Venlafaxine and Depression: What Users Say

• Taw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2020

For Depression "I take 150mg time-released Effexor. I am dealing with a head injury for 6 months now. I have been on Effexor since. I have no side effects, and it has really helped me with my anxiety, nervousness, and depression. This medicine is such a lifesaver. I can go to work and be around people. I don’t know where I would be without this medication."

• aim...
• February 25, 2020

For Anxiety "I'm a 27 y/o female, good health but have GAD and MDD. I began taking Effexor XR when I began having panic attacks while driving. I began with 37.5mg for 4 weeks, then upped to 75mg after that. After 3 months, I began to sweat in my sleep despite not feeling overheated. I began to suffer from sexual dysfunction, lost my libido and had difficulty reaching an orgasm (neither had been an issue previously). My appetite increased and I gained 25 lbs in 1 year. I also noticed I felt very 'flat' emotionally. I wrote this because I feel like positive reviews are lacking. Effexor absolutely improved my anxiety. The side effects were unpleasant but not severe. Stopping this medication suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms, so when I switched to a new one, I slowly tapered off it by opening the capsule and counting the granules, reducing them by about 4 per day. I did not suffer from any 'brain zaps' or any withdrawal symptoms."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2012

For Anxiety "I have been on Effexor XR for about 3 months now (75mg), and it's done a great job of controlling my anxiety. For the first couple of days, my anxiety skyrocketed, but I supplemented with Ativan to help with that. Then on the third day, I woke up and felt totally normal. It does make me a bit tired, but I also sleep better - and I do have very vivid dreams at times (not scary, just vivid). It also makes me a bit apathetic, but it's better than living in a constant state of anxiety. I'd had bad reactions to Lexapro and Zoloft, so I was happy to find something that worked. I hope to come off someday, but for now, it's giving me what I need."

• ale...
• August 6, 2012

For Anxiety "I took Effexor XR after I gave up on Lexapro (it didn't work for me, I waited for a couple of months). I started at 75 mg and 10 days later increased to 150 mg. I have been at 150 mg for about 5 months. I feel that I am at a stable point, so I don't want to change anything for a while. My doctor said to start weaning off, but I don't think I'm ready yet. I had gone through a gut-wrenching episode in my life that lasted for about 4 intense months of sleepless nights, hot sweats, heart palpitations, heavy chest, lack of concentration, and sadness. I felt as if I was at the doctor every other day trying to figure out what was wrong. My anxieties were so bad that I felt like exploding. Thankfully I waited it out, and Effexor has helped."

• Nat...
• October 21, 2019

For Depression "I have struggled with eating disorders (Anorexia and Binging) for about 4 years now. It started at 16 and slowly began to follow me into college. I’ve struggled with relationships and often find myself extremely depressed and more anxious than ever. I started Effexor about 2 weeks ago now, and the first few days were much like the experiences listed on here. I have done MDMA before, and it does feel like that for the first two days. However, after I got through that stage, each day has been getting better. Colors seem brighter, and my motivation has started to get better. Before, I had struggled with finding any interest in life, and everything seems a little bit more open each day I wake up. I do have some very vivid dreams and find that during the night, my depression gets a little worse, but it has slowly subsided, and I’m able to push away thoughts that normally frustrate me. I’m excited to see how each day goes moving forward."

• Nur...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 26, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been taking Effexor for 13 months now. Initially, I was prescribed 75 mg while hospitalized at an inpatient psychiatric facility, but that was increased to 150 mg by the time I was discharged. Never in my life have I felt this way - normal!! My crying spells, anhedonia, suicidal ideations, psychosis... it's all gone, gone, gone! This medication has saved my life. I am so happy to take my meds every morning."

• anx...
• May 9, 2016

For Anxiety "I've had anxiety/panic attacks and depression for over 20 years now. My anxiety was so bad I had to be homeschooled. I've taken Prozac, Paxil, and neither worked and had bad mood swings on Paxil. My doctor suggested something newer, it was Effexor. He said he has had good results with it. So I tried it, heck I would've tried anything to make my anxiety go away. I was on Effexor (75mg) for 10 years, and it worked for me. No side effects except being tired at first. No more anxiety/panic attacks or depression but maybe a very few short episodes. I was happy and enjoying things I was held back from for so many years. Effexor changed my life, literally. If I did miss a dose, I felt tired, depressed, and the 'zaps.'"

• Jos...
• June 27, 2013

For Depression "I am a 60-year-old male who has suffered from depression and panic attacks. In my late 30s, I decided to seek help. Like many others, the list of medications my doctors tried would fill a dictionary. Some worked for a while. I refused to take lithium. In my late 40s, I was also diagnosed with ADD. I now use 4 medications successfully: Effexor XR 450 mg daily, Xanax 1 mg daily, Adderall XR 60 mg daily, and Strattera 25 mg daily. I am now free of both depression and panic attacks for nearly 10 years! I am comfortable in public speaking and find that I love the adrenaline rush! I've tried to stop using Effexor XR but always restarted because of the horrible depression. Withdrawal is like a bad acid trip. Use Effexor to stay alive!"

• Dis...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 28, 2012

For Anxiety "I have been on this medication for over 15 years. I can tell you that this is the absolute best medication for panic attacks. The problem is that I never had any panic attacks until I quit taking the pill after a year of use. I was prescribed this when I was 18 after being hospitalized as a result of several traumatic events. I started on 32 mg and eventually was bumped up to 150 mg and then 225 mg. I weaned off and survived the withdrawals and felt amazing. Seriously, it felt like the best moment of my life, but about a year after I stopped taking it, the depression came back twice as bad."

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2009

For Depression "Effexor has made me emotionless. Don't give a damn. This is 10 months after coming off of it. Can't seem to communicate, can't drive, memory problems and the list goes on."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started 75 mg Effexor about three months ago for GAD and major depression. It has done wonders for me. The first month, I did yawn a lot and seemed to be experiencing the emotional blunting that they described. At one point, I was scared that I had lost all empathy, but I realized that being overzealous about others' opinions and worries was destroying me. I am a lot more carefree, and I haven't cried for no reason in over three months. The low dose is working, and I am much happier overall. I do sleep a lot, almost 9 hours a night, and I am slow to rise. But my day carries on well after that. I would consider this a success."

• Anonymous
• September 7, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I think Effexor has been very beneficial for me - I've taken it for about six years. A word of warning: do NOT let your prescription run out or take yourself off Effexor abruptly! I experienced this by accident while waiting for a mail-order prescription to arrive (my doctor was just moving into a new office and didn't have samples available). Within 2 days, I was a wreck emotionally (depressive, sobbing for no reason), cognitively (all over the place, no concentration), and physically (impaired motor coordination among other things). The 'brain shivers,' a feeling like an electrical current running from the brain down the spine and back again, are very disconcerting! I got samples from my doctor's former office and was noticeably better within hours of 1 dose."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I am delighted with the result of venlafaxine. I had a breakdown and visited my GP in desperation due to panic attacks, depression, crippling anxiety, heavy drinking, and an addiction to codeine. The side effects were initially a bit uncomfortable, but they have settled. I am lacking motivation, but I have only been on it for 2 weeks, and I figure I need some time to recover from my breakdown, so I’m just going with it for now. It has made me feel so much calmer, it has stopped me from drinking and taking codeine, which I was using to self-medicate. This medication has saved my life. I’ve given it a 9, as my libido is suffering."

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2011

For Anxiety "I was prescribed Effexor XR for anxiety, and it has worked wonderfully. I have no panic attacks, my constant level of anxiety is gone. However, I think it has worsened my depression slightly. Everyone responds to this medicine differently, I guess, and I am more than willing to deal with minor depression if it means my anxiety is gone. This medicine has been great."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• May 19, 2008

For Depression "Effexor XR has saved my life twice. The side effect was major weight gain, but, sad as that was, it was worth it after trying several other drugs that did not work. The withdrawal is tough, but done easily if you just keep reducing your dose. The first time I went off of it was cause it was making me depressed again, even at the smallest dose. But, 3 or 4 years later, when I once again sunk into a deep depression, it was the only thing that could get me out. I've been on 150 mg for one year."

• Anonymous
• November 27, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I wouldn't try this or Lyrica again. I have had fibromyalgia since before the doctor knew what it was. No drug has been worth taking because of the side effects. They eventually lose some effectiveness, then the doctors want to up the dosage or give another. I've gained 100 pounds. I'm sick all of the time. The depression does not go away. I think the added weight is worse on my body than the original symptoms."

• ssh...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 3, 2019

For Depression "Started weaning off Effexor 150mg 1 year ago. Got to 37.5mg with hardly any side effects. Then weaning off 37.5mg was terrible. Headache/head pounding, nausea, vertigo, diarrhea, extreme tiredness, random crying spells, very emotional, etc. Did a lot of research and trusted that it’d get easier with time. 4 wks later, finally feeling physically well again... Then it got bad. Sense of constant dread, horrible anxiety, heart racing, emotional as hell, trouble sleeping, extremely depressed, and felt like a zombie. Missing work, sleeping all day, no motivation to do anything. Went back to doc and she put me back on the 37.5mg. Extremely disappointed not to get off this medication. Been 3 days since getting back on it, starting to feel somewhat normal again, just want my life back. Wish I’d received more info when I was first prescribed it - had no idea it would be such a nightmare to try to get off of it. This experience has shaken up my whole world. BEWARE."

• Fre...
• February 10, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I never write reviews, but I figured I had to share how truly life-changing Effexor has been for me. I've suffered with GAD and Major Depressive Disorder for quite some time. I was on and off of Prozac for about five years. When it stopped working, I began taking Effexor XR 37.5 mg. I started feeling better, more calm, less anxious. Last year, someone I had dated for years and had recently broken up with passed away tragically. I was a disaster. My dosage was increased to 75 mg, then 150 mg, and now 225 mg. Honestly, I don't know how I would have made it to where I am today without this medication. It has controlled my anxiety, my panic attacks, and my depression. I still have bad days, I'm still in mourning, but I finally feel normal."

• Fre...
• February 10, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I never write reviews, but I figured I had to share how truly life-changing Effexor has been for me. I've suffered with GAD and Major Depressive Disorder for quite some time. I was on and off of Prozac for about five years. When it stopped working, I began taking Effexor XR 37.5 mg. I started feeling better, more calm, less anxious. Last year, someone I had dated for years and had recently broken up with passed away tragically. I was a disaster. My dosage was increased to 75 mg, then 150 mg, and now 225 mg. Honestly, I don't know how I would have made it to where I am today without this medication. It has controlled my anxiety, my panic attacks, and my depression. I still have bad days, I'm still in mourning, but I finally feel normal."

• SLi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 10, 2020

For Depression "Please, please, please take my advice. If Effexor is working for you, don't quit! I took Effexor for 8 great years (anxiety and depression). Tapered and quit. Started again two months later to be on the safe side while going through a stressful period at work. Within 24 hours, my life fell totally apart. Anxiety and depression through the roof. 18 months and 4 AD's later, I am still a wreck. Losing hope."

• Kay...
• September 23, 2014

For Depression "Was so excited to try Effexor XL and did for the past 6 years. Well, I didn't realize that it made me anhedonia, or without feeling towards a lot of things. I just went on my merry way, but would do nothing... sat and watched TV, couldn't get anything done. Everything was just great!... that is what I thought... then I started gaining weight... gradually, but I mean 60-70# over the past 6 years or so... but just kept on eating. Then I thought I have to do something about this. I gradually took myself off, but wow the side effects of the withdrawal was unbelievable. My son told me never to do that again... and I told him see... this medication has so changed me... and I will never take that again...! Trying to lose this weight now."

• BAC...
• April 19, 2016

For Depression "It changed my life. 48 years of just dealing with anxiety and depression, not wanting to be on medication. With the onset of pre-menopause, the depression was unbearable and more feelings of hopelessness. My doctor prescribed 75 mg, and I feel alive again. The torment of paranoia, anxiety, and the depression are gone."