Venlafaxine for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Jan...
• November 8, 2019

"I have been using high prescription doses of 350 mg Venlor and 450 mg Epitec due to having years of anxiety, and my main concern is constantly tired. I wake up a zombie and can't function at work till 1 p.m. The effects are good, but I am beyond tired and battle with tasks at home and work. I really need more energy. I take meds in the morning and evening, sleeping pills still wake me. I feel blunt with little hope to make it through the day, with my husband also on medication."

• STM...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 16, 2021

"I've been on this drug for almost 6 years, starting at 75 mg and going up to 300 mg for the last 3 years. In my experience, the withdrawal effects do far more harm than any benefit from this drug compared with other antidepressants/anxiety meds. Missing just one dose wreaks havoc on my sleep - night sweats, vivid dreams and nightmares, and extreme difficulty waking, like I can be in dead sleep for 15+ hours. Within less than 24 hours of a missed dose, I get brain zaps (terrifying and unpleasant), body aches, and feel blurry/confused. Worst of all (even worse than brain zaps, which are awful) is the deep depression that comes with missing even one dose. I've been tapering off this drug with the help of a new doctor, and the effects aren't as severe, but definitely still have a long way to go. I'm writing this review in the hopes that it will help someone else considering this drug be more informed about how hard it is to withdraw than I was! It may not be this severe for everyone, but be cautious!"

• Tau...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 5, 2022

"Venlafaxine has done wonders for me (Bipolar 300 mg daily, in addition to Seroquel 300 mg daily). Major drawback, however, is the withdrawal symptoms. I was addicted to opiates over a decade ago, and I would argue that it's worse withdrawing from Effexor than it was from opiates (completely different experience - electrical shocks in my legs with each step I take, feeling as if something is crawling inside me, etc.). My mom is prescribed it, too. A couple of years ago, she decided to stop taking some of her prescriptions to save money - she was freaking out. As soon as she took one, within twenty minutes, she felt better. I live 30 miles from any pharmacy, so getting there to pick them up has been an issue in the past. When I start getting low, I almost panic and make arrangements ahead of time. Because of this, I worry that I'll never stop taking it."

• Jen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 2, 2022

"Venlafaxine makes me very hyper, restless, and manic. I've gone off it once, I have never felt so physically ill in my entire life. It is awful. I'm on 375 mg a day, as a bipolar and ADHD. No idea what they've been thinking. I'd stay away, unless you really want a manic relapse."

• jja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2021

"I got prescribed this medication yesterday by my family doctor (who I spoke to for not even 10 minutes). I took it last night and it made my pupils huge, made me feel high and like a zombie. I’ve taken it literally once, and I’m never going to take it again. It’s the next day and I still feel like this, it’s so bad that I have to skip school today. I DO NOT recommend this medication. (I was prescribed 37.5 mg)"

• Fai...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 3, 2016

"Started out on 300 mgs 1 x per day. Can't say it helped or didn't. The dose was lowered to 75 mgs at one point to see if it was the reason for my memory loss. Supposedly, I had an acute stroke with partial blockage in my neck. I have been on it 15 years, doctors' recommendations. Last 7 years, have been on 150 mg's 1 x per day. Mind comes and goes. Sometimes I can't remember my husband's name. I had no visual signs of stroke. They said it was an old stroke I never noticed. I also take Xanax 2 mgs per day. Gabapentin 300 mgs per day. Geodon 40 mgs per day. Bisoprolol 10 mgs 1 x a day. Diabetic. Take insulin. Anxiety is gone. I do need to figure out what is causing my memory to come and go. Wondering if anyone else has this problem on Effexor ER."

• qwe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 15, 2013

Venlafaxine "Effexor is the only medicine that helps my depression. The only side effect was sexual dysfunction, but now that is completely gone. I take 187.5 mg a day."

• SLP...
• July 6, 2013

Venlafaxine "Worked within one week. Took years ago, stopped, recently placed back on it, 75 mg with Lamictal 100 mg. Life back to 75% normal."

• tig...
• April 8, 2009

Venlafaxine "It caused a severe reaction for me. I started going into hypermania with racing thoughts, anxiety, trembling, and an upset stomach."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 28, 2012

Venlafaxine "Very difficult to stop taking it."

• Ms ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 4, 2020

"Saved me from severe insomnia, anxiety, rage, and mania."

• Anonymous
• June 17, 2009

Venlafaxine "I'm on Effexor 150 mg. I was on 75 mg, but my doctor upped it as I was still not feeling good. I feel better now but don't advise coming off yourself, as the coming down effects of it aren't good."

• Anonymous
• October 27, 2009

Venlafaxine "In my case, it triggered a manic episode, so I'm no longer on it, but a family member takes it for clinical depression and has seen wonderful results."

• Nay...
• May 7, 2009

Venlafaxine "This medicine saved my life."

• Anonymous
• November 1, 2009

Venlafaxine "This is the best medicine I have been on in years. It gives you a continued feeling, not a low or uncaring feeling."

• ans...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 9, 2024

"Took it for years with no problems. Helped with mood, anxiety, also mood. Worked for me."

• Anonymous
• February 1, 2011

Venlafaxine "I take Effexor 2x daily. If I don't take it, then all I get done in a day is crying. It has worked very well for me."

• bip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2019

"I have rapid cycling bipolar, and this, along with mirtazapine, has been fantastic. The only side effect I have recognized is weight gain, but this was minimal."

• Anonymous
• May 6, 2010

Venlafaxine "It's very good. Your day will be started off on a good track."

• wau...
• May 14, 2009

Venlafaxine "I have a patient who was a wreck until he was started on Effexor. He has to take a large dose, but it works."

• dru...
• June 25, 2010

Venlafaxine "Made me sleepy, but as I've been on it for years, it doesn't have that effect on me anymore. No other side effects. Also, helped with my trichotillomania."

• Diz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2015

"Started it in March 2015. Decreases my appetite, withdrawal over 3 days... terrible. Feels like my head is swimming. Sense of well-being has noticeably improved."

• Anonymous
• December 21, 2011

Venlafaxine "I have tried Effexor XR, no good for me. I found it to be nothing but a sleeping pill."

• vic...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 8, 2018

"I took this for severe mood disorder/bipolar."

• Chi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 19, 2017

"Drug may be okay for other conditions, but made me worse and caused more side effects than lithium."