Venlafaxine

While I was on this drug, I developed horrible acne, much worse than I have ever experienced before. My face burned and itched all the time and I was covered in sores that wouldn't heal. I have bad scars now. I'm 32 years old. I did not have scarring acne as a teen or in my 20s. I can't be sure they are related, as I haven't heard of others with this problem, but I think there's a link. Also, when attempting to wean off the medication, I experienced terrible vertigo and nausea.

I take Effexor, and have bouts of vertigo. My doctor says its from hardening of the arteries, and not a side effect.

I have taken extended release Effexor for 6 years for cognitive problems that developed from a combination of traumatic brain injury, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and Cushing's syndrome. It has made a large difference in my cognitive abilities. I added Strattera a few years ago to gain more adrenal energy, and it helped return my cognition level almost back to normal. But I recently didn't have access to Effexor for about three weeks, and it was awful. As time went on I developed severe mood swings, hot flashes, debilitating body pain, and deficits in my cognition, short-term memory, concentration, energy, etc. I don't like some of its side effects (decreased sexual desire and a narrower span of emotions), but being able to think well enough to go back to work has a much greater impact on my life.
The Effexor has not caused me to have acne, but I have had vertigo a few times--not while going off of Effexor, however.

I have been on Effexor for about 6 years. It has served me well for keeping my mood level. However, since my Dr. okayed the use of the generic "venlafaxine" I have experienced bouts of vertigo, when I am fatigued, and have had some acne issues on my back (never had before). I am interested in knowing if anyone else has or has had similar issues with the generic?

I recently tried venlafaxine as a low-cost substitute for Effexor XR, which I had been on sucessfully for 6+ years for severe depression, insomnia and panic attacks. The first day on venlafaxine I experienced severe stomach pain, although I had taken my meds after a full meal. Again the same symptoms for the next 4 days on venlafaxine.

Noting no other changes in foods/lifestyle I switched back to Effexor XR and the stomach pains went away immediately. I again tried the venlafaxine with better results, thinking my stomach was just a little "off" those days. Whatever. Within days of being back on the venlafaxine, I started having panic attacks, depression and very dark thoughts. I was also very weepy and my blood pressure went from 110/70 to 135/80, again with no change in my daily habits.

I discussed this with my psychiatrist, who suggested I get back on the Effexor XR as these were side effects of the venaflaxine. I'm back on the Effexor XR and life is good again!

I have been taking Effexor XR for hot flashes for the past 3 to 4 years. About 6 months ago I started getting headaches. They have been subsiding lately but when I cough, sneeze or bend over it can start again. This is the only prescription drug I am taking. I am hoping to be taken off of this drug soon.

I am having Effexor withdrawl and I had only been on the medication for app. 5 months. I am dealing with "Brain Shivers" and some fatigue. I have been reading a lot about others dealing with these odd neurological shivers, but no one seems to have a remedy. I went from 75 mg to 37.5. I was on 37.5 for 1 month and now have stopped. Any remedies for these brain shivers would be appreciated!!

I have been taking effexor for 4 years now. I had been diagnosed with fybromyalgia, and due to not being able to move and getting depressed, we tried the effexor. It has not only elevated my mood, but it also helps with the pain.

Yes, when I was not able to take it for about a week, I had major issues, from irritability, to headache, and head spinnings. As soon as I was able to take one, it was all over within 2 hours. Sometimes we forget how well a medicine can work until we forget to take it, and we are reminded of why we take it to begin with.

I have been taking effexor xr for 4 weeks now and am still not feeling any better. The side effects are awful... excessive hunger, severe sweating, hot flushes, weight gain, sleeplessness, gas, acne... the list goes on. How long do you think I should take it before I try a new anti-depressant... can anyone help me who has had a similar experience?

I am taking Venlafaxine XR 150 mg for hot flashes. I have most of the experiences that other people are having, but in the year my cholesterol has gotten off the chart, I was told I have had (2) small strokes. I am seeing a neurologist tommorrow and heart doctor in July. I have been having severe fatigue, with times not able to keep from falling asleep. Has anyone had problems with high cholesterol after taking this prescription?

I've been on Effexor XR 75 mg daily for 11 months and my total Cholesterol and LDL both increased. Is this a known side effect of antidepressants? I also had an increase in chol and LDL when on Zoloft.

I have been on Effexor (the brand name, I think) for 6 mos. and I've had weight gain (not much so far, but I do have carb/sweets cravings), "sexual side effects" and random jerky movements which appear to have gotten more frequent as I've been on the medication.

I also have heightened peripheral vision which is somewhat disturbing (and I also got on Prozac). I'm not sure if I'll stay on Effexor because of the jerky movements and weight gain, but it has really helped my mood.

I have been on effexor for over 9 years, under the supervision of a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist-- I myself am a licensed professional counselor with a Masters in Psychology----had heightened blood pressure, but it runs in my family, have had borderline high cholesterol, but the good numbers are high, which is good, making the total number high-- nothing to worry about according to my primary care who has been working with me for 15 years-- in fact my numbers dropped 17 points and I lost 8 pounds.

Just sensible eating, and yoga!!! I had the brain shivers when I went off of it, under supervision-- I thought I would be okay without an anti-depressant -- the brain shivers lasted a couple of months and went away-- I found I need an anti-depressant to be my best--My doctor recently put me on the "new" effexor called "Pristiq"--

Does anyone know about this????
So far it seems effective for me.
I need a very low dose to stay even -- in the healthy balanced content zone--it works for me-- 50 mg Pristiq-- It is currently being sampled to physicians if there is a desire to try something new. I have had no side effects.

I was on Effexor 75 mg for about one year and my total cholesterol and LDL both increased by about 40 points. Is there a connection?

I have been taking Effexor for 5 years at 150mg, which I reduced to 75mg over a supervised period of 12 months. I have been unable to reduce this due to adverse withdrawal symptoms.
I also take Lithium at 600mg.

I put on 4 stone (56 pounds) but once on less Effexor I lost 1 stone of this.

My cholesterol test has also just shown a very high result.

I am reducing 'bad' fats in my diet and am having cholesterol reviewed in 3 months.

I found that drinking sufficient water, avoiding alcohol and sugar and avoiding caffeine helps with side effects. If i get vertigo or the shakes, I have a large glass of room temp water and rest for 10 minutes.

I hope this helps someone

JV

so you have side effects from effexor? These subside as the benefits of the drug gradually take effect. I have a wave of nausea when it peaks, about 2-1/2 hrs. after taking it. The nausea quickly intensifies, and then I SNEEZE! The nausea disappears. I see and hear a lot of patients who find fault with all antidepressants because they are in denial that they really need them. I don't worry about "when I go off of them" because chances are I never will. This depression (of whatever type) isn't something that is going to go away like a bad cold or the flu. Effexor will keep it under control, but it's not going to cure it.

I started taking Effexor when I was 25. I am now 39. I am bipolar. When I tried to come off it a few years ago, the results were a manic disaster. I am very compliant, however last month I ran out of meds before I ran out of month. I should have called my doctor for help. But, without funds, I missed 3 doses (days).

At the end of the 2nd day I knew I was in trouble. Intense anger, restlessness and rage. By the end of the 3rd day I was suicidal and out of control. I took my medicine the next morning and by noon I was fine. Being on Effexor (now XR) for 14 years has taught me some important lessons. If you're bipolar you may have to be hospitalized or homebound to come off it. And, since the half-life of Effexor is so short, it's out of your system about the time you have your next dose. And there are times when stressors intervene (especially for bipolar folks) that we just have to stop and take a few days, or ask for help to remain out of the hospital. This is how I've stayed out--for 12 years.

There have been a few times a year I have to take some time to regroup. And those times have saved me from having a meltdown. It frightens me how this drug has been the ONLY one to treat my resistant, black depression. (My doctors said I was resistant to all the other drugs available.) But I whiteknuckle grip that bottle because I know without it, I am lost and raging like an animal and suicidally depressed. So there we have it. I am concerned about long term use and its effect on cognition, as I've experienced verbal and mental processing problems. But I am on 5 other drugs, so who knows.

I guess I am just incredibly grateful that I have been helped by this drug for 14 years. My quality of life has been relatively healed and, if I am fastidious with my doses,and work closely with my doctor, I will remain out of the hospital. Best to you all & thanks Terry & Joe, you have a terrific show on NPR- I love it!

I have been on Effexor XR for maybe two years total now. I began at the 150 and then increased to the 300 as I relocated and changed physicians.

I am quite surprised to read of some of the feedback from others on here as now I am beginning to wonder if I am not paying attention to myself. The increase in cholesterol levels is what I found most shocking, especially since I haven't paid much attention to my own because I've never had issues in this realm. However, I gave blood last week for the first time in quite a while, so it should be interesting to see what the results are for my cholesterol test.

Unlike other testimonials, any weight I have gained in the last few years has been more from my hand-to-mouth disease and my general lack of interest in exercising. Also, being a poor New Yorker has brought on other challenges, such as trying to pay down debt to free up cash for a pool membership.

I have always had great skin, and have experienced no issues with acne, of which I am grateful. What I have experienced though has been some God awful dry, cotton mouth. Man, you could probably knit a sweater in my mouth some days, that's how cottony it feels.

And yes, of course, if I fall asleep earlier than expected and miss a dose, which is rare, my mother says I lean to the right like the Leaning Tower of Pisa because I am a bit off balance. I take my missed dose as soon as I can, and within a hour or two, I am back to being balance, no leaning involved. The only other side affect I have from missing a dose accidentally is that I have no sense of humor and find most conversation terribly loud and very annoying.

No lethargy has accompanied my experience, other than my own desire to sleep away my problems, another hallmark of depression. My physician recently wrote a prescription for me for Venlafexine, and I questioned the mistake in my meds. I'll be honest with you, I was fairly irritated by his presumptive behavior of just changing my medication without consulting me.

But I guess when you are getting free care from the VA under combat veterans benefits, and the VA deems the generic is cheaper, well I guess it was bound to happen and I just didn't see it coming. The jury is out on the results of the generic usage, but I'm sure I'll be back to offer some insight. Good luck to all.

I have been on effexor 75 for about 4 months now. I find myself very tired throughout the day. I asked my pharmacists about my situation and she recommended I take my dose right before bed, however, when I did that I would wake during the night and have difficulty sleeping. I feel I have no energy at all. But effexor has helped me with anxiety making me reluctant to switch medications.

I used to be on Effexor XR between 2002-2005. It used to work very well for me I was upbeat, uninhibited (in dealing with colleagues, friends) and very productive. I was switched to the generic version, Venlafaxine and the dose is now 450mg (I think, the Effexor xr dose was about 225mg). The generic is much weaker than the Effexor used to be. I know it because recently I found some of the previously prescribed Effexor in my drawer and took it. I went suddenly soo high I was amazed. It is nasty that the generic is so much weaker than the brand name. Is there anything to do about it?

I reside in RI. As of 5 months ago, the Govenor, (Caccieri) decided to put a mandate on all state health insurance policies. The mandate is on the prescriptions. The "generic", is given as primary, and if there is none, then the original drug may be approved. Notice, I said "may".

I was originally on Effexor XR for 4 years. I was doing wonderful. Then I had to switch to Venlafaxine XR. (the state was in a deficit,over six million dollars). After being on the Effexor, I found the Venlafaxine to not be of any help at all. All the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression are back. I am so-o frustrated that a physician who provides you with a prescription, based on their knowledge, experience, and evaluation of the patients condition, can be overruled all for the purpose of financially benefiting the state.

I originally used effexor on and off for depression and fibromyalgia since 2000, maybe earlier. Well for the good it controlled my major depression. I would be tired all the time. Gained the weight, which I never had a weight problem until all these meds started up. I mostly received samples of effexor from my doctor's office because we have our own business and have really crappy insurance also, because of my preexisting conditions.

So needless to say the free samples stopped and I was forced to pay the outrageously greedy price of the effexor and I started the generic venaflaxine. (which is still outrageously priced.) WELL, let me tell you about the HORRIBLE nightmares EVERY night. Strange new high blood pressures, and cholesterol problems! I have pain already and don't need anymore with the simvastain. I hate how some drugs pop up and a few years or so later you hear how this and that was pulled off the market and people were made sick. I think I am going to stop the cholesterol stuff to.

Question for those coming off effexor:

I was taking 75mg for three years. I went off of it cold turkey at the beginning of May 2010.

About two weeks later I developed a cough. It's not dry. Feels like it could be from my sinuses (meaning it's productive).

Ive been to an ENT and my PCP and went on my allergy meds during this time including nose sprays and chlortrimeton.

After 2 months I still have this cough (as well as intermittent brain zaps but that's expected).

Could this cough be related to coming off the effexor? Has anyone else experienced this?

Will it eventually go away if it's not related to my sinuses and allergies?

8 weeks is a long time to have a cough.

As for effexor I have nothing good to say about it.
My liver levels have risen because of the drug. I now have type II diabetes.
Massive weight gain.

Blood-work before taking the drug was perfect.

6 months after taking it, all levels started to rise.

I have taken in an old friend who has come upon hard times. Previously, she had a seizure and was hospitalized. She has been taking effexor for more than 15 years and was put on Clonazepam after the seizure, which occurred about 3 years ago. In the past 12 months, her memory has deteriorated rapidly to the point that she can't remember details from conversations even a half hour ago. Long term memory hasn't been as severely impacted though there is some loss there as well. Has anyone experienced similar episodes with this combination or have any advice?

I have been taking Effexor XR 150mg since 2003. Since taking it I have gained at least 100lbs. At the end of 2009 I felt that I no longer needed Effexor and tired of the constant weight gain discussed this with my GP who agreed with me and we started with the tapering off of it. All was going extremely well and I was tapering slowly but once I got to 37.5mg (about 4 months later) my pharmacy put me on generic.

I immediately went from feeling normal to feeling out of control, very agitated, easily irritated, uncontrollable crying, very vivid and violent dreams, restless legs at night so it was extremely difficult to fall asleep (ended up using liquid Tylenol PM) but stopped after a few nights as I didn't want to start depending on it.

We have since asked my pharmacy to use brand name Effexor and I am no longer experiencing any of the things I experienced on the generic.

If I miss my effexor dose though then I get extreme vertigo and nausea to the point of vomiting. It basically renders me useless.

I still want to get off the medicine.

I was switched a few months back by the insurance company from the effexor xr to the generic by Teva and have had a slow descent back into depression and a big increase in anxiety at the same dose after many years of stability. Also, I noticed I don't have the usual side effect (sore neck/dystonia) and even had some of those fun discontinuation syndrome symptoms like flashes of dizziness, even though I hadn't missed a dose. I'm going back to the doc tomorrow for a prior-auth for the real stuff, if I can't get it. I'll pay out of pocket.

I have been taking Effexor 75 Mg's once Daily for about 1 week now, And I already feel a improvement, I have more of a will to do thing's, I have more energy, I don't get upset as easily like I use to, And I don't have no anxiety, But I also take Klonopin "Clonazepam" 1 Mg Twice Daily, And Klonopin 0.5Mg's Twice Daily, So I take "One And A Half Milligram's daily of the Klonopin "Clonazepam." So, the Effexor 75 Mg's and the Klonopin "Clonazepam," One And A Half Milligram's Twice Daily Is Helpful... By The Way Klonopin "Clonazepam" Is A Highly Potent Benzodiazepine And Highly Addicting And Can Be Abused And Habit Forming With People With A Past Drug And/Or Alcohol Problem!

Thank you for your post. I would warn anyone and everyone against trying the generic venlafaxine.
After 6(?) happy years on Effexor, Prozac before that and having tried everything since imipramine, I switched to the generic venlafaxine when my insurance stopped paying for the brand name.

Over the course of 1 - 2 months, my mood started to deteriorate until I was having all of the old depression symptoms and getting worse. I increased my dose and it seemed better, but I was getting these horrible shock feelings. I can only describe it as the feeling you get in your gut the split second you realize that you have done something really really bad. Think about the feeling you get the second or two before a car accident when you realize it is going to happen and there is nothing you can do to avoid it. It started out once a day for a few seconds, then twice, then it started to last for longer and longer each time. It was unbearable.

It took a while to get back to see my doctor. In the meantime, I went cold turkey for a few days and then I tried going back to the original dose, but the "shock" feeling came back worse than ever. It disappeared right after I went back on Effexor.
I noticed the generic brand didn't have the same withdrawal symptoms as real Effexor when stopped. It also didn't have the same sexual side effects, which would be wonderful except for feeling like you are just about to fall down a flight of stairs.

I spoke to a few Pharmacists and they all swore that there could not be a difference between the generic version and Effexor. My doctor, on the other hand, said she had heard from other doctors and patients that the generic venlafexine didn't work the same.
All this tells me that it is not the same drug. Period. I wish I didn't have to take this stuff.

Wow. Thank you all for your posts. I just typed a reply to Jan 3 2008 (problems with generic vs. Effexor) before reading all the way down. The pharmacists tell me there is no way the two can work differently. Well... I'm back on the Effexor even if insurance doesn't pay for it. At least I know I'm not crazy.

You are not crazy! I have been feeling terrible for a month now! It finally hit me that could be my generic effexor after doing some reading of forums it looks like I am not alone! I have been having terrible mood swings, feeling very depressed, very tired, my stomach has been hurting and cramping a lot. Just wondering if your insurance is paying for meds? I called my pharmacy today to see if they could get my doc to prescribe the name brand only to get my insurance to cover more. We will see! I am glad to see I am not alone!!

Hi LP; No. My insurance won't pay, even though my doctor put "no substitutes" on the prescription. I called and apparently it is my employer - all companies are not the same, so you may be lucky. I don't care. I can't tolerate the generic version. Good luck to you,