Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 12, 2020

Venlafaxine "Effexor XR is a miracle drug for me (I have MDD). In the first couple of days, I got super sleepy, since then, I feel great. I've been taking it for about 2 years. I have depression, severe anxiety, and panic attacks. Effexor XR makes me feel normal, and it keeps out all the unwanted thoughts. The only side effect I have is excessive yawning, lol! I'm 6 weeks postpartum, and the medication is still amazing in helping with that too."

• Kel...
• July 25, 2020

"Trigger warning... So I have taken a lot of medications for my depression, such as Wellbutrin, fluoxetine, Lexapro, escitalopram, etc. None of them really worked, or I just attempted suicide before they even started working. Who knows, really. I have attempted suicide four serious times in my life. I've been in three different mental hospitals and even had to go to a juvenile facility. I was put there against my will after my last suicide attempt of stabbing myself. I self-mutilate. I have well over 5,000 scars on my body, big ones that needed stitches, but I never got stitches. I have a huge one down my arm from another suicide attempt (which did get stitches). I also have anxiety and dissociation disorder, etc. I am overall a very insecure, jealous person as well. Ever since this medication kicked in, I've been a lot better. I've only cut maybe twice since starting it."

• buc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 7, 2018

Venlafaxine "Okay, if you're reading this and scared to try this because of negative reviews of people who have taken it like twice, do not be swayed. I have taken Effexor for over 3 years now, and I genuinely don't think I could live without it. I used to stay up ALL night because of unending panic attacks and barely slept for months. I tried Ambien and stayed up through that (traumatic, let me tell you). My psychiatrist put me on this after a HORRIBLE time with Prozac, and it calms me so much. I can sleep now, and I no longer feel like the world is trying to kill me. Side note: I also take Wellbutrin XL 150 during the day. It also has helped so much with my depression."

• Itr...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 6, 2023

Venlafaxine "This drug worked for me for a long time. I was prescribed this med for MDD and Panic Disorder when I was 15 years old, and I used it until I was 28. I tried to come off of it, but the doctor who helped me titrate did it too quickly and I relapsed into depression again. If you've been on antidepressants for a long time, you should titrate off slowly over the process of a few years, and ALWAYS have a therapist to speak to. This drug helped me through college, through moving across the country twice, and helped me build a lasting relationship."

• sad...
• June 11, 2019

Venlafaxine "I am a 19-year-old female who has been dealing with severe depression and anxiety for years now, trying out several different medications (Sertraline, Abilify, Trintellix). I couldn't keep taking Trintellix due to extreme nausea, so my doctor suggested Effexor XR. That's the last time I listen to my doctor. I am currently in a 12-day process of weaning myself off of this medication, after taking it for a little over a month. I had an extreme loss of appetite, to the point where I felt sick after a small fries from McDonald's or even a piece of fruit. I have found myself to be very anxious about death/illness/accidents and find myself wanting to spend the least amount of time sober as possible. I have no motivation, and have a hard time staying focused at work. Not to mention, I have had so much trouble with climaxing that it is affecting my relationship. Although I am not nearly as sad as I used to be and don't cry nearly as often, I feel like a numb zombie and not like myself at all."

• Jef...
• October 11, 2018

Venlafaxine "The psychiatrist started me at 37.5 mg, going up to 150 mg. Was on that dose for 2 months with no positive effect, but a muscle ache, which my psych didn't think was the drug (but it turned out to be the drug causing it). He made me go up to a 375 mg dose over the next month (despite feeling worse with every increase), which made my muscle ache unbearable. Couldn't get out of bed due to pain, desperately wanted to sleep to get away from it. Tapered down, and by 75 mg had no muscle ache whatsoever but suffered horrible nausea, brain zaps, and shakiness from withdrawal that I am still feeling very strongly after being completely off the drug for 1 and a half weeks. My brain feels like mud. In the future, if I think a drug is causing bad side effects over 2 months in, I am going to go off it because of this terrible experience. My depression is significantly worse than it was before I started Effexor."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 7, 2016

Venlafaxine "I had been off all meds for 10 years when I had a major relapse and knew it was time to medicate again. Effexor is hard to get on, lots of dizziness and exhaustion. Also, if I am late taking it, I feel awful. Headaches, anxiety, mood swings. Don't ever miss a dose! I can't stress this enough. Withdrawal hits hard and fast, even within 12 hours. Sweats, chills, headache, dreams, whole-body pain. HOWEVER, it does help me get through the day. I have suicidal depression and clinical anxiety, so for me, it is worth some struggle to stay with Effexor because it does give me relief. It calms my brain, allows me to get moving with my day, and not have the threat of my own self-destructive tendencies."

• hap...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 25, 2019

Venlafaxine "I began taking Prozac in 2003 after several major losses in my life. It worked great up until 5 years ago, and so my doctor switched me to Effexor; I started out with 37 mg and worked up to 150 mg XR. This dosage works well. I have occasional 'breakthrough' depression, but it doesn't last real long. It's usually when I'm having a lot of additional stress. The only downside of both medications is that both of them made me unable to have orgasms. I hate that part of it, yet I'm much more balanced by taking it. I'm 65, so maybe that's kinda normal? But I still hate that part!"

• Fla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2020

Venlafaxine "I was taking this drug, Effexor, for 4 months. I gained 45 lbs that I cannot lose. Side effects are horrible, you feel like a zombie, no feelings at all. No fear, no love, no hate... nothing. You do not want anything-sex, love, food, nothing matters. In spite of not eating much, because this medication reduces appetite, I put on 45 lbs in 4 months, and my fiancé left me. From size S to XL. My depression did not get any better. Moreover, I became aggressive and broke my phone. After I stopped it, I had very bad withdrawals, chest pain, and panic attacks. I was referred to a cardiologist and had an echo stress test. I regret taking that crappy drug. I do not recommend taking it."

• 149...
• April 24, 2015

Venlafaxine "It works wonderfully. I've tried many antidepressants, and they all left me feeling not sad. But I still felt lethargic and hopeless. Effexor gives me motivation and drive. Helps me get out of bed in the morning and off the couch during the day. And it started working within the first week. The ONLY drawback I've found is it really decreases my libido, and you CANNOT miss a dose. It will really ruin your day."

• Nen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 18, 2018

"I've been on Venlafaxine 150 mg for my Major Depressive Disorder and anxiety. It helps tremendously with anxiety and depression mood swings! I've been on 150 mg for about 9 months now, and my doctor recently upped my dosage to 185.75 mg, and I am relaxed. No negative thoughts run through my mind, and I am calm. When I mean relaxed, I mean my mind, soul, and body are at one. It takes time to work, so if your doctor has given this medication to you, take it on a daily schedule they have given you, at the same time every day, and I promise you will notice a positive difference!! It might not be for everyone, but it definitely is helping me!! Sending love to all fighting depression and anxiety and anything else in their life at the moment or has been for a long time and is seeking help."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 22, 2022

Venlafaxine "This medication is a nightmare. I started off on 37.5 mg, then up to 75 mg 1x daily. I started getting horrific brain zaps, it felt like I was getting an electric shock straight to the brain every time I blinked or moved. My doctor then tried 2x a day 75 mg, and same thing. By the time I was ready for my next dose, I was a mess with brain zaps. So he put me on 3 times a day, saying it was just me metabolizing them too quickly. They worked for a little, but pretty soon I went right back to experiencing severe depression and anxiety, and this drug definitely didn’t hold up for serious life changes and additional stress. My current psychiatrist is weaning me off of it and says she doesn't like this drug and has the same issue with many of her patients who came to her after starting it. The withdrawal is a nightmare. Brain zaps, flu-like symptoms, tremors, and wild mood swings with hysterics. I will never recommend this drug."

• tri...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 20, 2014

Venlafaxine "Though I could only check the MDD box, I also suffered from anxiety attacks and social anxiety. There were also several other problems that Effexor XR seemed to control or help control. Depression is painful emotionally, mentally, and physically, without some kind of relief, I would have been institutionalized. For maximum effectiveness, counseling by a person trained in all aspects of the disorder is the only one I found to help bring me back to a realistic understanding of how to heal. Interestingly, I found several psychiatrists that attempted counseling and were totally inept in their efforts."

• Jim...
• April 19, 2020

Venlafaxine "While Effexor has worked great for me over the last couple of years, it does have its downfalls, just like I’m sure anything else. I’ve tried at least five other variations of antidepressants, and this has worked best. I was on 150 mg for over a year, and a few months ago we increased to 225 mg, as the 150 mg didn’t seem like it was cutting it anymore. Well, make sure you don’t miss a dose, even by a couple of hours. It will mess up the rest of your day, personally, I’m nauseous and turn into an emotional wreck. My mental illness and this quarantine got in the way, and I unintentionally didn’t take it for two days. I’ve never felt this bad in my life. I’m beyond nauseous. My stomach is killing me, my head is killing me, I can’t sleep to distract myself from it. I don’t want to even think about what would happen if I waited any more time to take another dose. I’m sick to my stomach. (21, f)"

• Ale...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2015

Venlafaxine "Out of all the serotonin-based drugs that literally have nothing to really do with true clinical depression, this is the better of the SSRI and SNRI class. Not anywhere as dangerous and toxic as Cymbalta, although this medication is something I want to warn everyone about: Effexor very quickly makes you its slave. Probably by purpose, it has a very short half-life, which makes even missing one dose produce horrendous withdrawal effects I would have to say are just as bad as abrupt benzodiazepine withdrawal (which is documented to be as bad as kicking heroin!). I will admit I do think it did help me, but I have to stress even the XR release only has a 24-hour half-life. So, 8 AM rolls around; you have no choice."

• PAU...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 19, 2024

Venlafaxine "Effexor really helps with my depression. I tried going off of it because it makes me extremely tired, but I experienced agitation, increase in anxiety, and could feel my depression. I stayed off for 3 weeks and have now resumed taking it. I just wish I wasn't so tired and could sleep more when taking it. I will say I have less emotion when taking this medication and often feel as though I am observing life, not experiencing it."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2019

Venlafaxine "By far the best antidepressant that I have taken, the only one that worked well overall for my anxiety (social, generalized) and depression. Zoloft lifted my mood and reduced my anxiety but had me up and down all the time until it made me feel extremely tired after 3 months. Cymbalta stabilized me but did very little for depression and social anxiety (worked well for generalized anxiety). Wellbutrin did almost nothing. With Effexor XR, I had no side effects at all. I take 225 mg Effexor XR along with 150 mg Lyrica and 20 mg Prozac."

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2018

Venlafaxine "I switched to this from Prozac after trying many different SSRIs. Some didn't do anything, some helped quite a bit. Effexor XR, being an SNRI, made a world of difference compared to Prozac. At first, I did get some mild headaches and was a little jittery, but once I got used to it after a few weeks, the side effects abated. Just stick with it and don't let the side effects at first deter you."

• las...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2015

Venlafaxine "I have been through the gamut of antidepressant meds. Celexa, Lexapro, Cymbalta, Zoloft, Fetzima, and several others over the last 13 years. My doctor kept leading me away from Effexor because of the bad withdrawals it has. This drug is working pretty well so far. My insurance lapsed, though, once. I went without meds for 4 days, and I was on a high dose. She was right about those withdrawals. The worst I've ever had. Severe nightmares, sweats, extremely low energy, brain zaps, every noise would set my head in a tailspin. I've had pain med withdrawal and benzo withdrawal, and nothing compares to coming off this med. Thankfully, my insurance kicked back in, and after a day and a half, I was starting to feel better again. It works. But not without risks."

• hug...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2016

Venlafaxine "I can't use the explicit language to describe my time with this, IMO, rat poison. Started at 37.5, then 75, eventually 225. Naturally, Drs always say, 'You've got to give it time to work!' SURE DOC! Want you to all know I'm no rookie at this, having battled depression for 23 years and taken over 30 different meds, and certainly, THIS DRUG WAS BY FAR THE WORSTTTTT. I refuse to believe that this drug was allowed to be given to humans. Getting on it, I became practically more dead, spending 20 hours a day in bed, suicidal ideations one after another, crying, not eating, hopeless even more, and every other negative symptom you can name associated with depression. Getting off is YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE - FOR ME? 3 ENTIRE MONTHS! BEWARE!!"

• upa...
• January 26, 2016

Venlafaxine "This is my second time on Effexor in the 7 months. I began taking 34.5 mg in June 2015, then it was upped to 75 mg after 2 weeks. The first week, the side effects were really bad, but they only lasted the one week, and then I felt great. Best thing I ever did, but then I started feeling better to the point I didn't even think about the medication and missed about 4 doses before I noticed. After missing that many, I just stopped taking it. About a month later, the depression was back and worse than ever. I just got put back on it, started last night, and the side effects are back, but I have to push through because I know they are temporary, and if I have to feel dizzy and nauseated for a week for the depression to lessen, it's worth it to me."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2018

Venlafaxine "Horrible experience that I feel left me permanently damaged. Prescribed 37 mg for panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. Every symptom it was intended to treat got worse. I got so drowsy that I fell asleep through a 12-hour work shift as a caregiver, the client had a fall and I did not wake up. I could not open my eyes no matter how badly I tried. Detoxing was worse. Unbearable body aches that made me more depressed than I’d ever been because nothing relieved it. The brain zaps made me break down into a full panic attack, crying every time because they were so painful and agitating. I’m 3 weeks off of it and having bizarre behaviors that I NEVER had before, even in my worst depression. I’ve had to give up my car keys due to bad impulses when driving suddenly, with no warning and for no reason, I am unable to work because of my mental state that is NOT going back to baseline with time."

• sta...
• November 17, 2015

Venlafaxine "Effexor worsened my depression. Made me feel exhausted all the time and impossible to be able to wake up in the mornings. I was unable to concentrate. My mood worsened, and my motivation to do anything lessened. My depression got worse every time they increased my dose."

• Unb...
• January 14, 2015

Venlafaxine "I was started at a low 75 mg. This was a very dark time emotionally for me because I felt like I was taking candy, not medicine. As we slowly increased the dose, the heaviness of depression began to lift, but I also became VERY sleepy. Other early side effects were dizziness, insomnia, minor stupor, vivid dreams, stomach cramps, and worsened anxiety. All these are gone except anxiety. We added a sleep aid and Buspar to take as needed for anxiety and insomnia. But I had to up the venlafaxine XR to my doctor's max outpatient dose of 225 mg to get rid of the unmanageable depression. This dose combined with CBT (therapy) has greatly increased the quality of my life. But NEVER FORGET A PILL! Withdrawal is awful! Sobbing, 'shocks,' lethargy."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2016

Venlafaxine "So after some horrendous blows from life (car accident where my hubs was driving, me in the passenger seat, mom behind me... T-boned and she was killed instantly, I had months of physical therapy, miscarriages, Dad had a massive stroke... just bad thing upon bad thing) I realized that these outside circumstances were absolutely stealing my life away. Now, even previous to these trials and tribulations, I've always been a fairly anxious person. I learned to cope with my 'issues' through prayer, yoga, books... things of that nature, but this last blow of the accident sent me someplace else. I finally realized I needed help. I'm only on day 2. I feel better but drowsy. I'm hoping this will at least stabilize me once again. (fingers crossed)"