me alive some 23 years later. I have experimented with not taking this or any medication. I never presented with any withdrawal symptoms. However, like clockwork, on the 3rd day w/o it, I begin to cry tears over nothing. By the 4th day, I find myself in the midst of severe depression. Within an hour of beginning my regimen again, I am back to my normal. Do not be afraid to try this medication."

• Che...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 10, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "I started taking Effexor at age 19 after about 2 1/2 years on Prozac. The reason for the switch was that I developed anxiety problems at that age in addition to depression, and the Prozac was not treating the anxiety. Effexor works very well to treat both anxiety and depression, but if I stop taking it for even 1-2 days (which is often because I am very forgetful), I become extremely depressed for the next 1-2 days. Right now, I am in one such downswing after taking my Effexor for the first time in about 5 days. If you avoid doing that, though, you should be fine, the medication does help a lot."

• alg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 14, 2020

For Depression "I was diagnosed with depression and GAD about 5 years ago and started Effexor. It worked well, but anytime I drank alcohol, I became a monster. I became violent and angry. I also lost the ability to sleep, so I had to go on another medication for insomnia. Over time, I realized I had become numb. I couldn't cry, feel any emotions, and I lost the ability to enjoy anything. My panic attacks became debilitating. I became fearful to leave the house, drive, etc. I ended up in the hospital, and I was immediately taken off Effexor because I was diagnosed with panic disorder and it was not helping at all. I was at the highest dose and eventually came off. I'm still experiencing brain zaps from tapering off, but since coming off, I can feel again and cry a lot, LOL. I started Zoloft today and am hoping to get my depression and panic disorder under control!"

• Ano...
• March 23, 2013

For Depression "I have been on Effexor for about 6 months now. I was prescribed it for anxiety and social anxiety. My social anxiety is basically gone. I still get a little bit of anxiety but it is way better than it used to be. However, if I forget to take it, I get very bad withdrawal symptoms. But, I consider it worth it."

• Dar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2013

For Depression "I've been on 75 mg for two months now, started at a baby dose of 37.5 about 3 months ago. I can honestly say I woke up feeling the difference and the burst of energy. Only complaints are if you forget to take a dose, you're not in for a good day until you take your next dose. I vomit and have a terrible headache, and also with the medication I found that I had a couple of bad lows while getting used to it. But as long as you keep up with your dose and don't mess around with taking it, you should be very satisfied with the result."

• Sta...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "After 10 years of major depression and extreme anxiety-trying several different medication combos, I was offered ECT, but I was hesitant. As a last resort, we tried Effexor 150 mg, Wellbutrin 150 mg, and Abilify 5 mg. Within 3 months, the anxiety and depression started to lift. 3 years later, I have no anxiety or depression. I am stable and feel at peace. For the past 6 months, my dosage has been Venlor 37.5 mg, Wellbutrin 150 mg, and Abilify 2.5 mg. Over the next 6 months, I will try to reduce further-but weaning off Effexor literally means reducing one little bead in the capsule per day, otherwise, withdrawal can be unpleasant. My only negative has been weight gain of 10 kg in 3 years, despite watching my diet and daily exercise. I am 58 years old and have always been slim, now I’m plump. I hope to lose the weight over time. Other side effects are dry mouth and constipation. But they are negligible if it means being happy."

• Anonymous
• November 6, 2011

For Depression "Effexor gave me my life back again. I was so severely depressed that I had to struggle to find a reason to live every day. I was very suicidal. I was no longer able to function. 4 weeks after starting Effexor, I was returned to my 'normal' self. I was happy and could feel pleasure again, and I was excited about life. I have experienced a few minor side effects like constipation and nausea with dosage increases, but the benefits far outweigh the minor side effects!"

• Can...
• October 3, 2013

For Depression "I was prescribed Effexor for menopause symptoms, and it treated my undiagnosed depression! It completely changed my life. I was an angry, laughing/crying mess, and Effexor turned me around and put me in a good place with an excellent attitude. Cons are brain zaps and sweating from the forehead. I was weaning off of it when I couldn't take it anymore and went back on it. I started crying and felt horrible. Night sweats were miserable too. I'll take the zaps and sweats over depression and night sweats any day."

• DFV...
• July 28, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have many labels: depression, anxiety, tinnitus, chronic pain, insomnia, dissociation, anorexia ... 16 years ago. I was a single mother and broke. All meds led to weight gain, taking forever to lose. I realized 'you can't medicate a crappy life away.' I moved to the ocean, reconnected with nature, and found a trauma psychologist. EMDR and exposure therapy helped me manage symptoms. I was pharmaceutical-free until a minor relapse and was prescribed Effexor (105 mg/day). In 2 months, I stopped being active, social, had headaches, dry mouth, constipation, and gained 20 pounds! I went off cold turkey. Within a few days, I felt like myself again (minus weight gain depression). Now, a week off Effexor, sleep better, eat less, and returned to beach walks to increase dopamine. I hope that it's not going to take long to lose the weight. I'm more depressed and have lower self-esteem when I lose touch with my body. This was my experience."

• Lel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 19, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "Effexor has got to be the worst of the worst to try to come off of. I am still trying to come off this completely after taking 225 mg daily for 3 years. I still cannot get through the withdrawal symptoms, they are horrific. If anyone has any suggestions on how to help, please let me know."

• Anonymous
• October 4, 2009

For Depression "It saved me from committing suicide. Never thought there would be a drug that could help me since I tried many antidepressants and all didn't work. Was extremely suicidal and overnight after taking Effexor XR, my thinking and feelings changed. It saved my life."

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "Before I started taking Effexor, I would get severely depressed, anxious, and my brain wouldn't stop. I have been on Effexor now for 4 weeks, and I feel good. I don't feel so anxious or down on myself. Even people around me have commented, and they don't know I am taking pills. The side effects I do feel are as follows: nausea (went away after 2 weeks), loss of appetite, no sexual desire, and blurred vision. Sounds like a lot, but I'd rather deal with these issues than be on a constant downward spiral."

• NLa...
• August 24, 2015

For Depression "I have been taking Effexor for several years, first starting at 50, 75, then 150 mg. As far as treating my depression, it has been the best. I am a totally different person when taking it. I do have weird dreams, but I would rather have those than be a living nightmare in reality. What I do not like about Effexor is that it exacerbates my chronic constipation condition. I have tried taking other antidepressants, but they did not work as well treating my depression as Effexor."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 22, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "I've been on Effexor for approximately two years. I recently had the extremely unpleasant side effects from coming off the drug, as I could not get a refill on my prescription for six days. I ended up in the ER due to a panic attack (never had one in my life before). It did reveal, however, that the medicine was not really working for me, as my pain level was virtually the same whether I was on it or not. Please make sure you gradually go off this medicine under the care of a doctor."

• Anonymous
• July 17, 2019

For Depression "I have finally had the courage to go through withdrawal symptoms, agitation. Headaches, nausea, electric shock in my head. I am free of this drug, and for the first time in years, I feel like a human being. I am alert and feel a range of emotions. I was feeling nothing, numb for many years. This drug should be taken with great caution. I feel it is dangerous."

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 26, 2013

For Depression "I've been on many antidepressants. I experienced a few side effects from this one. The major one I experienced was headaches. However, within less than one week, the side effects were gone. I also experienced night sweats in the first few weeks. This has stopped me from crying a lot, which is good."

• Que...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2016

For Depression "I stopped taking Topamax for mood disorder due to side effects of tingling in fingers and legs. I was recently prescribed 75 mg Effexor ER for chronic depression, the generic. I started on JAN 16th, noticed the loss of appetite the first day, and on January 21, 2016, weighed in at 228.2 from 234 at 5'6. My mood has also improved, now I have a bit more energy and feel hopeful despite my situation not looking that way. I will be adding Wellbutrin with my Effexor. I hope the depression continues to get better and I am hoping to lose 70-80 lbs. as well. Give it time, if it isn't working, try something until you find the pill(s) for you, different pills work for different people. We all deserve a better quality of life than we had before. Good luck."

• pma...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 13, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "About 15 years ago, I started menopause, had terrible anxiety and depression. Tried talk therapy, did not work. Tried several antidepressants until Effexor. I started out with 37.5, then upped to 75 mg, then eventually upped to 225 mg. I have been on that dose ever since. It has been a lifesaver. Anxiety and depression no more. I do have some side effects. I do get heated quite easily, I have had vomiting on occasion, nausea. I have thought about getting off the Effexor until I heard about the withdrawals. Most antidepressants are addicting and have withdrawals. I am going to talk to my doctor about a change since I have been on this medication for so long. But otherwise, it has been a miracle worker."