Venlafaxine and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Sta...
• September 20, 2020

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have always been a more anxious person, but in college, I experienced sensations of extreme anxiety (detached from reality, drenched, sweating, shaking) and almost passed out. This lasted for days. I went to the ER and was told it was a result of extreme stress and was given an Ativan. This continued for a year anytime I felt mildly stressed and went to the doctor. I had a horrible reaction to Celexa, it sedated me. Zoloft helped some, but not great, and Effexor. Effexor was difficult at first, I was fatigued and dizzy for about 2 weeks. In the fourth week, the good effects of the medication hit me, and it felt like I could breathe again. I am an even better version of myself, by that I mean happier and calmer. I don’t experience the physical symptoms on a daily basis. I’m more confident and worry less about stressful situations. It took me trying 3 different meds to feel this way. Please have hope and keep pushing through."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 4, 2014

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Have been on Effexor XR 75mg for about 1 year now for anxiety & panic attacks. I had a constant odd pain in my stomach (like butterflies and hunger). I would sweat uncontrollably & get dizzy & faint if I was put in a situation I wasn't comfortable with. I went to a Dr. who diagnosed me with anxiety and put me on to Effexor. The first 3 days were hell, every bad review I read on Google I could relate to, I even ended up going to the ER one night as I felt so nauseous and felt like I was losing control and could not stop freaking out. The Dr. told me to stick to it, and promised it would get better. I'm so glad I did. I feel that this medication has saved me. I can almost live a normal life again."

• Gra...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 4, 2020

Venlafaxine for Depression "Everyone's different, for me this one's a LIFE SAVER! My depression began 15 years ago. In 2014, I hit my lowest point. Previous doctor had me on several meds that didn't mix well together. That whole year is a blur, I don't remember any of it except for the few grand mal seizures they caused. Eventually, I attempted suicide with one of the meds and ended up in a mental hospital twice within a month. My new psychiatrist took me off everything and started me on this, topped out at 150mg (which I am to this day, 6 years later, still taking). I can't thank that psychiatrist and this miracle drug enough. Taking with Bupropion (Wellbutrin) and I'm not sure which one, but I believe one of them has got rid of my sex drive. I prefer no sex drive over that really dark place I was in. Also, if I miss taking them a couple of days in a row (again, not sure which one is causing it), I experience extreme vertigo... not fun. Other than that, I have no other complaints, just absolute gratefulness. LOVE IT!"

• Gem...
• February 22, 2012

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Effexor gave me my life back. I was so overwhelmed with anxiety for months to the point I would not come out of my room, all I was doing was crying. I thought I was having a breakdown. I'm taking 75mg at night. At first, I felt sick and dizzy, but after about 4 weeks, I started to feel better. I've been taking them now for 8 weeks, and I feel back to normal. I'm back at work full-time. I still get the odd bad day, but that's to be expected. I don't know what I would have done without this medicine. Please be patient with this medication, I know it's hard, but after 4-6 weeks, you will feel better. Good luck with it all. I know it's really hard, but you will get better."

• cas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 27, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "This drug venlafaxine turned my life around in the best way. However, it is important to consider the side effects. The side effects in the beginning were not great for me. I realized quickly that my stomach does not handle this med well, and I will throw up if I don’t go to bed right after taking it. However, as long as I take it right before bed it is not a problem. This med also made me feel quite drowsy for a while at first and also gave me night twitches (body twitches when I was trying to sleep), which were annoying. After about 6 months of being on 75mg, my body has completely adjusted to it and I no longer get those side effects (except I do still have to take it right before I go to bed). The withdrawals are also very uncomfortable, and if I miss a day, I am extremely dizzy. On the plus side, I feel extreme relief from my stress, anxious, and depressive symptoms, and I actually feel content with my life. I actually feel happy. Shout out to Effexor!"

• xyz...
• July 31, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "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

Venlafaxine for Depression "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."

• ree...
• January 25, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I started taking Effexor 3 weeks ago after finding no success with Wellbutrin or Zoloft. It causes some initial bad side effects (nausea, dizziness, tiredness), but I can't emphasize enough how wonderful I feel now! I thought I would never find a solution. Most effective medication I've encountered thus far!"

• sar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 22, 2019

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I came to be on this drug in January 2018. I suffered from panic attacks and GAD. I felt horrible. I lost all my motivation, and I was scared of being crazy. I started with Effexor XR 37.5 mg for a week. Then I switched to 75 mg XR. The first month was the worst. Dizziness, akathisia, more panic attacks, sleepiness, my nerves were cracking. After 3 weeks, all the side effects were gone, and I started to feel better. Every day a little better. Now I am a new person! My husband is happier than me! Psychotherapy improved the effect of the drug. I really suggest complementing the drug treatment with psychotherapy. What I suggest is to resist quitting in the first month... it's always darkest before the dawn!"

• Jen...
• September 29, 2016

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I wanted to leave my experience on here because this drug has changed my life!! I read all the bad experiences people have had and was worried this would happen to me too. Back in December 2016 for some reason I just lost it. Heart racing constant (although most of my life I have had heart racing at times due to anxiety), panicking over nothing, crying, depressed, lost interest in hanging out with my friends, wanted to just lay in bed all day, expecting the worst to happen, scared to drive anywhere past my town, dreading my husband coming home from work, etc. No logical reason for any of this. My doctor started me out on Zoloft and it helped a little at first. The side effects for Zoloft were awful for me the first week. 7 months in my doctor had me on 100 mg and at that point it felt like it wasn't working at all anymore. In August, he switched me to Effexor (generic). The only side effect was an occasional dizzy feeling a couple of times the first few days. I literally felt a change by the 2nd day. My heart started beating normally, I was happy, had lots of energy, and could drive everywhere!!! The best part, other than my heart not racing, is wanting to hang out with friends again and talking to complete strangers without sweating and panicking thinking they are judging me!! I did have to raise my dosage to 150 mg because 75 mg was only working half the day. I do hear when you do want to come off of these it is not fun, but at this point I hope I never have to."

• Hom...
• January 10, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Used Ireven (venlafaxine). Started at 75 mg. A small bit woozy, increased heart rate, sweats, and hyperactivity. This eased after a couple of days. I increased from 75 mg to 150 mg. Same effect on increase, but quickly subsided. Life was easier, emotions more manageable, and generally a bit happier. Although, I did experience really, really vivid dreams and fatigue. After Christmas, I decided it was a good time to come off them. This is where it got bad. First off, I should have consulted a doctor and weaned off, but being me, I didn't. Cold turkey is not a good idea, trust me on this one. It was absolutely awful. Vision, motor control, nausea, cramps, pains all over, shaking and tremors, awful migraine, no pupils, I couldn't coordinate my mind and body to work in sync. Admittedly, I should have followed a doctor's instructions and am writing this review to advise others to do exactly that. Overall, it worked well for its purpose, just be mindful when coming to the end: do it slowly."

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2019

For Hot Flashes "Started taking 37.5mg Effexor (same time every morning) one week ago for severe day and night hot flashes. Had minimal nausea and dizziness for the first two days, and now nothing. My daytime hot flashes are completely gone with the venlafaxine (they were every couple of hours all day long) and my night sweats/flashes are almost completely gone as well. I have had the last two nights without a single flash and have slept great! I tried everything possible over the counter and 'natural' but the Effexor is the only thing that has truly worked and worked fast for those hot flashes"

• Fin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 22, 2016

For Hot Flashes "Effexor XR is effective in low dose for hot flashes. Sadly, the doctors follow the guidelines presented by the pharmaceutical companies for dosing and everyone is different. DO NOT take 75 mg a day! Low dose is effective for both hot flashes and mild depression. I mean open up the capsule, count out 10 of the small balls of medicine and take that daily. After 2 weeks, less effective and can increase to 15 to 20 balls a day. Track hot flashes on a calendar. Never stop without tapering down! Counter withdrawal with Valium, Xanax, Ativan, any benzos will do. These will stop brain jolts or vertigo withdrawal symptoms! This med is strong. If this doesn't work for you, you can always increase. With my plan, you can avoid withdrawal completely!"

• FIN...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 28, 2016

For Hot Flashes "My doctor prescribed this, along with other meds, for hot flashes due to perimenopause. I read up, at the time did not find anything too alarming. What I SHOULD have been researching was the WITHDRAWAL process for this drug. If I'd read that first, I would have asked for a different treatment route. First, it didn't help the hot flashes. So, last week, after starting at 37.5 and being upped to 75, 6 months ago, my doctor advised me to quit. COLD TURKEY. No tapering, he didn't appear alarmed, no big deal. My last dose was on a Wednesday morning. Friday morning, I awoke with a KILLER throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea. I tried to manage with OTC medications like Excedrin and Benadryl. After vomiting and experiencing visual delays, meclizine helped. Pupils were, and still are, PINPOINT."

• Law...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2014

Venlafaxine for Depression "I am a physically healthy (runner) 25-year-old male. I have never been mentally healthy, so I have tried antidepressants. I tried Prozac and Wellbutrin. Prozac didn't help or hurt, but it gave me dangerous mood swings. I was prescribed Effexor 2.5 months ago. It seemed like a perfect fit for me. I was wrong. I was on 75 mg each day. It actually made me sadder. I had no weight or sexual side effects but had vertigo. The worst was CRIPPLING insomnia while taking it, and now I am close to 0 mg, but I still get night sweats and 'brain zaps'. As I write this, I've had 13 hours of sleep in the past 5 days."

• Sis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 27, 2015

For Hot Flashes "Taking Effexor made absolutely no difference in the frequency of my hot flashes. However, it did seem to make the hot flashes slightly less intense. My physician increased my dosage to see if it would make any difference. The increased dose did not make any difference. Withdrawing from Effexor is not pleasant. I started weaning off the medication almost 2 months ago and have not taken any of the medication for a week and am experiencing extreme fatigue and dizziness. I've been reading withdrawal experiences online and have learned that this could go on for several weeks. I wish I had never tried the medication."

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

Venlafaxine 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."

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 22, 2015

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "This medication has helped me immensely! I tried Lexapro, but had too many negative side effects. Effexor took about 6 weeks to fully work, but it really brought me out of the depths of my anxiety-fueled depression. I finally feel myself after many years of living in the fog. The side effects for the first 2 weeks for me were: insomnia, increased anxiety/depression, hot flashes, and nausea. These all disappeared after the initial 2 weeks and it's totally worth getting through that rough patch. Once Effexor started working, I thought, OMG! I'm back! My body is dependent on it, though. If I miss a dose, I get dizzy and nauseous. Just know you must wean yourself off and not go cold turkey so you don't feel sick."

• Rog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I am so excited about my initial experience with this drug. For the first time in 13 years of treatment for anxiety (GAD & social), I have experienced an extended period of relief. I took an SSRI for most of the past decade, and it seemed somewhat helpful but never really gave me sustained relief. I am now at 6 weeks on Venlafaxine (75 mg for 12 days, 150 mg for 30 days, now at 225 mg), and I am feeling much calmer. Most exciting, I still get panicked thoughts, but don’t seem to have the associated fear feelings. I am so hopeful that this will last! Side effects are very noticeable but bearable: headache, some nausea, minor dizziness, a dry mouth, and frustratingly slow urination. I hope those will go away with time, but I’ve been on the 225 mg for a week, and they have been consistent. If it means I can live without the constant struggle with fear, then it's worth it."

• NBL...
• January 6, 2017

For Hot Flashes "I was prescribed venlafaxine 4 years ago for menopausal night sweats and lack of sleep. I began with 37.5 mg, but after a few months, it was increased to 75 mg because my body was now used to the lower dosage and I appeared to be returning to my original symptoms. In my last prescription, I requested the pills dispensed in 37.5 mg as I want to come off the drug completely, and unfortunately, this is the lowest dosage they are available in. I have tried a couple of times to come off the drug (37.5 mg), but the dizziness and brain jolts are unbearable, and I just go back to taking them again. I have read several blogs on coming off the drug, and the only way I see is a gradual decrease, even down to counting the tiny balls. I just started 1 every other day! Fingers crossed."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2018

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "I've been on this medicine for two days due to perimenopause, which is causing me to have blackout panic attacks. The doctor started me on 75 mg once a day. The second (no joke) I took this medication, I was having a panic attack. It had almost an instant effect. The first day I was a bit dizzy and had diarrhea. I woke up in the middle of the night having hot flashes. But no anxiety whatsoever. On the second day, I took it at the exact same time. Not one single side effect. This drug is a lifesaver and changer. I also have ADHD and have been on Adderall XR 15 mg for 18 years. I was worried about how these two pills would work together. All I can say is WOW!! Effexor XR and Adderall XR together couldn't be a better combo. I'm a completely new person. I wake up and take my Adderall, and then about dinnertime I take Effexor. I am now calm, have no more agitation and anxiety due to the Effexor, plus I can stay focused and alert all day due to my Adderall. I couldn't feel better. These two medications work hand in hand."

• Anonymous
• September 22, 2008

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was on Effexor XR for 8 years and I recently went off. I gave the drug 8 out of 10 because overall my anxiety and depression were greatly improved. I didn't have any sexual side effects and only felt dizzy when I did not take the medication at exactly the same time every night. I did lose a lot of my energy and was prescribed Wellbutrin to help out with that. However, the withdrawal, as others have mentioned, is terrible. My doctor prescribed a low dose of Prozac (20mg) to ease the withdrawal, and it really helped. If you are going off Effexor, do it with Prozac. I tried without it twice before, and it was such a horrible experience that I went right back on."

• Bra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2014

Venlafaxine for Depression "This medicine literally saved my life. I took 75mg and the first day I took it, I noticed a difference in my mood. I woke up in the morning and actually felt like getting out of bed. I smiled and enjoyed being around people and was in a pleasant mood. I was getting my life back! The only side effect I noticed was that I was pretty nauseous the first week and lost my appetite. But, it wasn't bad at all! I stopped taking the medicine suddenly when I found out I was pregnant and the only side effect I noticed when I stopped was being dizzy for about a week. But that could've been because I was pregnant too. Unfortunately, I had a miscarriage, and started taking Effexor again. Looking forward to being happy again."

• Aym...
• May 13, 2014

Venlafaxine for Major Depressive Disorder "I give this a 7 because it does work. BUT be very cautious of the side effects. I was on it for 2 years, first started on the regular dose, then switched to extended release as the medicine would 'wear off' throughout the day. While it helped tremendously with my depression and anxiety (it was almost non-existent) the side effects alone were debilitating. I gained 20 pounds, would fall asleep midday (we're talking I had to pry my eyes open to keep from passing out in the middle of a conversation), I was tired ALL DAY. I sweat PROFUSELY and the dizziness I experienced from missing a dose by only a few minutes, plus the heart palpitations were enough for me to stop."

• Gin...
• October 20, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "I have been on Venlafaxine XR for 8 years (first Effexor XR then generic without problems). Started at 150, then plateaued after about a year, went up to 225 and plateaued again. I have been on 300mg dose for over 5 years. I like this prescription a lot. I haven't tried other antidepressants, I was started on this because it worked for other family members. I know it's a high dose and some people are shocked, but I find this offensive and more or less stigma about mental illness and meds. I started Adderall about 4 years ago and that combination has been incredible for my depression (and ADHD). My sex drive recovered 3 months into VFX. The only complaint is when I miss a dose, in which case I have a lot of complaints: migraines, dizzy, tremor, hypersomnia"