Effexor XR (venlafaxine HCl) Extended-Release Capsules and Effexor (venlafaxine HCl)

Lacie, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2006

Not only this but it is also very addictive although the manufacturer claims no way. Coming off this stuff is hell!! My doctor (VA) decided since I refused to take HRT then take Effexor....omg worse thing I ever did. I'd rather have the hot flashes and full blown mnp symptoms than deal coming off effexor again. Literally makes you feel like a junkie in withdrawal. So I'm off effexor and happy with my hot flashes now LOL. I'll deal without the meds after this experience.

2008nurse2b · Dec 21, 2006

I took it myself and it was very difficult to come off of, I didn't like the feeling when I didn't take it, and boy did I become very very grouchy, almost impossible to deal with, I just started taking them every other day then every 3-4 days until I was completely off I had one pill left when I finished. I would have to say it was very addictive.

Schatzi RN CEN · Dec 26, 2006

I agree, I'm still on Effexor XR and if I miss a dose, I start getting flu-like symptoms with dizzyness after about 12 hours.

Calgon-take.me.away · Dec 26, 2006

I am currently on Effexor 150 mg daily and due to changing jobs, I have no health insurance. 60 pills cost 295.00, and the thoughts of going off are very frightening. Vivid nightmares, sweats, mood swings, YIKES!! Will either call and beg the MD for samples, or try going off of them.

caliotter3 · Dec 26, 2006

Part of the reason why I find this site so educational. I was considering trying to get this med prescribed for self a long time ago and got scared off just from the full page ads in the newspaper. Discussed it with my buddy supervisor. Am very careful about all kinds of meds b/c have had paradoxical reactions in the past and am scared to death of possibilities. (You never know about something til you've been there yourself). And yes, having or not having hlth ins makes an impact on all kinds of medical decisions, even for us poor hlth care workers.

chenoaspirit, ASN, RN · Jan 18, 2007

I was on the maximum dose of Effexor XL (225 mg) per day. I have managed to decrease my dose to 75 mg/day. When I miss a dose, I get so sick. I feel like I am getting the flu. But the WORST part of the withdrawal is the shock-like sensations. Some call it "brainzaps". Its like a horrible dizzy spell that makes your brain feel like it is being zapped with electricity. I thought something was horribly wrong with me until I researched and found it was a common withdrawal side effect. But I cant stop taking it. My depression and anxiety come back along with the withdrawal effects. I hate the drug and wish I had never started taking it.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2007

I was on the maximum dose of Effexor XL (225 mg) per day. I have managed to decrease my dose to 75 mg/day. When I miss a dose, I get so sick. I feel like I am getting the flu. But the WORST part of the withdrawal is the shock-like sensations. Some call it "brainzaps". Its like a horrible dizzy spell that makes your brain feel like it is being zapped with electricity. I thought something was horribly wrong with me until I researched and found it was a common withdrawal side effect. But I cant stop taking it. My depression and anxiety come back along with the withdrawal effects. I hate the drug and wish I had never started taking it.

I had a hell of a time coming off Effexor. Not only the brain zaps but the leg pain was almost unbearable. If I missed a dose after about 6 hours I couldnt stand it and would have to get up and go take the dose. There are specific websites/forums dedicated to those trying to get off effexor some with success after trying various self administered programs. Some like me got to the point of counting out the "beads" to cut down the dosage slowly then going to taking it every other day. I found Benedryl and mellatonin helped alot with the disruption in sleep. Nothing seemed to work for the vivid nightmares/night frights until I was completely off the meds. I would much rather have taken the HRT then go on this drug for perimenopause and could curse my doc for ever recommending it! I'll try to recall some of the sites that helped me when coming off it and post later. Withdrawal off this stuff is like being a heroin addict in withdrawal at times.

drmorton2b · Jan 20, 2007

In the Psych Pharmacy I work at, we rarely give Effexor. Most DOCs in this particular Psych Hospital prescribe Paxil, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Cymbalta, and very misc. older anti-depressants (Similar to Trazadone), no MAO Inhibitors though, all though I found a Book from 1988, Before Prozac came out, and the only thing out there really were MAOIs, we have come along way with Psych Drugs in the past 20 years.

Pat_Pat RN · Jan 29, 2007

225mg isn't the maximum dosage anymore, I take 300mg daily. I agree with everyone, if I'm late with a dose I have very vivid (as I put it "Full-length Feature fillms with Dolby and Panavision") dreams. I don't know if it is related or not, but I move a lot while I'm sleeping, just this afternoon I was dreaming that I had picked a guy up by the shirt collar and was getting ready to hit him (I don't know why...) when the lamp fell over on the table and woke me up. I was picking the little nightstand up while laying in bed.

My wife frequently wakes me up for hitting or kicking her.

I've cut back before, but usually my depression sx's reoccur quickly. I also get the cold sweating, shaking, H/A and general feeling ill that others have spoken of.

chenoaspirit, ASN, RN · Feb 4, 2007

I was told by my doc that when first starting to take Effexor, you have vivid dreams until your body adjusts to it. I have MAJOR dreams when I miss a dose, plus I just absolutely am unable to get out of bed until I get it back in my system again. I get up, take it, then go back to bed until its in my system enough. It literally makes me feel sick and lethargic when I miss a dose. I went through it this morning. I hate this drug! But I cant stop taking it.

Dixiecup · Feb 17, 2007

I guess I'm lucky. I took 150mg a day for about two years and went off it cold turkey (no insurance) and I didn't have any problems at all. I'm thinking about taking it again since I have insurance. It was a wonder drug for me.