Effexor XR is it worth it!!!?

Question

Effexor XR is it worth it??? I got some sample from the doctor to take it, but i scared to death of the side effects.. I need help with my aneixty, but i soo scared of taking new meds... I guess you can call it a fear of mine!! lol What side effects have you experiance with this, and what did it do with your weight?? I have already taken paxil and lexapro and either work for me.. Paxil made me gain 16 pounds and lexapro made me sick as a dog!!!

Answer 1

Here are the cost vs. benefits of taking Effexor

We'll start with the benefits.
Effexor is a multiple reuptake inhibitor, which modulates two neuro transmitters in your brain, norepinephrine and serotonine. Once at a theraputic range, Effexor and take you out of the most deepest and darkest depression imagineable.

Here are the cons (and they are not exaggerated)
Effexor is the most addicting of all of the antidepressants on the market today. Not addicting in a way similar to fun drugs. Because of the complex way Effexor works, your brain wil become dependant to the point where Effexor may become a permanent part of your life. The withdrawal syndrome from effexor is the absolute worst amongst the serotogenic drugs. Due to the short elimination half life (amount of time it stays in yoru system) you can experience withdrawal by missing just one dose! Effexor is the hardest antidepressant to stop taking. Let's say you reach the therautic dosage of 300mg, you will have to taper off in 30mg incriments, per week. That means it will take at least 10 weeks to wean off, that is, if your brain lets you.

Effexor is only recommended for deep deep depression and try taking anything else, unless it is your last resort.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

I didn't gain weight on it and it was really effective for my depression (and as an added bonus, my social anxiety.) But I did have sexual side effects, which is why I eventually went off of it to try something else. It is not a medication you want to go off of cold turkey, the dose really needs to be tapered gradually.

Paxil and Lexapro are both SSRI's, Effexor is in a different catagory, so you might have a better response to it.

If you want to see what other people have to say about it (or any medication), check out www.remedyfind.com. It's a website where consumers rate and describe their experiences with different meds.

Answer 3

Most of these types of meds take 4-8 wks for the full effect. Unfortunately side effects come with all these types of medication believe me I know, I have a bunch myself. I however do not take effexor, but had a friend who did and he also did not like side effects so he just stopped taking them, I will be honest I liked him much better on it than off and told him that all the time. Stick with it and give it time to take the full effect, I would imagine you are under the care a physician for this.

Answer 4

I have taken Effexor for 3 years. I take 150 mg a day and it has made a world of difference, but the cons are something to think about. I went 1 day w/o because I was waiting for my mailorder and it was a disturbing feeling. It did scare me, but compared to what I felt like 3 yrs ago I feel it is worth it. I am bi-polar and I am a rapid cycler. I also take Lamitcal (mood stablizer).

You and your pdoc have to decide.Always keep a (beakglass) emergency backup.

Answer 5

Make sure you dont need to do anything.

I took them for just 3 days, saturday and sunday were great, slept like a baby. But on monday at work I was ok until the afternoon, I got sweaty and was not able to take in any information so I had to go home. Looking back I would say they made me stoned in a way.

Answer 6

It makes you thin and feel real good! I know and i am on it!