Venlafaxine and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• February 8, 2012

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I have been taking Effexor 150 mg for about 5 months now. When starting this medication, I had a lot of side effects including insomnia, nausea, and severely dry mouth and very low sex drive. That went away after a couple of weeks, but my anxiety hasn't been controlled as well as I'd like. I've had a couple of panic attacks and a lot of general anxiety (some situational and some not). I would probably like to consider switching to some other medication, but I am scared to because of the horror stories of withdrawal symptoms. I was previously taking Celexa for 10 years, which never worked the same once I restarted it after having a baby."

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

For Hot Flashes "Now that I have been on this pill (half of) 37.5 mg 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2012

Venlafaxine for Depression "It seemed to help my depression and anxiety, but the trade-off was the side effects I experienced. If I was a few hours late, I would experience significant withdrawals that made my anxiety worse than it was. I had sexual side effects such as lack of sex drive and inability to ejaculate during intercourse."

• Ray...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Update. I still like it, but a couple of side effects have emerged: shortness of breath and tightness in the chest, increased heart rate. A little more Atenolol took care of that. Lower sex drive and associated problems. It was low anyway. Cutting from 75 mg to 37.5 mg helped all of that."

• Dav...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 25, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was not satisfied with the SSRI I had been taking (escitalopram) for my OCD. The main side effect I disliked was general fogginess and numbing of emotions. I felt like a zombie. I also had issues with libido related. I told my doc and made the switch to an SNRI. Not only do I not have the fogginess or libido issues, it had the added benefit of making me more social. It does good with anxiety and OCD issues too."

• clr...
• September 8, 2009

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was prescribed venlafaxine a year ago after a suicide attempt. After about four weeks on 150 mg once a day, I started to feel less miserable all the time and a bit more sociable. However, the side effects have affected my life quite a lot. I am now constantly getting sweaty, often feel restless (especially at night), and I have little to no sex drive. The side effects of skipping a pill (just one day) are also extremely drastic. Nausea, vomiting, crying, headaches, and my anxiety problems are exacerbated to the max. It is not helpful at all to my anxiety, I have been prescribed buspirone for that on top, as I am still having frequent panic attacks, etc."

• Ken...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 13, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I'm 79 years old. For years, I've been shy and not very outgoing. Also, I've had anger issues and have suffered low-level depression. For years, I've been taking various doses of Zoloft and Wellbutrin and a combination of the two. They've kept me less depressed and quieter. Finally, I weaned myself off them. But depression and anger started acting up again. So my doctor, this time, recommended Venlafaxine. He's taken me through three dose levels, and I'm now at 150 mg. The results are, at least to me, rather amazing. I'm socializing more-and-I'm wanting to socialize more. Furthermore, people appear to want to socialize with me more. Also, the anger outbursts appear to be far less frequent and far less obtrusive when they do materialize (meaning, for instance, I'm not so abusive to those rude drivers who tend to thoroughly tick me off). And-like others before me-I've removed one star because of the reduced libido."

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2011

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I have multiple health issues and am very anxious about them. Have been on and off Effexor 75 mg twice now (going off when felt better) over 3 years and just started again with anxiety about upcoming surgeries. Going on, I experience nausea and can only eat dry biscuits for about 2 weeks. Going off them the first time, no withdrawals, the second time was suicidal as I stupidly went 'cold turkey' - not recommended. Pupils dilated and some dizziness and sexual dysfunction (I think due to MS though), otherwise great. Day 4 now and already feeling less 'freaked out' about everything, but complete loss of appetite this time - not a bad thing after the summer indulgence. Have experienced insomnia this time, which I had not previously. Female, 37."

• Gay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 12, 2019

For Hot Flashes "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."

• Ema...
• January 7, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "I started taking Effexor about 2 years ago now. At first, I started at the lowest dose and found it did nearly nothing for me. However, over time as we slowly increased it, I found my depression did majorly decrease. I had been unable to get out of bed, had suicidal thoughts, and no interest in relationships before beginning the drug. After about 6 months, I found I was managing my depression much better. However, it is still a daily fight. I also found I have a huge drop in sex drive due to the medication."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 14, 2020

For Anxiety "I never understood why antidepressants were linked to suicidality until I tried Effexor. I had been on Lexapro for 8 years for anxiety, but got fed up with the apathy and loss of libido, and it just wasn't working well. Switched to Effexor XR, was on 75mg for a total of 6 months. I slowly became more and more depressed, agitated, and began to have suicidal thoughts daily - I've never had any of these problems before - I was taking these drugs for anxiety after all, not depression. I was extremely numb emotionally and lacked any semblance of empathy, compassion, or affection as a result. In a way, this medication numbed me to the idea of death, whereby suicide seemed okay. Tapering off and feeling back to normal. Horrible, horrible drug, for me at least..."

• App...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 4, 2023

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was on 150 mg of Effexor for anxiety, depression, and ADHD for 8 months. It was great at first. I no longer woke up at dawn with anxiety attacks and could finally go to work, it also helped my anxiety when starting Ritalin. After a while, I started to feel very unmotivated and just numb, with no emotions. My sex drive went away, which before was super high, and I also couldn't orgasm, and if I did, it felt not as great. I stopped this medication because after missing just one dose, I had terrible vertigo to the point where I couldn't even stand without feeling like I was going to fall or throw up. I also got nausea and anxiety, along with tremendous fatigue and brain zaps, which I despise so much. Weaning off this medication now, and honestly, it's torture."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2013

For Depression "I'm 25 years old and have been depressed for the past few years. The first medication I tried was fluoxetine, which did absolutely nothing for me. When the dosage was increased from 20 to 40 mg, I had extreme itchiness of the skin all over my body at night and didn't sleep for a week. About 6 months ago, I was put on venlafaxine at 150 mg a day after a suicide attempt. It really helped a lot, and I felt a lot more balanced. The effects were fairly slow to come on, and it did suppress the libido and make it almost impossible to have an orgasm. After a few months, the medicine seemed to wear off, and I don't really feel much different now that I'm not on any medication. Having said that, I would definitely recommend it as it got me out of a very dark place."

• JR ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 6, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I went from not wanting to leave my house to taking part in a charity boxing event. I only gave it 9/10 because of the loss of libido."

• Rob...
• May 27, 2019

For Hot Flashes "I’ve been on venlafaxine 37.5 mg 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 the evening dose. I had at least a 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."

• Mjd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 20, 2016

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I wanted to share my experience with Effexor (Fluoxetine) for anxiety, panic attack disorder, and depression. I'm a 28-year-old girl. I have been taking Effexor 75 mg for years but no results at all. Then my psychiatrist augmented the dose to 225 mg, which works greatly now with all my disorders. I'm also on 100 mg Sulpiride, which blocks perfectly black persecutive ideas and helps reduce my anxiety too. But here is the problem: I faced an important lack of libido and anorgasmia and a delayed period due to the high dose of Fluoxetine probably. But after months, I'm taking an infusion of Fenugreek seeds. I'm not drinking every day but at least twice in 28 days, and it really helped with the side effects of Effexor."

• Mjd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 20, 2016

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I wanted to share my experience with Effexor (Fluoxetine) for anxiety, panic attack disorder, and depression. I'm a 28-year-old girl. I have been taking Effexor 75 mg for years but no results at all. Then my psychiatrist augmented the dose to 225 mg, which works greatly now with all my disorders. I'm also on 100 mg Sulpiride, which blocks perfectly black persecutive ideas and helps reduce my anxiety too. But here is the problem: I faced an important lack of libido and anorgasmia and a delayed period due to the high dose of Fluoxetine probably. But after months, I'm taking an infusion of Fenugreek seeds. I'm not drinking every day but at least twice in 28 days, and it really helped with the side effects of Effexor."

• Ry3...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2018

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was diagnosed with GAD, MDD, panic disorder, and social anxiety. Before being diagnosed, I was very nervous about taking any antidepressants. However, Effexor was amazing for me, overall. Almost all anxiety and depression vanished. The only negative for me (and it’s a big one) was that I lost my libido, it was very hard to maintain an erection, and orgasms became next to impossible. Trying a different medication now."

• Din...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 18, 2021

For Depression "Didn't feel much negative side effects from getting on it. But I do remember feeling feelings of happiness already within the first week. Feelings of joy that I had forgotten existed. Venlafaxine did affect my sex life though by not being able to reach orgasm for several years. That seemed to be the worst side effect for me, plus the always-present possibility to forget to take it and therefore go dizzy and unwell within a few hours. After 10 years on approximately 225 mg, I have now stopped, and it took me by surprise just how sick I became! I stepped out of venlafaxine too fast due to my own impatience, and wow, the sickness! Totally dizzy, all sorts of malfunctions, throwing up, very picky with the small amount of food I could bear to even look at, freezing, sweating, emotionally all over the place. After the first 6 days, it has begun to get a whole lot better, and I am happy to get this far! I believe the medicine helped me when I needed it, but now I am excited to see if I am able to do without in the long run."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2011

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I've been on 150 mg for 1 year now for anxiety. I have previously taken Paxil as well for years, but it seemed to have stopped working for me. Although Effexor has helped with anxiety (not a 'cure'), if I miss 1 dose, I experience the worst side effects: dizziness, nausea, vertigo, diarrhea, headache. It has also significantly decreased my libido. I will be trying to come off of this and probably switch to something else because of this."

• Anonymous
• June 25, 2011

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on Effexor for about 2 years and am now coming off it. I have been taking 75 mg once per day. I have gained 80 lbs in the years I have been taking it, but since I cut back, I have lost ten in about a month. My sex drive has gone from almost every night to maybe twice a month (most of the time, my mood has mellowed out)."

• Maz...
• December 10, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "Love, love, love this drug. Spent seven months in total depression and attempted suicides. Tried four other antidepressants which didn't help. Effexor saved my life, literally. Started working within 3 days at a dose of 300 mg. I'm now happy, not anxious, not depressed, not suicidal. I'm back to being me. No nausea or major side effects, apart from low libido, which is common for this class of medication, and insomnia. Works for those who genuinely need serotonin to be restored to their brain. Worth a shot if other medications have failed."

• tls...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "My health issues are PTSD, depression, anxiety, social anxiety, and bipolar disorder. I spent 3 total days on this medication. The first 2 days, this medication seemed to work okay but made me quite moody. By the 3rd day, I felt horrible. I woke up from a nap feeling extremely spacey, foggy, and my memory was horrible. It was almost as if I never woke up fully. By losing my memory temporarily, I immediately panicked and started crying. This medication scared me, and I no longer used it after the 3rd day. I would’ve rather stayed on Lexapro, which lowered my libido significantly, than this medication. Absolutely horrible for my body."

• Que...
• September 26, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been on this med for about a year and a half. I started taking 80 mg, and my anxiety got so much worse the first few weeks (very common). It didn't seem to be helping much, so I upped my dose about 3 months later. Went up to 100 mg and had to up it once more. I'm currently on 185 mg a day, and it seems to help when I take it every day! (try not to miss a dose!) The symptoms I experienced are dry mouth, sleeplessness, no appetite, and no sex drive! After a while, these all vanished besides the low sex drive (sadly). If I miss a dose, my anxiety comes back full force (it's severe!). It is a pretty good medicine if taken correctly but may have to be increased over time. Don't give up!"

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2019

For Depression "I was on Citalopram since 2014 originally. I had always dealt with minor depression, sometimes major. I recently just switched to Venlafaxine by the recommendation of my doctor after I mentioned that I was feeling always tired and fatigued, eating excessively, didn’t have too much of a sex drive, still would feel depressed from time to time, and just wasn’t sure if the medication was still working. It’s been about a month now on Venlafaxine, and I feel great. I have a newfound confidence and have strong tunnel vision, successful thoughts. I feel at peace with myself and so much more content. I am also not overeating and have lost a bit of weight, which was nice. The cons of it so far have been I haven’t had the easiest time sleeping for one. Orgasms have felt not as strong and kind of delayed, so to speak. Also, I can be a little more irritated than normal and can get pretty angry."