Has anyone tried Effexor?

[PastelPink20]

Effexor is also known as “Venlaflaxine” for depression/anxiety. One dose per day.

I am starting on the lowest dose later and would like to hear how it worked for others.

[Utred]

Hi

I have taken Effexor for years. I think it works great for depression. It certainly keeps me out of the gutter mood wise. I take 300mg before I go to bed and I take 75 in the evening prior going to work. I feel like it helps a lot but you still have to work on yourself.

[Hidden]

I am on it started it 2 weeks ago. I am on 75mg what are you on?

[PastelPink20 in reply to Hidden]

I am starting with 75mg as well.

[PhilFrantan3]

I take 150 mg/day. It works for me. It doesn’t make me feel awesome but it definitely helps my depression symptoms. I might need a higher dose.

[TailWags]

It seems to be working fine for me, but a year or so back added a wellbutrin chaser. I have been on several antidepresants over the last 30 years. I can take one for 5 or so years then it stops working for me. One thing about venlefaxine, it has a very short half life, so it goes out of my system quickly. If i forget to take it in the am i get a headache. I have heard it can be harder than some to stop, but i havent tried yet so.i have no info on that.

[Tellmeaboutit]

i have taken it for many years with no problems.

[Scrabble65]

Works for me when zoloft stopped working after many years. The best part was I didn't have to adjust to it unlike zoloft's early sleepless nights!

[Crashinator]

I used Effexor for years and it was very effective. It took care a majority of my anxiety. Then a couple of years ago I started getting side effects of dizziness and nausea. I had to come off it and I'm now on Paxil. It did take at least a year to come off the Effexor. It was a slow withdrawl process. Good luck.

[hstroller]

My general doctor gave me a 75mg prescription for Effexor XR in July, which was my first ever introduction into depression or anxiety medications. I guess 75mg is a low introductory dose, but with 24 hours I had a long list of side-effects, dry mouth, dry throat, insominia, really bad sweating at night, chattering teeth, blurry vision, etc. The doctor's office said to stick with it a week or two and that the side-effects would likely subside. I stopped after the one pill. It really freaked me out. The dry mouth and throat made it a little difficult to swallow food without drinking some water, which was really unsettling. I seem to be unlucky in that the SSRI's seem to effect me this way. My psychiatrist had me taper into taking Paxil CR, but it took me 11 days on the lowest dose 12.5mg to progress to a regular 25mg dose. Effexor works as both a SSRI and SNRI so I guess there is more of a chance for side-effects, but I was told that it works wonders for many people.

[robbylynnofnm]

I am currently on 75mg and 150mg of Effexor/Venlafaxine. It has been working really, really well for me. It maintains my BiPolar 1, Depression and Anxiety.

[PastelPink20]

Thank you all for your responses!! I appreciate hearing from you. My psychiatrist said their patients haven’t experienced much side effects from it.

It’s been awhile since I’ve tried a new medicine. I’m adding this one with two others I have (an antidepressant remron and as needed Ativan). I am hoping Effexor will work well with me. I don’t like trying new meds and all the issues that can come with it.

I’m continuing therapy. I’ve regressed during this season of change. Anyways, thank you for telling me your experience! It’s nice to know I need to remember to take it consistently ofc and consider the difficulty that comes with tapering off of it.

[Hidden]

Hello PastelPink20,

I have taken Effexor XR/venlafaxine since 2002. It has worked for me when other antidepressants - I've tried most of them -- failed. It's non-sedating, which I appreciate. I take it in the morning with food because it upsets my stomach. I also experience side effects such as dry mouth.

I started on 37.5 mg, then 75 mg, and gradually increased to 300 mg per day. One shrink put me on 450 mg, but that dose was way too high and a new shrink put me back on 300 mg.

Right now I'm slowly tapering back to 150 mg. Effexor is the most difficult antidepressant to discontinue. Do NOT try this without your prescriber's supervision. I tried on my own and had horrible withdrawal symptoms.

Stay safe.

[PastelPink20 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! For some reason, my doctor started me on 75mg and I wish they started with the lower dose.

I hadn’t realized it was so difficult to stop. I’m glad I’m aware of that now. Thanks again.