Venlafaxine for Hot Flashes User Reviews (Page 3)

• Pim...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 23, 2015

"I started suffering very badly from hot flashes about 2 years ago. When I would work out and do cardio, I would literally leave puddles. It was scary because I didn't know what was going on at the time. Someone I met recommended I try it. I was suffering so bad, I didn't want to be on antidepressants, but I was desperate. I didn't have to wait long, I went from having about six hot flashes a day, lasting about two to three minutes, to having three or four mini flashes. I was incredibly grateful, I was able to sleep through the night as well. Just recently, they started to become unbearable again, so they increased the dosage. It really does work. Currently on 150 milligrams. I may have one or two flashes during the day and maybe two at night."

• mar...
• September 4, 2011

Venlafaxine "I have suffered with hot flashes since my late teens and began menopause at 50. I tried Effexor XR just to see if it would help and was so surprised with the relief that I got from it. It helped so much. It didn't stop them. I don't think anything can, but it sure did cut the number of hot flashes by at least half. When I do have one, it's a butt-kicker, but by cutting the number in half, my quality of life has been improved so much. Between the Effexor XR and Topamax putting a complete halt to my migraines, life is really good again!"

• Pow...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2021

"Love this med. Had hot flashes last 5 years and was afraid to take anything to help because I was afraid it would interfere with my breast cancer meds. OMG! What a difference! Wish I would have found this OBGYN years ago."

• Sue...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2020

"I was given this med, Effexor, by my oncologist for hot flashes. I've been on it for 4 years. If I forgot one dose, the withdrawal is horrific! Brain zaps, dizzy, disoriented, nauseated, shaking, flu-like aches from missing one dose are crazy. I've been tapering from 150 mg to 75 mg, and it's taken 2 years. Your brain has to heal. For me, it takes a nightmare of two months to level out. Please weigh the pros and cons. It has ruined my life. I'm a total introvert and used to be a social person."

• Bun...
• June 1, 2015

"I had a hysterectomy over a year ago, and immediately started with hot flashes. The flashes were so bad I was experiencing 5-6 severe hot flashes an hour. Immediately after starting venlafaxine 37.5 for 1 week, then 75 mg after, they decreased in severity, and I may have 4-5 a day. For the first time in over a year, I am able to sleep most nights all the way through. By taking venlafaxine, I was able to discontinue 2 medications (6 pills)."

• gin...
• March 11, 2016

"I have been taking Effexor for hot flashes for 4 years now. While it did relieve the flashes, I must tell you about a devastating experience I had this week. The Effexor caused me to have a false positive reading for PCP on a pre-employment drug screen. I will NEVER take this medication again and am on a mission to let everyone know about this problem."

• pri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2013

"I have just started taking venlafaxine ER 37.5 mg once daily. Only one tab taken for severe hot flashes and my chest is tight, out of breath, dizzy. According to the side effects, these are considered a possible allergic reaction. Calling my doctor before taking again."

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2016

"My doctor put me on this medicine for hot flashes and the roller coaster of emotions that come along with pre-menopause. 37.5 mg. After I took the first dose, I started sweating, shaking, got nauseous, and started violently vomiting, along with diarrhea. I had the dry heaves for 4 hours. Very scary. I almost went to the ER. I will not be taking this medicine! I'd rather have the hot flashes!"

• chr...
• February 12, 2016

"My doctor prescribed venlafaxine for my hot flashes. When I talked to her about going on hormone therapy, she suggested that venlafaxine may be a good option, and not understanding much about anti-depressants, it sounded like a good idea. Wow, was I wrong! I took this medication for a total of approximately 2 months. At first, 37 mg worked great, but then my body adjusted within a few days and the hot flashes returned. I ended up increasing to a total of 3 37 mg per day tablets but continued to have hot flashes, and my sex drive became non-existent. I finally realized what I was doing to my body when I ran out for almost 5 days, and the withdrawal symptoms made me feel like a zombie (seriously). This stuff is a very strong drug and very addictive."

• moe...
• February 11, 2018

"A new primary care physician suggested Effexor to treat my hot flashes. I was so sleep deprived and miserable but didn't want the risk of HRT. The very first day I took it, my flashes practically vanished. After a week, I just get a little warm maybe once or twice a day. The first day or two taking Effexor, I experienced a little nausea and tiredness, but it has since stopped. I take the 37.5 mg dose once a day. My only regret is that this wasn't offered sooner."

• Red...
• December 21, 2011

"I had run out of Venlafaxine 75 mg ER for 2 days, and my side effects were horrible. I felt like I was walking on my nerves, every move was like a zap. My emotions were crazy, and my hot flashes were horrendous. I just wonder what it's doing to my insides if I have that bad of side effects."

• Che...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 6, 2019

"I was prescribed this for hot flashes. My doctor didn't tell me 1) Don't take this later in the day; it can impair your ability to fall asleep. For months after starting it, it took 2-3 hours to fall asleep nightly. I did some web research on my own and learned to take it no later than early afternoon. When I told my doctor, she said, 'I'm sorry I forgot to tell you about that.' While traveling, I ran out and didn't take the medicine for two days. I got home from my trip, felt very depressed; I was crying for no reason. My friends picked up my refill (I felt so bad I didn't even want to leave the house), and I felt better once I resumed taking it. Once again, my doctor failed to provide critical information. I am weaning myself off of it and am now at the point where what used to be one day's dose is now split into 5 days' doses; I step down to a lesser amount in a gel capsule every 10 days. I will probably be done within a month. No withdrawal side effects at all now."

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2017

"OMG! Only been taking venlafaxine for 2 days, and it has really cut down on my annoying hot flashes! Used to have at least 10 a day, and now in 2 days I’ve only had 3! Awesome! Who wants HRT and cancer possibilities! Thanks to my doctor who prescribed venlafaxine!"

• sol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2016

"My PCP put me on 37.5 venlafaxine for hot flashes and anxiety. She did not want to give me the estrogen patch, which is what I hoped for, because she was concerned about my anxiety. The drug worked in 2 days on the hot flashes, eliminating them completely. Also, my appetite dropped, and I lost 20 pounds in the five weeks I was on it. My anxiety improved a bit, but unfortunately, the drug caused me to feel jittery and disassociated from my body. I decided to dump the drug and get the patch from my OB-GYN -- best thing I ever did. I feel AMAZING and NORMAL and haven't gained an ounce back three weeks later. I do not have my uterus anymore, so my risk is low. So glad I listened to my body!!!"

• Sun...
• August 13, 2008

Venlafaxine "This drug decreased my hot flushes by 2/3. I figured it would be 100%, but that was probably an unreasonable expectation. I've gone from 8-12 a day to 2-3. I've suffered hot flushes since 1998, and for the past 6 months, they have only gotten more frequent and very annoying. My husband says I'm nicer to live with after taking Effexor, so now I realize I really was irritable from the lack of sleep and night sweats this past year. I tend to forget names or words more frequently, but am not sure if the foggy brain has another cause."

• Fee...
• March 19, 2023

"I was prescribed this medicine for hot flashes. I have never been on an antidepressant before. I’ve been standing on my feet working as a hairdresser for 32 years. I have aches and pains, which I’ve always been trying to be on top of, but one of the first things I noticed when taking this medicine was that my physical pain went away. My hot flashes probably went to half as intense, and the terrible drop of mood in my head went completely away. I’m only on day four. My first two days were difficult, I have to be honest, I felt sedated and depressed, but once I got one good night's sleep, it was like a whole new planet I was living on. It’s raining, and I had enough gumption to get dressed and go take an hour-long walk out in the rain, and I was damn near skipping. I’m only on 37.5 mg, and so far, so good!"

• Anonymous
• August 16, 2010

"I've been on venlafaxine for only a week for hot flashes, but it's making me feel sleepy during the day and right out during the night. I'm on the lowest dose. I also am constipated and have a dry mouth from time to time."

• Kay...
• February 18, 2016

"I'm 28 and had a hysterectomy in August of 2015. I was put on Effexor 75 mg in September, and my hot flashes went away after taking the first dose. I have gone some days and missed a dose here and there and have felt the withdrawal side effects from doing so: nausea, headaches, flu-like symptoms. Recently, I have been getting hot flashes more frequently, so I'm thinking of upping my dosage to 150 mg. Any advice?"

• Gig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2017

"This drug did help with hot flashes, but BEWARE! It's horrible if you miss a dose or when you need to get off of it. Brain 'zaps,' dizziness, crying jags, depression, and more can last for months, even when you wean off according to directions. The withdrawal is horrendous. Please be very thoughtful before you decide to take this drug."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2019

"I am 49 years old and have experienced hot flashes and other perimenopausal symptoms for over a year, including mood swings, loss of energy, and irritability. After researching hormone replacement therapy and trying homeopathic remedies, I decided to try Effexor for multi-symptom relief. I have found it to be immediately effective for relief of hot flashes and irritability. Effexor has not only eased my hot flashes but has stabilized my moods and helped me feel like myself again. Having said that, it is not a miracle drug. I also have to cognitively work on my irritability when it arises, but the Effexor helps me to manage the symptoms much better. The only side effects I have experienced from Effexor are a mild feeling of fatigue."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 27, 2019

"I was prescribed venlafaxine for the hot flushes I was having after having a hysterectomy due to estrogen-positive breast cancer at the age of 34. I also was on tamoxifen, which made the hot flashes even worse. It worked for a while, but please do your research. The first two weeks were horrible, with nausea and dizziness. Also, no one told me how bad it was to come off of the drug. I experienced the worst vertigo and nausea. I would have never taken it if I’d known."

• Bak...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 25, 2016

"I have tried everything I can read about to alleviate hot flashes. I'm 47 and have had them for years but still have a regular period, so I can't try HRTs yet. Nothing over the counter has ever worked. What has worked for me (birth control, Effexor 37.5 & Effexor 75) works for about a year and then the hot flashes come back as strong as ever, all day, every day. I'm scared to up my Effexor to 150. Right now, I am trying combination birth control and Effexor 75. It's been a week and no improvement yet. But Effexor did work for me, and I'm thankful for the years it did. I had no side effects. It helped my anxiety too."

• Pam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2019

"I was experiencing not just hot flashes, but what I called flu flashes because it felt like I had the worst flu ever when they happened. I was getting more than 20 a day, and it was obviously greatly affecting my life. I sucked it up for almost 5 years because I didn't want to do HRT. Effexor saved my life. 75 mg, and they have almost totally disappeared. I can handle 1 or 2 in the evening."

• Kay...
• July 31, 2017

"Took 75 mg approximately 2 years. Began to have hair loss and decided to stop the medication. Titrated dose over 2-week period. Severe withdrawal symptoms but determined to come off the medication. Had extreme headaches, walked on tiptoes almost 2 weeks because my brain felt like it was bouncing against my skull with every step I took. Got better with time, but now 6 months without the medication and I am having headaches and phantom smells. Smelling cigarette smoke, and we are a smoke-free family. The smell wakes me sometimes, and yesterday during church service I was smelling smoke. It seems more noticeable when the air conditioning is running. The doctor wanted to have a head MRI done, but insurance denied. Anyone else experience this? Wish I had never swallowed the first capsule."

• Lar...
• December 1, 2019

"Feb 18, started on venlafaxine 37.5 mg & took 2 weeks to decrease the severity of my hot flashes (15-20 a day). Flashes never left but diminished. After 6 months, flashes increased again, so the doctor upped the dosage to 75 mg. Flashes decreased, but side effects became more pronounced. Constipation was horrible. Tickly cough every night, brain zaps, gained 10 lbs & my libido was gone. Oct 19, after 1 1/2 years, stopped cold turkey. Was so tired of constipation & not being myself. 2nd day off the drug, flashes became sweats, and the 3rd day couldn't function. I felt fluish with withdrawal. I didn't care, just wanted this drug out of my body. It's been 4 weeks & flashes are still around but less severe, BUT I have my life back, the constipation is gone, no coughing, no brain zaps, weight is coming off because I am focused & I have my love life back. On the drug, I didn't know if my hot flashes were diminishing or not. The drug is an option but would limit how long & I would wean off for sure."