Effexor

Venlafaxine

Venlafaxine, sold under the brand name Effexor among others, is an antidepressant medication of the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class.[4][5] It is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social phobia.[5] It may also be used for chronic pain.[6] It is taken by mouth.[5] Common side effects include loss of appetite, constipation, ...

Venlafaxine

Venlafaxine, sold under the brand name Effexor among others, is an antidepressant medication of the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class.[4][5] It is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social phobia.[5] It may also be used for chronic pain.[6] It is taken by mouth.[5] Common side effects include loss of appetite, constipation, ...

It has been 6 months since I stopped taking effexor. It is really hard to think back of all the details because the last 6 months seem very foggy in my head. I had a bad drinking problem and wanted to stop drinking so my doctor gave me something to deal with the alcohol withdrawals for a couple days. Then I was immediately prescribed effexor for depression and social anxiety. I thought to myself what could it hurt trying this stuff? I started at the lowest dose and didn't feel like it was doing anything, so of course a month later I was taking the highest dose of 300 I believe it was. I was taking effexor for 4 months when I realized that I had become completely numb and very irritable at things that would never usually bother me. I didn't want to talk to anyone, I just wanted t...

1 REPLY

I'm on effexor 15mg want to take champix to quit smoking is this ok ## I won't to stop smoking and try champix but I'm taking 75mg Effexor will it help me ## No, you should not take both, unless your doctor feels that it is safe for you to do so. The NIH warns that combining them could result in someone developing a dangerous condition known as Serotonin Syndrome, which can has the potential to be fatal. Have either of you consulted your doctors?

2 REPLIES

Can I take Champix while taking Effexor 150mg? ## Yes, these two drugs can be taken together. Based on my research there are no drug interactions found between Champix and Effexor. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist, but my sources state that every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate. You can read more about these two medications by following the links below: I hope this helps!

1 REPLY

I was Effexor XR for over 20 years until the insurance no longer paid for it and I went to generic. I don't feel that it does as well. The same with Xanac. Does anyone else have any experience with this? ## Hello, Mona! How are you? There can be fluctuations between name brand and generic medications. Under the Hatch-Waxman Act of 1984, they are allowed to differ, in the amount of the active ingredients, by as much as plus or minus 20%. The FDA considers that an acceptable therapeutic window, but when someone has been taking the name brand steadily for years, a sudden switch may cause problems, if they generics are a little low in them. What are the markings on the ones you're currently taking? This information would enable me to research them more for you. ## yes. I feel the sa...

2 REPLIES

been on effexor for about 17yrs i think initially it was fine but over the last eight years find im constantly sick (flue like symptons) tired, non motivated and pretty fed up...But also very scared of being stuck on them now as i know its difficult to come off (was never told this) angry that drs put you on meds send you off and thats it, therapy should be offered also and constant monitoring!!! Feel like i havent been myself for a very long time and i find that really sad i also know life is vey precious but most the time i just want to lay around and be left alone.... ## I feel the same way on it, but I've been on for 2 years. 300 mg a day ## Effexor has been hit by the "opioid epidemic''. The drug no longer works as it should. I remember getting these guys in blister...

5 REPLIES

My boyfriend is on Effexor XR. We have been dating for 10 months and we've been dealing with his very, very low libido. I am very patient with him, but I can see myself eventually running out of patience. We actually haven't been intimate since Mid-July. So at this point it's been 5-months since he's had ANY interest in me. I have been self-reliant, but I am starting to have trouble myself, because I am tired of doing it myself. Recently he saw his PCP to discuss low libido and energy. His PCP seems to think it may be related to sleep apnea, but I don't think he's right. Yes, my boyfriend does have some trouble in that area, but I don't think it's as bad as he thinks it is. I believe the problem is Effoxor, but I certainly don't want him to go off of ...

4 REPLIES

Hello, I started taking Effexor solely for anxiety about 7 years ago (75 mg). At the age of 23 I decided I wanted to attempt life without a medication for anxiety. My doctor cut my dosage in half (37.5 mg). Although I feel like I am doing ok with the half dosage in the area of anxiety, I feel different than I did before taking Effexor. I am extremely irritable, I don't feel like myself, and just feel (for lack of better terms) BLAH! I am so worried that I either have to stay on Effexor 75 mg for life or live this -blah- life. Has anyone ever experienced these feelings after decreasing the dosage? I have been on a half dose for about a year and the feelings haven't gone away. ## You might want to go back to your doctor and explain this. Perhaps tapering in smaller increments? If ...

3 REPLIES

Unfortunately I was talked into taking Effexor for apparently being depressed despite counsellors repeatedly telling me I was simply sad with how my life had not gone to plan. I needed to talk, not take pills; anyway a story for another time. I wanted to stop taking Effexor 6 months ago and was on 225mg. I self medicated and cut back to 150mg then 75mg in 2 months with no side effects. I then tried cold turkey and totally regretted it. I did the right thing and visited my GP and he suggested dropping back to the weakest strength which i think was 35mg? I did 2 full weeks then every 2nd day. I could not get past the 2nd day without the side effects. I eventually did get there after 6 long months. The lesson for me out of this is as much as the people around me loved me they were wrong in...

Does anyone else awaken from their sleep almost in zombie mode while on Effexor? It usually takes me a good 5 minutes to completely collect my thoughts. Lol ## Yes, that can be a normal side effect of most antidepressants, according to FDA reports. They can cause REM onset latency, which means it takes longer to enter the deep dreaming REM phase of slumber and you spend a shorter amount of time in it than usual. This can cause disrupted sleep, odd/unusual dreams, and difficulty awakening. How long have you been taking it? I've found that things usually improve after a few weeks of taking them.

1 REPLY

I have been completely off of Effexor for almost 7 weeks now after only taking it for a little over a month. The more intense withdrawal effects, such as brain zaps, dizziness, nausea, etc. have passed but I am still having some weird cognitive issues. My memory seems to only be at about 50% of what it usually is, I'm having a really hard time focusing on things, it feels like I can't translate my thoughts into words and I generally feel emotionally "flat." Will this pass with more time? Is this common for Effexor withdrawal? I was taking Effexor for a bout of insomnia that I believed to be anxiety-related. I am not depressed. ## Yes, this type of withdrawal effect is very common. When I stopped Zoloft, a few years ago, after being on it for about 6 years, it took about ...

2 REPLIES

hi I started Effexor ER 3 days ago and beginning the first day I started to get fairly severe stomach and lower back cramping along with having to defecate several times a day. Has anyone ever experienced this type of side effect when just starting the medication? Thank you everyone. ## Hello, Jay! How are you? I'm very sorry about the symptoms you've had. However, the symptoms you've described are reported as possible side effects, when someone is new to taking this medication and it may take a few weeks for them to taper off, as your body gets used to the Effexor. You may also experience dizziness, fatigue and increased salivation, according to the FDA. Is there anything else I can help with?

1 REPLY

hello, my husband is on Effexor and he recently ran out and he started very scary. ive been raeding on the side effects of going without for a few days and this is terrible. is there anything that will help with the pain or something i can do as his partner to help him. he is angry all the time i dont know if i should be there for him or leave him alone? ## Unfortunately, those can be side effects of stopping it abruptly. Why didn't he see his physician for refills? Other withdrawal effects, as reported by the FDA, may include fever, chills and rebound depression. It may take a month, or so, for them to all ease off and for him to feel better. There really isn't a whole lot you can do, though if he has body aches/pain, a hot shower or bath may help.

1 REPLY

I have been taking adderall ir 10mg twice daily and recently was prescribed 75mg Venlafaxine (effexor) one daily. And ive been noticing that my adderall has not been working and have been very out of focused and tired even when taking my medications. I may be building a tolerance to adderall, but that still doesnt explain why it would stop working as well very sudden. Has anyone else experience effexor causing adderall not to be as effective? ## You may just be experiencing side effects of the Venlafaxine, it is an SNRI antidepressant that is used to treat various mental health conditions, so it can cause drowsiness, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, mood changes, and weight changes, as side effects. Generally, once your body gets used to a new medication, side effects should start to tap...

4 REPLIES

Is pristiq 25mg equal to effexor xr 37.5mg? Will the pristiq be stronger? Insurance will not pay for effexor but will pay for pristiq. ## When it comes to these medications, it really depends on which one works best for you and the only thing you can do is try the Pristiq to see if it helps you. The FDA lists the typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, mood swings, and weight changes. Have you started the Pristiq, yet?

1 REPLY

does anyone know if there is any side-effects from takeing adderall&effexor together.I.E. breaking out or slowed infection response? ## If you had these filled at the same pharmacy, their computer automatically checks for any dangerous interactions and would have alerted them immediately, that is why is always so important to use the same pharmacy for all of your medications. ## My sister is perscribed to Effexor and Adderall and she has not had any problems and its been years now ## i thought that there was an indication for dexedrine and effexor but I was mistaken. anywho, i am still ok - i take both.

3 REPLIES

My doctor put me on Effexor for hot flashes and other symptoms associated with menopause. Can this be taken with Contrave? ## No, it is generally not recommend that they be taken together, due to the risk of seizures, and serotonin syndrome, according to FDA warnings. Is your doctor aware that you have been prescribed both of these medications?

1 REPLY

Hi, I've been on Effexor/Venlafaxine (delayed release) for about ten years, most of which was at 300mg daily. The side effects have suddenly increased, the most annoying being night sweats so heavy I have to sleep on incontinence bed pads and waterproof cushions, but also I get violent involuntary leg twitches every couple of minutes starting with a pain in my feet at night and I frequently can't sleep (some nights I don't sleep at all). I'm thinking this is seretonin syndrome. I'm in the UK and have tried to see a psychiatrist but no joy.... and my doctor won't change my psych meds.... so I'm stuck. I've heard about tapering by opening the capsules and removing beads. This seems like a good idea. I wondered if anyone out there had tapered from 300mg, wha...

8 REPLIES

I normally take Effexor and I was wondering if it was alright to mix it with the muscle relaxer 5658 dan ## Hello, Ashley! How are you? No, these two medications should actually not be mixed! They can both increase serotonin levels and it can be life threatening if your levels go to high. Please do not mix these medications, unless your doctor has specifically said that it's safe for you to do so. Learn more Effexor details here. Learn more Cyclobenzaprine details here. Is there anything else I can help with? ## Good catch. This person could have easily ended up with serotonin storm.

2 REPLIES