Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals manufactures brand name Effexor. There no U.S. generic Effexor (venlafaxine) manufacturers.
Effexor is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, and a weak dopamine reuptake inhibitor.
Effexor is used primarily to treat depression disorders.
Although the patient usually does feel Effexor in the system within the three hours after ingestion, it takes about 2 to 3 weeks to begin to feel the therapeutic effects of the medication.
Effexor is similar to the SSRI medications in many respects, including its profile of side effects.
Effexor has not been reported to cause addition. However, a general dependency can result as indicated by the return of original symptoms and additional withdrawal effects when the medication is stopped abruptly. Therefore, the medication should be reduced gradually.
Effexor is not a controlled substance by the United States Food and Drug Administration
Usually it comes in 25 mg, 37.5 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, tablets and Effexor XR 37.5 mg,75 mg, and 100 mg extended release tablets
A realistic starting dose is 25 mg to 37.5 mg on the first day in divided doses. The manufacturer's suggestion of taking 75 mg on the first day is not well tolerated in many individuals. A routine dose may range from 37.5 mg per day to 225 mg per day for outpatients, depending on the individual.
Public entries appear below.
I was prescribed Effexor 25mg by my psychiatrist because he thought it might work for panic disorder. I don't like to take pills because of side effects, so I broke the pill into four pieces and took only 1/4, which would be about 6.25mg, however, I began to have a throbbing headache, a fast heartbeat that lasted all night and a feeling of pressure in the head. I went to have my blood pressure checked and it was 150/95 or something like that. That is borderline hypertension or hypertension. I quit Effexor and then my blood pressure was normal again. I hope others have good results with it, but that's the last time I ever take it.
I was prescibed Effexor. The first week I only got nausea. Then, as the doctor continously said me it was all good and perfect, I stopped felling some ill effects. But somedays after, I discovered they was not given away. It was only me that thought they were not. It was a placebo effect. Effexor does not solve any of my problem but put in some more
I had tried several diffent medications for Anxiety/depression. Some of the big name meds gave me a really intense headache up the back of my neck and a few gave me a headache right in the middle of my head. Finally a couple of meds that worked cause weight gain !! I was given Effexor to try in August of 2004. WOW... What a blessing. The 75 mg pill made the top of my head feel kind of numb, but the results were good other then that. So, I was cut down to 37.5 mg per day and everything has been perfect. Hope you try it for Anxiety...!!!!
My doctor prescribed Effexor for me for hot flashes, sleeplessness and anxiety related to menopause. Within a few days I felt like my old self, ten years ago! My hot flashes subsided, I now sleep like a rock, and I have no problem with anxiety. I am on a beta blocker for hypertension and my blood pressure is managed successfully. I am such a happy person on Effexor 37.5 mg. I feel so sorry for people who have problems with it. I hope I never do.
I have been taking effexor for 20 months at a dose of 150mg once daily for depression. The depression has been gone for approximately 6 months so I decided it was time to face life without effexor. I reduced my dose to 75mg but over the ensuing 10 days began having withdrawal symptoms; dizziness, stomach upsets ect. I visited my G.P and we agreed for me to stop taking the venlafaxine completely. It is now day three and the withdrawal symptoms are mainly neurologically related: in that, the dizziness is there continually and the only way to describe it is that my nerve endings within my head feel like they are on the outside! I feel very emotionally unstable but know I have to get through this. Through personal experience I would not advise anybody to withdraw from effexor this way.
I was on Effexor for about 2 years when I found I was gaining weight quite rapidly but never able to lose it no matter what I did. My psychiatrist is trying me on something new and weaning me off of Effexor. People, think twice about going on this med if there is at all a small chance of going off of it. My psychiatrist warned me it would be hard but I never bargained for this! My neve endings feel as if they are on the outside of my body. I cannot tolerate much noise and I have been weeping as if there is no tomorrow. It is difficult to explain all of the side effects. One that seems to describe what I often feel is called "brain shivers". That is the best I can explain. My moods have cycled to very high to just want to isolate and stay in bed low. Please, think carefully before even thinking about starting this medication!
I've been taking Effexor for a little over a year. I only took 37.5 for about 8 months. I've always had anxiety but it really escalated during the planning for a wedding. I have always been a worrier - thus the anxiety - but after I started on this medication it WENT AWAY! I did start on 75 mg. a few months ago because I started to get teary and wake up with the anxiety again. Once again - it WENT AWAY! Yea! I personally love it because it makes my life function smoothly. Occasionally I have to add 1/2 of a 5 mg. Valium but I could do without that if I had to. I haven't tried going without it and see no reason to at this point. I won't go any higher than 75 mg. and hope to go back to 37.5 eventually until I am able to go off of it - and if not - so what?! I'm happy and sleep like a rock!
I am 38 yr. old female. I suffer from clinical depression. I am sure that I have tried every drug for depression. I also take Wellbutrin 300mg, clonzepam 1mg bedtime and levoxyl 1.5 mcg for Hashimoto's or hypothyroidism. I have been taking this combination for over a year. Wellbutrin and Klonopin for five years. Effexor makes me feel very emotionally stable. No highs and lows. It seemed to make me-Me again. If I did not take these meds I would be in my bedroom with the drapes shut laying in bed. Not suicidal, just tired as all Hell. Matter of fact it does feel like the prelude to Hell. I hate knowing it is a beautiful day and I can't experience it or take part in it. So, Effexor is pretty attractive to me. I have two children. I don't want them to have memories of "mommy" in bed. Gross!!! Last week I ran out of my prescription of Effexor. I did not refill it until four days later. During this time period, this is how it went. Day 1. No difference. Day 2. A little irritated. Day 3. Run for your life. Light headed, vertigo and shocking feeling in my head. A situation that would normally irritate me turned into psycho woman. I fought with my husband, told him to get the Hell out. He didn't so I punched him in the face several times. Kicked him when I had him down and then distroyed approximately $5,000. in humidors and cigars. Smashed them. I then shop vacced them up. Cried that I was insane. I would NEVER behave this way normally, even before Effexor. How hidious and frightning. I knew it was the Effexor. The next day I refilled my Rx and broke open the capsule and held it under my tongue for quicker absorbtion. You'd think I was a crack addict with this reaction. I swear, two hours later all physical symptoms dissapeared as if it was only a bad dream. I related this story to my doctor. I was afraid I had some serious unadressed rage problems I wasn't aware of. No, just don't ever forget to take your Effexor. The change in brain chemistry is immediate and WORSENS. If you decide with your doctor you want to get off this medication be forewarned. It might not be pretty! I feel this medication has a place for people that are really sufferring. Don't ever go cold turkey. I could have been arrested or my husband could have fought back and snapped me in two. My kids didn't see this. Thank you God! I don't think my husband will ever understand the chemical reaction to this drug; however, thank you all for this board and other boards out there. Scarey. Really, there needs to be a warning lable. This very serious. Good LuckTo Everyone, Cyndi
I have been taking effexor xr for a couple of months and am beginning to gain weight. My diet, exercise routine, etc have not changed. Does effexor xr cause weight gain? I've read that it does cause weight gain and then that is causes loss of appetite. Which is correct?
Hello All, If this is a kind of survey for MDs who are trying to make a study about 'Effexor and its effects'. I am writing it here. I have a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from 'Johns Hopkins School of Medicine'. Due to abuse by my advisor culminated with fear at work under his guidence, anxiety developled and got physical through panic attacks. I visited Hospital's psychotherapist for students and staff's work related problems. This therapy did not help and while my panic attacks worsened, my GP advised me to go on Effexor 35mg (3 months) - 75( 6 months) - 150 (2 years). When I started on Effexor: 1. Stuttering in speech 2. dryness in mouth and metallic taste 3. Shivering in limbs 4. I was like a dead-fish. I would look like Jack Nicholson after electric shock treatment in 'Flying over cuckoos nest'. 5. Serious mood imbalance. Tip of iceberg: While I was on 150 and enjoying my days, at the end of the day I would experience so called 'Brain Zaps, 'Brain electrical-thingy', 'Brain - shivers'. I attributed them to weakness and tired out of days work. Wrath of Effexor: My tappering plan: 150 - 75mg - 35mg - 0 150-75: Day 1: No physiological or psychological effect Day 2: 'Brain - zaps, shivers' started. Anger moods developed Day 3: Headache, got irritated at a seminar, Brain-zaps worse Day 4-6: Not in mood to work etc. Loosing concentration at work along with headache and brainzaps. These brainzaps are WORSE, unable to drive my car. Conclusions: GOD knows when I am going to be normal and good out of Effexor poision 2. Surprising things are : my MD is clueless about the sideeffects and yet prescribed the med. 3. I recok, I should have visited a Psychiatrist rather an Internist. 4. MDs get to know more about SSRIs and MAOIs more before prescribing 5.Suggestion to public: Think twice before getting this drug from a MD at Asst. Prof or Assoc. Prof level. Go to senior most professors and let them prescribe what is right for you. When going on for these drugs ponder over these points: 1. Is my depression or anxiety is really above threshold that I should go for these drugs. 2. If yes, get a good overall knowledge (at least 10-20 points about the drug). 3. Discuss with a Psychiatrist at-least. I can write more but, Survyors Please look at the following publications: 1.Venlafaxine and serious withdrawal symptoms: warning to drivers. Campagne DM. 2.Parker G, Blennerhassett J. Withdrawal reactions associated with venlafaxine. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 1998 Apr;32(2):291-4. PMID: 9588310 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Effexor (venlafaxine) Topic Suggestions:
Opinion: Editorials on Positives or Negatives about it
Opinion: Why is it Right, Wrong, Good, or Bad?
What It Was Like The First Time You Took It?
A Detailed Description of What It Feels Like to Be on It
A Strange or Weird Experience while Taking It
Opinion: How Much Is Too Much?
Opinion: Religion, Spirituality and this Medication
How It Was then Compared to How It Is Now?
Unique or Bizarre Experiences with this Medication
Bad, Harmful, or Worst Experience Ever
Worries, Fears, or Paranoia
Opinion: Is this Medication Addictive?
(Any other Topic Related to this Medication)
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