Went to the Doctor for Depression and got put on EFFEXOR XR 75mg

I pray this is the one to get me back on track. She started me out on 75mg for 3 days and then 150 mgs for the next 3 days and then leveling out at 3 75mg pills at once.

I know some of you can tell me some things about EFFEXOR XR.

Thanks in advance for the information.

[boogieman]

hi. i've been on effexor xr since 2004. i can tell you that it seemed to help a little, but after a while my symptoms seemed to be worsening. i was on 150/day, and went up to 225/day. after a few weeks we tried 300/day and i about went nuts. so for the last 3 or so months i've been back down to 225/day, and recently added abilify and dropped risperdal 2 weeks ago. things seem to be gradually improving, but i'm also on other meds for an injury that i will be having surgery for next month, and they could have an effect as well. but i think we might be on to a good dosage. best wishes,  gm

[Ella789]

I took it and it helped for several years.  It just seemed great at first and then quit working for me.  I now take Cymbalta 60mg twice a day and Remeron at bedtime for sleep.  This is working quite well it seems.  The side effects for me are weight gain but I did need to gain some weight anyway, it's just strange to grow out of my clothes now as I was always under weight all my life.

Ella

[D30]

Has anyone tried the generic for of the regular effexor. My insurance is way more the effexor xr. The regular effexor has a generic.

[LADYDI4185]

I am a pharmaceutical rep as well as an addict, my doc is lortab which I am tapering off of.  I sold Effexor XR for 5 years so i can answer any questions you may have about the drug.  First, its an effective anitdepressnt.  It works on both serotonin and neoropinephrine, in general terms meaning it works on mood and motivation.  I'm sure your dr has you increasing the dose because at higher doses it has some effects on dopomine.  Stay with effexor xr do not switch to regular effexor- bad side effects!!!  If for any reason you stop taking effexor xr, taper down your dose to avoid w/d feelings.  Hope this helps and please post any other questions you may have.  Good luck!  ladydi4185

[D30]

Thank you, that was what I was looking for. I really appreciate and can't believe how well I feel just from 2 days on it. If it works better than this in 6 weeks I am going to be mr. walking smile.

[codean]

I took effexor for a few years, but my dose was only 75mg if I recall correctly, It was probably the first anti depressant I ever took that really worked for me - in particular it actually had some effect on anxiety levels. So I can imagine why you might feel that this is working out for you. However, I'd like to bring 2 issues to your attention that I wish somebody had told me before I started taking it - you may not be affected by either so these are not 'facts' per se, just things I would have at least liked to know were possibilities...
1. LadyDi has already alluded to.., when it comes to be time to thinking about getting off this drug, a lot of people find it to be absolute hell in withdrawal Feeling generally unbearably bad and like your brain is being 'zapped' with minor electric shocks seem very common. Even missing a single day's dose can leave you feeling pretty rotten - so don't run out! Google for effexor withdrawal or venlafaxine withdrawal. It's quite eye opening to see what people have to say. I never did that until I was well into the withdrawal and was amazed by what I found and the strength of feeling there was out there.
2. It can have unwanted effects on sexual function (particularly men) which seemed to be one of the main reasons people wanted to get off of it.

Like I said, I'm not saying these things will happen to you but they happened to me and when I investigated, I wasn't alone. I honestly wish you al the best and hope you don't have these problems but in my opinion, it never hurts to be aware of the possibilities.

LadyDi, since you are an expert on this drug, I'd be interested to know what the official thoughts on these issues (and any other common issues) are. I read that there are/were people looking to take legal action against this drug's manufacturer - is this true?

[LADYDI4185]

I would not call myself an expert on effexor xr, I can only share the info I had as a sales person for the company.  Effexor xr is a very potent drug (antidepressant) and people need to understand that before taking it.  You cannot just stop when you want, you must taper off the drug.  This is due to Effexor xr at higher doses, anything above 37.5 mg which is the lowest starting dose will cause some type of w/d if stopped suddenly.  This will occur if you have only been taking the drug for a short period of time 3-4 days. I am not sure if Codean is referring to effexor ir (immediate release), and law suits, but I know that Effexor xr (extended release) has nothing pending.  As far as sexual disfunction, that is a serotonin side effect and when a pt experiences this the dr usually increase the dose to obtain the norepinephrine effects which occurs at a dose of 150mg and above.  Please remember I am not a dr, just a person who sold this drug for some time so please take my info with a grain of salt.  Follow your drs instructions and do not be afraid of effexor xr just be aware of its side efffects.  I hope this helps and feel free to throw any more questions my way.  While i sold this drug i dubbed myself the "queen of depression" so I am always willing to help answer any question you may have.  Ladydi4185