Nefazodone for Depression User Reviews

• Tia
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 24, 2021

Serzone (nefazodone) "I was crippled by panic attacks that didn’t subside completely for about 2 years. I couldn’t drive by myself, I lost too much weight, & it turned into agoraphobia. The doctor put me on Serzone & I got my life back! I had no side effects & had a yearly blood labs taken to ensure there were no issues with my liver. After being on nefazodone for 26 years (while living a full life) this drug has been discontinued. I’ve been tapering off but the side effects are debilitating. I have irregular heart beat, hot or extreme cold in my extremities, I feel like I have the flu, body aches & pains, headaches (which I normally never get), extreme hunger, nausea, my moods are all over & manic, and of course my panic attacks have returned with a vengeance! I wish they would continue to make this medicine again as my life has slipped back into the prison of my life prior to nefazodone. I would even fly to another country to get scripts if there was a supply elsewhere."

• cdotp...
• July 11, 2021

"When nefazodone came on the market, my psychiatrist gave me a prescription and I got it. Before taking this I had been severely depressed for many months and tried many meds, but none worked. I was bedridden, in horrible pain and all the terrible symptoms. I had it in my mind that when I could no longer take it, life would be too hard to live. The first night, I took 200 mg of Serzone. In the morning, all of my symptoms had eased. The depression had lifted overnight, just like a headache responding to aspirin. I knew that nefazodone was acting directly on the mechanism(s) underlying depression. Nefazodone simply fixed the depression, overnight. I've 20+ years of well-functioning that I would not have had without nefazodone. It truly was a miracle for me. Now, it's gone. I face the remainder of my life (I am 71) without the lifeline that nefazodone provided for 2+decades."

• MGodd...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 3, 2021

"I have been taking serzone/nefazodone since 1998. My PCP tried nearly every other antidepressant for over 6 months, but nothing worked! Finally he sent me to a psychologist who started me on Serzone. It was a miracle drug! I felt human again, and I was more interested in my former activities and my children's activities. I have continued to take this drug all these years, seldom feeling depressed. Now I'm starting to panic about not being able to get this drug! I have never had a negative reaction. At least the past month I have been able to cut back on my dose gradually so I don't stop taking it cold turkey. I only have a couple of weeks left. I'm going to see my PCP next week. (My psychologist moved out of town years ago.) I will pray for all of us who need this miracle drug, and pray that teva puts this back on the market."

• P...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 9, 2021

"Have used it for years with great success. Finally, an update from TEVA.com on 9/20/2021, that Nefazodone will be back on the market during last quarter of 2021. Followed up with the manufacturer, TEVA, via phone call this week and the rep confirmed that they did in fact notify the FDA of the return of Nefazodone by end of 2021 since missing raw materials during COVID are now available. Contacted local CVS store and CVS Caremark but they were not aware of the September statement put out by TEVA."

• Zsa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 18, 2020

Serzone (nefazodone) "After having a baby in 1991 I came down with postpartum depression. I tried everything on the market. I went through a few doctors, a few hospital stays and a few experiences with charcoal due to no longer wanting to fight to exist any longer. Finally my doctor tried one last medication on me as I wouldn't take anything that affected my weight (gaining), my sex drive or could cause Tardive dyskinesia. My doctor started me on Nefazodone, a generic for Serzone. What a difference Nefazodone made in my life. My Doc found a dose that worked for me until my mother passed away. That's when he added Lamictal, a mood stabilizer. I am now off of the Lamictal, but, continued the Nefazodone taking two 100mg a day at bedtime, I am finally at a pretty happy spot in my life and I know that without my amazing therapist and Nefazodone I wouldn't be here today!!!"

• Indir...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 28, 2021

"I have taken Nefazodone on and off for 25 years. I had no side effects, and my life was so much better on it. Now I'm a caregiver for my parents, one has Alzheimer's, and I've never gone through anything worse. I am now searching for something else because of this shortage, and I'm not looking forward to potential side effects from a new drug. I have sent emails to Teva, suggesting they sell Nefazodone to another pharmaceutical company. I'm not convinced this is a shortage of ingredients."

• Anonymous
• May 1, 2021

"I have been taking Nefazadone for 20 years. When my psychiatrist told me few years ago only one company made it I started putting back as much as I could. I was prescribed 3 a day but would skip one and put back ever so often. The fear of not having it and withdrawals from a drug again was too much for me to handle. The time is here. No more nefazadone being made. I have tapered down to 100 mg but my blood pressure goes sky high at night. I’m a heart patient and I am so concerned. I’m not sure if it’s anxiety attack or if it’s something else. I wake up with it middle of night. I feel doomed. Dr suggests trazadone for replacement but I’m not sure if it will help. I just can’t believe this is happening. I’m afraid I’m going to stroke or have heart attack during night. Hope nobody else is going through this. Praying for everyone having hard time."

• Birdie...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 8, 2019

Serzone (nefazodone) "I was first diagnosed with depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks and social anxiety disorder about 18 years ago. Under the guidance of a psychiatrist and a psychologist, I was prescribed a fairly new drug - Serzone. Relief came within 1/2 hour after taking my first dose. I have no side effects. It is a fabulous drug."

• Ditch...
• June 30, 2021

"This drug works VERY well. It’s not an SSRI (SSRIs should be taken off the market!) and that’s why almost everyone does incredibly well on it. It completely changed my life for the better (like almost everyone else) back in 2002-2004, but I went off it (very slowly) believing the bogus hype about liver damage. I had zero liver problems. Lexapro, however, raised my liver enzymes and was an awful nightmare for me (and still is after 2.5 years of being off it). I’m sure Big Pharma has known Nefazadone is a threat to every other antidepressant on the market for some time now; hence the black box warning. It works too well for too many people with minimal side effects. It should be available to everyone as a first-line antidepressant—before all those nasty SSRIs that leave people with years of withdrawals (myself included.) I feel for everyone right now who is unable to get Nefazadone. Shame on Teva for stranding you all. And shame on the FDA for many reasons."

• sonnyi
• July 23, 2012

Serzone (nefazodone) "Was on Serzone for 10 years. The best antidepressant ever and I have been on most of them since my tour in Vietnam. No sexual side effects on like SSRIs or SNRIs. Then they took it off the market. Just recently went back to nefazodone. Serzone works so well."

• Nicole
• February 10, 2018

Serzone (nefazodone) "Serzone was a miracle drug for me. I’ve tried almost every anti-depressant and they all had horrible side effects and did nothing to alleviate my depression. Serzone made me feel like I could finally see things clearly. I felt as if a veil had been lifted and no longer felt like I was in a fog. Whereas before going for a walk, cleaning house, self-care seemed like a monumental feat, after serzone everything became easy. I didn’t feel like these tasks were an insurmountable hurdle. Basic tasks became simple and I could finally see beyond my depression. I write this now as I’m back to suffering severe depression and searching for a drug similar to serzone as I think they took it off the market."

• Zgirl
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 6, 2021

"I have been taking Nefazodone since 1996 for major severe depression, anxiety and PTSD. It has been the only antidepressant that helps with my clinical depression and with no side effects. I pray it will come out of shortage soon. I don’t understand why Teva can’t let all of us who do so well on it know what their plan is to get it back out there. Please help."

• Nicky
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 29, 2021

"I have been taking Nefazodone for 20 years. I was a mess before finding this drug. I suffered from debilitating anxiety and depression. I am now unable to get the drug and was forced to switch to another. My doctor prescribed Viibryd because it is comparable to Nefazodone. Not. I have only been on it for about a week. This drug causes anxiety at first and then is supposed to taper off. We will see. My anxiety couldn’t be worse. I have now been given an additional drug to sleep. The sad thing here is Nefazodone did the work of both drugs. I hope it comes back. I will switch back in a heartbeat. If anybody has found a comparable that works please post. Thanks"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 18, 2021

"I am having an awful time, without this nothing works, one months out and I'm anxious, dizzy having sick spells and am afraid, I have stroke like withdrawal symptoms. My world has been turned upside down, 2 month ago I graduated, got a job in my new field, then bam no meds. And I'm afraid I may loss everything I achieved, because now I can't even drive my car because of stroke like panic attacks. Been on this med since 1997, and doing great as a mom, student grandmother and sole person of my family"

• mumchik
• March 1, 2009

Serzone (nefazodone) "I took this drug for 8 months and it cured my depression, which is usually unheard of. When I asked for it again several years later for postpartum after having my last child, I was told it was taken off the market. Why? Because it actually cured people - I don't get it."

• An...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 27, 2014

Serzone (nefazodone) "My PCP prescribed Serzone for me after I described typical symptoms of depression. As an RN I didn't want to feel "medicated" & never did. This medicine gave me back myself. I was on it for about 4 yrs then switched to Paxil for about 2 yrs and then taken off all together. I haven't been on any medicines for depression in 7 yrs as my divorce is long over & I am well healed - Amen! I would recommend Serzone regular lab work & doctor's care. Also, talk therapy helps too!"

• natur...
• March 19, 2011

Serzone (nefazodone) "I was on Serzone for 6 years and it gave me my life back. It truly is a miracle medicine and should not get the bad rap. I never had any liver problems. In fact, I only had dry mouth as a side effect. It did not affect my libido or ability like the Cymbalta that I am on now. I had liver problems with Depakote ER and I don't understand why it does not get the negative press. Serzone is amazing and I am going to work with my new psychiatrist to be back on it once again. I can't wait to get my life back once again!"

• Answe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 8, 2021

"I come to this review page to see if anyone has found a medication similar, at least kind of worked as well as nefazodone. My story is a little different. I haven't been on in for 20+ years, in fact, I’m in my late 20s. I had been on every drug on the market. Living everyday with SI, then I started nefazodone and for the first time I felt like living was possible. I was on it for 3 years and I felt like I was living life like how I imagined it was supposed to be. Then the medication was gone. Ripped out from beneath me. This drug saved my life, and shame on TEVA for not valuing human life. I don’t feel as if I have much time left on this earth, but I beg you all, urge everyone to keep fighting for the medication that showed us, and gave us life again."

• valley
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 23, 2019

Serzone (nefazodone) "I went on Elavil to try to help severe migraine. While it was somewhat helpful for the headaches, it immediately began making me gain weight. I put on 40 pounds, and it was a shock because I had never been overweight before. I was 42. I changed doctors, and she put me on Serzone. Within a week I dropped 4 pounds! I was so excited, I began walking again and trying to lose weight. Overall, I lost the 40 pounds and kept it off. Then Serzone was banned, and I had to change antidepressants. The weight piled on, and in six months I gained 60 pounds on Cymbalta. Now, I’m in my late 60s and my new doctor refuses to let me try Nefazodone , which is now available again. I’m so angry. I’ve dropped that doc and am going to a new psychiatrist next week. Here’s hoping she is more brave and understanding and will let me switch to Nefazodone. I hope I can still lose weight even though I’m 25 years older. Being overweight makes me more depressed than any of my life’s problems."

• Hope
• May 27, 2009

Serzone (nefazodone) "I have taken this antidepressant for as long as it has been on the market. It was and remains the only antidepressant that works for me. It has almost zero side effects when compared to the Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs that I tried before this drug. It is in a class by itself and unfortunately will probably remain so. This antidepressant gave me back my life, calmed my panic attacks, and even helped with social phobia. It is too bad that it has been given such a bad rap that it is hardly prescribed anymore."

• tina
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 12, 2021

"Tried 7 different medications before going on this one. Been on it for 20 years. I don't suffer anymore and this medicine has been a Godsend. I hope it comes back soon. I realize there is a drug shortage on this medicine so I cut it in half so as to save as much as I can. My anxiety, depression and bad mood came back like a monster like it did 20 years ago. Please Teva, hurry and bring this back so the ones like me don't run out."

• Decades
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 25, 2019

"Been on Serzone / Nefazodone 22 years. My liver has been fine for 22 years, this Medicine Saved my Life, and was the only thing that worked for me ! Right now it is on Manufacturer Backorder till April. I got enough to last, it has saved my Life, PLEASE never discontinue this lifesaver for some of us, especially those of us who have been on it long term like me for 22 years"

• marky...
• December 17, 2009

Serzone (nefazodone) "I started taking this drug for chronic daily headaches in 1999. It turns out they were caused by stress and serious depression. The Serzone was a miracle drug for me! I saw the world so much more clearly and without the negative lens. My headaches were gone (turns out it actually has a patent for preventing migraines!). I was on it for 8 years until I moved to a new city and had trouble finding doctors to prescribe it. So I was off it for the last two years, and my doctor had me on awful Depakote instead. I hated it! I found a doctor this week to put me back on Nefazodone (Serzone). I look forward to ramping up the dosage and feeling alive again! It was a great drug for me without sexual side effects, which is important to many men."

• Teton
• December 24, 2017

Serzone (nefazodone) "I was in a major depression after my baby died in the second trimester. Thoughts of suicide, the works. When I finally reached out for help I was put on serzone....truly a miracle drug. I was young, 28 and never had side effects. After a year I weaned off. Three years later I had my daughter and started spiralling downward, post partum - after you have a baby it is supposed to be the happiest time! I reached out for help and could no longer obtain serzone. I have literally been on EVERY antidepressant for the past 16 years. Nothing has worked like serzone. I am in a bad spot depression-wise again and am thinking it will be worth the liver risk to try to feel normal again."

• NCCHICK
• July 8, 2009

Serzone (nefazodone) "I have just started on Serzone (Nefazodone) after reading up on it. I have tried so many other SSRI's that did not work so I am hoping that this class of drug will. I wish people wouldn't worry about the the liver issue. Depakote and Cymbalta both have the same risk but they haven't been pulled off the market due to the bad rap. I decided to try Serzone regardless of the liver issue. I will have my liver checked at least every 6 months and if it becomes abnormal, I will stop taking Serzone. No big deal. It is as simple as that. But I read that the risk is only about 1 in 250,000. I will take those odds if this drug really helps me. So far I feel drowsy but I can live with that. The alternative is debilitating fatigue and horrible negativity."