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Effexor XR

Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

User Ratings
Out of 10
Satisfaction
6.4
7.2  Effectiveness
6.4  Side Effects
7.3  Holistic Benefits

RateADrug users have reported 10 Effexor XR side effects and 6 Effexor XR benefits.

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Treatment Information
The generic name of this medication is venlafaxine and brand name is Effexor XR.

The active ingredients of this medication are venlaxifine hydrochloride and microcrystalline.

Effexor XR is manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

Mainly used in the treatment of depression, generalized or social anxiety disorder/ panic disorder.
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How does your Treatment Compare?
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BrandsEffectivenessHolistic BenefitsSide
Effects		Number of Ratings
Effexor XR 7.06 6.74 5.22 32 Get Info
Lexapro 5.79 6.18 3.68 42 Get Info
Prozac 5.39 5.71 4.64 54 Get Info
Pristiq 4.35 5.25 5.67 57 Get Info
Cymbalta 4.16 5.01 5.57 49 Get Info
Citalopram Hydrobromide 3.28 4.76 5.86 60 Get Info
View All About these Scores Get Your Score
Effectiveness of Effexor XR by Condition
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Effectiveness on "Depression"
Bar Chart
About these Results  
Not at all Mildly Moderately Very Extremely
How effective is Effexor XR?  Get Your Score
Reported Changes in Health and Well-Being
Since taking Effexor XR, RateADrug survey participants noticed these changes in their health:
Effect on:Much WorseWorseNo ChangeBetterMuch Better
Appetite 5.3% 23.7% 50% 18.4% 2.6%
Balance/Equilibrium 2.9% 17.1% 71.4% 2.9% 5.7%
Blood Pressure 5.6% 27.8% 55.6% 8.3% 2.8%
Breathing 8.8% 5.9% 70.6% 8.8% 5.9%
Confidence 7% 14% 20.9% 34.9% 23.3%
Coordination/Motor Skills 0% 14.3% 68.6% 11.4% 5.7%
Digestion 5.6% 13.9% 72.2% 5.6% 2.8%
Emotional Well-being 6.4% 8.5% 6.4% 46.8% 31.9%
Energy 7% 18.6% 34.9% 34.9% 4.7%
Eyesight 2.9% 22.9% 68.6% 2.9% 2.9%
Memory 2.4% 29.3% 41.5% 22% 4.9%
Mental Clarity 4.7% 18.6% 32.6% 37.2% 7%
Pain 6.1% 3% 78.8% 3% 9.1%
Patience 5% 15% 30% 35% 15%
Sexual Health 17.9% 25.6% 41% 12.8% 2.6%
Skin Complexion 0% 12.5% 84.4% 0% 3.1%
Sleep 7% 23.3% 32.6% 23.3% 14%
Stress Level 4.5% 18.2% 20.5% 36.4% 20.5%
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Commonly Reported Effexor XR Side Effects
RateADrug survey participants experienced these commonly reported side effects:
Effect on:NoneMildModerateStrongSevere
Abdominal Pain 74.1% 7.4% 11.1% 7.4% 0%
Allergic Reaction 87.1% 9.7% 0% 0% 3.2%
Anxiety 63.6% 15.2% 15.2% 6.1% 0%
Breathing Difficulties 66.7% 0% 0% 0% 33.3%
Change in Sex Drive 34.2% 18.4% 7.9% 15.8% 23.7%
Cold Symptoms 83.3% 0% 16.7% 0% 0%
Confusion 83.3% 16.7% 0% 0% 0%
Constipation 50% 23.3% 6.7% 13.3% 6.7%
Depression 66.7% 16.7% 16.7% 0% 0%
Diarrhea 67.6% 11.8% 5.9% 8.8% 5.9%
Difficulty Urinating 83.9% 3.2% 3.2% 6.5% 3.2%
Dizziness 58.8% 17.6% 17.6% 5.9% 0%
Dry Mouth 60% 20% 11.4% 8.6% 0%
Erectile Dysfunction 90.5% 0% 0% 0% 9.5%
Fatigue 48.5% 9.1% 18.2% 21.2% 3%
Fever 83.3% 0% 16.7% 0% 0%
Gas 66.7% 33.3% 0% 0% 0%
Headache 54.3% 14.3% 11.4% 20% 0%
Insomnia 43.2% 21.6% 18.9% 10.8% 5.4%
Irregular Heartbeat 50% 16.7% 16.7% 16.7% 0%
Irritability / Impatience 72.7% 4.5% 13.6% 9.1% 0%
Mood Swings 50% 0% 33.3% 16.7% 0%
Muscle Cramping 50% 16.7% 33.3% 0% 0%
Nausea 81.8% 18.2% 0% 0% 0%
Relaxed / Calming Sensation 71.4% 23.8% 0% 4.8% 0%
Sexual Dysfunction 59.1% 9.1% 0% 18.2% 13.6%
Stomach Ache 83.3% 16.7% 0% 0% 0%
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Less Commonly Reported Effexor XR Side Effects
RateADrug survey participants experienced less commonly reported side effects:
Effect on:NoneMildModerateStrongSevere
Blurred Vision 68% 16% 4% 8% 4%
Change in Weight 36.1% 25% 16.7% 11.1% 11.1%
Erectile Dysfunction 57.1% 28.6% 0% 0% 14.3%
Heart Attack 96.4% 3.6% 0% 0% 0%
Increased Depression 67.7% 16.1% 9.7% 3.2% 3.2%
Irritability / Impatience 41.7% 25% 16.7% 8.3% 8.3%
Liver Damage 92.9% 3.6% 3.6% 0% 0%
Nausea 54.5% 36.4% 9.1% 0% 0%
Reduced Libido 57.1% 0% 14.3% 14.3% 14.3%
Relaxed / Calming Sensation 38.5% 7.7% 38.5% 15.4% 0%
Seizures 89.7% 6.9% 0% 3.4% 0%
Sexual Dysfunction 33.3% 20% 6.7% 13.3% 26.7%
Stroke 96.4% 3.6% 0% 0% 0%
Suicidal Tendencies 75% 6.2% 15.6% 0% 3.1%
Sweating 0% 0% 0% 100% 0%
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Episodes since taking Effexor XR
Since taking Effexor XR Rate a Drug survey participants reported these episodes:
Fall 2.9%
Heart attack 1.4%
Hospitalization 2.9%
Seizure 2.9%
Stroke 2.9%
About these Results  
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User Comments about Effexor XR
11 Dec 2011 I feel it's not working for me
   —Posted by Anonymous
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27 Jul 2011 I found this drug moderately successful. I have not experienced tremendous relief from my depression, but it has definitely lifted me out of my most helpless state. It has given me the beginning push to allow myself to get my life back under my control. I experienced NO side effects. But this information is all from my personal experience - I am NOT a professional, reputable medical professional and this review should not be listened to above that of a doctor or specialist.
   —Posted by KarnayWilson
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26 Jul 2011 My son was diagnosed as Bipolar but was mostly manic and rarely depressed. The doctors started him on Effexor which put him in such a high state of mania that he had to be hospitalized. Yet the doctors kept prescribing this poison. They counteracted it with Seroquel which made him sleep, and Lithium which made him shake so badly he could barely hold onto anything. I couldn't stand watching the doctors do this to him, so I weaned him off everything slowly. He did great for 3 years. Then suddenly, he started having schizophrenic tendencies. Paranoia, delusions, mania. I blame the drugs. Has anyone else experienced "drug induced" mental problems? He is not on any medication now, and he is not capable of holding a job. It makes me angry that doctors play "Russian Roulette" with medications and don't seem to care about the consequences. My son is 37 years old and living in my basement (by choice). He is capable of caring for himself (thank God) but has very outlandish delusions.
   —Posted by Pebbles999
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15 Jul 2011 Effexor has helped me with my depression and anxiety don't get me wrong, but this drug is very addictive, you'll see what I mean when you miss a dose. So long as it works for you and you never miss a dose, I do recommend Effexor.
   —Posted by Anonymous
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01 Nov 2010 I wanted to tell other people that I think there is a way to get off this drug. I'll tell you what I am doing that seems to lessen the withdrawal effect. First get a notepad because you are going to want to write everything down because you will be decreasing your dosages. Your effexor XR capsule will have little white beads inside of it. Depending on your dosage, that is how many beads are in it. My dose is 75 mg, so I have 75 little white beads in it. Step 2 is to get a small dark colored bowl and a pencil. Next wiggle "cap" off the capsule. This is the shorter end of the capsule. Once you have it off then set it to the side. Now you will see that there are the tiny little white beads inside. Do not dump the entire content of beads into the dark colored bowl! (I use the dark colored bowl since it's easier to spot and count the beads). Now while holding the capsule, tip it slightly to loosen the beads up and grab your pencil. With the pencil tip, easily scrape the beads out one at a time if you can. Always check your bowl and COUNT the white beads because you need to be exact. EVERY DAY YOU WILL REDUCE YOUR DOSAGE BY 5 WHITE BEADS! DON'T REDUCE BY ANYMORE THAN THAT OR YOU WILL DEFINITELY EXPERIENCE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS! Once you remove 5 beads from the capsule, screw the top "cap" on snug. You will have to wiggle it back on. Discard the beads preferably in an old medicine bottle with a child-proof cap. Take the capsule with at least a bottle of water to wash down and WITH food. Do not take with juice because I heard it can increase the effects of medications. So far I have reduced by Effexor dosage from 75 mg to 40mg with no side effects. I am really starting to feel like I am getting my personality back! Plus I have dropped a few pounds since my body is feeling alive again. I recommend this method to anyone wanting to get off this Effexor nightmare. Do not stop cold turkey or you'll be like a person experiencing a heroin withdrawal and that's not a pretty sight!
   —Posted by malyn
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