Does long-term use of Effexor lead to memory loss, brain damage and/or dementia? I know it inhibits platelet aggregation and leads to bleeding and severe bruising resulting from a very slight impact. As I am aged 66 years, I am concerned that continued use of Effexor may hasten dementia and memory loss.
What is the effect on the brain of long-term use of Effexor?
Question posted by elaineatkins on 5 Jan 2012
Last updated on 4 March 2023
Added 5 Jan 2012:
Does long-term use of effexor lead to hypertension? I already have severe bruising particularly on hands and wrists from a very slight impact? Bleeding time seems to be increased and these bruises increase in diameter during a couple of hours and take about three weeks to resolve. Can effexor also cause bleeding in the gut?
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17 Answers
DrugUser1957
10 June 2022
I'm 64 and took Effexor at 75 mg and 150 mg for about 20 years. My main complaint was that if I forgot a pill or delayed it, I was a hot mess. It was savage - ringing ears, heart palpitations, hysteria. I told my psych 2 years ago that this difficult for me. He changed me to desvenlafaxine (pristiq) because it has a longer half life and I won't freak out if I accidentally miss a dose.
Pristiq has worked for me.
Regarding memory issues: I don't associate my memory issues with Effexor or Pristiq but rather Chemo brain and lifelong depression
I won't take statins if I can help it. Instead I'm taking Zetia to avoid possible memory issues since both parents died of Alzheimers and I have an APOE 4 marker.
Sonbright
5 March 2023
Hello 1957
I too have used this drug. Can I ask how you did getting off of it? And how you ape red the dose? I’m in the beginning stage of trying. Thank you.
WildcatVet
10 May 2021
"Are There Any Risks For Taking Venlafaxine For Long Periods Of Time?
To date, there are no known problems associated with long term use of venlafaxine. It is a safe and effective medication when used as directed."
National Alliance on Mental Illness
"There is a major problem you might encounter when trying to stop a medication.
It's called a rebound effect. It means that you might experience a return of the symptoms for which you were originally being treated."
You should consult with your doctor for professional advice and to rule out an underlying cause like the normal aging process.
Best ragrds,
Sonbright
5 March 2023
I have taken this medication for 20 years. I know, crazy right..
Now I am as of this past Dec. 2023 getting my doses reduced.
Long term on this med. effected me with …dry mouth, sexual desires completely don’t exsist..and have watched the price go up and up.
If I were to do it all over again, I would have sought out an herbalist and stayed off it. The worst part is getting off it. People say it’s the hardest drug to get off of…and now I believe it.
You need to do what is right for you. Many blessings.
royal109jfd
10 May 2021
I have taken Effexor for l5 years and I am noticing more and more that I am forgetting where I put things, misplace my glasses, purse, keys, etc. I have locked myself out of the house several times over the last few years. I am finally admitting that something is going on with me. I am 76 years old. my husband died a year ago so I live alone and worry that I might forget to turn off the water, and forget things that could be dangerous if I forget them. I think that the medication that I have taken for so long is causing my memory problems and plan to talk to my doctor who prescribed them and try to get onto another medication that would be more suitable.
HappyEnough
13 Dec 2018
12/13/2018. I've been on Effexor ER for 10-15 years (depression, anxiety). Last year decreased from 150 mg to 75 mg, and doing well. I'm now almost 64. Female.
About 10 years ago I accidentally took 300 mg per day for 3 days. I was AMAZED at the INCREASE of my cognitive function. I'm a data analyst/data reporter. These 3 days I was able to focus better: I could explore (mentally, without writing) complex solutions with multiple options (kind of like a chess player), and reduced my step-by-step trial-and-error approach to solving these solutions. I was thrilled (remember, I didn't know I was double-dosing), thinking I had experienced a leap in technical understanding.
When I realized that I'd been double-dosing, I went back to normal dose (150 mg), and unfortunately, my cognitive function "went back" to the usual.
Now that I'm almost 64 (and experiencing poorer recall, and, poorer ability to understand others' vocal input) AND faced with finding another job in the same field, I'm going to ask my psychiatrist about taking 300 mg.
Heath2000
20 Sep 2018
I was googling Long-term side effects and found this post. I have been on Effexor for 17 years. I have gone off it a few times for pregnancy. I had no problems getting off it- just a day or two of side effects. And I have not experienced any cognitive decline at all. In fact my memory and problem solving ability is superior today to the majority of people in my age group. I feel like Effexor has improved my brain health by helping me stay happy, active, energetic and engaged with people and the world. Other than slight weight gain, I have nothing bad to say about this medication.
Blessed-favored
6 Oct 2018
I have been on Effexor for almost a year, 37.5 every day. I noticed it has changed my personality significantly and I don’t experience the highs and lows. I eventually want to get off of it and see how I do because I don’t like taking medications anyway.
Sonbright
5 March 2023
I was wondering if you were able to get off the med. I am now trying to after 20 years use. So it’s been 3 months and I really am feeling the effects of it. Any suggestions?
Goldengloss1951
22 Nov 2017
Hi, I am somewhat late in joining this conversation, I am also 66 and was on Effexor XL for Major Depressive Disorder [I suffer anxiety too]. I have to say it was probably the best SNRI I ever took. It had a great effect on Depression/Anxiety and I took it for a number of years, however, the dosage kept going up. The side effects were that I put up a lot of weight, I lost all sex drive, I developed Cholesterol and high BP and my G.P. was very worried and requested that I ask my psychiatrist to change over to another Drug. ~ My p-Doc was not happy about this but agreed to cross over to Lexapro. I have been on Lexapro for about 8 years, It is not as effective as Effexor, it does not 'hit the spot' with anxiety or Depression but the side effects of the Effexor [for me] were just too bad, I was sweating alot, at night it was really bad, I had bruising too, and developed Fatty liver disease [I don't drink].
AJ62
3 Jan 2018
Hi, I have been taking Effexor/Venlafaxine since 1997 (20 years). The side effects are still manifest - nightmares, sweats, memory loss, heavy bleeding and anxiety. Dosage has been increased, decreased and increased time and again. Initially sex drive significantly increased, however, now after 20 years on the drug I feel no interest whatsover in sex. Over the years I have suffered severe anaemia due to heavy blood loss which was not recognised at the time to be side effect of this drug. Panic attacks have occurred regularly throughout culminating in another just 2 weeks ago when I was referred to A & E. Nightmares continue regularly, often extremely upsetting and sweats, initially thought to be hormonal, are still a big problem. My memory has been poor throughout the past 20 years and in fact I find I remember my dreams/nightmares of the past 20 years more clearly than I do real life.
The fear of coming off the drug and returning to extreme suicidal thoughts together with withdrawal symptoms when attempting to reduce dose has prevented me from discontinuing with this drug. Generic versions have, in the past, have led to anxiety, paranoia, sweating and suicidal affects together with nightmares. I am intending to change medication under GP review as local MHT are unwilling to help. I would never recommend this medication to anyone.
Help me 202
30 April 2017
I was on that for a while started. On new pill call pristiq 100 mg and feel much better maybe talk to you dr.
Old Fart2
28 April 2017
22 years and counting I have used Effexor/venlafaxine. I have battled the Pharma sneak pricing and outsourcing generic manufacture wars.
After trying some 19 other antidepressants with marginal effect, I was delighted this one worked so well for me. My initial impression was to question whether it normalised me or allowed me to be less sensitized to stressors. We titrated from 75 to 225mg, noticed the lebido challenges noted already, and backed off to least level to maintain lack of depression, usually 75 mg.
With big stressors bumped to 150-225mg short term due to Pharma cost dance. In the past 5 years I have experienced vocabulary, organisational, and surprisingly a sudden decline in physical strength. Much can be attributed to normal aging. However, the speed of decline suggests the long term medication use plays a role.
I am disappointed there are no formal studies on long term permanent effects though this is not a focus for Pharma profits. What I have noticed with increasing alarm in the past year is accelerating cognitive decline, lapses in attention, memory, and most recently, a suspicion of declining effectiveness of the medication with explicit symptoms of frank depression.
My challenge is whether to increase dosage to 150 or 225 on a long term basis and risk more rapid cognitive decline with only possible improved relief from depression, or seek again some in doubt alternative. Pharma promotion of the virtues of their inventions is at at a new credibility low for the sake of profit over quality.
So, is there a specific reference you can provide for the comment relating to altered neuronal appearance produced by Effexor and possibly other designer related meds for depression, done for purposes of enhancing synaptic flow?
That sounds like a permanent deliberate change by the manufacturer that could long term lose its efficacy and potentially induce rapid cognitive decline to boot.
If that result is demonstrably so, it makes more attractive the again hard job of finding a good alternative or tough it out with major depression again.
If any reader has major challenges like depression or bi-polar, then I urge you to continue search for a physician to find what science has uncovered to relieve you specifically of nonproductive or dangerous thoughts or actions. Giving up does not well serve the intended gift of life.
sheiladoswell
26 Aug 2017
Sorry to answer 5 years later. I'm an old UK fart. I've been on venlafaxine 15 years. It stopped my depression. I got divorced and had great time. I heard this drug reduces inhibitions.! But after 15 years, I have many side effects. Slight glaucoma of my eyes, sweating badly, heart racing, spasms of muscles, feeling aged, neck pain, joint pain. I'm about to ask doctor for help but they usually look for normal solutions like age and opticians didn't even know the connection. It's a relatively new drug that stops depression well, but long time maybe not.
beverleymc
23 March 2017
I was on Effexor for approximately 15 years for panic attacks. I continually refused to up the dosage so I continued to have some panic attacks. I gained weight and was always concerned about the effects this drug had on my overall health. I don't believe you can take a drug and it not impact your body somewhere even when you don't have visible side effects, which I did not. I also tried to get off but couldn't take the withdrawal symptoms. I did get off Effexor about 6 weeks ago using a Traditional Chinese Detox. I am finished with Effexor and have not had one panic attack. Never felt better.
Steph B
27 June 2017
I have been on 375mg for 8 yrs now also for Panic attacks. I take Seroquel as well and I can say this drug has saved my life. I do tend to forget things more often then before. I am to scared to try to give up the drug and go back to the attacks. I am only 33 and since Effexor and Seroquel I can live again. But long term effect does scare me as there is presently no research on it since its not an old drug.
Dmyers12
20 Sep 2017
Beverley im very curious as to the traditional Chinese detox you used can you tell me what it was, my daughter was put on Effexor 15mths ago she was told short term to get her through depression while in therapy they slowly up the dose to 225 the last increase from 150 cause she had a suicidal thought she is 20
She is back to going to college and I think to change anything now is counterproductive but she is a young woman and may want to have children one day and this is not a good med to wean off and takes a long time to do so it seems. Recently she has said she has no interest or joy in eating that it's just to sustain life I wonder if we all have it wrong and if most people can be put on a CBD oil that would repair or nourish the brain, like the way they use it to treat kids with seizures Either way please send me the Chinese medicine information so I can suggest it's use when she is ready to stop or wean down. Thank you
Jennichuco
30 May 2018
Please help me!! What Chinese detox? I am in my early 40s . I have been on effexor for 15 years. I have cognitive memory loss. I have no ambition anymore. . I am terrified. Please help me.
gerberbaby765
19 June 2018
How is your short and long term memory? general cognition?
Cbruno9
23 June 2018
I've struggled with depression since I can remember as well as anxiety. I was on lexapro for several yrs it worked great until I started having major medical problems lexapro just wasn't strong enough. My Dr put me on effexor and seroquel. I had to take myself off the seroquel all i did was sleep my life away went from being such a light sleeper I'd wake up if you walked into the room to if a bomb went off I'd never hear it. The effexor did the trick for sure and has helped with my anxiety.
popcat
22 Sep 2018
I too am interested as to what a traditional Chinese detox is & would be very grateful if you could inform me (& I'm sure many others would love to know too!)
N2Arts
16 Feb 2017
I am 47 and have been taking Effexor for over fifteen years. It worked wonderfully for many years. Now, I have permanent damage from it. I have a photographic memory. My long-term memory was always excellent. I can no longer remember entire events that were important in my life. Sometimes I can't remember that they happened at all. My cognitive issues have caused me to have to quit teaching. I get up and cannot remember what I was going to say. I blank out when I'm driving..I stutter, I get stuck on words. I am depressed and have all kinds of issues now. A normal brain scan showed nothing. I do not drink, smoke, nor have I ever used or abused drugs. The only thing I have done is take Effexor for a very long time. All the new research and studies that show these drugs change the shape of the neurons in your brain may truly be right, I'm afraid. My suggestion is to simplify your lifestyle as much as possible...
that will require drastic simplification and major decisions but do whatever is neccessary to cut out the stress without drugs. Do not stay on these drugs for long periods.
Kellysmartie
3 May 2017
Hi, I'm just wondering how your getting on? I have managed to come off Venlafaxine after 8 years of being on 150mg (MR), and I have been off it for 4 or 5 months, like you I have had a huge cognitive decline, and I'm only 37, and simularly to you I had a very good memory for faces, this ability seems to of diminished, and I have speech issues now, plus a few other issues, such as getting no enjoyment from anything anymore, and I thought cleansing my system from this evil stuff would improve my life!
I 100% agree that this drug has a long term effect on your brain chemistry because in paradox, I was misrable before I started Venlafaxine, then I started Venlafaxine my mood, and cognition improved, so much so I gained a BA (Hons) Degree!
So why did I stop taking Venlafaxine? To be honest I struggle to remember, but basically I felt that it had sanitised my emotions, and being on antidepressants, when I was not depressed had limited my career options.
I also started to think that if long term use of LSD, Amphetamines, and Cannabis have long term effects on your health, is Venlafaxine any different?
I do not advocate people stopping their antidepressants or medication, but until I started reading about Venlafaxine, I did not know that with a lot of psychiatric drugs the long term effects are not known, so should these drugs be used for more than a year or two? Had I known this as a patient, and had I known the mess I would end up in now, would I of taken this drug for 8 years?
Now the issue I face is do I try to struggle through life, or start on the lowest dose of Duloxetine (Venlafaxines less evil/strong, sister), which my G.P has prescribed, so that I can function, and I will have to accept that I'm a antidepressant junkie!
jaci ar
29 May 2017
I've been on Effexor and Vyvanse for 4 years and I feel like not wanting to get up or wanting to do things like I used to and I feel like my memory has diminished like sometimes when I go somewhere I forget where I'm going or a person I see all the time I would suddenly forget they're name. A Dr did tell me once that Effexor would diminish cells in your brain. I'm struggling to get off of Effexor
Joannecantwell
8 June 2016
I am on this drug a few months now all so I fines it good so far but I don't talk much anymore y I would like to know if someone could help me on this Question please
Inactive
8 June 2016
The answer is Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yes, and Yes, all of the above in the original question that was posted. I had it all, and like the comment made above by another poster, I got the brain zaps, dizziness , crying, headaches, etc etc etc when I was on it, and also when I was weaning off of it. I hated that medication. It's not worth all the side effects.
skyetek
22 Sep 2016
I started taking effexor xr 150mg in the year 2000. It's now Sept, 2016 and am on the same meds and recently was elevated to 225 mg. I suffer from depression, and have been diagnosed as having bi polar disorder. I now am getting severe "brain zaps" every day, migraines and severe dizzy spells. I want to get off this crap, but know that once being on something like this for so long that it changes your brain so much that it will cause more issues. Does anyone have any suggestions at all? So tired of doctors that don't know anything about what to do when it comes to prescribing meds, I found out that effexor is not what should be prescribed for bi-polar disorder.
help... :(
Effexorisawful
3 Oct 2016
skyetek, you still check this place? You have to taper off the medication and you have to take it at the same time every day.
I, and many others, opened the pill and took out a bead. If no ill effects happen then we take out 2 beads on the next dose. If ill effects happen then we hang at that dose until they stop. Then we take out 3. Don't try to jump ahead and take out too many beads.
I saved beads and if ill effects were too strong then I would take individual beads until it stopped, then continue on the next day.
It is a several month long process.
Donsense
30 Oct 2016
Have been on XR 75mg for 4 years. Initially for a major depression . Moved quickly up to 150 but reduced to this level after a few weeks. Results were a tremendous improvement in short term and long term memory and functioning . This took place gradually over a 6 month period and i have been very pleased ever since. I am a choral singer and I am now able to memorize the base parts of over 110 new musical anthems (3 choirs) a year, usually after repeating them 3 or fewer times. Misplaced keys, wallets and other articles are no longer the hell they were before taking them, and there has been no repeat depression episodes. The local newspaper crossword is now a 5 or 6 minute episode, not the thirty that it use to take me to almost complete it.
I did however find out I was Extremely ADD which may explain the positive results from this med.
However, I also do suffer Bleeding at the slightest bump on my hands and face From shaving.
As I am also on a statin there may be some interaction here .
I hope that long term use is not a problem as this has been very effective at toning down my anger outbursts and leaving me able to slow down a little.
Nattysmum4
16 Nov 2016
Oh dear, if you want to get off off Effexor I am the one to talk to... lol. I was on 450 mg per day. My husband left me, and without insurance (this was before Effexor was generic) I would have to buy one or two pills at a time to help settle the withdrawal. I would pay $900 each month. it was awful.
Any way, you can definitely get off of it. I wouldn't worry about long term effects bc we're all only her for a short time any way. Just, don't tell yr psychiatrist... that way you have a steady supply in case the withdrawal symptoms are too much (and the price will be the same). Buy some empty capsules from Whole foods n divide your capsules. Titrated down very slowly... lime 10 mg for a two week period. You'll be fine. But I hope you have a plan for yr anxiety bc this medication treats anxifursy n foremost. Good luck
GratefulKate
15 Jan 2017
I have been on Effexor Xr for10 years approximately. It stablizes the anxiety I suffered from since childhood. I am an absolute chatterbox when not on my medication but found it after years of suffering from sever anxiety, OCD and a few bouts of clinical depression.
I am now 57 years old, I have a University Degree from 1982 and years of full time employment behind me. I feel this drug keeps me sane. I am on 325 mg.
Wish I found it sooner instead of my late 40's.
SKHarris
12 Sep 2017
I have been on this drug at 75mg for 16 years with no side effects
clroffey
27 Dec 2017
I have been on this drug since 2009 and am rarely able to feel any emotion or connection to my friends and family. I feel like I have lost the ability of emotion
clroffey
27 Dec 2017
Hi Joannecantwell, I feel exactly the same and have lost interest in people and family. I cant remember whe
I last cried. I spend most of my time on my own
French lady
8 April 2016
What good advice!
Jethroj
1 Dec 2015
I am on 337.5mg per day and getting myoclonic jerks more everyday. Short term memory has become very bad in the 4 months i have been on them. I dont feel like i am the same person and cry so easily and am devoid of emotions like love. I just want to get off the toxic mess. Is there a solution?
narayase
2 March 2016
How did you ever get on such a high dose? and how long have you been on that dose? Have you seen your doctor recently?
Jethroj
2 March 2016
The psychiatrist worked me up from 75mg, been on it about 4 months
powdercreek59
21 June 2016
I can't believe you're on that high of dose. I would find another psychiatrist and wean back down to a normal dosage.
Nattysmum4
16 Nov 2016
I was put on 450 mg the first time I was prescribed Effect, though my doctor obviously titrated Mexico to the dose.
MerrittSuzanne
11 Jan 2017
Those jerks are from too much Serotonin... Need to come down a little from such a high dose... I was switching from effezor to Zoloft (it did not work) and I would randomly jerk. My arm would fly up and I would hit myself. Totally weird. Doc had me taking BOTH drugs. After researching I found the jerks is serotonin overload. Stopped Zoloft and jerks stopped!
Lawrence 64
30 Dec 2017
Hi Jethro,
I have been on Effexor for around 8 years now, and have experienced your pain and absolute hopelessness .I have just recently come to the conclusion that there are other alternative solutions to our plight.
I looked online and found some great natural cures and treatment for depression and anxiety if you look up (the peoples Chemist) and order their book on (over the counter natural cures ) this will put you on the right track as regarding Big Pharma drugs and their toxic affects on your health,and the natural way to deal with your health problems, and the right way to get off antidepressants .I am off all pharma drugs now and on the road to real health and happiness . kind regards Greg
Rome123
12 Nov 2014
Just wanted to put my story out there: I am a 28-year-old female and was on effexor for about 5 years for anxiety. I started feeling a cognitive decline and was concerned that it was caused by the medication so I slowly tapered myself off about a year and a half ago (which was hell doing: brain zaps and crying.. Nice) I was able to help the brain zaps by opening my capsul and slowly removing more and more "beads" until there were none, but the crying lasted for months. Since then I have experienced severe memory loss (short-term and long term) and have noticed my brain to function in such a declined state. I stare into space zoned out and have trouble processing information. but my anxiety returned with a vengeance so after being medication free for almost 2 years. I saw a psychiatrist yesterday. I told her about my memory loss and all of my gradual cognitive decline, she decided to put me back on Effexor.
Within 30-45 minutes of taking the first dose I became sick and had chills and became tired. Now I'm awake at 4am feeling wired with eyes wide open, accepting the fact that I have committed to consuming this powerful drug again. I feel lost and in the dark. On one hand, I've been explained that my depression could be causing this brain fog and memory issue. On the other hand, I wonder if this is a suggestion that is covering up what is actually brain damage. Scary reality and risk.
Effexorisawful
3 Oct 2016
I am a 28 year old male and know exactly what you are talking about. I can't believe you lasted a full 5 years on effexor. I had my initial "dose up" from a small dose to the working dose after 2 weeks. Once I took that increased dose I had the effects you had. I stared at a wall and was stuck in my head watching horrific imagery. When I did sleep for 5 minutes at a time the imagery was my nightmare on a 5 second loop. My memory was so bad I could start writing a sentence on a piece of paper and if I looked away I couldn't recall what I had just wrote.I stopped that big dose and tapered off the smaller dose. The sleep effects lasted for about 4 months. Then when I was able to sleep, it wasn't really sleep because I would wake up exhausted. The memory effects lasted about 6 months. Maybe I just got used to itThat ONE large dose that was my prescribed dose completely fried my ability to feel emotion or be human.
My only emotions now are adrenaline or no adrenaline. It's been about 2 years now and I still feel my real self stuck behind a wall. I know how I would react in situations and do so, but it isn't genuine and people know. My memory is unfortunately normal compared to what it was before and I have very little drive to succeed in life where when before you couldn't pull me away from my projects.
Inactive
27 July 2017
WOW,I am on this drug.I sure hope it is helping and not harming me.I stopped taking it about a month ago and I got depressed and and had crying spells.
GratefulKate
29 Dec 2017
When I increase my Effexor I use Clonazapam as when the dose is first increased in my case initially the anxiety increases.
Hiphappy
14 Jan 2018
If stopped taking effixor finally but my concern is the fact that I to have brain fog, concentration problems. Afraid of loosing my job. Just feel plain out stupid. Is it going to get better?
KathB
29 March 2018
I was on clonazepam on and off for years... until I found out that my cognitive decline is a result of the evil little benzo's. In saying that I will not take away from those who really need them-but the recommendation is short term.
I have been on Effexor for 15 years and I have found it has taken away OCD, anxiety and to some extent depression. I have had severe anxiety and depression since as far back as I can remember. (7 years old?) I really do not want to go back to my old biological self. I will keep the Effexor 225 mg. I am 59 yrs old but have not noticed any bruising. I am experiencing prolonged clonazepam withdrawal but have only stopped taking them 2 months ago.
Thank you to all that have posted comments as they are very helpful to a long time Effexor user like myself.
NipperKimba
7 June 2018
Rome123- I just realized this was posted on January 5 2012. It is now June of 2018. So I hope and pray you are doing well. I just had an "aha" moment. I am 52 years old and have always been a very top gunner in my field. I have been on Effexor for too many years to count. But the last two have been just awful. if you see this and wish to respond, i will finish my story of severe cognitive impairment with short term memory loss that has costed me two jobs over a period of 3 years, not just jobs but CAREERS. I am dumbed down. and i am somehow getting off effexor. I had a massive pulmonary embolism and they cannot find the cause. I also have very high cholesterol and they cant find the cause. I am done.
gerberbaby765
19 June 2018
Thank you so much for this response. Pretty terrifying.
pup6767
7 Jan 2012
Great answer Pledge!!!
Elaine, I was wondering about some of the side effects you stated about Effexor. I was on Effexor for a total of about 5-6 yrs with about a year and a half in between and I never noticed unusual bruising or anything like that... just curious and interesting. I think that you should take Pledge's common sense approach to taking this medication. If it is working for you, I think that the benefits far outweigh anything else... now this is a matter of opinion also but I do know that our bodies talk to us if we listen carefully. So... just pay attention to what your body is telling you and listen to Pledge and I think you will be OK!!
Good Luck and God Bless... pup
Goldengloss1951
22 Nov 2017
I really think we are all different,in a case of a great tragedy, extremely bad Depression and Anxiety, Efexor XL is a good drug. I managed to wean off, and yes, it was extremely difficult, but so was PAXIL [which I had been on prior to that for 20years!], I have bad short term memory and i attribute it to Statins [which I have given up] as well as Antidepressants but perhaps I'd be getting that anyway. Depression and mood swings, anxiety really do ruin a life, so it is a case of weighing up the pros and cons. I do know many people on Efexor do lose weight but I was not one of those lucky ones. Best of luck.
Related topics
effexor, depression, bleeding disorder, dementia, anxiety and stress, bruising
Further information
- Effexor prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Effexor (detailed)
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