Effexor XR and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Lal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This medicine works. With side effects, yes. But IT WORKS. Tips: Start with 37.5 mg every morning for 7 days. Then replace 37.5 with 75 mg every morning for another 7 days. At the end of the 2nd week you will start to feel 'human' again. Add another 37.5 every afternoon for another 7 days, but not too late in order to avoid insomnia. At the end of the month replace the 37.5 with 75 mg and so you have 150 mg every day with minimum side effects. Anxiety will reduce, sentimental reactions will become more curbed and manageable. You will be yourself again. Remember: be patient and persistent. Stick with it, especially the first month, don't give up. Use some diazepams in order to reduce the anxiety produced by the pill the first weeks! Feel free to ask anything! United we stand!!!"

• Taw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2020

For Depression "I take 150mg time-released Effexor. I am dealing with a head injury for 6 months now. I have been on Effexor since. I have no side effects, and it has really helped me with my anxiety, nervousness, and depression. This medicine is such a lifesaver. I can go to work and be around people. I don’t know where I would be without this medication."

• Taw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2020

For Depression "I take 150mg time-released Effexor. I am dealing with a head injury for 6 months now. I have been on Effexor since. I have no side effects, and it has really helped me with my anxiety, nervousness, and depression. This medicine is such a lifesaver. I can go to work and be around people. I don’t know where I would be without this medication."

• Mit...
• August 9, 2014

For Anxiety "Have suffered from bouts of severe anxiety over the last few years that would leave me bedridden, suicidal, unable to work or eat. Tried Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Cymbalta, Luvox, and honestly thought nothing would ever work for me. All made me worse. My psych doctor wanted to try Effexor XR, but I was worried about withdrawing from it - after trying everything else, I finally agreed. It has taken a month to feel a difference. I'm enjoying things again, not chewed up by horrible anxiety. I'm actually HAPPY?! The first month on it was so challenging - very low, anxious, exhausted, nauseous. But now no side effects. I feel like a light has gone on. I am getting my life back. I could sob with relief. I truly believed I'd never get better, but here I am."

• Ate...
• May 7, 2015

For Anxiety "Started on 37.5mg for a month. First two days were only side effects - I was a little jumpy, couldn't keep legs still, and had insomnia. That went away in 48 hours. Then it shifted to making me sleepy and fairly relaxed. However, I still had breakthrough anxiety crying and didn't feel much change in depression. Decided to up the dose and have been at 75mg for a while now. No side effects. This dose has obliterated my anxiety and helped with depression. All I feel is calm and relaxed. I am more outgoing and happy. Only thing I noticed, like so many others, is that it is tough to miss a dose. But, don't let that dissuade you from trying it. It really has been a miracle for me."

• Ate...
• May 7, 2015

For Anxiety "Started on 37.5mg for a month. First two days were only side effects - I was a little jumpy, couldn't keep legs still, and had insomnia. That went away in 48 hours. Then it shifted to making me sleepy and fairly relaxed. However, I still had breakthrough anxiety crying and didn't feel much change in depression. Decided to up the dose and have been at 75mg for a while now. No side effects. This dose has obliterated my anxiety and helped with depression. All I feel is calm and relaxed. I am more outgoing and happy. Only thing I noticed, like so many others, is that it is tough to miss a dose. But, don't let that dissuade you from trying it. It really has been a miracle for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 15, 2020

For Panic Disorder "Effexor XR is the best drug! I have tried Zoloft, Lexapro, and Prozac, and none of them helped me. I was nervous to start Effexor because of the reviews and side-effects if you miss a pill. I took a leap of faith and started Effexor, and I have been on it for two years now! I have never felt more like myself. Set a reminder if you are nervous you might miss a pill. Every body reacts differently to every drug, so please, give Effexor a chance! It’s a miracle drug for my panic disorder. Don’t let the reviews scare you!"

• Dev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2013

For Anxiety "I am from Canada, 24-year-old female. I have always been a worrier but first experienced anxiety in my 4th year at University 3 years ago. I had a panic attack which then turned into panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Effexor is a GREAT medication for me. My dose was raised way too quickly at the beginning. I went from 75mg to 150mg to 225mg in a month and a half and got horrible Effexor-induced anxiety. But when my GP realized what was going on, she put me back to 75mg and then very slowly put me up to 112.5mg. I have been there for 2 months now, and I think it is the perfect dose for me. I don't have intrusive thoughts or panic sensations. Be patient, it's worth it!"

• Gau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I see so many reviews here from people that gave up this medication after one day, five days, seven days. Guys, this medicine can take up to a MONTH to work. In the meantime, you might experience side effects like increased anxiety. Stick with it. It works for me - It might not for you, but please try it out properly (i.e. for at least a month) before you knock it."

• Coo...
• January 20, 2017

For Anxiety "I had a nervous breakdown when I was 38. I literally felt as if I was going out of my mind. I had gotten pregnant when I was 21 and had terminated the pregnancy. I had a few years of depression with no meds. I left my husband and two children and went and stayed with my sister. She promptly took me to a psychiatrist who put me on Effexor XR 75 mg twice a day. He also gave me Xanax to help me with the breakdown. Effexor and my doctor saved my life. I have been on Effexor for 22 years. I sometimes feel the depression coming back and I now still have lots of anxiety, but I take my Xanax and it helps. I have switched to Prozac, Brintellix, Lexapro. None of them work. I always go back to Effexor. I pray daily that God will heal me."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 13, 2019

For Anxiety "5 years ago I got panic attacks. Thought I was dying! This created non-stop anxiety, insomnia, etc. Couldn’t even function, after this, I was a wreck at 37 years old. This medication got me back into life. In about 3 weeks, I was back on my feet. I bought a house and moved in with my girlfriend. I was on this medication 75mg a day for one year. Off for another year. Back on for the next. Then off again for a year. Today I have anxiety keeping me up for the last few nights. I am starting on this medication again! Without this medication, I would not have had a great last 5 years! Also, currently I am starting to meditate as science shows it will physically change your brain! Wish everyone the best. Please remind yourselves it will get better!"

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 3, 2019

For Anxiety "Effexor has been great. I had been on 25-50 mg of Zoloft for panic attacks and high anxiety, and it had worked for a few years. However, after I went off for 4 months and started experiencing them again, I encountered the worst morning panic with nausea, vomiting, and IBS for three months. I didn't want to switch, but it was getting so bad that I would have anxiety for most of the workday and was afraid I might have to miss work. It was fortunate that my cubicle was right next to the bathroom during that time! Finally, I told my PCP I was ready to try something else, and she prescribed Effexor XR. She advised me to stop the Zoloft and start 37.5 mg of XR venlafaxine. It was like night and day. I no longer experienced panic attacks, morning nausea, vomiting, anxiety, or IBS. It's been over a year, and I still like it. Initially, I took it in the morning, but gradually switched to taking it at night because I sleep better that way."

• GAD...
• March 22, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I’m a 32 y/o female with GAD diagnosed 2 yr ago & ADHD. My doc felt it was more important to treat my severe GAD before ADHD. After trying Zoloft for 6 months, I stopped it. NO libido. Lexapro, same thing!! Plus I was super tired. First two days on Effexor XR were amazing. (Placebo effect?) Then days 3-10 were filled with a little more anxiety than normal. Had vivid weird dreams, would wake up once in the middle of the night to pee then it would be harder than normal to fall asleep. Also, jaw popping like I was grinding the heck out of my teeth for a few nights. Day 11-now, it's wonderful. I don't feel panic attacks or anxiety anymore. I feel normal and relaxed. No more headaches, muscle tension, or sleeping problems. I'm not short-tempered with my kids. I don't worry as much! I'm just chill. Oh, and I can still pour some tears watching my chick flicks. With the sex side effect 'O'... I can still do it, just takes a tad longer. I can live with that!! I can also drink beer with this."

• Vin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2016

For Depression "Effexor XR really has been working wonders on my life. It has relieved me of a lot of my depression while still giving me my energy, unlike SSRIs. If weight gain is a problem for you and you have depression, definitely try an SNRI first. As you may or may not know, Wellbutrin is another antidepressant that is supposed to encourage weight loss while relieving depression. It affects norepinephrine and dopamine. I tried Wellbutrin a while ago, and failed miserably on it due to the anxiety it brought on. Therefore, I was hesitant at first because I heard that Effexor XR affects norepinephrine as well. However, it has been completely the opposite. I have gone from constantly laying in bed all day long to wanting to get up and exercise."

• Xha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2017

For Social Anxiety Disorder "After years of social anxiety and panic attacks, I had to sort myself out. I did some research into SNRIs/SSRIs and like many, was fearful of the side effects described by others and how bad it made people feel. I went to the GP who prescribed Venlafaxine/Effexor. The first few weeks, I felt a little nausea, increased anxiety and panic attacks, and a delay in ejaculation. It never felt unmanageable. After 6 weeks, all had gone. I feel 80% less anxious in social and all situations. I feel calm and very much unfazed by most things. I feel more confident, my mind is clearer, and it is physically impossible to dwell on negative thoughts. I haven't had a panic attack! Everyone reacts differently. I believed it was a risk worth taking and I feel it has paid off!"

• Hel...
• May 5, 2015

For Anxiety "I've been on Effexor for anxiety for about 15 years. It changed my life. I tried Wellbutrin first, but it made me even more anxiety-ridden. For a brief time, I felt like the Effexor was not working as well so I switched to Pristiq. Pristiq increased my anxiety so after about 6 months I switched back. Within 3 days, I felt almost completely better."

• Sha...
• March 11, 2017

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I'm taking 75 mg of Effexor XR, and my life is changing for the better. I no longer feel stressed when I'm around people. Socializing is not such an ordeal anymore. My social anxiety started when I was 12. I wish Effexor was around back then. I hope Effexor helps everyone. The first 10 days are not easy: anxiety, teeth clenching, nausea, and diarrhea. Hang in there and give it time to work."

• ale...
• August 6, 2012

For Anxiety "I took Effexor XR after I gave up on Lexapro (it didn't work for me, I waited for a couple of months). I started at 75 mg and 10 days later increased to 150 mg. I have been at 150 mg for about 5 months. I feel that I am at a stable point, so I don't want to change anything for a while. My doctor said to start weaning off, but I don't think I'm ready yet. I had gone through a gut-wrenching episode in my life that lasted for about 4 intense months of sleepless nights, hot sweats, heart palpitations, heavy chest, lack of concentration, and sadness. I felt as if I was at the doctor every other day trying to figure out what was wrong. My anxieties were so bad that I felt like exploding. Thankfully I waited it out, and Effexor has helped."

• Pap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2019

For Social Anxiety Disorder "Bodies and brain chemistry change from person to person, so try not to generalize with chemicals. In my personal experience, I've experienced improvements in depression after a month on Effexor 37.5 mg, then upped to 150 mg. It wasn't until my dose got to 300 mg, which I'm on right now, that I feel a lot less anxious and capable of trying small talk, making eye contact, and getting into the social game without feeling awkward and inept. Don't know how I'm going to come off this, maybe I won't."

• Lau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2019

For Anxiety "Effexor has been a lifesaver for me! I tried Zoloft first because that’s what worked for a lot of my friends. Zoloft made me very sick, so I was switched to Effexor XR, and I feel amazing!! I had been living my life after having kids, but sick to my stomach 24/7 and having major anxiety attacks. I’d have to leave work, but no more. I still get anxious here and there but am able to cope with it now! Effexor isn’t for everyone, but it worked and still works for me. The only thing I can say is a downside to it is I don’t always sleep as well as I did before starting it, but life could be worse."

• Ger...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 30, 2018

For Anxiety "I have been on and off this medication for years, it has been the one that has worked best for me always. I will start to feel I need more and try something else, but I always come back to Effexor XR. I take 37.5 mg. I have NEVER had a zap or cried when going off the medication or forgetting a dose, although I am on a low dose. It is what makes me feel the closest to normal of all the medications I have tried. I do have to say that Paxil was the first medication I ever tried, and it totally removed all anxiety, which was what I needed at that time, but I put on 40 lbs with it and have struggled with that weight ever since. I have come to understand that we all need a wee bit of anxiety in our lives, or else what would be the catalyst to get out of bed or work out or be a better person? But when the anxiety becomes unhealthy, some of us need the help that only a medication can give us."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2014

For Anxiety "Switched to Effexor XR after having severe anxiety side effects with Prozac 20mg. With Prozac initial side effects, I didn't sleep for days, constant, ceaseless agitation and restlessness, ended up in ER for psych evaluation which has never happened to me before. Doctor switched me to Effexor XR 37.5 mg and on the second day I noticed that after taking the pill in the morning, by the afternoon I was much calmer, almost drowsy, which was an enormous relief after two weeks of severe anxiety. After two weeks on Effexor XR I'm doing much better; much less anxiety and worry. The PM drowsiness has gone too. I hope to stay on the low dose."

• ssh...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 3, 2019

For Depression "Started weaning off Effexor 150mg 1 year ago. Got to 37.5mg with hardly any side effects. Then weaning off 37.5mg was terrible. Headache/head pounding, nausea, vertigo, diarrhea, extreme tiredness, random crying spells, very emotional, etc. Did a lot of research and trusted that it’d get easier with time. 4 wks later, finally feeling physically well again... Then it got bad. Sense of constant dread, horrible anxiety, heart racing, emotional as hell, trouble sleeping, extremely depressed, and felt like a zombie. Missing work, sleeping all day, no motivation to do anything. Went back to doc and she put me back on the 37.5mg. Extremely disappointed not to get off this medication. Been 3 days since getting back on it, starting to feel somewhat normal again, just want my life back. Wish I’d received more info when I was first prescribed it - had no idea it would be such a nightmare to try to get off of it. This experience has shaken up my whole world. BEWARE."

• SLi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 10, 2020

For Depression "Please, please, please take my advice. If Effexor is working for you, don't quit! I took Effexor for 8 great years (anxiety and depression). Tapered and quit. Started again two months later to be on the safe side while going through a stressful period at work. Within 24 hours, my life fell totally apart. Anxiety and depression through the roof. 18 months and 4 AD's later, I am still a wreck. Losing hope."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 6, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have suffered with GAD and panic disorder since age 6. Effexor XR has been a miracle for me since I began taking it 2 years ago. I was having such bad anxiety I could no longer function normally and had thoughts of not being here almost daily. I felt like I was going to die and had been to the emergency room with my entire body shaking uncontrollably and not having slept for 5 days in a row. Amazing medication is all I can say for me. I have been increased to 225 mg from 150 mg during a difficult time recently, and again it was wonderful."