Get Informed: Effexor XR

496

Patient Comments About
Effexor XR

Active Ingredient(s)

Venlafaxine

What does it do?

Effexor XR

This product is primarily used for the treatment of depression, anxiety and panic disorder. It works by prolonging the effect of serotonin and norepinephrine, both important chemicals in the brain.

Last Text Update:
 2010-Jul-31 4:29 PM
Last Data Update:
 2010-Jul-30 9:04 PM

Other Names

  • Effexor XR
  • Effexor
  • Venlafaxine
  • Efexor
  • Efexor XL
  • Viepax
  • Viepax XR

How Safe Is It?

Your Risk Rating
Please log in
Average Risk Rating
1:
Pregnancy Category
C

Black Box Warning

This product has a black box warning relating to increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior when used in children, adolescents, and young adults with depression. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, the following national suicide hotlines are available in the U.S. to help you: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

Facts & Figures

Date Approved
28 Dec 1993
Est US Patients*
5,406,000
Generic Available
Yes
OTC Available
No

User Age Distribution*

6

< 21

23

21-39

51

40-59

20

60+

Age (Years)

* Estimated number of US people currently taking Effexor XR or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.

Other Resources

Recent alerts for Effexor XR

Effexor XR Safety Report

1:

The iGuard risk rating for Effexor XR is blue. It means that normally has a low risk of serious or long-term side effects if used under normal medical supervision.

Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings

  • Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Effexor XR interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.

What is Effexor XR used for?

iGuard is currently tracking more than 39,900 patients that use Effexor XR (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.

Disease / Condition % Average Severity
Depression 75% mild 6 severe
Anxiety 47% mild 6 severe
Bipolar Disorder 12% mild 7 severe
Menopausal Symptoms 10% mild 6 severe
Pain-Generalized 5% mild 6 severe
Migraine/Headache 4% mild 6 severe
Fibromyalgia 4% mild 7 severe
Neuropathic Pain 2% mild 6 severe
Other 5% mild 7 severe

How well does Effexor XR work?

iGuard regularly polls our more than 39,900 users taking Effexor XR (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iGuard.org.

Average Satisfaction Score

(out of 10)

Average Effectiveness Score

(out of 10)

72 71
87%
of patients are confident that the good things about Effexor XR outweigh the bad things.
18%
of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Effexor XR.

Common Side Effects of Effexor XR

iGuard regularly polls our more than 39,900 users taking Effexor XR (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.

43%

43% of patients experience side-effects on Effexor XR

7%

7% of patients experience significant side-effects on Effexor XR


Most Common Side Effects...

  • 10% Loss of Libido
  • 10% Drowsiness
  • 5% Fatigue
  • 5% Dizziness
  • 5% Weight Gain
  • 5% Dryness
  • 5% Sweating
  • 5% Constipation
  • 5% Vivid Dreams
  • 5% Nausea/Vomiting
  • = 10%

Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps, Diarrhea, Grogginess/Confusion, Headache, Heartburn/Reflux, High Blood Pressure, Hot Flashes, Insomnia, Mood/Behavior Changes, Numbness/Tingling, Suicidal Thoughts, Tinnitus, Tremor, Vertigo, Vision Changes, Weakness


Global Patient Feedback for Effexor XR (Venlafaxine) ( Post a comment )

Comments, Questions, and Answers
Show Newest | Oldest first
English comments | Global comments

Question/Comment:

When I went to pick up my last prescription of Effexor XR 75 mg I received the new generic by Teva. Within a week, I'm experiencing more feelings of depression, agitation and weepiness. This generic is so new there is nothing on the internet about it, except its existence and release. I'm calling my doctor and asking for no substitutions.

50 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-07-28 19:02:54

Question/Comment:

I have been taking Effexor now for fourten years. At 75mg the initial dose worked within days, curing my depression/ mental disfunction 100% I have tried coming off it by scaling my intake down gradually, as advised, but after a month or so the original symptoms began to re-appear so I resumed the dose.
My main side-effect was sexual dysfunction but apart from no other physical or psychological effects have been noticed.

Male Source: iGuard United Kingdom

Posted: 2010-07-27 16:45:14

Question/Comment:

I just started taking Effexor at 75 mg. After 3 weeks my dosage was increased to 150mg. When I had my blood pressure check at my next appointment, it had significantly increased to an unsafe level. I had an immediate result from taking this medication. The effects on my blood pressure were quite surprising.

50 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-07-24 18:00:00

Question/Comment:

Hi, i am new here, Today i just switched from taking 80mg of prozac to 75mg of effexor my doc said it was fine to do so. I wanted to ask the people here who are on effexor xr what to expect during the first weeks of taking it, because i know that it the time when the side affects are the worst , i do know everyone reacts different to the medication but i would still like to know your experiences on it. I am also on klonopin 2mg and topamax 100mg.
your replies would be appreciated.

22 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-07-06 16:24:36

Answer/Reply:

I'm concerned about the topamax(daily migraine med) I had a client who had horrible side effects from using it for 1-1/2 yrs...she lost her hair, and what was left was horribly brittle and dull, she lost an obscene amount of weight and she was having problems with her adnoids ...please be careful using that

39 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-07-21 01:53:48

Question/Comment:

I have experienced a lot of itching since taking Effexor. I may be slightly allergic to it, but I don't want to stop it because it works for me. Maybe I need to take something like Benadryl with it. Has anyone else experienced this? The itching is terrible.

41 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-06-16 10:09:14

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DISCLAIMER: iGuard is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. iGuard cannot and does not take into consideration every possible interaction or account for individual responses to medicine. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have before making any changes to your treatment. The use of the iGuard site and its content is at your own risk. The iGuard site and the information contained in it is intended for users in the United States and information in other countries may be different.

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