Venlafaxine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder User Reviews

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2020

"My OCD intrusive thoughts were destroying me. I felt the only way out was suicide. My doctor didn't seem to care. She is too involved in impressing her colleagues with her talks and presentations. Her psychiatric patients pay the bills. So, I went to a walk-in clinic and discussed my OCD and situation with this new doctor. He prescribed me 37.5 mg Effexor for a couple of weeks and then he suggested I increase it up to 75 mg. My mind slowed down from repetitive negative intrusive thoughts pretty much in the first week. My life will never be perfect, but I feel so much better, and I'm no longer tormented by intrusive thoughts. I no longer see that psychiatrist anymore. My new doctor is thorough, and I appreciate him. Please be careful in choosing the right mental health care professional, and all the best to those of you still suffering."

• Tot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2020

"I’ve struggled with generalized anxiety, depression, panic disorder, OCD, among other things my entire life. With the pandemic, my anxiety and graphic OCD intrusive thoughts got to the point where I could not function and do my day-to-day activities. It got to the point where I was suicidal and could not leave my bed. I was prescribed venlafaxine and Lamictal and have noticed an immense improvement! I’ve been on it for a month now and no longer have panic attacks, and while I still have intrusive thoughts, they do not affect me in the way they used to. I am extremely thankful for this medication as well as therapy. The negative side effects are sweats, excessive scalp picking (I’ve always done this, but it’s become much worse), and disruptive sleep. I do wish I could get a full night’s rest, but I don’t dare stop taking this because it really has helped me in more ways than one!"

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2018

"I've been on Venlafaxine for two months now, and it has drastically improved my obsessive and intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and depression. I have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder as well, and it has eased my anxiety, and I feel like I can live a happy life! I am currently on 150 mg per day. Starting the medication was rough, but if you get through the first couple of weeks, it gets so much better! I still have occasional anxiety, which I think is more situational than anything. If I allow my mind to wander too much, some intrusive thinking might invade my mind, but it's not anything like it was before. I was honestly very scared to start taking this medication after reading some reviews, but I'm glad I stuck to it!"

• BTa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 27, 2019

"Effexor is a miracle drug. Never had ritualistic OCD, but as far as intrusive and obsessive thoughts go, I was in a bad spot before I was prescribed. I take 187.5 mg daily, and will forever. It takes about 10-12 weeks to get it completely into your system. But worth it. Side effects for me include an occasional headache, cured with ibuprofen. Effexor is a game changer."

• Anonymous
• December 17, 2019

"For me, venlafaxine has honestly been a Godsend. I was on it for a few years and ended up going to too high of a dose, so I tapered off and tried another med. But it didn't work at all, so I started low again on Effexor, and it has completely changed my life. I've been doing great! I'm on 75 mg now. Only medicine that has helped my OCD."

• Anonymous
• September 28, 2011

Venlafaxine "I was walking the streets at night before I started Effexor. Diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Been on it for over 10 years. Once in a while, I try to wean myself off and I start to have those terrible feelings again. I will stay on it the rest of my life. I can live normally."

• Kas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2022

"This medication has changed my life, genuinely. At 44 years old, for the first time since I was a child, I no longer have a constant cruel inner monologue that has crippled me since I was a young child, which led to the most terrible panic attacks. For the last 20 years, I've begged for help from medical professionals, and by chance, after a terrible few months, I went to my doctor 3 months ago, and there was a new doctor there who prescribed me these, and they have saved and changed my life. I find myself wondering why no one thought to give me these or similar. I thank that doctor and the people who have dedicated their lives to studying mental health and made these. Thank you, thank you, thank you. They may have the same effect for everyone, I understand, but they have changed my life for the better."

• Kri...
• July 15, 2021

"This medication is a godsend. I have had panic disorder and intense anxiety all my life and went on and off various medications. In the past year, I have been diagnosed with pure OCD, and my days were filled with constant intrusive thoughts and mental rituals. Within a week, this medication completely wiped out my obsessions. My mom and grandma are also on this medication and have no issues. Some people have bad side effects, but I promise you this one is worth a go. It gave me my life back."

• OCD...
• May 31, 2009

Venlafaxine "Effexor is the only antidepressant that has helped my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I have tried quite a few. It is the only one that has had very few side effects as long as you take it regularly. It has greatly helped me deal with my OCD and has greatly improved my overall mood and outlook on life. I take it in conjunction with Pimozide which has eliminated the intrusive unwanted thoughts and also Dextrostat which helped eliminate the tiredness associated with taking the previous medications. These 3 medications have given me a new lease on life. Prior to this mix of medicines, I must have tried a couple dozen that either didn't work for me or had too many side effects."

• Lon...
• February 28, 2016

"I have been taking venlafaxine for one week. It seemed to help immediately when I started using it. At last, I am no longer wrapped up in my own thoughts, going over the same thing again and again. I have obsessive thoughts due to a bad relationship with a relative. I am enmeshed in the relationship and have tried talking therapies and Prozac. Nothing has given me relief like this medication. I have had only mild side effects: dry mouth, some loss of appetite."

• GAR...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 23, 2020

"I was prescribed 75 mg by my PCP after she diagnosed me with general anxiety disorder. I had suffered from anxiety since I was a child but never recognized it and never discussed it with a physician. When I described my experience and she diagnosed me, it was like a light bulb went off and my whole life suddenly made sense. Social anxiety, obsessive thoughts, general anxiety, and neuroticism had ruled my life for 40 years, and I had never even recognized it. I'm extremely anti-medication, but venlafaxine has improved my life and helped save my marriage. I had never realized my family had been held captive by my anxiety. I still take 75 mg (a lower dosage) three years later, but when I've tried to lower my dosage or taper off completely, I've had huge spikes in negative obsessive thoughts. I'm pretty happy at the 75 mg level."

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2022

"I had a terrible experience with SSRIs, really not helping and making my OCD intrusions worse. I have been on 75 mg venlafaxine for 2 weeks now, and my mind hasn't been this quiet in years. This drug, paired with therapy/ERP, has worked wonders for me."

• Luc...
• September 11, 2015

"I've been on Effexor for about 3 years now. I started at 75 mg/day and am now at 37.5 mg/day. Even at this dose, for me, it has drastically reduced the obsessive tendencies I had before. I very rarely have spiraling down obsessive periods now. I really dislike being on meds, but have resigned myself to being on Effexor the rest of my life. It has improved the overall quality of my life quite a bit. The only side effect I've noticed is if I miss taking the dosage at the same time every single day. If I'm off even by a few hours, I start to get the previously mentioned 'brain zaps,' which feel very odd. It feels like my brain goes through a warp of some type for a moment or two here and there. Once I have one, I realize I haven't taken my dose."

• Eru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2015

"I haven't had a single panic attack since starting this drug, which has been a miracle. It was rough to get on it, like having the flu, but so worth it. I had GI side effects for about another two weeks, but then those disappeared too. I have no bad side effects now. My default mood has returned to pretty happy, and things I couldn't do because of OCD, I can do now. I think this might be the one! I only gave it a 9 because I've been picking my scalp nonstop since about a month on it, but not sure if it's because of Effexor or not."

• Dav...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 25, 2022

"I was not satisfied with the SSRI I had been taking (escitalopram) for my OCD. The main side effect I disliked was general fogginess and numbing of emotions. I felt like a zombie. I also had issues with libido related. I told my doc and made the switch to an SNRI. Not only do I not have the fogginess or libido issues, it had the added benefit of making me more social. It does good with anxiety and OCD issues too."

• hud...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 16, 2023

"Best thing I've taken for OCD, and I've tried them all seriously. I am so relaxed and at peace now. Unfortunately after 2.5 years @ 75mg my liver has taken its toll (raised alt levels and fatty liver disease) which I am sure is down to venlafaxine as before my levels were normal. So don't know what I can do now as nothing else had any effect. So overall works great for OCD (but keep close monitor on your liver health whilst taking)"

• jus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 4, 2024

"It's a life changer. I have anxiety, depression, and pure OCD. It got really bad to the point of not doing anything and feeling suicidal. I tried Prozac (made it worse), Clomipramine (helped a bit but too many side effects), and then Effexor. I started at 37.5 and worked up to 150mg. Months later, I feel much more confident and worry less about intrusive thoughts. This was in combination with ERP therapy and treating ADHD as well. I'm thankful for Effexor as it was the only antidepressant to really help."

• Mel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 4, 2024

"I've been on Effexor for so many years I've lost count. I have CPTSD, OCD, anxiety, and panic disorder. The main thing is it helps with nerve pain from diabetes and my sleep. Occasionally, I will get impulsive, lack of sleep that gets me down in the dumps. But I recognize it enough to just rest and not. No side effects."

• Ven...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 2, 2016

"I have been at 75 mg for 6-7 years now. Originally to treat depression, but I was later diagnosed with OCD and now realize that the symptoms were the cause of the depression. This understanding helps as my coping mechanism. I have tried coming off venlafaxine but had no success and eventually went back. The drug does help with the insane thoughts and images in my head, but they are still present, just not as intense (unless I miss a dose). I will be attempting quitting again when I have time to commit to it. The last time I tried, it ended with me rear-ending another vehicle. Minor but unfortunate. I'm hoping for something more holistic and will consult my doctor before my next try."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2021

"Works well for me (I have Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder). It is like when I am on Prozac, I lose appetite, consequent loss of weight, my mind feels different because it is not racing. This gives me some concentration issues I have yet to address but hope to overcome. My mood is stabilized, and I feel otherwise at peace and happy."

• JC3...
• June 13, 2013

Venlafaxine "If I didn't have side effects from Effexor, I would still be on it right now. I'm currently in the stages of slowly tapering off of it, with instruction from my doctor. I went from 75 mg to 150 mg. Now, I am taking a 75, 37.5 for a week, tapering it off every week from there. You need to be extremely disciplined about taking this medicine every day, and at the same time every day. With my schedule, I was never able to take it at the same time every day. I would get what are called 'brain zaps,' which is the feeling like everything rushed to your head for a split second. I also had sexual side effects on Effexor, though it was more noticeable on lower doses. I've been on Zoloft, Luvox, Prozac, and Effexor. On to Cymbalta now."

• Que...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 4, 2020

"The most awful drug I have ever been on, currently weaning myself off slowly as the withdrawals are the worst! This medication gave me horrendous night terrors, sweating, depression got worse, and weight gain to mention but a few! If I knew then what I know now, I would have NEVER taken them! Stay away!!"

• Aan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 8, 2018

"I've been on this for 2 years or so now, and it's helped a lot with my GAD and depression. This has done nothing for my OCD, but all SSRIs have given me horrible side effects, so this is the better of evils, and I'm thankful for it. My panic attacks have decreased immensely because of this and lots of therapy."

• bia...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 5, 2021

"I’ve been on venlafaxine for 3 years. It made my OCD more manageable, and my social anxiety lessened significantly. The only side effect it has caused me has been difficulty eating, or anorexia (NOT anorexia nervosa). Other than that, it’s truly been a miracle drug for me. I increased my dosage once. I may increase once more."

• CNS...
• June 13, 2019

"Unable to select multiple conditions, but I'm on this for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), chronic pain, PTSD, and shortly after starting Effexor, had an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Prior to Effexor, Zoloft for 9, had a '2' recent unintentional drug overdoses, one was while in the care of an inpatient hospital stay, and a loved one committed suicide. It was a Godsend for the first 2 months, it put me out on my couch, and I stopped caring about all my pain. I stopped caring about cleaning and order. 'The feeling of sitting on the edge of my seat, anxious, with every muscle tightened in my body went away, for the first time in my life.' At 6 months, developed photophobia, diarrhea, appetite loss, mood swings with rage, then these led to loss of taste, weight, fatigue, nephropathy, tremors, jerking, dystonia. It was the dystonia diagnosis that got her attention, this was the sign the drug needed to be stopped."