Effexor XR and Headaches: What Users Say

• don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "After trying Lexapro and Zoloft for depression and anxiety, I decided to give Effexor a try. Effexor was so much easier to start for me, with very few side effects (mild headache, some shakiness, some mild chest tightness). I started at 37.5 mg then bumped up to 75 mg. Once I went to 75 mg, something just clicked and so much fogginess went away. My anxiety improved and my mood is much more stable. This is definitely a much better drug for my chemistry. That being said, don’t be afraid to try it, and don’t take the negative reviews to heart, people are much more likely to leave negative reviews for bad experiences. Best of luck!"

• Add...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "After years of suffering from anxiety and panic attacks, I finally decided to start medication. I started with Lexapro, and it made me feel terrible, with horribly low libido. I then tried Buspar with the same side effects. Effexor XR was my next try. I’m writing this because I was nervous about taking this medication after reading reviews. This medication has saved my life. I can finally do things that anxiety stopped me from doing. My panic attacks have decreased to hardly any. I had social anxiety, and I feel like I can have a normal conversation without stuttering due to being anxious. The only “con” I have of this medication is if I skip it one day, I have horrible flu-like symptoms and extreme headaches. However, I don’t plan to skip it regularly, so as long as you take it as prescribed, this shouldn’t be a problem. I 10/10 recommend this medication!"

• Gra...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 19, 2023

For Depression "I was taking 37.5 mg Effexor for several years. My depression was pretty much non-existent during that time. Last spring, I got cocky and had my doctor wean me off the drug over a two-month period. For six months, I felt great… until late fall arrived. I suffered with continuous anxiety for the next two months. I denied the heaviness in my chest and the constant worrying that overloaded my brain until I said enough was enough. If this situation was prolonged, I would be in a full-blown depression. I called my doctor, who put me back on 37.5 mg Effexor. I had a few side effects with nausea and headaches, but after four days, I started to feel the anxiety lift. By the fourth week, I was back to my usual happy self. I will never stop taking Effexor again. Lesson learned. My body does not produce enough serotonin. Despite my focus on exercising and other interventions to be mentally healthy, I need Effexor to keep my depression and anxiety away."

• Cha...
• December 22, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I am a chemist and worked at a Pharma company when my panic attacks got really bad. My doctor put me on Effexor. The 75mg dose was way too much and I ended up in the ER. I decided to open the capsule and count the pellets. 1 pellet was about 1 mg. I was so desperate to get better (I had tried Xanax, Lexapro, and 1 other SSRI and I had severe reactions to them). I started taking 10 pellets a day and noticed an improvement immediately. I did have a headache in the back of my head at times and also had vivid dreams, but it was working. I only needed 10 mg a day for about a year and weaned off very slowly. Eight years later I developed POTS, and my anxiety, brain fog, panic attacks were terrible. Again I got on 10 mg of Effexor and needed to work up to the 37.5 mg pill. I have no panic or anxiety and can drive on the freeways again. It took 2 years to work up to the 37.5 mg. If you start on a smaller dose, these meds should work."

• 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."

• jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2012

For Anxiety "I am 18 years old and started Effexor 3 months ago for anxiety. It has given me my life back. I used to have a hard time even leaving the house, now I enjoy life. I haven't been this happy in a long time. I don't think I would ever quit taking it. The first week, I had the shakes, felt nausea, had headaches, and had no appetite. The side effects went away and now I don't have any at all. I am so grateful, it's changed my life for the better."

• Can...
• April 1, 2016

For Anxiety "I don't normally review anything, but this time I thought I should, especially considering most people only tell you the negative experiences of a drug. I really didn't know my anxiety was bad until now. I know I had bad 'nerves', is what I call it, and I'm normally on edge and get paranoid about almost everything, especially my relationships. I got so used to being anxious that it became normal to the point that I forgot what the other side felt like. Strange but true statement. Effexor has allowed me to handle just about anything thrown at me. Yes, I get a little anxious but overall I'm okay. I did have bad gas and a headache, but it got better, totally worth a try."

• 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."

• Mon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 5, 2013

For Anxiety "My doctor prescribed this for my anxiety due to perimenopause, 37 mg. I was always tired on it so he increased it to 75mg XR. I'm not as tired as I used to be and I no longer wake with anxiety and can sleep through the night. My energy level is not as high as it used to be before Effexor. My appetite has also increased. I've heard this can be due to a combination of the Effexor and menopause. If I skip a dose, I get headaches."

• Cor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2021

For Anxiety "I was prescribed Effexor XR for anxiety. After taking 75 mg for two weeks, the nightmare begins. Insomnia, night sweats, horrific dreams and visions. I couldn't think or concentrate, I couldn't work or drive, my head was spinning, I couldn't talk properly. The headache was so bad it landed me in the hospital. I was so tired and couldn't stop yawning. I actually thought I was going insane on this drug. Loss of appetite followed by drastic weight loss, diarrhea. I persisted another week, then that's when the electric shocks started through my body. They were horrendous and left me thinking there was something wrong with me neurologically. Against the doctor's advice, I went cold turkey off of this drug. The withdrawal was horrific, but I was determined to get this stuff out of my body. Even seven months off the drug, I still get some of the shocks and feel this drug has permanently damaged me. I would do your research well before considering this drug. I'd never touch it again. Worst experience of my life."

• hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2019

For Depression "After being admitted to the hospital following a panic attack and suicide attempt, I was prescribed Effexor because I had tried four different SSRIs and none worked, so the doctor thought I should try an SNRI. My first dose was 30 mg, and half an hour after taking it, I started to feel really weird-terrible headache, blurred vision, anxious/uneasy, jittery, and kept spacing out. The next day, they moved me up to 75 mg, and the headache went away, but the other symptoms remained. The next few days were awful. It gave me horrible social anxiety (which I don't normally have), and I couldn't get any work done because my eyes wouldn't focus and I would stare off into the distance for minutes at a time, sort of dissociating. Also made me SUPER lazy. It made me just want to sit on my couch and stare into space."

• Ros...
• March 1, 2018

For Anxiety "I have been on this drug for 2 weeks and am already in love with it. I feel like it’s balancing out something in my brain that has been broken a long time. I feel like if I’m not constantly struggling and fighting to lose weight, the pounds just pile on. When I stop exercising while sick, I gain everything back. I also have depression and anxiety. Most pills make me feel like a zombie. So since starting this drug, I have lost almost ten pounds in 2 weeks. And I haven’t even tried! I am less hungry, like if I’m not hungry, food doesn’t even look good. I was on vacation for one of the weeks I’ve been on Effexor and didn’t eat the healthiest, but did eat less. I haven’t exercised either, except for a few days here and there. I know it takes longer to see the real effects of the drug, but I’m already less anxious and the weight is just falling off. No bad side effects except a little constipation and a slight headache the first week."

• fir...
• February 8, 2017

For Anxiety "I've been on Effexor for 2 weeks now. I feel a lot less anxious and generally happier. I've noticed some side effects, which I was expecting. So I thought I'd share my experience: sweaty hands, blurred vision, nightmares, stomach ache/headache, loss of appetite, weight loss, trouble sleeping, major increase of the effects of alcohol. Those are just some of them."

• Tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2016

For Depression "I've been taking Effexor for 5 months now, and I can say it definitely has worked for me. It can take time to actually start working, though, so give it some time. The only downfall is if I forget to take it for a day, I start getting dizzy, brain zaps, and headaches. I am now waiting to refill it, and haven't taken it for about a week, and the symptoms are still occurring. Even with that said, I would recommend this medicine for depression/anxiety. I no longer cry all the time for no reason. Definitely has changed my life (:"

• Bay...
• May 18, 2017

For Depression "I've been taking 75 mg for a little over a month, I've seen a positive difference for sure! There are so many bad reviews on the drug, and it made me worry, but being on it has really changed my life in ways. My depression is so much better, I don't take as many naps as I used to, my headaches are a little better, and it's even helped me with irritable bowel syndrome. It's still hard to focus sometimes, but not bad. I don't have many side effects on 75 mg -- I have crazy dreams sometimes, but it's not bad! And I think I might be a bit more hungry. Although, if I miss a dose by a few hours, I will definitely feel it. I start to get a migraine and have to take the med right away. This really worked for me, and I hope it could help someone else!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2014

For Depression "People either love Effexor or hate it. I am on the side of adoration. I am 18 years old and have been taking Effexor for 4 years, and the change I experienced was amazing. I have a long family history of depression and a generalized anxiety disorder, and it doesn't help when you're trying to go through puberty and are constantly being told that everybody your age is going through the same thing. The side effects are not pleasant, I used to get headaches, my blood pressure increased (but with exercise, it can be managed), and I would get lightheaded and faint more often. Even with these, I still am happy and am grateful for Effexor."

• Hap...
• November 1, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "On 75 mg once a day in the morning, and I feel great! Before, I suffered from panic attacks and anxiety endlessly, especially while driving and even being around strangers in a grocery store. Now, I have no anxiety at all and can live a normal, happy life. Effexor has given that to me. I probably will have to stay on it for the rest of my life, and that's fine with me. I tried going off of it before for 6 years, and all my anxiety came back. I tried Celexa, and that was awful-major headaches with that one. I also tried Wellbutrin, but I felt like I was on speed 24 hours a day, which made my anxiety go through the roof. Recently, in July, I went back to my favorite Effexor XR and feel awesome. Good luck to all of you! Anxiety is no fun."

• jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 19, 2017

For Depression "I've been on Effexor for about 2 years. It's changed my life completely. Before I went to rehab and before I was on it, I couldn't get out of bed for days at a time. It gives me energy and motivation! However, the withdrawal symptoms are horrific. If I miss a dose, I get severe headaches. I feel like there are fireworks going off in my head. Last year, I had to go to the ER because I couldn't breathe or stop shaking after 3 weeks of cutting it cold turkey (due to an insurance error). This is definitely not the drug for people who regularly miss doses or have problems with addiction pills. It's not for everyone, but works great for me."

• Jim...
• September 7, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "Started at 75, then gradually increased to 300 mg over the course of about a year. Has worked so well for me. 300 mg is optimal for me. If I drop below that, my symptoms return within a few days. It has horrible withdrawal effects, though: nausea, headache, dizziness, weakness. It's worth it to me, though. I can think clearly, focus on work, not irritated, not depressed, or having horrible thoughts on repeat all day. Have not had thoughts of harming myself since I've been on it. Also, I have social anxiety. Now I can go places without fear and heart pounding. I've tried Paxil and Wellbutrin, but this is it for me. Hope this helped."

• Moo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2014

For Depression "Day 4 of venlafaxine, 37.5 mg at 6:30 am and 6:30 pm. I have only just realized the importance of taking it at the same time if you are doing split doses. Previously I was taking it as I woke up (5 am) and before bed (10 pm). Not good - headaches turned into full-blown migraine. First dose, I was sick immediately and was sweating, trembling slightly. I felt I could feel the chemicals literally swooshing around my brain and body. It was very strange. I calmed myself down, told myself to go with it. The rest of the day - fine. Day two, realized I had to EAT with the venlafaxine to ensure I wasn't sick. I've never been a big eater, but half a banana with a venlafaxine plus milk in between bites was enough to line my stomach. Much better this time."

• ind...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 27, 2019

For Panic Disorder "When I read the reviews about Effexor XR, I couldn't believe what some people had written, and I took it anyway because I had been on Citalopram for ten years. Wow, now I want to go off of Effexor XR because it makes me feel unfocused, brain zaps happen just before I am to take my next dose. If you miss a dose, OMG.... dizziness, brain zaps, headache, crying spells.... from 1 missed dose. I had a QT heart issue. Took this med with Clarithromycin and had to go to the hospital, it put me into Tachycardia, my heart rate was 190 bpm. Had two shots to slow my heart. Now I am weaning from 150mg to 75mg, wish me luck. I hate this bad boy. Never again."

• And...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 25, 2019

For Anxiety "I started taking Effexor 75 mg for my anxiety at 22 years old when Lexapro and Prozac were no longer working for me. I immediately felt relief after I started taking it. I am very bad at taking it at the same time every day/remembering to take it every single day and have experienced some of the most horrendous withdrawal symptoms. I start to notice it about 6-7 hours after a missed dose. I’ll start to feel off balance, headache, fatigue, flu-like feeling, vomiting, etc. This drug is amazing if you remember to take it, but it is definitely something you need to be on long-term. Highly addictive and horrible withdrawal symptoms."

• Pur...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 23, 2014

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Once the correct dosage was established, my anxiety and panic attacks steadily improved. I underwent prolonged treatment due to a nasty relapse after the first round, following the birth of my first child. In the last stretch, I was on this medicine for 8 years. Dosage peaked at 150 mg, and after a couple of years following complete symptoms remission, we started dropping the dose VERY gradually. I have been off it for 9 months now. I had only mild adjustment side effects when starting the medicine: headache and nausea - both transient. During treatment, I had very low libido and poor appetite. Over time, while initial symptoms positively disappeared, I became more irritable, but the doctor did not attribute this to the medicine but circumstance/nature."

• Ano...
• January 27, 2010

For Anxiety "I have been taking Effexor XR for about 8 years after suffering a serious mental breakdown. This medicine has given me back my life. Having said that, the UK government has recently told all doctors to prescribe the generic version. THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE, I began suffering terrible headaches and anxiety again. After speaking to my consultant psychiatrist, I am now back on Effexor with all the nasty symptoms gone. There really is no substitute for the real thing."

• Kls...
• March 14, 2019

For Depression "Please do not take this drug. I’ve had depression and anxiety for years. I’ve gone to many doctors and therapists, and nothing has worked. About a year ago, I was prescribed the generic venlafaxine. I exhausted all non-drug options first and finally caved in. I decided to give up this drug recently and go back to trying more natural remedies. Going off has been a nightmare, and I was only on a 75 mg dose. I tried to taper off like everyone says, but that wasn’t working. I’m on day 6 of diarrhea and stomach pains. The first day, I couldn’t move, I had such a headache, and my whole body hurt. No drug should do this to a person. I read reviews just like mine and thought my doctor knew best. They don’t. You know what’s best. Don’t ignore your instincts. This drug does more harm than good and should not be on the market. Shame on the FDA for allowing the continued sale of this drug."