Effexor for Depression User Reviews

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2019

"Reading reviews online will freak you out about this drug, and as someone who used it for panic disorder and extreme anxiety (as well as depression), these reviews on here definitely terrified me. First off, relax. Taking any new drug for the first time can be scary because your body's adjusting, but freaking out about any little symptom will only make your experience worse. Now on to my experience: The first couple of weeks, I experienced nausea and maybe a bit of sleeplessness, but nothing too crazy. Lost a bit of weight too as it suppressed my appetite. I really do believe this drug helped calm my nervous system enough so that I was able to function normally again, and so far after the first month, I don't experience side effects at all. Don't be scared about all the wacky reviews, people can psych themselves out when influenced by others' opinions."

• rjb...
• December 31, 2020

"I'm on Effexor for depression, anxiety, ADHD. 1-4 weeks. The medication the first few weeks is going to make you excessively sleepy. It is just the nature of the beast. During the first few weeks, ensure that you are taking the time to get a workout in a few times a week and supplement any lethargy with a bit of caffeine. Weeks 5-8. This is where the medication really starts to shine. If you are a male, this drug is ideal for you because it has a less likely chance of causing erectile dysfunction as it is an SNRI and not an SSRI. Your reaction to negative events, to include stressful situations, begins to dramatically change. Instead of having fast-paced thoughts, you have a true sense of peace, less worry, and a newfound sense of overall well-being. I highly recommend this medication if your SSRI is causing you ED, you suffer from anxiety, ADHD, OCD, or depression."

• Fee...
• September 10, 2019

"I was prescribed Venlafaxine for major depression and debilitating anxiety while going through a massive life crisis (business and relationship divorce and resulting bankruptcy) about three years ago. My depression was my own worst enemy as when I needed to be sharp and confident for attorneys, I was a sobbing mess. My anxiety was debilitating and turned into panic attacks. While I don't think I would have taken my life, I certainly wasn't afraid to die. The crisis is finally behind me, and I have tapered from 225mg to 37.5mg over the last 3 months. The only downsides were, for me, cognitive function, apathy, and poor memory. I was unable to orgasm on the 225 mg dosage. It is important to mention that I did not get through this with drugs alone. I had a strong network of friends, family, attorneys, and healthcare professionals. Do not be ashamed of your mental health crisis! Be honest with yourself and your friends and seek professional help!"

• sta...
• October 2, 2020

"From my experience, Effexor is a very effective treatment for depression and anxiety. I took it for 10 years at a dose of 150mg and felt great. I stopped 3 months ago and already depression is returning, so today I'm going back on! Yes, the side effects can be grim, but for me, it was only when being late with dose or quitting. But overall, I think it's worth it for not having to suffer depression and anxiety every day!"

• Mus...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 21, 2013

"I have been on Effexor for 18 years. Yes, that's right: 18 YEARS. It saved my life and then some. I had very severe clinical depression back in 1995. I was suicidal and anxious to the nth degree. Effexor has brought joy back to my life and has enhanced my creativity and sexual desire. I have been blessed with this medication. It was the first antidepressant my doctor prescribed and most likely the last. A match made in Paradise: Effexor and I."

• The...
• June 23, 2019

"Sure saved the quality of my life. I was not suicidal; I was more like the guy who didn't care if the plane crashed. I took Effexor for 8 years. After that time period, it had been a long, long time since I had felt depressed, so I began to taper off. I think it probably took me a couple of months to get completely off. I have been off for 5 years. I learned a lot about clinical depression and how to treat it. If my depression ever returns, I will not hesitate to go back to Effexor."

• Cha...
• November 3, 2011

"My boyfriend passed away very unexpectedly. We had a wonderful, beautiful relationship. I simply adored him, and overnight he's gone. The next day, my little brother had open-heart surgery. My sister passed away last March after living and taking care of my father with dementia. My mother passed away after a 3-year-long battle with cancer. I wanted to stay in bed all day, curled up in the fetal position, and pray that death would take me just so the pain would stop. But I didn't have that luxury, someone had to pay the bills. I hated to go out in public because I never knew what would trigger a crying jag. I had a true sense of hopelessness. 75 mg of Effexor saved my life. I'm happy again, laughing, and going out and celebrating my life."

• Roo...
• April 29, 2014

"I had severe hellish, unrelenting depression and did not want to live. I started taking Effexor, and it worked the same day. I never thought something could work so well. I have few side effects. My life changed 100%. I am so happy now that the doctor put me on this. People should not be afraid to try antidepressants."

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2014

"I am a 49-year-old female who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I am taking Risperidone 2 mg a day with 75 mg of Effexor. I was severely depressed and suicidal every day. Lexapro made me extremely anxious and nervous. I think 75 mg of Effexor is helping a lot. I am now not as depressed or suicidal. I am now regaining my energy and interest back. For everyone who struggles with depression/bipolar out there: don't give up hope. Things will get better and you will recover. I believe that. Hang in there, seek help, and know that I am rooting for your quick recovery. Best wishes to all of you."

• Kat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 9, 2021

"I'm glad to read these positive reviews because I've been on generic venlafaxine 150mg per day for 8 years. I was on 7 different antidepressants prior to that, a year or two each time, then the poop out and in to a different one. Venlafaxine has not stopped working. I'm on the highest dose per day slowly increased over a year. My most frustrating side effect is insomnia and some tinnitus. I will also say when my pharmacy changes the pharmaceutical brand of venlafaxine, I have a noticeable couple of days discomfort until I adjust. People understandably tend to be angry about failure or side effect, but nothing is worse to me than being disabled by depression."

• lav...
• December 16, 2014

"This stopped my depression the second day! It felt like a hole in my heart mended! Literally! I seem to be able to skip days here and there in the spring and summertime with no effects, but never have plans to wean off. It has been too great a miracle prescription for me! Seven years!"

• sle...
• January 28, 2008

"I have been on Effexor XR for about 8 years now. I am currently taking 300 mg per day. I tried to commit suicide several times before starting Effexor. I had been on so many different antidepressants. I thought this was how my life was always going to be - my children slowly watching me sleep and then eventually die. The doctor put me on Effexor, and it was the best thing ever."

• Fre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 3, 2019

"I would just like to point out that every single person is different and adjusts to these medications differently. I had 3 suicide attempts before accepting medication and was put on Effexor. Effexor changed my life, until it didn’t. For 2 years it helped me to function normally, I went back to work, the suicidal ideation ceased, and I was able to manage my depression. After a long time though, I felt numb and wanted to get off of it. No one ever warns you about coming off Effexor. There is a whole group on Facebook just for coming off it. The withdrawals are worse than any drug I know. I counted every day. It was 12 days of agony before I felt any sort of relief. It was pure, utter awfulness. But I look back and think of what Effexor did for me when I first started this medication, and it gave me my life back. So despite the horrible effects coming off this drug, it still helped me immensely."

• Kim...
• February 24, 2020

"WORST 48 hours of my entire life. The first day I took Effexor (dose 37.5 mg) with my 300 mg of Wellbutrin, and I got to work and couldn’t even walk in a straight line. I went home and figured maybe I just shocked my system and slept it off. The next day I took the same dosage. First came the spaced-out phase where I couldn’t remember where I was or what I was doing. The tremors? So violent that I couldn’t walk, talk, or hold things. My husband came home to find me in the fetal position on the floor, shaking violently. Let’s not forget hearing and seeing things that weren’t there. Another thing I noticed was that one second I was laughing, then the next crying. It was so scary, and I couldn’t stop it from happening. I stopped taking it. It’s been 2 days now and I still have tremors. I can’t eat. The only thing that will stop the tremors is 1 mg of Ativan. This drug ruined my life in 48 hours. I will never recommend it to anyone. Worst 2 days of my life, and it’s still going."

• xyz...
• July 31, 2013

"I have taken Effexor on and off for nearly ten years for depression and anxiety brought on by a sudden traumatic situation. It took a week or so for the side effects to disappear when I first started. I felt so well that I weaned myself off it, which took at least a week with side effects. I have done this twice, thinking I was very well and able to cope when I take the medication. However, I have come to realize that I need to stay on it, and my husband now understands that it keeps me well, happy, and balanced. If I miss a tablet, I feel quite nauseous and a bit unbalanced, even though I only take 75mg once a day. I have come to realize that there are a lot of people out there, including many high-profile people, who need Effexor."

• Mis...
• September 21, 2013

"I am 46 years old and have taken Effexor since 2000. It helps me balance myself. It really works, and it calms me down and relaxes. But never miss it for a day or so, it will give you dizziness or nausea. I would like people out there to know that Effexor is the best antidepressant. It helps me focus on my life in every way. Thank you for saving my life, Effexor."

• Tep...
• August 2, 2014

"As with all antidepressants, I tend to peak after about 5 years and my medication begins to lose its efficacy. This is the third time I have had Effexor prescribed, and each time the results have been better than with any other antidepressant. I actually enjoy parts of my life and sleep like a baby, which is a true blessing, because I have fibromyalgia and the accompanying insomnia so common with fibromyalgia. Several years ago my brother-in-law was having trouble with his depression medications so I told him to ask his doctor about Effexor. He has gone from suicidal to a fairly happy fellow. This medicine has literally been a lifesaver in our family."

• Tat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2013

"I've been on this medication only one week but am cautiously very optimistic. Prior to this, I was on citalopram but still feeling very low and sleeping poorly, feeling like I needed to be in bed 12-16 hours a day. Now I am waking naturally after only 8 hours of sleep and finding it much easier to concentrate at work. I can hardly believe it is working so quickly but I feel so much better. I've had no side effects."

• Anonymous
• April 19, 2008

"I've been using 75mg Effexor for 9 weeks now and it has changed my life. I wake up looking forward to the day and can remain focused throughout. I woke up on my 30th birthday feeling very depressed and could not believe that's how I felt every day before taking Effexor. My libido is back to where it was a year ago and the only side effect I experience is an upset stomach during very intense workouts. I see a therapist and that too has helped. My wife says I'm now a different person."

• Kin...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 4, 2014

"Great experience on Effexor. Was very anxious, maybe a little depressed. Panic attacks, etc. Effexor gave me a great bump within 3 days at each dose. Ultimately, went up to 225mg (2 years). I was a new person, no worries, loving life. Went down to 150mg (2 years), and then down to 75mg (2 years). No problems. After 7 years, went off. Then I started to feel very badly again, went back on to no avail. But the 7 years I was on it, I felt tremendous. Great med for me."

• may...
• May 18, 2013

"I have been on Effexor for a couple of months, and I have to say it really works. I am telling you if I wasn't on this medication, I wouldn't know how to function right. There would probably be a lot of crying, not wanting to do anything, and beating myself up, which I hate. Now I feel so much better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2012

"I have been on 75 mg now for about 3 months. Before, I was completely out of it, did not want to do anything, would stay at home on the computer all day, suicide thoughts every day. Now I'm out every day, going to the gym. All my anger and anxiety, along with the thoughts, are gone. Feels great. I highly recommend this medication. I know it will have withdrawal effects when you are getting off it but it is highly worth it, to better your life!"

• sfu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2014

"I'm a 27-year-old female with ADD, generalized anxiety (including morbid thoughts, OCD behaviors, hypochondria, and depression). Effexor has basically fixed me. I used to be irritable, negative, overwhelmed, and chronically fatigued to a disabling capacity, and now I'm evened out and confident, positive, patient, and kinder. My head feels clearer than it ever has. The only issue is that this medication causes some sweating and raises my blood pressure, so I've had to have that stabilized with blood pressure medication."

• Ama...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2016

"Effexor saved my life! I was so hesitant at first to try this drug because to me, it seemed so powerful compared to Zoloft and Celexa which I've been on in the past. I was also nervous because of the reviews I read with people talking about all the horrible side effects. I'm here to tell you, DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ. Effexor is absolutely amazing! I had no side effects at all. If I had to say I had any, it would be cold sweats for maybe a day but that's it. I take 150mg ER a day and I am back to my old self if not better. My advice is that everyone's body reacts differently to medication and not everyone experiences the same things. This drug is amazing and has helped my depression in every way."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2019

"I've been on Effexor XR 37.5mg for 2 weeks now for anxiety and depression, and I am seeing good results already. Generally, my mood is never stable, however, this medication has started to even everything out, and I go through my days feeling content. My anxiety is subsiding, and my mood and energy levels have increased. I find myself having tons of energy at times and not knowing what to do with myself, I am hoping that will even itself out. In my first week of Effexor, I had extreme fatigue and irritability that was difficult to deal with. So far, my experience has been good, and I am very hopeful. A lot of people go online to complain about their bad experiences, don't let that scare you away - everyone works differently."