Venlafaxine and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 4)

• 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."

• And...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 25, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I started taking Effexor 75 mg for my anxiety at 22 years old when Lexapro and Prozac were no longer working for me. I immediately felt relief after I started taking it. I am very bad at taking it at the same time every day/remembering to take it every single day and have experienced some of the most horrendous withdrawal symptoms. I start to notice it about 6-7 hours after a missed dose. I’ll start to feel off balance, headache, fatigue, flu-like feeling, vomiting, etc. This drug is amazing if you remember to take it, but it is definitely something you need to be on long-term. Highly addictive and horrible withdrawal symptoms."

• emb...
• November 14, 2009

Venlafaxine for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Effexor XR for almost a decade. The withdrawal symptoms have prevented me from stopping it. Every attempt in the past to change/stop the medicine has landed me in the hospital. I am now taking the generic due to the cost, I can't see any difference. I consider it my happy pill and have to take it every day, or I experience uncomfortable side effects."

• Reg...
• April 2, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I struggled with depression, mood swings, and incredibly severe anxiety at a very young age. Effexor is the only drug that worked for me. I went up to 150 mg, and that really helped me control my anxiety and depression. I became more outgoing and was able to enjoy life in a way I hadn't been able to before. The one con with this medication is the withdrawal, which is severe. If I miss a dose, I experience fatigue, powerful electrical shocks throughout my body, and I become very withdrawn and 'out of it.' I switched to taking 2 doses: one 75 mg at night and one in the morning. I switched recently to Pristiq to see if it wouldn't have this side effect, but it does (although, less severe) and it isn't as effective. I will be going back to Effexor."

• gdi...
• December 16, 2009

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "It has definitely helped with depression and anxiety. But the withdrawal effects are horrible. If I forget to take a dose, I wake up so groggy and out of it. I have these electric-like pains through my body, my vision becomes wavy, and I get a migraine."

• gre...
• September 7, 2011

Venlafaxine for Depression "I don't usually write reviews, but I feel obliged to do so for this one. In many ways, Effexor helped with my clinical depression and gave me a boost of energy that I otherwise didn't get with typical SSRIs. On the other hand, within 2-3 weeks of taking it, I felt a sudden energy boost where I felt like I could do a million things at once. Before, I could never wake up in the morning and felt groggy, and then all of a sudden, I was up at 5:00 a.m. to do yoga 5 days a week. This pattern of hyperactivity continued for on end, until finally, I flipped out and became suicidal. At this time, I was on 200 mg of Effexor and could simply not function without it. After the terrible withdrawal of weaning off, I finally feel relaxed."

• You...
• May 20, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "I have cPTSD, serious depression, anxiety, and I also suffer from fibromyalgia. I will never get off of Effexor because it works, and the withdrawal symptoms scare me to death. I would only suggest Effexor as a last resort and only for someone with long-term issues because of the withdrawal problems. Effexor is a lifetime commitment, but it works, so that's okay with me. I did try other medications, and honestly, the one thing I have learned to test if an antidepressant is going to work is if, after a week of taking it, there is sexual dysfunction or not. I wish it helped me more with the fibro, but it is so worth it for the anti-anxiety. I can buy 90 days of generic at Costco for under $40, and that is cheaper than my insurance copays."

• Jad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2016

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "In response to Natalie-why didn't your doctor wean you off this medication? By just cutting your dose by half-if that's what he/she did here-no wonder you're experiencing such horrific side effects-speak up! My daughter just started taking this for panic disorder brought about by M. If the RX only comes in capsule form at those two doses-then there needs to be advocacy to change this so there is a way to wean off this med! So many people report negative side effects-withdrawal shouldn't be torture, and you might need to find a more compassionate doctor. It astonishes me the lack of empathy some professionals have-considering their career choice. If they can't be compassionate, they should stay away from patients and stick to research!"

• Anonymous
• September 25, 2009

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "While it helped me, it was hard to discontinue. I have tried several times to come off it without success. The withdrawal symptoms, even with a gradual lower dose, are horrific. I now have to decide whether or not to stay on this drug at maintenance level (37.5 mg) for the rest of my life or go to bed and try to sleep for at least a month while my body learns to live without it."

• Aht...
• March 25, 2012

Venlafaxine for Depression "My experience with Effexor was so bad. The withdrawal was a nightmare, and being on Effexor made me like a zombie. I was not sad, but I wasn't happy either. Six years later, I'm completely happy and antidepressant-free."

• 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."

• 911...
• December 21, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was given Effexor after Lexapro stopped helping me. I was on it approximately 1 year. But what I know now, that I wish I would have known then... the withdrawals are horrible! I am dizzy all the time, feel like the room is spinning. The pharmacist said this could last up to 3 months. I went off of it very slowly! I have been without it for about a month now. I have never been an addict of any kind, but I feel like one with this. I know that taking more will make these side effects go away, and I think about this pill all day, every day. Please research before you start this medication. I would not wish this on my worst enemy!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "This was the worst of all the antidepressants I've been on. One day without taking it, and I would immediately start to withdraw. I quit this cold turkey, disregarding my doctor's request because I just wanted it out of my system. I basically went manic for about a week, but I felt so much better when it was cleared from my system. Hated this drug. 0 stars if I could. My new doctor even refuses to prescribe this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 12, 2017

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "If you want to live life on a drug, this worked! But beware for when you come off! Best bet is to supplement naturally. Your body is lacking something that you can get in a better-for-you form. Withdrawal symptoms are terrible!"

• Ken...
• May 10, 2009

Venlafaxine for Depression "I started taking this medication about 3 years ago for depression/social anxiety. I will say for depression this drug worked wonders, not so much anxiety though. However, recently I've decided to try for the 3rd time to stop taking it. The withdrawal you get from Effexor is the worst feeling."

• Anonymous
• June 12, 2009

Venlafaxine for Depression "Just finished coming off OxyContin after 6 years of use. Took Effexor 75 mg throughout. Now a member of NA and tried to wean myself off - horrible side effects from the withdrawal, dizziness, panic attacks, severe depression, and social withdrawal. Went back on at 75 mg and now feel that the drug is pretty hard to get used to again. Can't seem to win."

• iro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "Ineffective for me. I had to stop taking it twice, and the withdrawal was awful! It was like what I would imagine heroin withdrawal from heroin. I highly suggest no one use this drug for that reason."

• Kay...
• July 31, 2017

For Hot Flashes "Took 75 mg approximately 2 years. Began to have hair loss and decided to stop the medication. Titrated dose over 2-week period. Severe withdrawal symptoms but determined to come off the medication. Had extreme headaches, walked on tiptoes almost 2 weeks because my brain felt like it was bouncing against my skull with every step I took. Got better with time, but now 6 months without the medication and I am having headaches and phantom smells. Smelling cigarette smoke, and we are a smoke-free family. The smell wakes me sometimes, and yesterday during church service I was smelling smoke. It seems more noticeable when the air conditioning is running. The doctor wanted to have a head MRI done, but insurance denied. Anyone else experience this? Wish I had never swallowed the first capsule."

• R0c...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 28, 2019

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I have been on this med, venlafaxine, for over 10 years. The first week, everything that I was taking the drug to cure was heightened x10. I couldn't look my father in the eyes, and I was for the most part barricaded up in my room. I toughed through it and was giving it a month for my body to accept it. Boy, am I glad I did. I have a very colorful personality, so it didn't turn me into a zombie by any means, but put me back down to earth. I could focus outward rather than inward when around people. For the first time, I could be myself for once. The withdrawals are terrible, so if you choose to take this drug, make sure you are strict on the time and frequency. When off these, I would get these brain rushes every 5 minutes, greatly increased emotions, and I always wanted to eat. My sex drive and ejaculation are nearly nonexistent when on the drug, though, but the positive effects make the side effects very minimal for me."

• Sol...
• July 10, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Effexor for twelve years, and it's been very effective until just recently. (I think my body has grown too used to it.) When it was still able to affect me, it was super useful. The bad part is that you'll suffer from withdrawal symptoms if you don't take it for over 24 hours. I ran out in college for FIVE DAYS (I lived in one city, and my psychiatrist was in another), and I was miserable - chills, weird dreams, everything. Never let it run out and never forget to take it. Otherwise, it's a good medicine."

• Kat...
• October 13, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I am now in the final phases of weaning off Effexor. When I started this drug, I thought it was amazing, it was a miracle drug. I wasn't having my usual major mood swings, and panic attacks were less, but as the weeks went on, it was less and less effective. I missed a pill once and made sure that I never did again because of the immediate withdrawal. I had felt worse than I ever had before. About 4 months into taking this drug, I started to experience side effects, and oh man, are they awful! I mistook the side effects and thought increasing the dose would fix the issue, but nope, it just increased the severity. So now I am in the final stages of discontinuing Effexor, and I feel awful. I wouldn't advise not taking the drug, as it works great for some."

• Nel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2016

Venlafaxine for Panic Disorder "GP recommended Effexor 7 months ago when I was going through some extremely stressful life events. The Seroxat I was on for GAD for the previous 17 years was no longer effective, and now I had become depressed. Effexor 37.5 mg worked well at first, was upped to 70 mg. Benefits: Immediately made me feel less depressed (hooray - no more tears), no panic attacks at all, able to sleep all night. Costs: Felt like a zombie, lost my spark, didn't feel present when talking to people (the lights were on but no one was in), not bothered about anything including if I upset someone; more aggressive verbally (usually a very placid person), withdrawn (usually a very social person). Withdrawal if missed dose was torture. Currently tapering off it."

• Pol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 25, 2016

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been taking venlafaxine 150 mg XR for nearly 3 years, along with an antipsychotic to treat bipolar 2. Having tried all kinds of antidepressants, this is the one that's worked for me. The downside is the withdrawal symptoms should you miss a dose, but these go away as soon as you take it again. Dizzy spells/feeling drunk is the only way I can describe them. It has a short half-life of 7 hrs, which indicates that they have these symptoms. I've had no side effects and would recommend venlafaxine over other antidepressants, including citalopram and mirtazapine."

• AB9...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 13, 2017

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Only take Effexor if you want to be on it for life. The withdrawal lasted 3 months for me. I think my body and mind are permanently damaged from this drug. It helped anxiety by numbing me, but at the same time, made me more depressed at times."

• Dai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed venlafaxine 37.5 mg for anxiety and mild depression and took it for almost 3 months. I could tell an improvement in my mood and how I felt within the first week. At this same time, I began losing my hair. Large amounts would come out when I would shower or brush it, and this continued the entire time I took the med. In 3 months, I gained 10 pounds, which could have been the result of feeling better, but my weight had never fluctuated that much in such a short time. I had more energy while taking it and slept less, and had no other measurable side effects. I actually did not want to stop taking it because of how much better I felt overall, but the hair loss finally drove me to stop. Withdrawal effects aren’t great, but were not as bad as I had prepared myself for."