Venlafaxine and Sweating: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ano...
• October 2, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "I took 225 mg of Effexor XR for about 6 years for MDD and was doing well until I started to notice a drop in its effectiveness. I then tried Lexapro (terrible) and Cymbalta. The latter worked well for about a year and a half, until, again, its effectiveness waned. My physician suggested that, since Effexor XR had worked in the past, I give it another shot. I've been back on 150 mg now for over a year and a half and am doing well on it. The medicine, along with talk therapy, has helped significantly. The side effects I experience are: increased sweating, dry mouth, and loss of libido. Also, missing a dose for more than a day is miserable, as it causes nausea, a 'disconnected head' feeling, and slight anxiety."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2018

Venlafaxine for Social Anxiety Disorder "I started on Effexor four weeks ago at 37.5 mg for a week and was advised to increase to 75 mg. My initial side effects for the first three days were excessive fatigue, I think I slept for two days straight. I also had nausea and sweating. After four days, the side effects stopped, except the nausea still continues. My overall mental health is a lot better. I am calmer, less stressed, and able to concentrate better. I have also lost 6 kg since starting the medication. So far, I'm happy on it, the nausea is slowly subsiding but is still there."

• Anonymous
• June 22, 2011

Venlafaxine for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Works great for my PMDD, but I experience excessive sweating and the yawns. Worth it, though. Slightly better than the SSRIs (Zoloft, Prozac) I've taken for the anxiety/irritability piece."

• can...
• May 21, 2020

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "This drug has literally saved my life. I agree with others that the initial side effects can be bad, so sleepy for the first week but switched to taking it at night. I take the slow release after dinner (better tolerated with food), helped me sleep, which helped me to feel a little better initially. The dose to start was 37.5 mg for 3 weeks, then up to 75 mg. So sweaty!!! If I don't take it with food, I get horrible nausea. Sex drive decreased slightly initially, and weight gain of about 5 kgs. Now I've been on it for about 6 months. Slowly losing the weight, sleeping great, no suicidal thoughts/ideation, or maybe just a couple fleeting thoughts, decrease in obsessive thoughts, no nightmares, decrease in impulsive behaviors, disassociation, emotional regulation!! Highs and lows kind of dulled, I would say. Experiencing the gray areas for the first time in 20 years. Feeling 'normal', increase in interest in social activities. Honestly, this is the best antidepressant I've ever had. I will never stop taking it!!"

• lil...
• September 11, 2016

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Started Effexor after citalopram stopped working for anxiety and depression, been taking it for 3 years, was up to 150 mg, tapered down to 37.5 mg, slowly over 6 months, mainly because of weight gain and feeling more calm. No problems in reducing, but am reluctant to go lower in case of a relapse. Has anyone lost weight after reducing the dose, or do you have to come off completely? I rate Effexor, except for weight gain and sweating, the only med that has made me function normally."

• nab...
• December 15, 2008

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Effexor for over a year, and my dosage has been 37.5 mg daily. The drug has worked wonders for me, but I have had some side effects of sweating, strange dreams, and dizziness when I forget to take it."

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2009

Venlafaxine for Hot Flashes "Effexor XR has been very helpful. The only side effects I've noticed are an occasional, slight feeling of dizziness and increased sweating. The benefits greatly outweigh the side effects."

• sgt...
• February 10, 2010

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was prescribed Effexor after a major depressive episode and being diagnosed with general depressive disorder. I started at 75 mg of the XR, and a few weeks later increased to 150. I can't even tell you how much better I felt. I know that some people have problems with this medication, but that's how it is with any antidepressant. The only side effect I had was increased sweating, which was annoying, but was definitely outweighed by the positive effects. The only issue I had with this medication was a decrease in effectiveness over time. Eventually, I had the dosage raised to 225 mg, and I stayed with that dosage for a year and haven't had any problems."

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2016

For Hot Flashes "My doctor put me on this medicine for hot flashes and the roller coaster of emotions that come along with pre-menopause. 37.5 mg. After I took the first dose, I started sweating, shaking, got nauseous, and started violently vomiting, along with diarrhea. I had the dry heaves for 4 hours. Very scary. I almost went to the ER. I will not be taking this medicine! I'd rather have the hot flashes!"

• Ann...
• November 2, 2019

For Anxiety "I've been taking 75 mg venlafaxine slow release once a day for 5 1/2 weeks and would recommend it! Day 1 I took it at 8 pm, woke up at 1 am with horrible nausea and vomiting, was really shaky and sweaty. Day 2 freezing but had sweaty palms, clenched jaw, couldn't focus, felt exhausted and had a headache. Day 3-7 felt stoned, slept a lot, no appetite. Day 8 felt really high, had huge pupils and sweaty palms. Day 9 appetite started to come back, but was shaky and exhausted in the evening. Day 10-14 spotting and tired. Day 16 exhausted, couldn't focus, had night sweats. Day 16-23 spotting and felt very dopey. Day 26 felt good. Day 27 a period started (I'm on the pill). Day 28 felt OK. Day 29 forgot to take the meds, took the missed pill in the morning, no adverse side effects. Day 30-31 tired, but OK. Day 32-38 felt like my normal self, without the anxiety and constant rumination! Stick with it for 6 weeks, it takes a while for your body to get used to it."

• Anonymous
• December 2, 2009

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I started taking Effexor XR two years ago for depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and OCD. This drug, in combination with therapy, has really decreased my symptoms. I feel what I think 'normal' must feel like for people who don't have the above-mentioned conditions. When starting the medication, I had some of the listed side effects (weird dreams, sweating, fatigue), but they all subsided after about 4 weeks. I would recommend giving this drug a try, keeping in mind that every drug works a little differently for every person. It may or may not be one that works for you."

• Sul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started taking this medication about eight weeks ago for increased anxiety (likely aggravated by menopause). It was affecting my life greatly. Side effects of blurred vision, low sex drive, and sweats were extreme. I kept questioning whether or not I would get past the side effects, especially the sweating, as I was starting to feel better. Thankfully, they all passed except for the low sex drive. That bothers me a bit, but not enough to change meds, and I feel amazing. Heading back to work next week and actually looking forward to it. I also realized I probably should have been on this medication a long time ago. Hang in there for at least eight weeks before giving up due to side effects."

• Nic...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 13, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on Effexor for about 6-7 years now. I started taking 75 mg, which needed to be increased to 4 x 75 mg per day as I was in complete terror. This drug saved my life. I would not be here if not for this drug. I tried amitriptyline, citalopram, and propranolol for many years previously, but they did not give me the relief I needed. The first 2 weeks of taking this drug while off work, I saw the room flip upside down a few times, making me fall down in the shower, etc. It was a really scary time, but once in my system, I got great relief almost immediately. My side effects now are just sweating and tiredness, but I am on 2 x 75 mg/day & feel really content. I got down to 75 mg/day but felt anxious, so I upped to 2/day. Great drug if it suits you!!!!"

• Mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "Have suffered horrendous anxiety for years. Tried every type of medication to no avail. I currently take propranolol to help heart rate and shakes, but had a bad few years where even this wasn't helping. Was put on mirtazapine (highest dose) for a year, this only helped my appetite, so I then became housebound with agoraphobia. I was at my wits' end until I was given 75 mg twice daily of venlafaxine. Now, at first the side effects were nasty, very nasty. I'd feel extremely nauseous, yawn every minute followed by gagging sensations, and completely lose my appetite. Also, when I went to bed, I'd shake, sweat, and feel very agitated. This lasted for about 2 weeks, and then all of a sudden they disappeared, and I feel amazing. Nerves have gone, and I honestly feel like a new man. I don't even have brain fog anymore. It's like somebody went into my body and took control. Best drug ever. Highly recommended for anxiety and depression."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "I began taking Effexor XR 150 to treat anxiety/depression. The medication gave very few adverse reactions initially. I did notice benefits until the end of my second month. There was a mistake with supply, and I had to go 2 days without. Within 2 days, I was in full-on withdrawals. It began with insomnia, livable. Then came nausea, muscle cramps, hot and cold sweats, hives, swollen tongue, irritability, depression, hallucinations... those were the most significant ones. By the second day off, my withdrawals were bad."

• Anonymous
• March 26, 2012

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I've suffered from anxiety my whole life. I've been on and off so many different medicines I can't even count. At first, Effexor seemed like a heaven send. Recently, though, I've realized that if I merely skip a day or more, the withdrawals are indescribable. I shake constantly. I throw up. I sweat. I get headaches."

• Mad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 12, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "Trying Effexor was the worst decision of my life. I was on Celexa for about a year and noticed it becoming less and less effective, so I talked with my doctor, and he convinced me to try Effexor. The first few months, I experienced nightmares, cold sweats, grogginess, lack of motivation, and memory loss. After 6 months, I wasn't even the same person anymore. I had no emotion, no sex drive, and completely lost all hope. The only reason I stayed on it was because I knew the withdrawal was so miserable. A couple of months ago, I had an incident where I attempted suicide and had no choice but to switch medications. It took me about a month to get off the Effexor, and the withdrawal was absolute misery. Please, if you have a choice, do NOT try Effexor."

• JD3...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 8, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "Taking Effexor in the beginning was hard to get used to, but after 6 months I felt great. Downside is I have headaches and sweat a lot. If I miss more than 4 days, then I have withdrawal symptoms. I'm taking 150 mg a day, and despite the side effects, I wouldn't change a thing. Oh yeah, I have also lost weight while taking Effexor."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 21, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "These pills are horrible. The lights are so much brighter now. I always feel sick to my stomach. I have no motivation to do anything. I wake up 5-6 times a night having cold sweats. I always feel exhausted. My hands and feet are constantly sweating. Do not take this drug. The withdrawals are atrocious."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 21, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "These pills are horrible. The lights are so much brighter now. I always feel sick to my stomach. I have no motivation to do anything. I wake up 5-6 times a night having cold sweats. I always feel exhausted. My hands and feet are constantly sweating. Do not take this drug. The withdrawals are atrocious."

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

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Ell...
• January 7, 2020

Venlafaxine for Depression "Our son, 16 years old, was put on Effexor XR in January 2019 for depression, after Prozac wasn't working on him. The dose was slowly increased to 225 mg. At the time, his psychiatrist went on holiday, and he developed dilated pupils, racing heart, jiggling, sweating. Took him to the GP, who immediately took an ECG, reduced his meds, said that he was developing serotonin syndrome. The psychiatrist did not have a replacement while away and had planned to add another antidepressant as Effexor wasn't working. The reduction side effects have been horrible, made more manageable by using micronutrients, but still losing a lot of school time. From August to December, we have gone down from 225 mg to 42, reductions have become smaller and slower as the dose reduces. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, head zaps, fatigue, and insomnia are his side effects. I wish I had done more homework. Since reading more, using it on those under 18 is not recommended."

• Anonymous
• April 11, 2020

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "The people saying they don’t get side effects maybe they just don’t notice, but there are side effects. I sweat more, sleep less, and have no sex drive, but those are all things I can live with in exchange for the positive effects I get. I started taking Effexor in high school because I was sleeping an average of 16 hours a day, likely had depression because I was anxious so much, and my quality of life was abysmal. I left the house like four or five times a week at the most as a 16-year-old. Once I started Effexor, I started to feel more energized, I didn’t need nearly as much sleep, and my depression has cleared away completely. I still have issues with anxiety attacks, but have recently lowered my Effexor dose and started taking Lexapro as well. This is a medication you cannot miss doses on because you will start to feel serious symptoms of withdrawal if doses are skipped, but it’s a great medication worth trying if you haven’t found what’s worked for you yet."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Took this before bed and woke up at 3:30 am, nauseous, bad diarrhea, sweating, and shaking. Had no appetite all day and was dehydrated. Tried napping, and my heart was pounding just laying there. The next day, I had a migraine up until day three and felt awful. Will not take again. Should be called Sideffexor."

• Anonymous
• June 8, 2009

Venlafaxine for Depression "Improves my mood, less stressed, but nauseous and sweaty."