User Reviews for venlafaxine oral

Terrible, I was out of it everyday and still having panic attacks

Was having difficulty swallowing and tightness in the throat which would lead to panic attacks. Didn't think I was depressed so wasn't sure if this was the drug for me, after about 8 weeks it all but went away. Noticeable side affects at the beginning was jolts of electricity, some dizziness when standing up abruptly, and inability to ejaculate (though I'd say that pleased the wife with longer sessions, slowly went back to notrmal). Caught the flu and an infection once, didn't heed the warning of stopping it cold turkey, but felt I shouldn't be taking tylonel, motrion, antibiotics, AND this pill all at once, after about 2 days the pain you get from body aches during the the flu was getting BAD and I doubled up on tylonel and motrin together thinking it was the flu getting worse and didnt do ANYTHING to the body pains, took half a dose of this and it all went away in 30 mins, woops. Gained weight, but I'd attribute it to not having any more swallowing issues. Read More Read Less

Venlafaxine has been a literal lifesaver for me. I love it. It has allowed me a quality of life I never thought I could have. I went from being suicidal and having multiple panic attacks a day to completely functional — I feel "normal". The first week or so of taking it were rough: I had a pretty bad tremor. That passed, though, and I have no other side effects except a very low alcohol tolerance. My only issue is that I have to take my 225mg dose exactly on time — even 20 min late results in feeling dizzy and I get a headache. For me this is a minor inconvenience, though, and well worth it.Read More Read Less

I’ve been on venlafaxine for just over a year. I was on sertraline for around 6 months prior to that. When life feels this bad it’s hard to know when it’s your depression or a bad reaction from medication. I was on the highest dose of venlafaxine they offer and it didn’t help at all — at least in any noticeable way. I don’t think I got worse and I don’t think I’ve had any bad reactions from the medication. It just did nothing really. My depression symptoms include pretty bad fatigue, social avoidance/anxiety, sleeplessness and oversleeping, a consistent state of joylessness, apathy, and general feeling of futurelessness (not a word but a good descriptor). In some ways, I wish this medication had done something, even if it were a bad reaction. Having absolutely no reaction makes me feel like maybe this is just me? I’m trying Lexapro next and will be making a doctor supervised transition. Definitely nervous about the withdrawal from venlafaxine because I’ve heard it can be bad. Fingers crossed. Hope this review helps. Good luck!Read More Read Less

i understand that not every antidepressant is guaranteed to give you relief, but i can't overstate how much worse venlaflaxine made my condition. I was on it for about a month. The side effects were tolerable, but a little frustrating. The sexual side effects were particularly bad. However, venlaflaxine triggered deep suicidal ideation that progressed until I had to be hospitalized. I felt like I was going crazy on it. It pushed me into a state of heavy derealization and confusion, and I couldn't even tell that it was this med causing the bulk of it until i survived the withdrawal symptoms. I had to be monitored closely while tapering. Now that I'm off of it, I feel relief. Although my depression isn't treated just yet, I'm not living in a complete nightmare. All I can advise you to do is be careful with venlaflaxine. I've heard stories of it ruining lives, and now I understand how.Read More Read Less

I’ve suffered of depression, chronic pain and light adhs. After starting with the treatment with Venlafaxine I started to feel a general numbness, which I first found positive, because I no longer suffered from any stomach pain at all. For the last couple of years I’ve been suffering from chronic stomach pain after several stomach surgeries to treat hiatal hernias. Within days, the pain completely disappeared! Which was great. But, unfortunately, I started to get extremely tired and struggled more and more to get through the day. My doctor asked me to be patient and to try to go through with it a little longer and to take the medication at night instead of in the morning. This helped for a week. After that I felt more and more numb and like a zombie. I went from needing 6-7 hours of sleep to needing 10 hours at night and 3-4 hours during the day. Exercise would help me to feel awake for a couple of hours. Or loads of sugar and carbs. Within 3 months I gained nearly 5 kg. I was unable to concentrate and started to avoid social interactions as I found it tiring and frightening. Quitting causes a lot of stress, anxiety, sweating and headache.Read More Read Less

I have generalised anxiety disorder and low mood. Venlafaxine is the only antidepressant that has helped (sertraline, fluoxetine and Citalopram did not help me). I have been taking this for 8 months now and it significantly reduced my anxiety and low mood - biggest difference for me was a reduction in constant anxious thoughts, this really helped my sex life (despite sexual dysfunction sometimes being a side effect) because my libido increased a lot and I was able to be present during sex, not anxious and distracted. At 8 months my anxiety symptoms have crept back up again (though not as high as before the medication) and so I am increasing my dosage (150mg) by 37.5mg every couple of weeks for a little while. This is the only reason I've rated satisfaction a 4/5 but I think it is fine to be honest that I have to increase dosage a bit now, I don't mind too much because overall it has been a helpful medication.Read More Read Less

I have been taking a moderate dose - but some work stressors exasperated my depression and anxiety so my physician increased my dosage. I had been having an uncommon side effect all along - a rattling sound in my head (no jokes please!!!) - that occurred only if I missed a dose or took it later than usual. However, the increase in dosage gave me tinnitus (I did not see this listed as a side effect - but I googled it and found research that confirmed this side effect) and increased the rattling. Given my new side effects to the higher dosage I am going to try a different medication. My side effects are uncommon - and I just wanted to share my experience. If this med works for you I am happy you have found relief. If your side effects outweigh the benefits discuss with your doctor to find the correct medication. There are many meds on the market and it seems since we are all biologically different we need to work with our doctors to find the right medication to work with our distinct body chemistry. Additionally, over the course of time a medication may not be as affective as it once was - discuss this with your doctor as well - since it may be time for a change. We all respond differently to different medication and we withdraw differently as well. I shared my experience because it is rare and if you are experiencing similar symptoms- please discuss with your doctor- you don’t have to suffer if the side effects are severe. The goal is to be well - and treat the illness with the proper dosage and the least amount of side effects. Stay well. Read More Read Less

I was diagnosed with major depression, anxiety, OCD and PTSD about a year ago. I'd dealt with it for years before breaking. Sertraline caused emotional "numbness" plus a load of side effects, and didn't help much. Citalopram made me very unwell indeed - I managed three tiny doses. Venlafaxine was a game-changer. Nine months on (225mg/day) and there are now no side effects, but huge benefits. I feel much more like myself again, which is a real novelty after over a decade of suffering. The issues I was experiencing are slowly diminishing day by day. Don't worry about trying it - your doctor knows what they're doing. Don't expect issues, but if they occur, you'll find ways around it if this is the right medicine for you. If it isn't, there WILL be one that is. If it is, you won't look back! Read More Read Less

I have been on it for a week now , have been on it in the passed and had great results this time its doing me in . Shakes , dry mouth , headaches,nausea and i feel high all the time .My husband keeps telling me how massive my pupils are . I had none of these the 1st time i took them .... sooooo i guess its a toss up for me . I will wait out the 2 weeks and see what is what .

My doctor thought that would be a good idea to treat my generalized anxiety. The first dose was horrible about 40 minutes after the first dose 37.5 mg I had tremors shaking fainted, felt like the ground was pulled away under my feet had to call 911 was completely out of my control vomiting shortness of breath chest pain I couldn't hardly believe it only took one pill. The ER did a cardiac workup, gave me Ativan, and IV fluids to try to flush it to mitigate it I stayed there until the drug peaked and then started coming down. But here two days later I wake up and I'm feeling kind of shaky. This stuff is dangerous. Read More Read Less

Up until last year I refused any kind of medication. I had a few side effects at the beginning but I carried on and learnt to deal with them. Now I don’t get any. One thing I have to say is don’t miss a day. The withdrawals are horrible. As for my mental health, I feel this medication has helped massively. I am less anxious, not overthinking or worrying so much. I don’t feel depressed constantly. My panic attacks have stopped which I never thought would happen.

There is some dependance (no matter what physicians say). Try going 3 days without. I get very vulnerable emotionally and pendulum with my thoughts and feelings. However, drug is overall positive.

I was on a 75mg XR dose for about 3 years for menopausal symptoms: hot flashes and insomnia. After a few days of headache, dizziness and nausea, it worked brilliantly. I took it before bed, and my sleep was better than it had ever been, and fewer hot flashes. I was groggy in the evenings though and not good for much after supper. I have tapered off of it very slowly, first alternating 75 and 37.5mg for a couple of weeks, then 37.5mg only for a couple of weeks. Skipping a 37.5 dose was too hard, so I went with opening the capsule and counting beads, 2 fewer each day, all the way down to 5 beads (yes, tedious and time-consuming). My evening energy has definitely increased, but the detox headaches, dizziness, flu-like feeling and irritated mood have been uncomfortable throughout the withdrawal period (worst close to the time of day for the dose). I took my last micro-dose 3 days ago, and I think the side effects are finally easing. Fortunately, no brain zaps for me.Read More Read Less

I have depression and severe social anxiety. And this medicine changed me. I'm more social. I'm not having bad thoughts anymore about all and nothing. I'm back to being myself. But it doesn't come without inconvenience. First you have to read the instructions who comes with it and they are scary (side effects...etc) I had to pass it on to my partner so he can read it and be aware of my condition to be prepare if any problems accured. It takes 2 to 3weeks to show effects. During these 2 to 3 weeks : dizziness, nausea, tiredness, but after that period it works really well. But I found that we need to have a really healthy life. Take the meds at the same time everyday no matter what, otherwise nauseas show up. No alcohol, no drugs. Eating healthy and doing some exercise is a booster and it is really good, I use yoga and it works for me. Also you might need some time to find what is the right dose for you. I had 75mg and it was too much, I felt worse so I take half and add some exercise on top and I found my perfect balance. If I drink 2 pints of beer I'm drunk and the next day I don't feel right. One is manageable so it permits me to go socialize for an hour in the pub and then go home a little. But I wouldn't drink everyday with these meds. If you are not disciplined it can quickly make this worse. But it works with some willing power, with love to ye all.Read More Read Less

I was violently sick three hours after taking the first pill.

Also, here is an effective way to quit: Titrate down from your current dose by 37.5 mg every two weeks. Or every week if you haven’t been on the medication very long. Then, once you’ve reached 37.5 mg, stay on that for two weeks. Then, continue on this same dose EVERY OTHER day for two weeks BUT, take one dose (pill) of Prozac at 20mg after the first week. Then, stop the Effexor altogether. This is a conservative, slow approach but greatly minimizes the withdrawal. Please consult with your psychiatrist first but this is a very effective method. Be well.Read More Read Less

Ok, a little reality here: there were over 17 million prescriptions written for this medication in 2019. There are less than 500 reviews here. Secondly, it has been proven that the vast majority of people that post to these boards are dissatisfied. Satisfied users are much less likely to post. This medication has been proven to be one of the most effective treatments for major depression of all the antidepressants. And yes there are downsides for some people that aren’t able to handle the norepinephrine effects that come with the serotonin boost. And yes it is difficult to wean off of this drug. This is also not a “starter” antidepressant, there are others that are better to take at first such as Lexapro. However, for major depression, as a second line treatment for MDD, it has excellent results. Please get the facts and don’t be swayed by a few negative reviews. And no, I’m not affiliated with Effexor in any way, just a satisfied user.Read More Read Less

Withdrawal is horrible but I also think while taking it it’s making me gain weight and have compulsive eating anyone else ?

I started on lowest dose 37.5 felt nothing. Later increased 75mg and am extremely tired all the time, dry mouth, sweats, dizzy, disoriented, confused, lack of focus and concentration and so many others. I do not feel like myself, sleep most of 1st 12 hours after the morning dose than am wired up all night long. Took away my ptsd and panic but only to the point my body wouldn't react to them and I lay there emotionless with these thoughts and a terrible upset stomach from anxiety.