Venlafaxine and Sweating: What Users Say (Page 3)

• 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."

• 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."

• Ven...
• June 18, 2021

For Migraine "Venlafaxine ruined my life. It turned my brain into salad and took all creativity and joy away. I don't have feelings. I don't have energy. I sleep 15 hours and wake up tired. I sweat, always. Can't think, can't talk. Old friends don't recognize me, family looks at me like I've gone mad. And now, 3 years after withdrawal, I still feel lost and can't remember the person I once was. The person Venlafaxine created is empty and doesn't care. Migraine? If I could go back, I would just take the pain relievers and pray. It did not help. I'm slow and tardy. The depression I experienced from this drug was extreme, intense, soul-crushing. I am incapable of feeling motivated as of now. The annoying side effects are gone now, but the life-changing ones remain. Still slow, confused, uninspired, and unable to have intelligent conversations. I vaguely remember the fun, outgoing, active person I once was. I loved life. It will never be me again, and the realization breaks my heart a little bit every time."

• mr...
• May 27, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "This medication has worked amazingly well for me, but the side effects are no joke. My mood is better, I'm less anxious, less angry, and more sociable. It works. It's great, but there are serious drawbacks. My libido and sexual performance are down. I get tired more easily. If I go outside on a hot day, my clothes are quickly drenched in sweat. Physical activity exhausts my muscles more quickly. My mouth is so dry I need to constantly sip water. And finally, if I miss a dose, I get the sensation of electric shocks in my brain. I personally find the benefits outweigh the side effects. Worth a try when more tolerable meds fail."

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

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2020

For Depression "Venlafaxine was the worst decision of my life. Started it at 9 pm, got diarrhea at 11 pm. Thought nothing of it. Went to bed. Woke up at 2 am with the most severe nausea, restlessness, and tingling all over my body. Managed to fall asleep at 3:30 am after walking outside for an hour. Woke up feeling absolutely manic. I was pacing for hours, pupils dilated, sweating profusely, restless as can be, yet somehow tired and sleepy, feeling absolutely crazy for 2 days. And this is all from one 75 mg tablet. Wish I could give this one a 0."

• Dic...
• June 1, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've been on antidepressant drugs for 30 years for my anxiety and depression. The last 5 on venlafaxine 150 mg. We all know the side effects: sweating, memory loss, to name a few. However, this is the best drug I personally have ever used."

• Tru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2021

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and adjustment disorder, which mimic major depression. I was also diagnosed with glaucoma, which interacts with antidepressants because these medications can raise eye pressure, so my G.P. tried me on Effexor just through desperation due to my suicidal tendencies/thoughts. I didn't think it was humanly possible to feel worse than I could, but Effexor certainly did that. This is the worst of all the antidepressants, it's like hippie crack and angel dust combined. Within 3 hours, I was on the toilet, then constantly sweating, actually dripping in sweat, then the monster panic attacks and brain zaps kicked in. The first three days, I didn't eat a single thing, by day 7, I was wanting to get sectioned. I wasn't going to mess around tapering off this crazy juice, I came off it straight away on the 8th morning and was severely ill. The withdrawals are astonishing, it's not even possible to compare them with anything. I am not anti-antidepressants."

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 2, 2020

For Hot Flashes "I was diagnosed with hormone-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer 2 1/2 years ago. I had terrible hot flushes, so I was prescribed venlafaxine. I was on 37.5 mg, and it helped a little, but my doctor told me to go on 75 mg. Big mistake. She told me it would upset my stomach but to stay on it. It will get better. I survived 6 months, but stomach issues never went away, I had a terrible constant headache right in the area of my prefrontal cortex or sinuses, I am not sure. I feel faint and dizzy like I am an 'airhead.' I get sweats, I am tired and weak all of the time. Yawn constantly. I never suffered from depression before, but I felt depressed after taking this, and I had memory issues. I am trying to wean myself off now, but my head bothers me. I hope I can recover from the dizziness and 'airhead' feeling. How long do these side effects last after you are off this drug?"

• 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."

• Suz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 12, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "My panic attacks started in 2012. I started taking Zoloft 50 mg, which was working well until 2018 when my panic attacks came back, and the worst was that my hands started shaking, which I think can be side effects of Zoloft. Since June 2018, my psychiatrist prescribed me Effexor XR. I started 37.5 mg for 1 week and then 75 mg and increased it to 112.5 mg since August 2018. I am very happy, and I feel that it is working. Side effects were a little nausea (if I take it with food, it is much less), sometimes I have headaches, and in summer I was sweating a lot, and sometimes I feel tachycardia. I believe tolerating the side effects is much easier than having panic attacks. The only problem that I have is my hands are still shaking, especially when I am doing delicate things."

• sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "Horrible drug, will never use it again. My doctor prescribed the lowest possible daily dose to try to see if it would help for anxiety and depression. After taking it for one week, I had nausea, constant sweating, made my head feel tight and foggy, did not sleep more than 20 minutes at a time because I was constantly waking with nightmares. Been off Effexor for over a month. Sweats gone, nausea gone, feeling much better but can't sleep more than 4 hours straight, then being awake for hours. I would not recommend this drug to anyone. Get your doctor to try you on something different first."

• 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."

• Jim...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 22, 2024

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I was switched to venlafaxine after unsuccessfully trialing various SSRIs. Initially, I strongly disliked venlafaxine. The first couple of months were rough in terms of side effects, but my psychiatrist encouraged me to persist with it, and things rapidly improved soon thereafter. I found the 150 mg dose to be too low. It was better than any SSRI at 150 mg, but not sufficient to reach remission. My psych tried a few different doses, and we settled on 300 mg daily. What a difference compared to Zoloft, Prozac, and Lexapro. Strongly recommend trying the higher doses if 150-225 mg is insufficient for you. At 300 mg, it becomes a little activating, similar to a weak stimulant like caffeine. The side effects I've encountered are increased sweating, decreased appetite/weight loss, a mild tremor, and slightly increased blood pressure. None of the usual 'male' side effects I had previously experienced with SSRIs."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2015

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I took Effexor XR 37.5 mg for 1 month against general anxiety and major depressive episode after big setbacks in business and job. The first week, I had to force myself to take it with daily telephone encouragement from the doctor (GP). Headaches, nausea, sweating, and anxiety about taking the new drug itself. After 3 weeks, I did feel a bit better but had strong headaches and felt very tired still all day. I decided to reduce and phase it out over 2 weeks by taking out the little balls from the pill. To my surprise, this was much easier to stop than Paxil, which I had discontinued for 8 months (after long-term use). Now, without Effexor since 4 weeks; no more headaches or anxiety, feel more alive and productive without these 'numbing' drugs."

• vic...
• December 5, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "Initially, I had a decrease in my depression, but after a year or so, it seemed to do nothing, however, I had a lot of outside factors that could have caused that. I didn't realize until after I got off how much it made me sweat, sometimes to the level of embarrassment. I also had severe dry mouth and constantly had to drink huge amounts of water. Gained a lot of weight. As soon as I got off it, I started losing weight, was never thirsty, and stopped sweating. I think compared to the side effects, it wasn't worth it to me."

• Jes...
• July 20, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "My experience with Effexor was absolutely terrible. I was prescribed this for my depression (3rd medication I tried). The reason I gave it 2/10 was because I didn't feel any worse mentally on this (did not feel the slightest bit better either), but if it wasn't for that I would have given it a 0/10 if possible. The side effects and withdrawal were absolutely terrible. The head 'zaps' started to cause unbearable migraines, I had no appetite, and my vision was blurred some days. The withdrawal was something I've never experienced before, and I hope that I will never have to go through it again. I was completely bedridden due to the unbearable migraines, sweating, and vomiting. Everyone is different, but this did not work out for me."

• THE...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 10, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "thought it was a miracle drug at first until I ceased feeling emotions, and I was only ever on a low dose of 75 mg. Been trying to wean off this drug for 3 months now, and I had brain zaps (feels like an electrical impulse going through my head), no appetite, diarrhea, headaches, dysphoria, aches and pains throughout my muscles and joints, dissociation (feels like I'm watching myself watch paint dry), tremors, and sweats. I feel hopeless and like this drug has taken my life from me for the past few months. I would NEVER recommend this to anyone ever."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2017

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started taking Effexor about 3 days ago. So far, it's been pretty crazy. I'm sweaty all the time, nauseous yet starving, and cannot stay asleep for the life of me. However, it is really helping with my anxiety. I suffer from dermatillomania, which causes me to pick my skin. I have noticed that I've been picking a lot less in just 3 days! My scabs are clearing up, and I'm not 'catching' myself picking nearly as often. I also feel calm and relaxed. The side effects seriously suck though. As I type this, my phone is about to slip out of my hands from sweat. I'm a 95 lb, 21-year-old, and I don't think I've ever sweated so much in my life. It's also been making me dizzy. It's worth it to me though. If it will help me stop picking, I'll do anything."

• wan...
• September 6, 2016

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been taking Effexor XR 37.5 mg for 8 days, and the worse side effects are horrible fatigue and sweats. The first day I was light-headed, but that went away. I skipped today to see if I got withdrawal symptoms, and I did. Tomorrow I will go back on it. If the chronic fatigue continues, I will have to figure out which med to try next. For my depression to subside, I would probably need a higher dosage, but I don't think I could handle the side effects. I know for some people it works well at 150 mg, but I could never tolerate that dose."

• Gem...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 11, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've struggled with GAD since my late teens, which worsened following a tragic and untimely death in the family, which also led to PTSD. I tried numerous antidepressants, but most of them slowed me down, I didn't want this. So many years ago, maybe 12 years ago, I was prescribed Effexor. Since then, my dose has gone up and down, I'm now on 225 mg daily. I was able to come off them cold turkey for three pregnancies. I can only suggest early pregnancy hormones took over, as withdrawal effects were minimal. But in general, withdrawal effects are horrendous if I miss a day or two, as I've failed to collect them on time. I have an upset stomach, sweating, and tremors, nightmares, feelings of terror. Luckily, they work fast! I'm a fan, they help and make me feel normal."

• Dep...
• February 22, 2016

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I wish somebody had told me how addictive this drug is before I started taking it. Had I known how bad the withdrawal symptoms were, I probably would never have gone on it. (Although that might be a good thing, as I need(ed) to be on it.) It has definitely helped. The worst thing is having to take it...literally. It's a full-out physical addiction. If we go somewhere and it doesn't get packed, I'm in trouble. It's not something to be taken for short-term or seasonally. Other than the withdrawals, the main side effect is sweating. I shower every morning, and by mid-afternoon, I have to put Kleenexes or some sort of absorbing pad in my armpits! In the past 17 years, I've also been on Paxil, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, and one other."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 24, 2018

For Hot Flashes "DON’T MISS a DOSE! Severe nausea, shakes, and vomiting! Yes, it does help with hot flashes, but the sweating, shivering, headaches, and stomach issues when you miss a dose by even a few hours is terrible!"

• JJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Female (45) taking Effexor for about 6 months. I used to be on Celexa, but my anxiety was getting worse. I didn't have any problems getting used to Effexor like others have. After having been on it for 6 months, I'm back to having severe anxiety, so I'm being switched to something else. Weaning off hasn't given me the same problems other people have. I'm not working right now, though-if I were working, I'd probably notice the withdrawal symptoms much more than I do. I've noticed sweating, feeling dehydrated, and an achy feeling all over."

• Ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2018

For Anxiety "I bought the medication, and I was terrified to start. After 3 months, I eventually started taking it, and the side effects were not good: sweating and nausea, headache, bad taste in my mouth. I stopped after 2 days. I was rethinking because I needed to do something for my anxiety and the bad thoughts after my sister and mother passed away. I started again, today is my 4th pill, and I feel much, much better. I don’t feel much interest in drinking or eating. Still a bit of nausea, but tolerable. It is a feeling of well-being in my whole body. I found some peace. I am not sleepy or tired or nervous. I feel balanced. I am on 37.5 mg. I hope my review helps. Probably everybody reacts differently, but for me, this medication is heaven."