Venlafaxine for Hot Flashes User Reviews (Page 5)

• Gayle
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 12, 2019

"My hot flashes and night sweats were gone within 24 hrs. I had been having 3-4 an hour day and night. I still get a little warm off and on and sweat but totally doable. If you miss one the brain “flashes” start in about 24 hrs. Don’t miss one. I do 75 mg a day. No Libido, but no reason to think it’s the meds but I should research that."

• Shelly
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 15, 2018

"Originally, I was on an antidepressant that was no longer effective. I was transitioned from that med and gradually put on a high dose of venlax (200mg) for severe depression. Side effects were terrible. I experienced constant sweats, dry mouth, anxiety, and general discomfort. I decided this was not for me! But, when I tried to stop, the ringing in my head was unbearable. Gradually, my doctor helped me detox. What is pertinent is that I had been suffering with major hot flash episodes since menopause, which was 19 years ago. As my dose was lowered to 25 mg two times day, I noticed that my flashes were almost gone. I would have previously had 3 to 4 flashes per hour. Now if I have 3 a day, it's a lot. I've gone days without them. The only downside is if I miss a dose, my head starts ringing. So I take it and all is well. My depression is also in check. I have been on this regimen for about 8 months and have decided to continue."

• confu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2018

"Now that I have been on this pill (half of) 37.5mg dose for almost two weeks I have figured it out. If you have a low tolerance to drugs/alcohol DO NOT take this drug. I had to go off. It made me very sick at first, got past that. Then my hot flashes disappeared -yay, but I could not sleep because it made my mouth so dry, I coughed all night. And libido was completely numb. AND I continued to be a little foggy. This is not for me. Slight headache going off. Be very concerned when taking this drug."

• Robyn
• May 27, 2019

"I’ve been on venlafaxine 37.5mg for nearly 6 weeks. My hot flushes are substantially less than when unmedicated, but not completely gone like on HRT, which I had to stop recently for medical reasons. I started on an evening dose, switched to morning due to poor sleep, switched back to evening due to several mild flushes overnight, and now switching back to mid-morning due to wakefulness and lack of dream sleep on evening dose. I had at least dozen side effects initially, and many of these have continued including alertness and difficulty sleeping, blurred vision, inability to orgasm, calf cramps some nights and brittle fingernails. Looking forward with trepidation to my hysterectomy so I can go back on HRT and stop this medication."

• darla
• October 30, 2018

"After being on HRT (hormone replacement therapy) for 13 years, having some post-menopausal bleeding 3 years ago, then reducing my hormone milligrams, again started post-menopausal bleeding. My Gyno preferred me to go off HRT due to a higher incident of cancer after age 59 (I'm 61) and try venlafaxine. My gyno put me on venlafaxine 37.5mg . I took 1 dose of the 37.5mg in the morning & everything was fine until the afternoon when I got very drowsy, took a nap & vegged on the couch for 3 hours, got up, did a couple of chores, then planted my butt back on the couch for several more hours. The next morning I was still drowsy & didn't take another dose. I'm a pharmacy tech & enter data for prescriptions & was fuzzy at least half the day (not a good thing). The pharmacist working that morning asked if I was ok because it was that noticeable. Needless to say that I will not be taking this medication due to the zombie-ism. My Gyno is now going to try me on citalopram(celexa)."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2019

"I am on day 5 of venlafaxine 37.5mg & the side effects seem to be subsiding thank goodness because I wasn't sure I could keep taking it, they were that bad. I am 40 years old & I have been going through early menopause for almost 4 years. I haven't slept through the night in about 3 years. The hot flashes & night sweats are the worst. So far I have not gotten any relief from this medication. It honestly makes me a little jealous that people on here have gotten relief after their 1st dose. I am going to stick with it for awhile but I do not want to up my dose because the side effects are so bad."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2019

"I have been on 75 mg on Effexor for 10 months and it showed no improvement regarding hot flashes. It did improve my symptoms of irritability and mood swings. So I am now trying 150mg and still waiting for any progress."

• Deb
• April 4, 2018

"Read a Florida consumer protection report concerning Effexor. Reports brain damage. My doc says he does not believe that. I'm taking 12.5 MG once or twice a day ( half of 25 MG pill) and it does work. I was suffering from violent hat flashes after going off estrogen for early HR positive Breast cancer. I'm willing to take the chance because it is unbearable otherwise. But if you are young, especially if you've had a hysterectomy, I would take estrogen, not Effexor! And estrogen will keep your bones strong. Make sure it's bioidentical estrogen and if you do have a uterus take it with bioidentical progesterone. Vivelle Dot is (patch) is easy and accurate."

• Meechie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2019

"I started taking Venla 12/27/18 for hot flashses. I was having them all day every day and night; had me in tears...miserable for 2 months. After only 3 days of 75mg twice a day they have stopped. The first day I was very nauseous but it went away by day 2. I experience some insomia and loss of appetite, but I can live with that. I've set my phone to remind me to take them every 12 hours to avoid relapse or withdrawals. Hope this helps someone skeptical about taking Venla. Oh I'm 50, my last period was in October, not sure if it's gone for good or related to the D&C I had in November. Maybe I'm menopause...who knows???"

• Clare
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2018

"Only started taking today, an instant decrease of horrendous hot flushes, life has been terrible for last 6 weeks with roughly 2 hours sleep a night then having to go to work, I have had about three hotties all day, hoping tonight will be the first good sleep I get in weeks, will update ! So far, so good x"

• Peach
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 28, 2020

"I have been on this drug now for maybe 1 year. Hot flashes went away within the 1st week. But I have gained an incredible amount of weight. I also have very strange dreams and sleep all the time. I decided to get off this drug cold turkey 1 days ago. Today I went on line and started reading the reviews that everyone has written. I got nervous doing the cold turkey that I took 2 X 37.5 pills. So I was taking 150 mg. Now I am having zap pains in my chest has anyone experienced zap pains in the chest?"

• lilly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2022

"I was put on these for hot flushes (venlafaxine 37.5mg) Didn't really have any effect. But stopping them was awful,I can only describe it as a chinking sound in my brain, it took 2-3 months to stop. Be very careful in the first place and ask lots of questions."

• Moano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2018

"I have been on a moderate dose of HRT for several years... and although my menopausal symptoms significantly reduced.. I continued to struggle with hot flushes/flashes.. throughout the day, but particularly at night, reducing my overall quality of life. I mentioned this to my GP, who suggested the idea of commencing Venlafaxine due to positive results shown in trials of this. I cannot begin to describe the change and reduction of my symptoms."

• mira
• May 24, 2019

"I had a hysterectomy early in life. I started on Esterace for hot flashes with a sort of rush- like if you had a sudden fright- then a hot flash would happen. It started at my feet and moved up my whole body. Nighttime was awful. I increased the Estrace with no improvement. I tried the Venlaflaxine XR 37.5 mg. The hot flashes and rushes stopped by the 2nd day. I was not depressed but everyone was a whole lot less stupid :) it smoothed things out quite nicely! Now I want to get off of it all. I am down to 0.5 mg Esterace and I am having some night sweats but its tolerable. My biggest issue is I have gained so much weight. I can't stand the ringing in my ears any longer! I am on the lowest dose of 37.5mg, but I start getting the brain zings when I'm close to taking my next dose. Do I just stop it completely now and put up with the effects for however long? How long does the withdrawal take?? Should I open the capsule and divide it up?"

• Happy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2018

"Taking 37.5mg x2 per day It has significantly eliminated hot flashes, however, I’ve been suffering with serious constipation since taking this. As for people who get upset stomachs, I don’t, but that could be because I take it with food."

• Raver...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2023

"I was prescribed these for menopause hot flashes whilst I wait for my second blood test to confirm the menopause. I only took one! I took it before bed, big mistake on my part. I didn’t sleep a wink and felt quite nauseous. When I got up some 7 hours later I felt the same, sick and dizzy. I looked in the mirror and my pupils were dilated and I looked high! I was terrified, rang the out-of-hours doctors, and was sent to AnE. I was wired ALL DAY. Have not taken any more."

• hot...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 7, 2023

"I was diagnosed with stage 2 uterine cancer in 2018 at the age of 64, before going through full menopause. After undergoing a complete hysterectomy, I entered menopause and experienced irritability and 24/7 hot flashes. At my gynecologist's suggestion, I started taking Venlafaxine at a low dose of 0.25mg due to my sensitivity to medication. I noticed an immediate disappearance of my hot flashes, and I also became a more calm person, which I appreciated. I have been taking Venlafaxine at a 37.5mg dose for just over a year now, with no adverse reactions. Although I did not take the medication for depression, it made me a happier person. Last week, I felt unwell due to an adverse reaction to an eye medication and stopped taking Venlafaxine for three days, during which my hot flashes returned. After taking my dose this morning, I feel much better. I make sure to take Venlafaxine with food because it can cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach. Overall, I highly recommend this medication."

• Tillita...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2021

"I've been taking Venlafaxine 37.5mg Extended Release for 4 weeks. My gynecologist presented this medication or estrogen/progesterone to help with the increase of hot flashes & edgy feeling associated with perimenopause. I chose venlafaxine over HRT due to concerns about HRT. The first two weeks: mild nausea, much improved sleep (less waking), hot flashes reduce by 1/3. The hot flashes at night were significantly reduced, or I slept through them. I just slept better. The second two weeks: no nausea. Sleep is decent again. I wake once per night if I drink too much water before sleep. Hot flashes are reduced by 1/3, but not in intensity. Overall, I feel better. I feel less crabby and am not as quick to snap. I have about 1/3 fewer hot flashes & I feel like I can cope better when these occur. I feel rested when I wake up after sleep. I take this with breakfast. I disengage with social media more easily. I feel clearer. So far, a decent choice."

• KitKate
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2021

"I was unable to tolerate this drug for hot flashes because it made me agitated and unable to sleep. I felt like I didn't sleep at all for the two nights in a row that I took it. I also had disturbing thoughts throughout those two nights. It might have helped my hot flashes if I were able to continue with it, but these side effects were intolerable."

• Bgilber
• July 2, 2021

"I took 37.5 mg Effexor for severe hot flashes related to menopause. I started with one pill for one week and within 4 weeks worked my way up to four pills. I recently missed a day, and the next day took my normal IV pills. Within 20 minutes I felt extremely nauseated, which then the symptoms got worse and I felt extremely dizzy and my arms and legs became extremely tingly. It was very scary. After I vomited a few times I felt a little better. I laid down for the rest of the afternoon and it finally wore off within a few hours. Do not miss a dose and then take the full dose the next day!"

• Chris...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 17, 2021

"Venlafaxine completely took away my hot flashes and night sweats. Although, initially, I was prescribed this medication at perimenapause. I was experiencing a roller coaster of emotions and venaflaxine helped with that. A couple of years after the onset of menopause, I had to get a hysterectomy. Venaflaxine was a life saver after my surgery. I tried other natural, herbal supplements but they wouldn't control my hot flashes. I tried soy milk and Estradol with zero benefits."

• Linda
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 6, 2022

"I have been taking effexor-XR 37.5mg for the last 2 years and have made no difference to my hot flashes which I have every hour of the day and night. I’m 63 and have been doing this for 12 years. I exercise daily, eat well and weigh 74kgs , and I sweat constantly, to the stage I carry a towel with me to wipe myself down. Doctors don’t have an answer thyroid is normal."

• Smash
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2021

"I get night sweats, several times, every night from this medication, although it does help my depression/anxiety. I’ve recently started trying to use CBD oil to try and stop the night sweats. It’s helped a little but not stopped it"

• Rosem
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 29, 2020

"I’ve been on this drug venlafaxine for 13 years. Main reason was depression and was on for 150mg per day. Overtime I found out that it should be taken in the morning. I started having hot flashes in my late 40’s. They have been extremely bad. I would have a lukewarm shower then blow dry my hair for the day and in minutes my hair was soaking wet around my neck and temples. This has been going on for years and years, last few years have been consistent night sweats where sheets are wet, my sleep shorts, etc are wet my pillow is sweat. So this drug is a no for me in hot flash area. I’m now down to 75mg each day and see no difference either."

• Lena
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 16, 2022

"I have been taking this medication for multiple years now and it works great, but the last refill I got has a different kind of pill, which is white and pink no.794. This pill is weak and does not have the same effect the other pill I was taking, I have been told not to double up on the medication because I'm currently take the highest dose 225mg. My hot flashes are coming more often now with this new pill."