Effexor and Weight Loss/Gain

[Jenlynne]

Has anyone taken Effexor and, if so, did you experience any weight related side-effects.  

I am worried about gaining weight and will not take this medicine until I find out.   I'm just scared because SSRIs cause gain.  Even though this is not an SSRI, it could cause weight gain.

[sandster]

HI,

From what I am hearing , this pill called Effexor is helping a lot of people loose weight...Ive asked my doctor if it were true, He said yes ,  but being that I have no insurance, he advised me to just back aways from the table, becasue Effexor was very expensive..
I get samples of Zoloft now, he dosnt carry samples of Effexor, and I sure do wish that he did...

[Joann091]

I gained 30 pounds in three months last year on Effexor. My Doctor kept trying me on several different anti-depressants. When I decided in March of last year to stop the effexor, even with tapering off of it like my Doctor told me, I still had bad withdrawal.  I ended up stopping effexor and then joining weight watchers, that seemed to help my depression more than any medications. Good luck to you.  You also have to remember that everyone reacts different to medications.  What made me gain weight may make you lose. Good luck!

[Jenlynne]

I'm a little confused at to why there is weight side-effects.

Do they make me hungry therefore you eat more and gain.  Or do you just gain weight without changing any eating habits?  Same thing with losing.

I am way too scared to gain weight right now.  The pharmacist said there is no weight-gain side-effect but everywhere I look on the internet says otherwise.

[sky74]

iv been on effexor xr iv gained 50 lbs.my biggest concern for you is the withdrawl symptoms when stopping it.just 2or3 days without it is hell.moodswings ,headaces,vomiting,flu like feeling,hot flashes. please talk to your doc about that.they dont tell you when you start it.

[KathyJ2]

Hi -- I have been taking Effexor for over a year -- started at 75 mg, now at 150 mg. -- works REALLY WELL for the depression -- no more problems. And, no additional weight gain, though I was overweight before.
My experience with Effexor has been better than with Prozac and Wellbutrin.

[kimmie5]

Hi, I have been on Effexor XR for 3 years and I have gained about 40-50pounds, most when my dose was increased to 225, now I am on 75mg b/c I'm getting ready to wean off the medicine in a couple of weeks,and I haven't lost anything yet. My eating habits have not changed and I exercise. I have always been underweight and I could eat whatever I wanted...I'm only 26 years old...I know my metabolism has changed some, but not enough to pack on 40 pounds. Most of my weight is around my stomach and people ask if I'm pregnant because I've always been so skinny. Situps have not helped. On the positive side, Effexor is an amazing antidepressant, I tried wellbutrin first and it didn't help compared to the Effexor. Everyone is different, Effexor is know for having the worst withdrawl so you need to make sure the DR. takes you off it slowly. Good Luck!

[fitmenot]

I have been on Effexor X 12 months.  gained 12 pounds without change in diet or exercise.  I work out 4-5 days a week without fail.  I eat low GI index foods, and never "pig out".  
Most of the weight is around my middle and butt.

Very depressing.

[amndnoel]

I have been on Effexor XR for two years.  I went on it after my mother switched from Paxil to it and lost weight.  In the past two years, my mood has been great and my anxiety attacks have dissapeared, but I have gained 75 pounds.  My mother however has lost 40.  I honestly think the medication works differently for different people.  In my mother's case it gave her the will-power to lose, but in my case it made me so relaxed I didn't really care what I was eating or about the weight gain.  The one thing I am possitive about is how addictive it is.  My mom and I have both had periods of one or two days where we couldn't get a refill and we both suffered extreme withdrawl symptoms, including migranes, dizziness, blurred vision, insomnia, body aches, and not being able to hold down food.  And we are just on the minimum dosage.

[justagirl7777]

the first time i tried effexor it was because my zoloft had stopped working after yrs.  i lost all my zoloft weight.  25 poinds!  it was a miracle.  after about four yrs. the effexor stopped working so i tried other anti depressants with no luck.  my md put me back on effexor and now i am a fat slob who can't afford to buy any more jeans!  i went from a size two to a 7/8 in 5 months.  why now?  he said it can go either way.  i am miserable about my stomach.  i'm a small girl with a huge, pregnant looking belly.  i try to joke about it, but i despise looking like this.  speaking of withdrawl... if i miss my dose of 75mg by 4 hrs, i get dizzy.  don't know what to do.  (i just turned 34)

[browneyedgrl]

i think that with drugs like effexor, the only way to lose the weight you gain from them is to go off of them ( i am not suggesting that, esp if it helps you to feel better)- just saying that from what ive heard, as long as they are in your body, they alter your metabolism and make it super slow, making it nearly impossible to lose weight and a sure way to gain weight. i have heard that in some cases they alter your metabolism permanantly, but i am skeptical of that. i'm trying to figure out whether that is actually true.

[stephgt]

I recognize that all people are different and that's why we respond differently to various medications, both in a positive way, or perhaps negative.  This is my experience......
I was diagnosed with depression in January 1999 and started taking Effexor XR.  Eventually my dose was increased to 225mg, and I continued on this dose until recently.  During these years my depression was under control, however my weight steadily increased and I gained about 45lbs.  While I recognize that taking any medication impacts your body, I don't believe that Effexor was to blame for my weight gain.  I have bad habits and I'm not as active as I used to be.  In addition, my metabolism has changed as I age (I'm now 34).  For me, I believe that if I'm honest with myself I attribute my weight gain to all of these things, and not medication.  In fact, last year while I was still taking 225mg I began dieting and lost 17lbs in a short time period by eating more healthfuly, controlling portions, and drinking lots of water.  Unfortunately I "fell off the wagon" and again resumed some of my bad habits which resulted in gaining some of that weight back.  Over the last year I have gradually tapered my medication (under the guidance of my physician) and very, very slowly come off the medication.  I no longer take any medications whatsoever (since Oct/05), and have not had a relapse in my depression.  At this point I am feeling ready to make a committment to my own health and do the work I need to do to lose weight.  I really do belive that it's a lifestyle change.  For those of you who are struggling with depression, don't give up.  While it can be frustrating and discouraging, it is possible to lose weight.  Weight absolutely affects self esteem but don't put pressure on yourself.....You'll get there!
Best wishes and good luck!

[chizel]

Im new to this site- hopefully i will gain some insight from others. i have been sufering fom panic disorder for 10 years. Zanax use to work really well- but it stopped so i was put on klonipin- that worked for about 2 years- so i saw a psychitrist and he diagnoised me w/ social anixiety disorder. Anyway he started me on effexor w/ my klonipin and at first my anixiety was getting better- my dr. increased the effexor to 150mg a day and it helped even more w/ anixiety-but i became 2 laid back- i didnt care a/b my appearance or even getting dressed for the day. I became a couch potato and stayed tired alot. i would take a 3 hour nap and still sleep at night as well. Recently i found myself getting depressed because of how i had changed. my dr switched me to paxil and im concerned about weight gain with paxil. i hae gained about 10pds from effexor- but i was not active either while taking it. I am much more alert with paxil- no naps! I am concerned about weight gain from paxil because ive read alot of post fm others that claim paxil causes weight. Would love to hear some feedback. Thank You......

[9999]

I was on Zoloft for years.  I was then put of Zoloft plus Topomax (topamax).  All of these meds were for my migrains and chronic daily headaches.  Topomax (topamax) definitely makes you loose weight.  I recently switched to Effexor 75 and still remained on the Topomax (topamax),  had no weight gain, but as soon as I went off the Topomax (topamax) (I realized it was hindering my headaches, not helping any longer) I have gained 5-7 pounds. This is making me very depressed, my doctor just upped my Effexor to 150mg and told me to exercise.  He said Effexor does promote weight gain. I am sad, but the Effexor does help and make me feel better, just fat.

[wishIknew]

Hello,

I have been taking Effexor for a year and a half, started after a trauma related depression.
I have GAINED at least 20 pounds, and seem to be gaining more and more, even though i am going down on the dosage (now at 87.5 mg, decreased from 300 mg).
Effexor seems to be a very effective antidepressant BUT the side effects are HUGE TOO! Stomach pain, gaz, gastric reflux, headaches,sweating, insomnia,twitching, weight gain, total absence of libido, inability to climax etc....
The withdraw symptoms are even worse! Just to take your meds later in the day will let you experience these nasty symptoms: Nausea, dizziness, "brain shivers", blurred vision, shortness of breath, inability to fucus your thoughts,in other words, you are a real mess.
When you want to decrease or stop the medication, it takes forever since these withdraw symptoms are so difficult to deal with. Mood swings, irritability, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts add on to the other withdraw symptoms i already mentionned. Not to even mention all the weird feelings I have no words to describe, like limb pain, electric shock like feelings in the limbs, restlessness etc.....

If it is the first time you are experiencing a depression, I would strongly suggest that you discuss the option of other treatments before trying Effexor. It really has heavy consequences on your life and your well being, which might not matter much at first since you are so relieved to feel emotionnally better, but as time goes by, and as you wish to resume your normal life and activities, you might feel unable to do so because of all the side effects and withdral symptoms i mentionned.
So THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU GET STARTED ON EFFEXOR!!! Going back to a normal life is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, and just the body image part as well as the asexual feeling might be worse than the original symptoms (and don't forget that you might feel even more depressed when you try to get off the medication- scarry!)

Good luck to all of you, and if you have any good tips as to how to loose all the weight gained while on Effexor, please let me know!
Dieting and exercising (a lot) for the last month asen't done the trick so far and i really feel hopeless and concerned !

[aaall]

First I would like to thank you, to who started this website.

I have been on effexor for 2yrs now and thank god for this medication.  I was deppressed in a bad way, even suicidal. Not sleeping for days and then colapsing from lack of sleep...then sleeping for days.  I even had developed agoraphobia. I was unable to walk out of the door or do any activities with out my "safe" person.
I am 31yrs old and have been a size 4 my whole life. I never had to worry about what I ate.  I am now a size 10-11. 2yrs ago I weighed 120lbs...now, Im 160lbs!!!! I hate my body and I look at photos that have been recently taken of me and I ask, "WHO IS THE BIG GIRL IN THE PHOTO". I have been watching what I have been eating since Ive been on this medication...but it is hard.
Thank you to the others that have posted comments on this site..it lets me know that I am not alone.  And now that I am feeling better..my GP and I have decided to come off the medication.  I thought that the withdrawals were telling me to stay on the medication.  I have only been coming off the drug within the last 2 weeks. Yes, I have experinced the nausea...the incredable head spins, and hot flashes like Ive never known.  I know though not to give up.  And fight the withdrawal. Thank to everybody who wrote. God Bless You. And good luck.And CONGRATULATION ON GETTING THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE!

[Flynt]

I thought the weight gain was my fault.  I was so glad to read that other people have had the same problem.  I have been on Effexor for a little over a year now.  First at 75mg, then to 150, then back to 75.  I was on Zoloft originally, but was at the max (200mg) and was still have panic attacks.  The doctor said that Effexor was better for me, so we tried it.  After the first few months she asked me what I thought of it and I told her I didn't like it because I didn't give a S--t about anything anymore.  I had lost 35 lbs on Weight Watcher's three months before I started on this medication.  Over the year that I have taken it, I have lost interest in EVERYTHING.  I use to make quilts and knit afgans.  I now just come home from work and sit, watch TV and do crossword puzzles.  I look at the Noric Track and then ignore it.  I am going to try to talk the doctor into letting me go back on Zoloft, which I loved!  I have gone through menopause, so I may not need anything now.
Anyway, I feel much better knowing that other people have the weight gain problem and that it is not just me.
Good luck to everyone.  Depression and anxiety are not fun things to suffer from.

[Flynt]

I forgot to mention in my last note that I gained back 30 lbs after going on Effexor.  I KNOW it is because I am not moving my body.  I stayed on the Weight Watcher's diet for 6 more months, but it wasn't working any more because I WAS NOT MOVING MY BODY!  I just sit.  I don't eat large amounts of food, but I don't burn off what I am taking in.

[miketish]

Hi
I just wanted everyone on here to know that i once was on effexor for a whole year. Loved what it did for me mentally. I coulda' cared less about anything at all! including my weight, unfortunitaly- for me.
I was a member of weight watchers before starting this med., i weighed in at a whopping 212lbs at 5'2".  I lost 40lbs with weight watchers and still going strong... untill i got myself started on that nasty little pill. it ruined me. Most of my issues are due to my obesity. All it did was contribute to helping me to not care, feel more relaxed, and gain back all i had worked so hard to loose.
Now,
I told my doc i wanted off of it, he did not want to take me off of it just yet, did not feel i was ready just yet, i felt differently.... so i showed him...... i quit "cold turkey".
BAD IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EVER TRY IT??????
DO NOT.............IT IS NOT WORTH IT, PLEASE LET THEM WEEN YOU OFF OF THE MED. THERE ARE SOME NASTY NASTY SIDE AFFECTS TO COME IF YOU DO IT THE WAY I DID!!!!!!!!!
Anyhow.....
i am on Welbutrin& Topamax.
They work wonders for me together.
Good luck to anyone considering this drug. I hated it. I will never ever take Effexor ever again.

[erika88]

Thank you very much to everyone who has posted; I no longer have to search the web for answers.  I have been on effexor for nearly a year and have also experienced stressing weight gain.  I previously weighed 110 pounds and now tip the scale over 130.  I am continually exercising and eating well, like I did before, but nothing is helping.  One of the reasons I went on this medication for my aniexty was my weight, and now my weight issues have come back.  I do however, feel so much better mentally.  I told myself last year, during the hardest time of my life, that I didn't care how fat I got, just as long as I was mentally sound.  But of course now I am upset about my weight.  I do want to go off the medication, but reading what others have posted I am wondering what is the most healthy choice.  If anyone has thoughts or experience about SUCCESSFULLY going off the medication and losing the weight it would be great to hear.  Thanks so much for your thoughts and opinions.

[sky74]

any tips on help with the detox part of effexor,im on my second week of weening off it has been so hard.mood swings ,vomiting ,headaces,brain shivers, body pains,did i say mood swings, i have 4 children they think mommy turning into a monster.:)ha ha. i go down another dose next saterday.thanx sallie

[Philis]

I have been on Effexor for many years for panic disorder. I am on a very low dose of 25 ml. The drug has worked very well for me with moderate side effects.  Nothing I could not deal with.  Six months ago I had a major scare that automaticly influenced me to stop smoking. I was a smoker for thirty some years. Ever since I stopped smoking, my very quick metabalism seems to have shut down.  Previously I could eat what I wanted, when I wanted, without weight gain. Now I have to watch everything I am eatting and with that I am gaining weight. I am wondering if those of you who experienced weight gain were or were not smokers.  Suddenly it has come to my attention that without the cigs reving up my metabalism perhaps the effexor is the cause of the weight gain.  I was 104lbs. now 112 or so.  Alot of my weight is also in my middle which has caused me to go up in size quite a bit.  I see however, if I stop really watching what I am eatting and I don't exersize I could be 30lbs heavier in no time.
Any feedback would be appreciated.  Thanks.

[sunflower33]

I have just stopped effexor about 1.5 weeks ago.  I was on it for about 1 1/2 years and had to get off after 25 lb. weight gain, effexor worked great for my mind, but not my body, felt very fat.  Does anyone know how long it takes to lose the effexor weight after stopping.  I work out every day and eat pretty well.  Just tired of not losing.  HELP!

[abarthol]

Hi everyone,
I have been taking Effexor for almost a year and in the last 5 months I have gained 50lbs. its awful and makes you feel so much worse about yourself, but also because on the effexor you lose interest in doing anything about the weight gain. I used to be very healthy and active and since taking heavy levels of effexor I just cant get myself to do anything. For all the benefits against depression it has, the side effects have made my life so much worse. I hope it works better for others because my effexor is just pulling me into a deep dark hole and it's going to be h*ll getting out.

[LEXII]

I AM SO GLAD I FOUND THIS SIGHT.
I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE STRUGGLING WITH WEIGHT GAIN DUE TO EFFEXOR.
I AM A 27 YEAR OLD MOTHER OF FOUR, MY NORMAL WEIGHT IS 115LBS. AFTER MY FOURTH CHILD WAS BORN WITH MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS THE DOC ADVISED I SHOULD TAKE EFFEXOR TO HELP DEAL WITH MY BABY BLUES AND THE ADDED STRESS OF A SICK NEWBORN. IN THE FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO TAKING EFFEXOR I HAD DROPPED BACK TO MY PRE PREGNANCY WEIGHT EASILY, BUT WITHIN WEEKS OF STARTING EFFEXOR I BEGAN TO PACK ON THE POUNDS. I WASN'T EATING MORE, IN FACT I WAS EATING LESS BECAUSE I WAS ALWAYS AT THE HOSPITAL.
I HAVE BEEN ON EFFEXOR (300MG) FOR A YEAR AND HAVE GAINED 45LBS, NO MATTER WHAT I DO I CAN'T SHED A POUND.INFACT I KEEP PUTTING ON A 1 - 2 POUNDS A WEEK.
I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT MY LITTLE GUY IS HEALTHIER THEN EVER NOW, AND WITH OUT THE STRESS I WANTED TO COME OFF THE EFFEXOR. I DROPPED DOWN TO 150MG EASILY ( NO WEIGHT LOSE)BUT SINCE TRYING TO GO DOWN TO 100MG I HAVE FELT SO ILL. DIZZY, SICK STOMACH, AND THE WORST HEADACHES. THE PAIN IS AWFUL.
ANYONE KNOW HOW LONG THIS WILL LAST?
AND WILL IT GET WORSE EACH TIME I LOWER MY DOSE?
I DON'T WANT TO STAY ON THE EFFEXOR BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL I NEED IT, AND THE ONLY THING DEPRESSING ME RIGHT NOW IT LOOKING IN THE MIRROR AND NOT RECOGNIZING THE PERSON STARING BACK AT ME.
WILL THE WEIGHT COME OFF ONCE I'M OFF THE EFFEXOR?
I READ THAT PROZAC WAS GOOD TO TAKE FOR THE WITHDRAWL, ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS?
THANKS

[LEXII]

HEY EVERYONE,
I JUST FINISHED READING A CLINICAL TRIAL ON GLUCOPHAGE AND HOW WHEN TAKEN IN COMBINATION WITH EFFEXOR (OR ANY ANTIDEPREESENT DRUG) CAN HELP WITH SUBSTANTIAL AND SUSTAINED WEIGHT LOSE.
HAS ANYONE TRIED THIS? OR KNOW ANY MORE INFO ON THIS?
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS, I THINK I MIGHT ASK MY DOCTOR ABOUT THIS ONE.
BYE FOR NOW

[sunflower33]

Hello again, I am finding alot of people asking about how to get off of Effexor and are a little scared.  I did it, and yes physically felt awful while getting off it (because it took 1 month to ween myself off), but within 2-3 days of my last dose, physically did not experience the nausea, dizziness, etc. anymore.  I am only on Xanex for panic attacks and I only need to take when I feel an attack coming on, and it works within 10-15 minutes.  

I am too glad to find this website, for so long I thought I was losing my mind with my weight gain and getting EXTREMELY depressed, I now find I am not alone and wasn't going crazy convinced that it was the effexor.  I have now been off of it completely for about 2-3 weeks.  I will keep you posted to let you know if this weight will ever come off again.  I do not recommend anyone taking this drug!

[alc0170]

I am so glad to have found this site. About 10 years ago I was taking Zoloft 200mg for 3 years and put on about 45 lbs. I eventually lost that weight plus some. I have been taking Effexor XR for about 2 years. I didn't notice the weight gain at first. I stopped the med for about 3 months in June when I became pregnant. When I lost my baby I went back on it going between 75 and 150 mg. I never lost the baby weight and have gone from wearing a size 10 in May 2005 to a 14/16 now.

I was recently talking with a dr. friend when he explained to me the dose-dependent effects of the SSRI and SNRI effects. No wonder I have no get-up-and-go. At 75 mg I am mostly gettin serontonin effects. No libido, not caring much about my appearance, and weight gain. I swore when I lost the 70 lbs that I would never gain it again, but thanks to Effexor I've been prven wrong.

  I am weaning myself off and have started Wellbutrin XL up to 300mg now. I agree with the withdrawal symptoms. It's almost as if the manufacturer doesn't want us to stop it (more money for them!!) Good luck to everyone.

[fattie]

Hi Everyone,
Yes I do agree, I am thankful there are places like this to see I am not nuts when I think I am just gaining weight, looking pregnant, being totally lazy and the list goes on.
I have been on effexor for about 2 yrs now. I started on 37.5 then went up to 75mg. I can say it took the tears away, but if I would have known the tradeoff was to gain 60lbs, I would NOT have taken the drug.
I try the same thing as most of you, to get off. Brain shivers, crying, etc. I want to get away from this drug so bad and I am going to, the only thing is as soon as I do, I start to cry for anything. I have a couple of questions for anyone that has been off the drug, did you loose the weight? Will this crying stop? Maybe the crying is a widthdrawl symptom? I really want to loose this belly of mine, it looks terrible. I exersize and still nothing happens. I can not eat one piece food all day or for days and not loose a pound. Will I start to loose this once I am off the effexor? Can anyone answer?
Thank you to all of you and good luck to everyone.

[bubeleh]

I really appreciate finding this site and all these comments.  I have been on numerous medications for years, most recently Effexor.  I was able to get off of it completely 6 weeks ago after having been on it for 3-4 years and gaining 40 pounds.  I know that is was the one drug that helped me when I was really desperate, and for that I am appreciative and value its effectiveness.

However, I wish that researchers knew more about the drug, and that what is known were more widely communicated.  I have felt humiliated and confused by the number of times doctors, therapists, nutritionists, family and friends have told me that what I am experiencing is not an Effexor side effect.

My Dr. took me as high as 450 mg before I quit her and found someone I trusted a lot more.  The new Dr. brought my Effextor dosage down very gradually.  My last 4 months I was opening up the capsules and counting granules.  For the last month, I took 8 granules a day.  I think that helped with the withdrawal, although it is also true that going from 15 granules to 8 granules was far more difficult for me than going from 300 mg to 150 mg.  I also began taking three Omega3 capsules a day, a multi-vitamin and iron, and I drink about 80 ounces of water a day.  I can't say for sure, but again, I think those have helped with the withdrawal as well.  Lastly, I have been working out.  It hasn't helped with weight, but psychologically, I think it has helped me deal with the withdrawal issues.

I gained 40 pounds in the last 3 years (though I didn't know it was that much).  I used to have an eating disorder and so, as a coping mechanism, I have swore off scales years ago.  I knew I had gained weight last year, but I didn't attribute it to the Effexor.  My Dr. and all the literature said that wasn't a significant side effect.  THey also said that my vividly gruesome nightmares, insomnia, irritability, an insane carb cravings weren't side effects.  Nor was a new face rash that broke out over the summer.  I assumed the weight gain was due to different exercise and eating habits that were related to the stress of my job, a baby, and relationship problems.  

Finally this fall I focused on losing the weight.  The first 2 things I noticed were how out of control the carb cravings were, and how difficult it was to develop stamina as I began to exercise regularly.  Friends and a nutritionist told me those were because I am depressed and getting old (38).  Okay, so I pushed myself harder in both areas.  4-5 times a week at the gym, each time doing 45 minutes of stairmaster and then 30 minutes of weight training each day.  Plus one hour of yoga a week.  And I really cut down on my eating.  It was like killing myself each day to do that amount of work, because it never got easier -- I never felt stronger or had more endurance.  The dieting wasn't hard, except for the uncontrollable need for carbs.  'Craving' isn't the right word for it.  It felt like an addiction -- like if I didn't get a carb in my mouth when I needed it I would tear the kitchen apart or race to the store and just buy a loaf of bread.  I had started to get on the scale at the gym, only to find that I was still gaining weight.  Everyone I asked for help assumed I was exaggerating my workout routine.  

Three weeks ago I stopped the Lexapro which the Dr. had initially hoped to transition me over to.  I feel a little less bloated, and I can feel the muscle underneath the fat which is better than before, so I think some of the bloating was due to the Lexapro.  The weight has leveled off to 30s pound over my target (that is, my weight 4 years ago).  I think the nutritionist is starting to take me seriously, and said that the SSRI's can effect metabolism and that can take a while to go back to 'normal'.  In the meantime she said that the body will refuse to give up the weight, and that if I undereat, the body is so desperate to keep the weight that it will eat away at muscle before it eats the fat.  I am working hard to focus on NOT feeling ashamed and embarrassed about my body for fear I could fall back into an eating problem, but it has been indescribably difficult to go through drug withdrawal, seemingly useless workouts, and a littany of experts and loved ones telling me that the weight gain has nothing to do with the drugs.  Honestly, if anything were going to make me suicidal these experiences would have.

Sorry to go on and on.  Hope this is helpful to someone.

[fattie]

Has anyone tried to take B12 for weigth loss?

[Angelgain]

Please check out these websites to learn more about antidepressants, side effects, weight gain and how you can help yourself (with your physician's knowledge!)
I have been on Effexor XR for about 2 years, but I realized I gained 40 lbs. and while on the higher dose only.  

www.prozactruth.com

www.labelmesane.com

There is a wealth of information on these websites that may help you.

Good Luck.

Angelgain

[Golah56]

I have been on Effexor (started at 37.5, then 75 and finally 150) for approx 6 years.  In Sept 05 I started(with Dr's assistance) to go down in my dosage, from 150 to 75 and now 37.5.  However, in the last 3 months I started gaining weight.  One of the side effects I read about Effexor is that it can cause anorexia.  My weight remained pretty constant for 5 years and 6 months.
Has anyone else experienced weight gain AFTER reducing their Effexor dosage?  
I stared taking Xanax about a year ago, as well.  And I'm diabetic.  My sugar levels stay in the mid- 300's( not good).
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[Marie/ Canada]

I have been on effexor and some of the other antidepressents but i never experienced a change in my weight with any of them.  Just give it a chance before you write it off.

[bubeleh]

I haven't heard about a reduced dosage causing weight gain, but that isn't to say it isn't responsible.  On the other hand, I've read that it is the length of time that you are on Effexor that can cause weight gain, so perhaps it is the 6 years that is the culprit.  I've also been told about Serotonin Syndrome which can have myriad effects on your body and is caused by high levels and combinations of drugs that affect serotonin.  One word about Xanax -- if it is helpful, great.  But do stay alert to your reaction to it.  I appreciated it at first, but found it less effective the longer I took it.  So my MD prescribed a higher dosage, which made me jittery and anxious.  I was told repeatedly by my MD that it was non-addictive and yet when I missed a pill or took less than I had the day before I had classic withdrawal symptoms including extreme irritability, short-attention span, inability to sit still, did I mention irritability, insomnia, episodes of rage, etc.  My new MD agrees that it is addictive and said she only prescribes it in rare cases, preferring to prescribe low doses of Ambien first.  Though there are now news articles about sleep-eating which may be caused by Ambien.  Who knows, but good luck.

[Golah56]

Thanks, for the info.  My DR.also told me that Xanax was highly addictive as well.  I am trying to get off of Effexor completely. I guess the next step after 37.5 of the drug would be complete elimination.  Good luck, indeed.
I suppose I need to re-read some of these threads to find out when exactly it is that I can expect to start losing this Effexor weight.  I was the only person I ever heard of that took prednesone for a week and LOST 14 pounds in that week!

[sunflower33]

Every time I come to this site and read more postings makes me feel so much better......I AM NOT IN THIS ALONE!!!  Finally I "think" I am starting to lose weight...I think it happened that last few days, I feel much less bloated and the hunger is barely there.  
I had a checkup about a week ago and my doc wants me back on the effexor for depression because I am so depressed, I tried telling her its because every time I look in the mirror it disgusts me and I tried telling her it was the effexor that did it to me but she highly disagrees. Making me feel like a crazy woman.
It has been about a little over a month or so (loss count) and I can see a difference in my waist, however I started taking omega 3 complex vitamin and I think that has alot to do with it. I just refuse to go back on the effexor.  If anyone else has anymore suggestions please post!! even email me ***@****.
Thank all of you!

[barzolaman]

I have started taking Effexor a few months back and started a diet also (Weight Watchers). I have managed to loss 19 lbs but did hit a plateau for about 3 weeks.  The Effexor did wonders for me mentally  and so far I have managed to stay on the diet. I hope that I can continue.

[barzolaman]

http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060315/msgs/623010.html

Here is a link that you might find useful.

[vaustin]

i have been taking effexor since May of 2003 and since then i have gained 90-95 lbs.  Diet and exercise do not work for me especially because i had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia one year prior to taking effexor.  Right now i'm on 150mg. Tomorrow i plan to talk to my doctor about being taken off of all my medication.  I've read that effexor helped deal with depression even though they had gained weight, but its just the opposite for me.  My former doctor put me on effexor, which i think was a mistake on his part.  I trusted his diagnoses when i told him that a close friend had just died when he asked if i had been feeling "sad" or "depressed" lately. but i told him that i had no prior symptoms of depression and still he wrote me a perscription.  I Regret taking this medication.  And i know that its partly my fault for listening to him.  Effexor had caused me to start cutting and i've been having intense feelings of depression.  Even when showing him the cuts on my arms and telling him that i was getting worse he kept upping the dosage.  I havent cut in a long time and thats due to my husband.  What i'm really worried about is the weight i've gained and if i'll be able to lose it even after being taken off of it.  If any one knows it would be helpful. Thanks.

[vaustin]

i have been taking effexor since May of 2003 and since then i have gained 90-95 lbs.  Diet and exercise do not work for me especially because i had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia one year prior to taking effexor.  Right now i'm on 150mg. Tomorrow i plan to talk to my doctor about being taken off of all my medication.  I've read that effexor helped deal with depression even though they had gained weight, but its just the opposite for me.  My former doctor put me on effexor, which i think was a mistake on his part.  I trusted his diagnoses when i told him that a close friend had just died when he asked if i had been feeling "sad" or "depressed" lately. but i told him that i had no prior symptoms of depression and still he wrote me a perscription.  I Regret taking this medication.  And i know that its partly my fault for listening to him.  Effexor had caused me to start cutting and i've been having intense feelings of depression.  Even when showing him the cuts on my arms and telling him that i was getting worse he kept upping the dosage.  I havent cut in a long time and thats due to my husband.  What i'm really worried about is the weight i've gained and if i'll be able to lose it even after being taken off of it.  If any one knows it would be helpful. Thanks.

[Tomjustone]

[Tomjustone]

I didn't gain weight while taking ffexor but I felt so num and subdued that i stopped exercising. When it was ineffective for the depression-like symptoms I was showing my DR increased the dosage. For me, the side-effects were worse thanwhat I had been experiencing and I chose to stop taking the drug. I tapered off for a month and then stopped cold turkey. I had horrible withdrawal symptoms including seasickness-like nausea, joint and limb pain, stomach cramps and diarrhea, mood swings, insomnia and probably, worst of all, the brain zaps or shivers.

I'm going into my 6th week off the drug and while the withdrawal symptoms are not as intense, I experience some of these negatives effects every day, particularly in the sfternoon as I tire.

My DR seemed unaware of the magnitude of the effects of coming off the drug and if I had been warned, I wouldn't have taken it. He wants to prescribe another antidepressant and I prefer to face my depression with therapy and diet and exercise. I don't want to face trhis experience again.

I fear I will feel this way the rest of my life. That's depressing!

[Tomjustone]

Sorry, second post....I gained 12 pounds in a month after I stopped taking Effexor.

[reddd71]

i was initially on wellbutrin for a couple years. initially worked but i leveled out and didn't feel as if it wasn't working as well. so i went on effxor xr. within 2 months i had gained 14 pounds. never had i had to worry about weight. i was getting older to people were saying that my metabolism was slowing w/ age. i am no longer on effexor and fighting to get the weight off. so far 5 pounds approx. i also did not care what was going on around me when i was on effexor and wellbutrin. i now realise that my depression lasted over 2 1/2yrs. once i removed my self from the situation and became clear headed after getting off of the depression meds i had realised that my depression was situational. i do have my bad days. but nothing like i did 2 yrs. ago. wellbutrin worked well at the time and i needed it. but be careful as you may only be in a situational depression which can be delt with over time. i hope this helps as all other comments on this site has helped me.

God Bless.

[ECU1995]

I had been on Effexor XR  for 2 years, taking 75mg per day.  Over the past 2 years I have gained 40 -45 lbs.

  I was taking it for mood swings and getting angry over the dumbest things.  At first I loved it.  I felt great. After 18 months I had to increase it to 150mg per day and i felt worse. I stopped using it cold turkey with the help of a product called Energize.(made by Isotori).  This was something i stumbled on to.  I didnt buy this to help the withdrawl, I bought it to help me exercise longer to lose weight.  I started to notice the withdrawl efeects and  misery was non-existant.  My wife who was on Prozac also quit cold turkey and used Energize.  NO WITHDRAWLS at all.  May be this is just a fluke but its working for both of us.  

You can buy this at Walmart or www.isatori.com

Also if you are trying to lose weight on Effexor, it is pretty much impossible.  If you stop using Effexor it will take about 6 months before you will see any of your weight coming off.

[starlette]

I took effexor xr for 4mo only for anxiety and weaned off.  Started at 37.5mg and steadily got to 150mg, the went backwards for 3 weeks with no problems.  I actually lost about 16 pounds because it completely took my appetite away.  Since then i gained about 10 back and i am only on Xanex.  My doctor says it is different for everyone, but effexor xr usually does not cause weight gain, so she says. I say if you can avoid any daily medication altogether and just take something short acting as needed, your metabolism will be much better off.

[dj02]

I am so thankful to "stumble" on this site.  I have been on effexor for about 5 months and don't even know how much I have gained.  I am 51 years old and have never been heavy.  I take 300 mg. daily at night.  I was thinking today, just because I have no energy during the day and want to sleep and seem to feel more awake as the night comes around, that I would see if I could find any information on this.  Wow, did I find out things on this site.  I am sorry for all of you who have gained weight, but at the same time, I am glad to know it is the medication.  I have been depressed most of my life without any medication or help until about 1 1/2 years ago.  I was at the suicidal point.  I had written letters to my grown children and was ready to "check out."  I don't know what stopped me.  I am not depressed to that point any longer, but I just don't want to do anything.  I go to work and that is about it.  All the while my middle and backside keep getting bigger.  I eat the same, walk every day and nothing happens.  I also have other health problems not related to the depression, but I am going to bring this up to my dr. this week.  I'll let you all know what her reaction is.  Thank you all for your advice and comments.

[BrandySny]

I'm a 27 year old female, I was on effexor for approximately 10 months.  It did help a little for a while, but eventually stopped working.  My dosage was 75mgs.  My doctor would have had me increase my dosage, but I can see where this is going, so instead I decided to stop taking it.  All my life I've been slender - I'm 5'6" and before Effexor my weight was 124-128 lbs (summer/winter).  While on Effexor, my weight went to 138-140 lbs.  Honestly, I've always eaten whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.  When I started noticing my pants not fitting - I panicked and tried eating very healthy - and it made no difference.  I tracked what I ate on fitday.com for the entire month of January, and I was averaging about 1700 calories a day - lots of veggies/fruit/fiber.  I quit taking it about a month ago and I am still gaining weight - in spite of being more active, doing resistance training to build muscle, and eating healthier than ever.  None of my clothes fit anymore and so I had to go out and buy "fat pants" and shirts that don't emphasize my gut.  Not to mention the cellulite is so gross.  Not only did I gain weight, but it seems like the medicine CHANGED WHERE I GAIN WEIGHT ON MY BODY.  I never had a gut before - when my weight did fluctuate, it usually went to my hips.  I haven't given up hope yet - I haven't thrown any of my old clothes away - every time I look in my closet I feel sad that a lot of the outfits I have grown to love no longer fit me.  I would not recommend this medication - it's not a miracle pill, it eventually stops working anyways - and the side effects and withdrawal make you worse for wear by the time you realize you need to stop taking it.  

I wonder how many doctors out there take this stuff - they are writing scripts for it like it's candy.  But I would bet you if a study was conducted to see how many physicians take antidepressants when they are feeling depressed, it would be a much lower percentage than the population at large.  The few medical professionals that I know who have taken antidepressants are now believers - and they agree with the rest of us.  And if I hear another doctor compare taking an SSRI with taking insulin for diabetes, I'm going to smack them across the face!  What a horrible, inaccurate analogy.  They don't even know how the SSRIs actually work - they're just spewing out the bile that the Pharmaceutical Representative who just bought their entire office lunch and a free round of golf told them!

[[e-mail]]

I was on this messed up drug for 4 years starting at 75mg then dropping down to 37.5 after gaining 20lbs and wondering what this drug was really doing to me.   I have been off this now for about 3 weeks total and feel much better now that the worst part of withdrawls are gone,  I still get nauseated after eating and feel like I am car sick, with bad dreams and brain zaps  and seems like still some roaring in my ears occasionally.  I think that this is a bad drug they didn't tell me about the withdrawls.    I am curious how long this all will last.  On another web site it said maybe 6 months to a year.   Wishing everyone luck and to feel better soon.

[christylynn]

Hi everyone!
I have been taking Effexor XR 150mg. for a month and I am experiencing weight loss. I went from weighing 169-172 lbs. to now weighing 155. I love this anti-depressant. I have found that it works for me when no other drug would. I have noticed that I get full fast and I have no desire to eat. I can only say that this drug has altered my sex drive considerably, but I was a bit over-sexed to begin with. The Effexor has made my sex drive more controllable. I hate to hear that everyone else has had a horrible experience, but drugs do work differently on everyone. Good Luck to everyone!

[suvo]

I agree with the above person-I have been Effexor XR 75mg-150mg for a few months now. I don't have much of an appetite, and I get full fast. I have lost at least 10 pounds, where I could not lose it before. I have not lost my sex drive at all. I am more rested and have more clear thinking. I was put on the med to help control my headaches. But, I also had to make some lifestyle changes, including getting more rest, eating a little differently, changing my vitamins, etc. I feel better than ever, and I am down to only having slight short-lived headaches 10% of the time. I hope this lasts for a long time.

[[e-mail]]

I am so happy you are loosing weight with this awful drug and it may be good now but watch out when you want to get off.  If isn't going to be good then.   Good luck you you both.

[ibclowning]

I am new to this site. I recently visited a Internal Medicine Dr, because of several problems I have experienced following  surgery in 2006 ( TAH). Being unable to take any hormone replacements, the medically induced menepause has been horrible to say the least. The surgery has caused everything to go haywire. Now my thyroid is all messed up as well. The weight gain from whatever is going on has just about driven me off the deep end. Nothing has worked so far with any of the meds that have been prescribed. I too have always had a normal weight that never exceeded 112 pounds at my heaviest. I now weigh 143. The Internal Medicine Dr, has just prescribed Effexor XR. She started me out on 37.5 for one week and then had me increase the dose x 2 at night. After reading all the comments on this site, I am scared to continue the med. I already have severe migraine headaches without adding anything that could make them worse and I am already 30 pounds heavier prior to starting the Effexor. The internal med Dr. said that the Effexor had been proven to help with night sweats and hot flashes. That is not my main problem right now. The unexplained weight gain is. If anyone can shed any light on any of this please do.

[lauragail]

wow!  i'm up 15 lbs in 2 months.  right away the med helped w/ my moods-and actually because i felt better i really believe ive been eating better, i even started exercising.  i have been totally baffled w/ my weight gain  but this website has absolutely shed light on that! ive been mistaken as being pregnant a handful of times the last 2 months, it is absolutely embarrassing...

[shay1406]

I am taking effexor XR and I have lost 9 pounds in a weeks time. I love the way it makes me feel. I haven't felt this way in a long time. The pill is a life saver for me. Now I am back to having fun doing what I want to do and still working. My life is wonderful. Thank god for my doctor and what she has done for me, not to mention the pill.

[changingreen]

The funny thing about these sights is that, just like everything else in life.  When someone has a comlaint they tell the world.  When someone is happy or satisfied with something, baybe 10% of the time, or less, will they tell anyone.  I take Effexor xr and have had success with my weight loss.  My appitite is like not even there, and when I do eat, I eat less.  I LOVE it.  I take it for anxiety.  Not depression, I am a pretty joyful person as it is.  I have noticed that alot of these weight gain storys are from users that are taking it for depression, I don't know it this hase anything to do with it, just thought I would through it out there!!!

[hwga]

I have just starting taking Effexor XR, I'm on 37.5, It has helped me tremendously with my depression/anxiety attacks. It has also decreased my appetite. I have even lost the desire to drink soda, which, prior to Effexor XR, I could not live without. It has been a lifesaver and I hope it continues to work this way for me, since I will be increasing my dosage in the following week to come.

[sacridote]

I took Effexor XR (150 mg) for depression and anxiety. I'm not sure that it is the cause of the weight gain, but I'm sure having a hell of a time losing weight. In the last year I've gained over 20 lbs. In the last several months I have tried to control portions and exercise. Each day I swim a mile and a half. This was taking up to 50 minutes (I'm getting much faster though). I consume about 1500 calories. have I lost anything? No.
As I wean off of Effexor (to resume another drug) I deal with the withdrawal. I just hope my efforts to lose the 20 lbs (or even 10!!!) will be more successful during my short drug free stint.

[weedle]

I have been off of meds for 4 years and it has taken me TONZ of hard work to loose the 60 lbs paxil put on me, but I have started to gain it back (20 lbs) so far (I excersize with a trainer and eat 1200 cal a day and still am gaining)  and my anxiety is back so I went to the doctor and told him I need help with my weight and anxiety/depression so he put me on EFFEXOR XR to loose weight. I was on it once before but I was pregnant so I don't know how the weight worked for me. Everyone here seems to sasy you gain weight and I am definately prone so pill weight gain. So would I be insane to listen to the doc that this is a drug for me to loose weight on???????

[Sams74]

Hello. My Dr increased my Effexor XR today and I'm hoping it will help me lose some wieght. From the research I've done, including this site...it's confusing, some lose, some gain. This is my story. Last February (2006) I started taking phentermine for weight loss. I went from 175lbs to 150 lbs in a few short months. Unfortunately, I have always had some struggles with depression but had never been on medication for it before. Summer of 2006, I was having some major job stressors, family stressors, etc. and was still trying to lose weight and taking pehntermine off & on. I believe the stressors along with mood problems from the phentermine totally exacerbated my depression and I was a wreck...a size 9/10, but a moody mess. In July I went to the doctor and was prescribed Effexor XR 37.5 and had stopped the phentermine. The Effexor helped tremendously even though I was only on the lowest dose. Basically, I stopped crying all the time and wasn't so anxious and irritable. Everything improved. Initially I had some difficulty sleeping and nausea, but this subsided. When I forgot to take my med or ran out I too had TERRIBLE side effects, bad headache, blurred vision, dizziness & nausea which would shortly go away after taking my medicine. Well, in April (2007) I quit the job that was causing me so mush stress and the family issues were over last year, so I decided (without my doctor's advice) to stop the Effexor on my own. I went through about two weeks of the bad physical side effects, and then after about three weeks I started having some depression symptoms again and started gaining weight, appetite increased, activity decreased, drive/motivation totally decreased, etc. in 4 months I gained 25 lbs. The first week of August, I refilled my Rx, started taking it August 8th and made an appointment with my doctor. After three weeks, I feel a little better and I've noticed that my appetite or desire to eat 'everything in the house' is decreasing, thank God! And, today my doctor put me back on the Effexor but doubled the dose. At 177 today, I'm hoping that even if it doesn't make me lose weight, it might help me get motivated enough to use my healthclub membership because none of my clothes fit anymore...I threw my 'fat clothes' out last year hoping I would never need them again :(  I'll post an update in a few weeks on my weight loss/gain situation.

[txd89]

I am on the lowest dose for menopausal depression. I lost 7 pounds in the first week and it came off mostly in the stomach area. I had previously been put on Glucophage for pre-diabetes. Endocrinologist at that time did a metabolism test and found it to be abnormally low. No amount of diet and exercise was working for me. An above post mentioned the combo of Effexor and Glucophage as being studied for weight loss and this might be why I am now having success getting off the weight I have held on to for years. Of course this has been a side effect I wasn't expecting, but glad it is happening for me. I do have a tremendous increase in energy and feel that it must be due to a now normalized metabolism. My depression has lifted, but hot flashes have only decreased, not disappeared... but I am happy with it. My family is thrilled with the new me. (I was really in bad shape and even discussed divorcing although I had no reasons for it. Cried for no reason all the time too.) AND as for coming off of it... I had to do without it for over a week because of a refill problem and had no withdrawal symptoms at all. I feel very badly that so many have such huge problems with it. I totally agree that it depends on your own individual body chemistry as to how you will react to this drug.

[mixi8899]

hi im 18 and recently had a baby, ive been put on efexor-xd 75mg for depression (NOT post natal depression tho) but not yet started and since reading these comments ive become a bit unsure due to the weight gain issue. ive noticed that the people that have gained weight have been in their thirty's.

could it be possible because of my age i woulndt be as prone to weight gain?
  

[Proud Army Wife]

I have been on effexor for about  7 weeks and have had a great experience with it!  I am taking it for anxiety because I have just not been myself since my hubby has been in Iraq.  I have lost about 13 pounds and feel great.  I think it is really hard to use all of these stories to decide whether or not you should take the drug.  The fact is that we are all different ages (I am 26), with different diets/excersize routines, we all have different genetics, and different metabolism rates.  My advice is that if your doctor thinks that you should take it...try it out.  The benefits way outweigh the risks...so you may feel like you have the flu or get lightheaded when coming off and gain some weight.  OR...you may feel like a different person, gain back some energy, loose some weight and feel alive again!  Don't let these stories scare you...give it a try...what do you REALLY have to loose!  

[Stoicjello]

I gained about 50 pounds in 11 months while on Effexor five years ago.  It managed my Clinical Depression with some degree of success but the weight gain countered any progress of the med itself.

It's been damned near impossible to loose.   It gave me a barrel stomach...protrudes out like I'm six months pregnant and that's the most prominent and most notable area.   I'm 48 which places me right at the menopause's door and that will only exacerbate the situation.  

The problem is then in the throws of my depression I wasn't eating that much--not 60-pounds worth.  I was more sedentary but I've never been an exercise freak./.  There were times when I could've sworn the weight gain was internal.  By that I mean it sometiems felt as if the fat was forming from the inside out--not from outside food coming in.

Three other acquaintances are also taking Effector and Seroquel (the same combo I took) and they've gained 40 to 70 pounds...I'm talking two men and one woman all over 45.

Interesting.

[dylansmom2]

I've been taking effexor for about a week now and have already noticed a change.. for the better in both my mood and decreasing my appetite.  I think for people who gain weight because of overeating.. do to depression (comfort food if you will) this drug may help reduce it because it's helping to relieve those feelings of eating out of despair.  This was my problem anyway, I would eat when I was depressed, it filled that hole.  Now that I have been stabalizing my seratonin levels I'm not indulging so much in other things.  This is just my theory.  Perhaps the people who are gaining weight are finding themselves happier so they now have an appetite where they may not have had one before because of depression.. just a thought.  

[wishIknewtoo]

You are so right! I don't need to repeat your words because my story is EXACTLY the same. The weight and the crazy side effects. I've never been really dependent   on anything but I think I am dependent on EFFEXOR. Apparently I cannot have a normal life without it. I get extremelly irritable, the suicidal thoughts come back, my brain is loopy, it's a mess. The medication does treat you but stopping it is worse than when you start. I feel so ashamed for being dependent on this drug. And shame on these freaking doctors that don't believe us when we say we are gaining weight because of Effexor just because it is not written on the side effects sheet.
I am 30 and I want to have more children. I am 20 lbs fatter and don't know what to do since both being fat and depressed are unbearable!!!


Life is tough.

[wishIknewtoo]

I am 30 and I have kept my 150 lbs for several years, even after being 205lbs right before I had my son I lost all the weight without diet going back to my 150s. Now, after 3 months on Effexor RX, I have gained 20 lbs without ANY change on diet or lifestyle. It  is mostly around my belly, I never had problems with abdominal fat before.
I am thinking of asking my Dr. to change my medication since I don't want to live with these extra  pounds. Very embarrassing.

I also believe doctors go very much by their books and don't listen enough to patients.This website is proof of it. I am on the medical field and that's why I am saying that.

I want to get off of Effexor once and for all.

[MrsB1]

[MrsB1]

Just come across this site looking for info on Effexor XR and weight gain.  Have been taking Effexor XR for about a year and have gradually gained 25 lbs, being more significant in the last few months.  I feel very uncomfortable and definitely unhappy about how I look - as with many of you, I have put the weight on all around my belly, waist and butt.  This I know is the worst place to carry extra fat re heart health, etc.  My Dr. suggested I try taking Wellbutrin along with the Effexor to lose weight but from what I've read some people can gain weight from Wellbutrin as well, even though it's supposed to initiate weight loss.  Having read all the stuff about side effects when coming off Effexor, I am regretting ever having started the drug, however at the time I was suffering from a major depressive episode and I was very frightened from the way I was at the time, so much so that I was prepared to try anything.  I have suffered from depression most of my life, although didn't realise it until I started reflecting on things.  I was able to control it though up until a few years ago.  I want to stop taking this drug but now I fear the consequences.  

[Juba]

Hi everyone:)  I was reading all the posts and decided to add one.  I have been on effexor xr 75 for three years.  My doctor put me on it for severe hot flashes...not for depression.  I have to say it worked great taking me from 20 to 30 severe hot flashes a day down to maybe 2.  I am now 50 years old and am being weaned off as I am thru the worst of my menopause and no longer need the effexor.  I HATE the side effects (all of which have been said on this site) of getting this drug out of my system, but I will endure it to get off of it.  During the three years on effexor xr 75 I gained 20 pounds.  I went from 125pds to 145pds at 5'4".  I cannot wait to get off this effexor and get rid of the extra pounds.  The extra pounds is definitly due to the effexor.  Up until I was put on the effexor I had trouble putting ON weight.  The bright side of all this is I will be off it soon...the pounds will go with it as I work on it...and I will feel normal again:)  Just can't wait:)   Keep on with all the encouraging words and information friends...you are all great and I appreciate this website:)

[suzyd42]

I asked my dr to give me an anti depressant for post partum depression (I've struggled through it 3 times before and thought it would be great to have help this time after baby no. 4). I was on 75mg of Effexor for approx 5mos but went off it cold turkey 2 weeks ago due to weight gain. I had the brain shivers and a bit of dizziness but nothing horrible.  If I had known that weight gain would be an issue I never would have gone on it!

Like some of you have posted, I originally had no appetite on Effexor for 2 - 3 weeks and felt very good emotionally. I started a 5x/week exercise regime at the same time as I started the drug and even though I factored in that I am older (42) and that Christmas was a very high caloric intake season - my post baby weight has not budged a bit and even though I had managed to have a fairly flat tummy after 3 babies I now have a spare tire that seems extremely resistant to exercise. I know my body and I know this is not the way it usually reacts.

I am anxious now about the posts I read about people not being able to regain their old metabolism after going off Effexor. Will someone give me some positive feedback!?

[cfc123]

i have been on effexor for awhile now and have lost ten pounds,plus i feel great..
          F.C feb.13 2008

[lhughes]

Same story here, in the beginning the med was excellent, even lost 10 pounds.  A year and a half later on 75mg, I've put back on that 10 pounds plus 15 more.  I started Atkins 2 weeks ago and have managed to ditch 8 pounds finally.  But the weight loss is more difficult that I could EVER have imagined.  I think these meds become a self-defeating kind of thing with weight loss...and I agree the another poster about the meds being like the weight comes from the inside, not necessarily from what you eat.  But you do want to eat EVERYTHING in sight sometimes.  It's weird.  Not necessarily craving, just insatiable appetite.

I'm hoping I can find some solution to my weight issues, it's not a pretty thing.  So far, so good, but last week was bad.  Here's hoping to getting back on track.

[ehang]

I have been on Effexor XR since November 1st.  I went on for anxiety and related high blood pressure.  I have dropped from a size 16 to a 10 and my eating patterns have totally changed.  I'm not sure if it is me making better choices or the meds.  I actually went on Effexor as a result of bad stomach problems due to stress so I then started eating three small meals a day (before I only ate dinner - and ALOT of dinner).  I find that Effexor cuts my craving for fatty foods but it may also be a result of trying to eat better foods for my stomach.  My issue is that I am afraid to get off of Effexor because I don't want to gain the weight again.  And, alll of the hellish stories I have read about getting off of Effexor.  Will keep you all posted about my path ... but most of all ... good luck to all of us who fight anxiety and depression.  The LAST thing we all need is weight GAIN.  I guess my only advice is to start eating the three small meals a day.  It has helped me and believe me,  I have not been this thin since I wore Granamals in grade school!

[lhughes]

Are you on blood pressure medicine?  I think I've finally pinpointed when my weight took off, and that was about 2 months after I stopped taking my blood pressure medicine (had also been taking the effexor during that time).  I think the 2 medicines may have helped each other and the effexor by itself is doing the damage now.

Congrats on the weight loss, though.  Wish I could manage mine better, but I've lost 8 pounds and now can't seem to go further.

[JLS22]

I was on Effexor for about a year, and at first I lost about 10 lbs (at one point I dropped to about 99 lbs!) and ate whatever I wanted while this happened.  I also quit exercising as much, about once a week or once every 2 weeks because Effexor made me unmotivated.  I seriously didn't care about anything while I was on it.  But it was good for a change since I used to worry ALL the time with my anxiety disorder.  My mind was sound and I mentally had never felt better. Not to mention I was skinny and didn't have to work for it!  Eventually, after about 7 months, I started gaining weight out of nowhere (about 10 lbs) so I started running/exercising at least 5 days a week and was on a strict, low carb diet.  DIDN'T WORK. There was nothing I could do and I lost no weight, and ended up gaining a few more lbs in the process.  It was then I made a personal decision that it wasn't worth it because my weight contributes to my anxiety.  So YES, it does cause weight loss AND weight gain, I just so happened to experience both.  And I've been struggling with my weight and metabolism ever since so I think it messed up my metabolism permanently. GRRR. Never getting back on it.  Other side effects included complete loss of sex drive, waking up in a pool of my own sweat in bed, extremely vivid dreams that distorted my own reality, dry mouth, loss of motivation for anything I used to care about.  It took me 3 months to wean myself off (my doc told me only 1 wk and I'll be perfectly fine..LIAR!).  I got so sick from the withdrawals that I will NEVER EVER AGAIN even consider that rat poison we know as Effexor.  I felt like a drug addict who stopped using.  Except I had no rehab support.  ps- I was only on 75 mg

[lhughes]

And to think I've been blaming the tamoxifen on the missing sex drive.  Thanks for letting me know.  I *want* to ditch the effexor, but I'm still not sure.

How did you wean yourself because if you quit just outright it does give you massive headaches, nausea etc.

I'm on 75 mg too since august 06.

[jetsstabler]

Do not take this drug, I can not get off the 50 lbs ive gained, i went from running marathons to barley able to run for thirty minutes

[haze2504]

I've been on Effexor xr for about 3 years.  It was great when I first started taking it. The depression was under control and I lost 25 pounds in three months while on it.  Once I was on it for about a year and my dosage went up to 175mg, the weight started to come back, and so did the depression.  I tried many times to get off it and it was hell.  Now the third year I'm on it, all the weight came back and I'm down to 75mg and still having a hard time getting off it. Don't try this drug until you are well informed and prepared.

[theSurvival]

Hi,

Just a theory of mine.  The appetite supressing characteristics of effexor may cause people to actually not eat enough, which will destroy your metabolism and put your body in a fat storing state. combined with a diet containing moderate to high amounts of carbohydrates, this can be an easy equation to fat gain. It seems to be more present in women, as they don't have as much muscle as men (which drastically increases metabolism) and they also tend to eat like birds when dieting (less is more mentality).  It's no breakthrough, but something to consider.  =)

I myself have been prescribed effexor over a year ago, but didn't take it as I wanted to be med free while undergoing CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) for anxiety/panic... i also have depression. I am considering taking effexor now, as the road i've been travelling has taken an unpredicted turn. I too, am concerned about weight gain from the drug... but I will try it anyway to find out how I react to it (no guts no glory).  

Ps. to all the people who swear effexor is a horrible drug and say 'DO NOT TAKe THIS DRUG!! YOU WILL ReGReT IT ... IT IS HORRIBLe' ... contrary to your belief, it just makes things harder for the people considering taking it   =P.  Your negative reviews are respected, but preaching like that can really be an obstacle to others.

[Brina504]

I have been taking Effexor for five years now.  I started taking it for my depression associated with bipolar disorder.  I have been up to 300mg and have recently reduced down to 150mg.  Since I have been on Effexor I have gained a tremendous amount of weight (over 75lbs).  While I do not blame this medicine for all of my weight gain (I have been on other meds as well)  I do think that it has contributed.  I have exercised and dieted consistently to no avail.  The thing that disturbs me most is the withdrawl that I have when I dont take it just one day.  While I wont say not to take this medicine (every person's chemistry is different so it wont be the same story for everyone) I would urge caution when a doctor prescribes it.

[jojo559]

Hubby has been on firstly Prozac for a few months last year (July to November) and then Effexor 75mgs daily since last November.  Was underweight to start with and initally lost about 10lbs in the first month of taking Prozac. It was really quiet alarming.   Was prescribed Ensure (meal replacement cartons) and still cant put the weight back on.  His appetite varies from poor to fairly good but we just come back from a 3 week holiday where he ate really well and still lost some weight.
Wish he had the weight gain side effect.  

[Evelyn699]

I have packed on an ugly 30 pounds since taking Effexor for 2 years.
At first I felt a great sense of relief and it took away all my depression.
I enrolled in college, went 4 nights a week, and I was burning with energy.
After about a year, weight began to accumulate, and I started huffing and puffing...hard to get in and out of the chairs at the college, etc.
A few months ago I cut my dose in half. I felt no difference emotionally...so I cut all the way down to the very beginning dose...35mg or whatever the one little pill is. I felt fine. Then I decided to just get off and test myself to see if my depression was simply a learned way of thinking, since it seems to be in the family. After one day off, I was so dizzy it was unreal! I had horrible nightmares...really creepy stuff...insomnia, heard sounds, could not turn my eyes to the side (like when driving!) without hearing the sound of a door slamming in the distance,etc.  I have just toughed it out and stayed off it about 2 months. I am HUGE. My body looks like a "Mrs Doubtfire" suit...and it is driving me crazy trying to get rid of this blubber.
I am now doing some detox tea. I figure it might take a year to get back to normal. I am fine emotionally...actually have some feelings back instead of walking around like a lizard or an asparagus...I was feeling nothing. It was nice for a while, but it feels good to shed a tear once in a while!!
Evelyln

[Evelyn699]

I agree. When I wanted to get some help for my overwhelming darkness, I got a lot of flack re: taking medication. I kept it a secret for a year, knowing I would be hounded to try all sorts of stuff I had already done to no avail.
Everyone should do whatever they gotta do to take care of themselves. I was in a totally black hole and Effexor changed my life in only 2 days! True, it does make you have almost no appetite (at least it did for me), and I did not consider your points on probable cause of weight gain. Thanks for sharing that.
Evelyn

[cristalt]

Hi Guys,

Been on Effexor 225mg for about two years... Didnt really notice the weight gain for a while and then it hit me because none of my clothes were fitting... It wasnt until I stopped drinking alcohol, soft-drinks, improved my eating habits, started dating a trainer and slogged my guts out five times a week that I realised there was a problem... Ive been training like a madman for two months, five times a week, and I haven't lost a single gram of weight.. Yes I look and feel better but there is no result on the scales...

After reading this forum, I am beginning to wonder what I should do... I have experienced all the side effects of just being late to take a dose by a couple of hours... The mental effects have been great and I finally feel in control of my life... Guess losing weight was the next step, but it just wont move... Off to the doctor i go to find out what i can do...

Cheers
Crystal

[tryingtohelp37]

My primary care doctor gave me effexor.  He never told me about the side effects.  I have gained weight 50+ pounds.  I felt emotionless.  Only taking 75mg per day.  I do not think I was a good canidate for this type of med and I don't think primary care docs should be allowed to give it.  The side effects of the withdrawl to get off this med were TERRIBLE.  I am angry that I was prescribed this med.  I will never again take a med without researching on my own first.  Docs are not always correct.

[your_friend_Jeff]

I’m totally with Evelyn699, cristalt, and trying to help 37 when it comes to the problems with taking effexor!  Here's why...

I'm a 36 yr old male who has dealt with a lot of adversity over the past 10 years. Watched my dad drop dead of a heart attack in front of me and my mother one morning, back in '94 at his young age of 57, and then lost my mom, 3 years later, in '97 from cancer, also at 57. I battled through that without any real anxiety/depression somehow!  Well 4 years or so later I met my fiancé (now my ex-wife, unfortunately) and finally felt happy for the first time in ages. Well, sadly enough, we lived together and dated for 4+ years, had a son together, and I inherited an awesome step-daughter in the process. Long story short, we got married in June '03, with my son only being 8 mo old, and she left me in March '08, ironically enough, the same night that I lost my job.  SO, my point is, she was taking effexor for 2 years before we met, and had went from 135 lbs to a large 260 lbs after our son was born. I, honestly, never understood the whole concept of "anxiety/depression" the whole time we were together, and told her to get off the effexor and deal with life like we all do because “everyone has anxiety, but they just deal with it” is what I told her over and over. What a jerk I was for saying that, looking back now.  So, there I was, sitting with a very nice home that I worked my butt off for, and now I had no job, separated from my wife, etc, and all of a sudden I had my first anxiety attack of my life. Now I understood what she was talking about, and felt bad for not understanding it before then.
Sorry for rambling but my point is this, I finally came to a point where I couldn't deal with the scary anxiety attacks anymore, so visited my Dr and he put me on effexor; just like he did with my then ex-wife many years before me.  I worked up to the 75mg dose within 2 weeks, and, although I had some really weird side effects while working my way up to the full dose, it ultimately resolved my panic/anxiety attacks so I thought I was happy. Well, after a short time, I realized that I had become VERY unsocial, had no sense of humor anymore, which all of my friends knew was one of my strongest traits in my life, and had absolutely NO sex drive, or at least the ability to climax anymore before I got bored with my new girlfriend. That SUCKED! So I took a trip with an old buddy of mine to Florida for spring break a few months ago, something I had never done in my life, and I decided, while down there, that I was going to stop taking my effexor, COLD TURKEY. BIG MISTAKE! Don’t EVER go cold turkey off this med because I truly believe it could kill ya!  I was fine for 2 days until I got back home, and by day 2/3, I was feeling like a total nut-case! I tried to stay away for another 2 days before I finally gave in and took a 75mg pill just to feel better.  So, from that day forward, I worked on a “weaning” regiment, and I can happily say that I have now been off of Effexor for about a month now. TRUST ME, it was probably the hardest thing that I’ve ever had to endure in my life, but I did it! The problem I’m having now is that, despite that I have my sex drive back now like a dog in heat, and have gained back a lot of my old “personality” back (at least according to my friends), I still have a few MAJOR problems. They are…
1. I have gained about 15 lbs since I got off the Effexor; even though hardly eat at all!
2. I still feel MAJOR fatigue every single day.
3. I still have to take at least one or two, 2mg lorazepam pills a day to control my anxiety or I would be back on the Effexor again!
Do NOT take Effexor unless you are prepared to deal with all of the side effects and such in the long term, at least based on my experience. It’s just not worth it!
God Bless all of you and I wish you nothing but the best to fight depression, but just be informed about the drugs that the docs will give you without explain the possible effects they can have on you short/long term!

[your_friend_Jeff]

Sorry again for my LONG last post. I spent a lot of time explaining why I'm, personally, depressed and such. We all have our reasons, obviously, why we get to this point, so that was all pretty much irrelevant, I guess. Sorry...
The main point that I meant to make was that we all need to be a little more diligent about checking into the meds that our dry’s prescribe us before we just believe that they know what they're talking about, and start taking them. Effexor has been a God-send for a lot of people, no doubt, but everyone should be informed, by their DR or otherwise, what they're potentially getting themselves into as well. That's where my Dr failed me, and I believe a lot of other DR's have failed all of you as well.  If we all visit sites like this and inform ourselves of the pros/cons of these meds, then, at least, we can make an educated decision if we think the advantages outweigh the negatives, right?

[kris024]

Hi,

My name is Kristin and I am 24.  I have been on medicine for 7 years to treat anxiety attacks.  I was having trouble keeping weight off, I didn't eat like a pig and I was a fairly active person.  I spoke with my doctor and he recommended effexor, in the first 26 days I lost 7 pounds.  I have been on the medicine now for 55 days, and lost a total of 10 pounds.  Hope this helps you too.

[amityk]

I have been struggling with my weight for many many years.  I am a stress eater, the more I stress the more I eat.  Well I started taking cymabalta which helped me w/ the stress and the stress eating but my weight still increased by 25 pounds :(  So, my dr tried my on effexor and I have been on it for 6-8 months now, not only does it work even better than the cymbalta for anxiety but I was able for the first time to   stop the constant severe weight gain, and lost 14 pounds :D. Considering that my husband was hit by a car and fractured his back in November and was just now able to return to work and the fact that I started  full time school which is more stress than I usually have and I have lost weight is miraculous for me.     Hope this helps!

[afreshstart42]

I'm 17 years old and I just started taking effexor. I have already lost a lot of weight. I have never hungry either. I also take adderall (adderrall) which also might  contribute to my weight loss. I have been doing great on effexor. I don't mind the fact that I will most likely have to take this drug for the rest of my life. If it helps make me feel better, then its no big deal to take a pill once a day. I do get stomach aches a lot though, I think it might be because I fell full most of the time so when I do eat i feel like I over eat. The first day I went from 37.5 to 75 mg. I ended up falling asleep for over three hours when I hardly ever take naps. Does that have anything to do with taking effexor?

[ShipwreckStefanie]

I started taking effexor as a recreational drug about 3 days ago.
I'm starting to learn maybe i shouldn't have gotten myself mixed up with it.
I've lost 5lbs so far, because I just can't stand to eat while I'm on this medicine.
It makes me feel nauseated and my vision is super blurred. I can't focus any of my thoughts, and it can be freezing cold and I will still sweat. My heart races, yet I can hardly feel my pulse... it's weird.
Bad thing is - is I only have one pill left, so I'm not ready for withdrawl symptoms, but I think I'm already addicted to this ****.

[ashers86]

I was just googling "Effexor and weight" and came across this...

Let me begin by commenting that Effexor is a heavy duty anti-depressant, it should not be used for any other reason because it is highly addictive - it takes months of tapering down the dose to get off of it.

Even if I miss one by mistake, it causes huge stomach upset. I've also noticed that If I'm late, my body "reminds" me by giving me a headache.

I honestly didn't know it could make you lose weight - I was warned the side effect is gaining weight, and have gained about 20-30 lbs. in the two years I've been on it - for other reasons, I have been eating less, and eating healthily too so it's not just me.

[Allylouya]

Hey Guys,

I started taking EEFEXOR Sep 2007 and decided two weeks ago to come off COLD TURKEY! It was tough first week, brain shivers, nausea, mood swings but all the PHYSICAL effects have now more or less gone! I put on TEN KILO'S
( about 25 pounds) on this drug and i'm DESPERATE to get it off!! I go to the gym 4 days a week (always have) and eat a balanced diet... I've noticed a 05-1.0 kilo loss in two weeks but does anyone know how long it takes to shift the weight??

Thank you for everyone's comments .. makes me feel "normal" to know i'm not alone :)

[Dot44]

I have been on Effexor for just over 3 years for severe OCD and am weaned off as of this past Saturday (3 days ago).  The brain shivers are very minimal but still have them a bit throughout the day but they are manageable.  I have  teenage boys that are very active and have not felt that I cannot keep up with their schedules.  I am looking forward though to dropping the 18 or so pounds that I have gained ... I was not able to gain a pound if I tried until on this medication although I will admit that my appetite did increase and energy level decreased.  Will keep you posted on the weight loss efforts (started a diet/excercise program this week).

[DrugFree]

I was on Effexor for 2 and a half years. It really did help with my OCD, depression and general anxiety. I lost 10 lbs not because a change in my diet but because of all the energy I had that Effexor had given me. But for the last 6 months, I had incredible leg pains and NO SLEEP. I even quit my job. My doctor thought I had MS. My last straw was to quit Effexor and guess what? All my problems went away. The withdrawal was HORRIBLE. I tapered off the pills for a few months and I wouldn't wish that pain on my worst enemy. I was crying for weeks, sweating, shivering, eating everything around me, NIGHTMARES, horrible stomach aches, moodiness etc. I can't believe my doctor didn't warn me of any of these things. Looking back, I would never have gone on antidepressants. I lost 6 months of work, I lived like a zombie wondering what was wrong with me. I now believe that antidepressants should be for dangerously depressed, suicidal people, not people with some OCD and anxiety problems like me.

So I've been off the drugs (which are also insanely expensive, $200/month for me) for almost 2 months now. I have nightmares like clockwork, still sweat and have gained 10 lbs, but it doesn't compare to the hell I've been through not knowing what was wrong with me. I feel that doctors don't know enough about these drugs to just be prescribing them to anyone that complains about a bit of depression in their life.

I urge anyone that is thinking about going on antidepressants to really think about what these chemicals do to your brain. Will they really help a chemical imbalance or are they just covering up a problem, and in the long run, giving you more?

My withdrawal was like Rentboy from Trainspotting, like getting off of heroin. How good can that be for your body?

Has anyone else gained weight coming OFF of antidepressants? I definitly do not have the same energy and can't stop eating!

[DrugFree]

After reading others' comments, I forgot to mention the brain zaps (only those on Effexor know what I'm talking about. What IS that??), leg and arm cramps, nauseousness, hot flashes, and crazy sleep patterns! My boyfriend would wake me up for work and get in the shower and he would find me asleep on the kitchen floor....But when I did have energy, it would take me way into the night washing the floor, doing laundry like a maniac.... One night I even went to Emergency to get a refill because my withdrawal was so bad after missing 2 days pills.
PLEASE, PLEASE.... do your own research before trying this medication. I have respect for doctors but they are only human and you can't rely on them 100%.....They don't know every single thing about every single drug out there and how it will affect you personally....I know it sounds silly, but take it from someone who has been there: a healthy lifestyle can go a long way! A healthy diet, vitamins, regular exercise and counselling/therapy might be a better option than pills for you. I'll never try another drug ever again!

[fatfromeffexor]

So has anyone acutally LOST weight after quitting the effexor?  I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who became a fat blob after taking it so I'm going to talk to my dr about getting off it.  But I'm wondering when to see any results in the weight loss??????

[jen405]

I have been on 150mg of effexor for a little over two years. I have been weening myself from it for a little over 2 weeks now. I have gained over 40lbs, and I noticed that while I wasnt really depressed anymore I really just didnt care, didnt care how I looked, how my house looked, I was just sorta a zombie. So since I stopped taking it, I havent really had any of the physical withdrawl symptoms (no vommiting, stomach problems, headaches) but my brain feels like it is "on" at all times, I feel just wound up and I cant sleep (so I am back taking ambien that I havent had to take in almost a year).  But the weird thing is that I seem to have more energy, or that I actaully care about how my house looks or the work on my desk (seems like when I was on it I was just like "eh, house is a mess, who cares" "pile of stuff to file, eh I'll do it later"). But then I dont know if that is good or bad, cause now I am kinda obsessing with stuff, I dont want anything out of place, I want everything neat and I get a little cranky if its not.
Can and ex users tell if they lost weight after being off it and how long it takes to get out of your system?

[erry]

I have been on effexor for about a year now. I have really bad anxiety that effects my mood. I also take klonopin. Effexor is the only drug that has ever worked for me, but I forgot a couple of doses a while ago and had these electric sensations running through my veins. It was really scary. Since then,my dose has been upped to 150 mg. I had gained weight despite working out as if it were my job, but since I upped my dose, I have noticed that my appetite has decreased. It's strange, because from what everyone is saying, Effexor has caused them to gain weight. Another thing I have noticed since upping my dose is that I feel really mellow and laid back, which is totally unlike me. I almost feel too mellow and kind of tired. I guess that beats having panic attacks though. The loss of sex drive *****. I am just not interested in sex at all. My boyfriend knows its because of the meds, but I miss having a sex drive and when I do have sex, I'm just not feeling it that much.

[mommy52]

Each time my dose was increased I would experience anorexia. Went from 75 to 300mg. Last week the Effexor was changed to Pristiq (sp) Effexor would cost $550+ without insurance where Pristiq would cost $132. Now I' going through severe loss of appetite again. The last 2 days, I probably have eaten more than 1/2 cup of food totaled. I am hoing I will adjust and some of appetite will return.SEX? What's that. I resolved long ago--Sanity vs. Sex. Sanity won. Must admit I don not feel too sane at this moment.Feel crappy. Don't know if all med changes or just me. It's horrible that in our country our elderly must choose food over meds. I can relate to that now. Our meds without ins.--$5000.00+ ,that would be less if COBRA (1306 ) paid. Then couldn't pay co-pays. I am glad to be alive. Not whining or am I?. Guess I am complaining. Our country has become________. Don't know how to describe it,But still proud of where I live.

[citytaintedphotograph]

Before I started Effexor, I was on Wellbutrin for 5 months. It helped with my energy level at first, but then I was back to normal.

One thing I liked is that it's a very strong appetite suppressant. Because I was never hungry, I got to make the choice of what I wanted to eat and when, which led me to think and eat healthier.

I've never been overweight, but I lost 10lbs in the first month I was on Wellbutrin and have kept it off for 4 with no changes to diet or exercise.

My doctor more recently added Effexor which made my energy level skyrocket. It's ridiculous. I never want to eat anything, I can clean my whole house in a night and I'm far more focused at work. I'm still on a lower dose, so not feeling the full effects, but despite the insomnia I've been experiencing, I have no problem getting out of bed in the morning anymore. And I've lost 2 lbs this week.

I really think this combination is helping me. But it IS different for every person. My metabolism is fairly healthy, and it doesn't seem to be affected by either medication, except to lessen my appetite.

[Ava_B]

I actually lost about 35 pounds while on effexor. at 5'8'' i went from being around 165 to 130 in about 9 months or so..quite a dramatic weight loss considering i was an average weight before..but no complaints!! currently im on 225 mg too and dont seem to have any bad side effects

[lisaburk8]

I actually lost weight while on Effexor also HOWEVER, I took it for 11 years and am now off and I'm gaining weight HORRIBLY.  It's around the mid section and I seem to have no control over it.  It's making me very depressed.  My best advice after taking this for so long, going through the absolute NIGHTMARE of trying to get off of it and now having this weight issue, is not to take it to begin with.  It has horrible side effects and getting off of it has even worse side effects.  There are better medicines out there to help with depression, this isn't worth the pain.  I have a list a mile long of side effects also!  TERRIBLE drug.

[Meritarie]

I've asked my doctor several times about my weight gain being related to the Effexor. He always says it's not. I'm convinced he's wrong. I've been on Effexor for about 4 1/2 years and I've gained 40 pounds. I've tried dieting and not a pound comes off. I exercise and eat well and drink lots of water...nothing. My blood pressure is also higher and I sweat like crazy all the time. I'm only 39 but thought I was pre-menopausal or something. My doctor blames the high blood pressure and sweating on the weight gain, but won't consider that the weight gain is because of the medicine. ARGH! It's frustrating. I don't want to be vein about it because I will admit that I don't have the crying spells and suicidal thoughts I used to have. I have a much better outlook on life, but I hate the way my body looks.

[Maria6900]

I was on cipralex for one year, then on cymbalta for a few months, and finally effexor for a few months. I gained weight steadily, and ended up about 30 pounds heavier than prior to the medication. The biggest weight gain came while on effexor.

I slowly got off it about a year ago, and it was an awful experience. I was suicidal and very destructive - but I've found that exercise and an increased amount of therapy is much, much better for me.

The problem is that my weight will not go down... I work out 3-4 times a week, and watch my diet. My body is fit, but the doctor told me that the medicine may have caused thyroid issues. I feel that the only thing I can do is just continue to eat healthy, and continue to be active. Hopefully my body will adjust..

But - I will never, ever use medication to deal with depression/anxiety again. It was a dead end for me.

[Geech]

I have been on the drug for about 8 months now, on 37mg. I don't think it is helping me much, and I have recently gained weight without a 'reason'. It really blows to join a gym, start working out, and then having the weight increase. Not very motivating. I am still depressed, but after reading these posts I wonder if I should get off this med. I also have had the worst pms lately. The day my period starts I feel terrible, crazy, furious. Does this sound at all familiar? I'm 38 years old, by the way.
       Also lately, I'm having terrible facial sweating. Sometimes I feel like I'm just bathed in sweat ...not fun!! It has to be the med......
     I truly feel so sad for all of the people who posted on this site who are struggling with depression. I don't understand why it has to be this way. Good luck to everyone.

[Anxiety_queen]

I've been on Effexor for a month and have been increased to the 225 dosage and have lost a total of 20 lbs.  The drug has completely wiped out my appetite so I guess it can go both ways.  I have to force myself to eat.  No other side effects though.  I'm taking it for anxiety but so far it hasn't really worked - crossing my fingers and hoping it will soon kick in!

[chloe930]

hi iam jenna  iam 19 iam on Effexor about 2 years now iam always worried if i gain weight no this pill my doctor said no but iam less hungry do u feel the same way as i do ?

[tootoot1966]

I took effexor for about 2 years back in 2001-2003 @ 300 mg. I actually lost weight the whole time I took it. It was great for my depression and anxiety. Only problem was it lost its effectiveness so went on other antidepressants and gained weight. I actually have been off medication for about 3 years now. But, now find myself needing medication again. My Dr. decided to try Effexor again. I've only been taking it for 4 days and have lost 10lbs. I have no clue why it makes me lose weight. I was a size 2 the whole time I took the medication. While off I went gradually up to a size 11. I actually don't remember withdrawal. I just know taking it now has caused nausea and headache. Just wanted to give my perspective on this. Maybe it will help you decide what is best for you. God Bless all of you that suffer with this horrible disease.

[Geech]

I have been trying to wean myself off of the 37.5 mg effexor. After what everyone else said about withdrawal, I decided to open the capsules and remove a few more granules every day. On day 1 I removed two granules. So far it has been about 3 weeks, and I removed 50 today. There are still a bunch down in there so I have a ways to go. I imagine that if you taper really gradually that it would be easier on the system. So far I've been ok, nothing terrible has happened. And when I had my period this time, I managed much better. I didn't feel crazy like before. I am definitely lloking forward to getting off this medication! I wish everyone the best of luck with depression and its treatment.

[M0NSTERR]

Hey Guys

I am a 24 year old woman. I have been on Effexor since 2003 (I was on it from 99-00 and it worked well for my anxiety/depression until it lost its effectiveness). Since then, I have gained 100lbs. I take 300mg daily, before I go to bed.

My normal weight was 185 - but I am tall and very muscular, so I wore it well. Last year I hot 289 and I freaked out. I lost 30lbs in '08, hardcore dieting and exercising.

So far this year, I haven't lost anything. I've been hovering at 255-265. I have intense cravings for carbs - unlike anything I have ever experienced. One girl above said she couldn't even call it a craving, that it was more like an addiction. That is exactly how I feel.

I just started working at an alternative grocery store. We carry organic food, vitamins, supplements, etc. I have taken a long, hard look at who I have become.

I don't go out anymore. At work I am paid to be social and friendly, and I can pull it off. At home, I prefer to be alone. It's hard for me to want to go out with my friends...I really have to be in the mood for it, and even then I would rather stay at home. I haven't dated in forever (years) and I'm pretty...there have been offers.

I'm like a shell of who I used to be. I am numb. I didn't even realize how numb I was until looking at this board. I'm tired all of the time. My heart rate, at any given time - even when I am very relaxed - is in the 90's. When I try to exercise and build up endurance, I feel like I'm not getting anywhere... my endurance never increases.

I've been on this medication for so long...it truly has done wonders for my anxiety. I used to be afraid to leave my house. Afraid to go to class, because I might get called on...afraid to go out for stupid reasons. Now, I can go up to random customers, strangers, and strike up conversations with them and help them with whatever they need.

But...I don't even remember ME anymore. I'm afraid to go off this medicine. I'm afraid to gain more weight. I have begun taking vitamins diligently now, everything that I have read that Effexor depletes. I will add the Omegas, since some people have said that has helped them.

Do any of you guys have advice for me? I just switched jobs, so I won't have insurance until October...I have enough Effexor to last until then. Once my insurance picks back up (90 days, yadda yadda yadda), I will tell my doctor that I want to go off the medication.

How long after you were off Effexor until you left "normal"? I am not too concerned about the withdrawl effects, because if I miss my medicine even by 4 hours...I am a wreck. I feel carsick, dizzy, headache, not connected to my body, shaky, my stomach is messed up, hot and cold flashes, buzzing noises, etc....so many. It's the worst feeling in the world.

Did the Effexor weight come off by itself? Or was it stubborn weight?

What medications/herbs/vitamins helped transition you from taking Effexor to not taking it?

I guess it's pointless to ask what other medications you've found that help your anxiety/depression... I know everything affects everyone else differently.

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated! I need to take hold of my life and get off this ****.

Thanks!

[Jennitasia]

First question: Are you taking any other medications that could effect your wieght?

If your just simply going to take an anit-depressant for depression, then Effexor in my opinion is the best!

I have been taking Effexor for about one year. I am taking 75mg twice a day.

I actually take a huge quanity of other medications with this medication as well.
I take Albuteral, Seroquel, Ambilify, Ritlin, and Valium.

When I first started taking Effexor, I noticed that I felt more upbeat, and energetic!
I lost ten pounds after taking Effexor.(130 to 120)
I have stayed at 120.

Medications work different for everyone, so remember that if your doctor prescribes you something, then take it excactly how your supposed to!

In my opinion, Effexor is a wonderful drug with few side effects. Here are some of the side effects that I had: dry mouth, constipation, hot flashes, and some jitters
These all went away within a few months after taking the drug.

I hope this helps you.
Other medications that I have tried before Effexor that did NOT work or made me gain weight!

Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin, and Cymbalta.  (These may work great for others, but just did not for me. It may also be of concern that I am Bipolar and ADD, so different drugs affect different people!)

[alicianonymous]

Hey there!

I never really post on these things, but I've been back and forth to this thread for a while.

I was taking Effexor for about 2 years, worked up to 150mg.  I have gained about 25lbs.  I started going back to the gym and eating well and after a couple weeks, I hadn't lost a pound.  I felt well enough and annoyed enough with this stuff to get off of it, so in March, I started weaning off.  It took me a couple weeks to wean off completely as well as a week and a half off of work.  I basically slept most of the day and avoided people.  I totally recommend doing the same if you can. It took about a month to feel "normal."

I was extremely concerned about losing the weight I'd gained, afraid that it wouldn't happen. I scoured the internet for any information on the subject and was really discouraged after reading so many people saying that they just can't lose the weight.

Today, I am 9 pounds lighter after a month and half of eating extremely well (at least 5 days out of the week!) and doing cardio/strength training AT LEAST 4 times a week.  I also cut way back on alcohol.  I will say that I feel that if it weren't for the drug, all my effort would have paid off even more, but then again, I'm 29 going on 30.  :P  2 of those pounds just drastically dropped off, even after a decadent weekend.

So, for me, I feel that I am able to lose the weight.  The fact that it's starting to come off faster, with not as much effort leads me to believe that my metabolism is getting back in gear.

I hope that this post has been somewhat of a glimmer of hope for you as well as everyone else.  I was seriously hard pressed to find any positive feedback on this topic.  I do feel that at times, I am fighting off the depression, but that's a fight I'm willing to take on.  While I understand this medicine is helpful to many people, I feel that it is harmful to most.  I'll fight hard to not have to take anything like Effexor again and what better way to fight it than with exercise and healthy food.

:)

[effexornot]

I am currently starting to wean off my origional 75mg dose that I have been taking for approx 7 months. I also (like most others) have gained approx 20 lbs of belly and butt weight. I have never in my life had a problem with belly fat (and I am 30) until I started taking Effexor. Very depressing and terrifying. I hope to be completely effexor free by october. It is good to hear that alicianonymous has lost some weight since stopping the medication. Anyone else have similar results??? I have already completely changed my diet to low carb/low sugar, increased protein and working out and started a metabolism booster. I have seen no results since I started 3 weeks ago.

Anyone have any better suggestions??

[M0NSTERR]

Hi Alicia!

Thank you so much for your feedback. Like you said, it was really hard to find any information about losing the weight once you're off the medication...so I appreciate your firsthand account of it.

So...question. You got off of Effexor in April, so from them until now you lost about 10 lbs, but you only started dieting about a month and a half ago. Do you think your metabolism is getting back to normal because of your diet changes and exercise? Or that it took your body those months to adjust to being off the meds?

Thank you again so much! Congrats on the weight loss - that's awesome. You have definitely given me some hope.

[BeaniePie]

Hi all
I have experienced weight gain on Effexor. My dose is 375mg a day and over 3 months I gained approx 1-2 pounds each week. I struggled to get doctors and health professionals to take seriously that this was linked to the Effexor.
After much persuasion I finally got my GP to run some blood tests and it seems that my Prolactin levels were at 1100, the normal being 500. I am told by my GP that this a a rare side effect of Effexor but funnily enough high Prolactin levels cause your body to store all fat (as if you were breastfeeding), along with missed periods, nausea and other side effects.

I am not saying this is everyones issue but I know I have really suffered with people assuming it was due to me eating too much etc etc and at times I thought I was going crazy as no-one believed me.

I am now weaning off Effexor so we will see if this was the cause of my weight gain.

I will update with results from this but to all those suffering with the same weight gains, dont get dispondent and insist to your health professional that you want further investigation.

Some people will be linked with effexor and weight gain whilst others will not but at the end of the day I say trust your own body and instincts, after all we are depressed not CRAZY as some would like to think.

[badger_lol]

I have been reading your posts and find all of this extremely interesting!

I was put on effexor XL by my doctor to get me through my honours year at uni. Studying law has killed me! I was told it would be a temporary fix for my long term annorexia (anorexia) and bulimia. I started on 25mg then increased to 75mg, then 150mg and am now at 225mg. I hav to take the tablets at night as they make me very drowsy.

I am terrified of gaining weight and suffer a anxiety. I started the medication in March and by June had gained almost a stone. It is now September and I have gained 1st 4lbs in total. The weight gain is making my annorexia (anorexia) and bulimia worse! I mentioned this to my doctor a few eeks ago and he stated that he would keep an eye on it! I have now not taken my effexor for around 6 days and feel like death! A phone call to NHS 24 had me worried about swine flu! Now they are saying i have some viral infection of the chest and ear! BUT after researching it seems that actually i have severe withdrawal symptoms of effexor! Nausea, Diaorhhea, Vertigo, Headaches, Exhaustion, Abdominal cramps, Insomnia! To top it all....more f***ing weight gain!

Please someone tell me im not going insane and that the weight gain is caused by effexor?!? I mean i have eating disorders and have never gained weight for 3 years! I have always continued to lose weight until i started on effexor!

[wenwalker]

I have been on Effexor for 2 years on a 37.5 dose at night. Recently have gone off this medication using the withdrawal method prescribed by my doctor.. Sept 11 was my last pill. I still have a bit of dizziness and the sweats. I to have gained weight. About 12-15 lbs. Joined weight watchers 2 months ago and as of today have losts 5lbs. That is with walking 40 minutes a day 4-5 times a week. It has been discouraging at times because I could lose weight faster. Not this time. I will not give up and would encourage others to do the same. I express my thoughts much more openly now. Like "did I say that out loud". Oh well. I will not go back on this medication. Anyone know how long to have this drug completly out of my system?

[alicianonymous]

Hey!

Sorry for the delay.  

You asked, "Do you think your metabolism is getting back to normal because of your diet changes and exercise? Or that it took your body those months to adjust to being off the meds?"

There's really no way of knowing, but perhaps a combination of the two?  From the quackery the docs spit out about what this medication does and doesn't do, I don't even think they'd be able to answer that question.  I can only go by what I *feel* is going on here.  It feels to me that both scenarios worked in concert with one another to bring me to where I am.  I've lost another 3 pounds since my first post, so I'm down to an 11lb loss. I have been very conscious of my eating habits, but I still have my splurge days.  It seems that now those splurge days don't do all that much damage as I know they would have months ago.

Though you are/were taking it twice as long and taking twice as much as me, I think you can beat this and start putting it all behind you.  So, if you can bear to be without this drug and can start a good diet/exercise regimen, I have faith that you too can lose those pounds and gain back yourself.

Stay strong and don't lose hope!

[effexornot]

After being on Effexor 75mg for 6 months, I decided to get off due to weight gain. Decrease in anxiety and mood swings significantly reduced, however, 20 lbs weight gain not worth it to me. I have stopped taking the med for a week now and I have noticed a difference already in my body. Though I have only lost a around 2 lbs, my body composition is starting to change. My clothes are fitting looser and I don't feel so bloated in by belly like I used to.
If you are all on effexor for a significant amount of time with a high dose, concider that time and dosing that has caused the weight gain and then factor that into the time you are expecting to lose weight after off the med altogether. It will happen. It takes time. It especially takes time when you are trying to loose the weight in healthy ways to keep it off perminately.
Good luck to all and if I can start this weight loss battle, so can you!