Venlafaxine and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ash...
• September 29, 2017

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I was prescribed the Effexor XR for acute depression and anxiety after a death in the family, and only took it for a month, but it made me sane and able to face every day as a teacher without crying randomly throughout the day. That was 2 years ago. I was prescribed it again for the same thing when my fiance passed away. I thought I was ready to stop taking it after 3 weeks, but I found myself fighting back tears over small incidents like breaking a pen or a student asking me a simple question about the material. I started taking it again and it's been a lifesaver for me. I can still take the time to reminisce at night and grieve, although the tears seldom come. If you aren't on it long then the withdrawal isn't bad at all. Hope this helps! :)"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2019

Venlafaxine for Autism "I took this about 3 weeks ago. I started on 75 mg. I felt nausea the first day. Then the second day was easier, just a headache and a little nausea and panic. But as the week went on, the symptoms went away and I felt a lot better. The reason why I don't give it a full 10 is that if you take it late, after the 24-hour period since your last dose, you start to experience withdrawal. It is different for everyone, but I was fine. I'm autistic, suffer from acute anxiety, PTSD, and severe depression. It has saved my life so far. I am scared of horror stories, but as an autistic adult, I look at it as an opportunity."

• Try...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 27, 2017

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Before anyone agrees to taking Effexor (venlafaxine), please look at the withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms and experience have been likened to heroin or opiate addiction withdrawal. Please do your research and regardless of what your doctor tells you, THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES! I hope this helps someone."

• Ano...
• March 23, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on Effexor for about 6 months now. I was prescribed it for anxiety and social anxiety. My social anxiety is basically gone. I still get a little bit of anxiety but it is way better than it used to be. However, if I forget to take it, I get very bad withdrawal symptoms. But, I consider it worth it."

• Gam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 15, 2020

Venlafaxine for Depression "Effexor was by far the worst medication I have taken. If you miss even one dose, within hours you are sick and having withdrawal symptoms. It took a good six months before the brain zaps stopped. Run away. It's terrible."

• Bug...
• March 15, 2016

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I have very bad anxiety, moderate panic attacks, and horrible night terrors. I just couldn't take it anymore. This was the first medication I tried. It has helped me so much, I can't even explain it to you. Yes, I still have anxiety, but it is mild now. I almost never have nightmares anymore. As soon as I miss a dose, I get lightheaded, dizzy, and feel like crap. It has very bad withdrawals. I have almost no side effects. This medicine has been great for me. I've been on it for almost a year. I am at 150 mg."

• Sue...
• October 1, 2014

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been taking the generic, venlafaxine for about 6 years. My doctor settled on 75 mg once daily, as increasing the dosage makes my hands tremble. It is not nearly as effective as it once was. Withdrawals for this medication are hellish. I ran out of pills on a few occasions and felt like I was losing my mind. I really would like to slowly taper off and eventually be free of this medicine."

• Anonymous
• June 2, 2011

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I have found Effexor and therapy to be a fantastic combination. The Effexor alone has kept me from feeling like I'm going to climb the walls. I didn't lose any weight on Effexor. I actually gained some (in part due to my own lack of exercise). I weaned off for about a year while I was pregnant. Withdrawals can be rough but not impossible. My advice is to wean VERY slowly. I went from 75 mg daily to 37.5 daily. Then to 37.5 every other day, then every two days, then every three days, etc. until I was taking it once a week then stopped."

• Gra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 9, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on venlafaxine for 2 years at 225 mg. Amazing medicine. I don't mind withdrawal because I'll never quit. It's smoother than other SSRIs, has a small half-life, so you can easily sleep at night. Don't read all these horror stories. The side effects for me lasted a maximum of 4 weeks, so take time off your schedule. My advice would be to take 75 mg in the morning and keep one in your pocket to use as needed. Keep in mind that after 150 mg, it works as an SNRI, so you will have a boost of energy."

• Plu...
• October 22, 2016

Venlafaxine 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
• March 13, 2009

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "I have found that Effexor XR is the most effective drug for my anxiety disorder and depression. I have had basically no side effects from the medicine, and it has helped control both issues. I have noticed withdrawals even if one dose is missed. I have been taking 150 mg daily for three years and overall am very pleased."

• Anonymous
• April 10, 2012

Venlafaxine for Depression "I'm 17, about 125 pounds, female, and a senior in high school. I've had depression for a while and started taking Effexor. I strongly encourage trying this medicine for any teens or college students who deal with depression. It helps me concentrate and feel altogether in a stable and happy mood. I've had weight loss, also, the only thing that makes me nervous is the withdrawal effects I've read about."

• kev...
• April 13, 2015

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "You have to keep taking this medicine forever. The withdrawal is awful after a day. However, once you find your dose, everything is fine. I don't recommend this medicine because it's like a marriage with a messy, long divorce. It's better to stay on it once you're on it. I am on 150 mg, and it works for me. Don't try and go off."

• Jim...
• September 7, 2015

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "Started at 75, then gradually increased to 300 mg over the course of about a year. Has worked so well for me. 300 mg is optimal for me. If I drop below that, my symptoms return within a few days. It has horrible withdrawal effects, though: nausea, headache, dizziness, weakness. It's worth it to me, though. I can think clearly, focus on work, not irritated, not depressed, or having horrible thoughts on repeat all day. Have not had thoughts of harming myself since I've been on it. Also, I have social anxiety. Now I can go places without fear and heart pounding. I've tried Paxil and Wellbutrin, but this is it for me. Hope this helped."

• Gra...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 26, 2016

For Hot Flashes "Don't take this. I took it for hot flashes, and now, at 70, I am trying to withdraw, as it also has high blood pressure as a side effect. Horrible withdrawal problems! Do not take this drug."

• nic...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 17, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "This medication needs to be illegal. It did not help my depression, it caused significant weight gain, and if a dose was missed by 1+ hours, the side effects were severe. The withdrawal symptoms are more intense than I ever would have imagined, and prescribing doctors do not warn patients against this. After beginning to taper off this medication, I experienced really dark thoughts and attempted suicide. I was in the ICU for a week and a psychiatric hospital for 4 weeks. Effexor almost cost me my life. Please don't risk yours by taking it."

• Kay...
• September 23, 2014

Venlafaxine 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."

• Blu...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 1, 2019

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "Having suffered from chronic low mood for years, I was prescribed Venlafaxine (Effexor) by a psychiatrist in the UK. Initially 225 mg, but didn't find that much of a change. Then on 300 mg, I suddenly felt better. That was over 10 years ago. I am now 45 years old and have had no further periods of depression since and have continued taking it. That is despite being almost permanently depressed before taking it. Yes, I have low moods now occasionally, but they are due to situational stress and a normal reaction to rubbish things happening. And I have not suffered from any major side effects, certainly nothing that would stop me from taking it. Night sweats are probably the worst. And I do suffer from withdrawals if I forget to take the medication for 24 hrs. Overall, a very positive and life-changing drug. Btw, I also have done CBT and self-help alongside taking medication, which has helped, but the drug definitely made the main difference."

• Anonymous
• September 15, 2008

Venlafaxine for Depression "Effexor XR has worked very well for me in combating my depression. I have been very diligent in taking the medicine properly and on schedule every day at near the same time. This past weekend, due to an oops at the doctor's office, a refill was not called in properly to the pharmacy before I went out of town for the weekend, and I left town without any Effexor. Needless to say, I experienced Effexor withdrawal symptoms. Heed my warning! It's not a good idea to miss a dose, and you DEFINITELY DO NOT want to miss any doses. It was awful. Don't let the script run out."

• Anonymous
• December 2, 2009

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have had to take this medication for years. Not because I need to, but because of the withdrawal symptoms. My doctor and I have been working on this for so long. My doctor even said it's too bad we didn't know then what we know now, he would have prescribed me anything but this."

• jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 19, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've been on Effexor for about 2 years. It's changed my life completely. Before I went to rehab and before I was on it, I couldn't get out of bed for days at a time. It gives me energy and motivation! However, the withdrawal symptoms are horrific. If I miss a dose, I get severe headaches. I feel like there are fireworks going off in my head. Last year, I had to go to the ER because I couldn't breathe or stop shaking after 3 weeks of cutting it cold turkey (due to an insurance error). This is definitely not the drug for people who regularly miss doses or have problems with addiction pills. It's not for everyone, but works great for me."

• Xmy...
• October 11, 2011

Venlafaxine for Depression "One of the best medications I have taken for depression. One warning is do not run out of this medication, because you will experience terrible withdrawals, and when you re-take it, the nausea is terrible. If I can stay on this medicine for a long time, I will be happy, never had better control of my depression than I do on Effexor."

• Gab...
• September 25, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "Effexor XR has helped a lot, and I've stayed at 75 mg. But others may need more. Also, a few people have mentioned that they fear getting off of it because of withdrawal. Your doctor can help if you ever need to get off. I believe the technical term is 'Effexor - Prozac bridge.' In other words, you take the longer-acting medication (like Prozac) to counteract the short half-life of Effexor. A doctor could explain it better than I can, but hopefully, that will alleviate any concerns."

• Wan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 2, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "Effexor ruined my life. After 3 years, I am in complete agony. Pain all over, and it stopped working. I tried to switch to another drug, and the withdrawals are much worse than heroin. My body is crunching all over. Haven't slept in months. Can't use my brain. Stay away from this!!! I can't work, I am on my own and will be homeless soon! The withdrawals are unbearable! Doctors' tapering is wrong!"

• Lon...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 3, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "Had weight gain, atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, anorgasmia, bad withdrawal symptoms."