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Effexor Side Effects - Venlafaxine

On the Panic - Anxiety Disorders Forum, medications and side effects are often discussed. It may be alarming to start a new medication and experience different problems. These links will take you to specific discussions about Effexor (venlafaxine). You may click on the link and read the messages as a Forum Guest. To post your own messages on the Forum, you will need to register (free). For more information on using the Forum, please see the Forum How To's.
Blood Pressure and Cholesterol and Effexor
"I just began taking Effexor. Anyone else out there on it? I've read that it can increase your cholesterol or cause high blood pressure, neither of which I have a history of. Has anyone been on Effexor for a while and run into trouble with it?"
Blood Pressure and Effexor
"My doctor is considering switching me from Nardil to Effexor, since they both work on depression and anxiety. But I read that Effexor can also raise the blood pressure. Has anybody who's been on Effexor experienced this? (the PDR says that it only happens at higher doses)."
Drugged or Hazy Feelings and Effexor
"I've just started Effexor XR, and I'm going nuts. I HATE this feeling! It's as if I've taken some heavy duty cold medication: not sleepy (the opposite, actually), just drugged, as if I'm a little slower than usual. Hazy. I find myself zoning out. And there's the cotton mouth, the nausea, and the slightly blurred vision. (All side effects I've experienced previously, with other anti-depressants.)"
Fast or Irregular Heartbeat and Effexor
"Can Effexor cause a fast heartrate and/or irregular heartbeat? Also, how common is the high blood pressure issue?"
Increased Anxiety and Effexor XR
"I just took my first dose of Effexor (35 mg) yesterday and I thought I was going to go crazy. I couldn't think or concentrate, I felt kinda drunk, a headache and my anxieties felt worse than before I had taken it. So has anyone who is on or has taken Effexor XR had any side effects the first couple of days while going on this medicine?"
Increased Anxiety and Effexor
"I started taking Effexor about a month ago. I've been experiencing anxiety symptoms all the time - lightheaded, lethargy, brain fog, legs/arms feeling weak, shaky hands and muscle twitches, - some of which were my original symptoms, some that have just started with the beginning of the meds."
Low Energy and Effexor
"I started Effexor XR 10 days ago. I feel as if my brain were dulled. Things that I normally enjoy doing, I no longer want to do. I have less energy, less motivation than *before* I started!! I just feel like some kind of stupefied robot. Has anyone else experienced this?? What did you do?"
More Tired and Depressed on Effexor
"Last week I was prescribed Effexor for anxiety, along with Xanax to help with sleep. I have been taking effexor for five days and I feel like I have some kind of flu mixed with melancholy. I felt anxious and depressed before taking the effexor, but now it seems I'm more tired and depressed than anxious, if that makes sense. It is a weary, disconnected feeling."
Skin Rash and Effexor
"I developed a huge rash a week and a half after starting Effexor and I just wanted to know if anyone else has had a similar experience. I stopped taking the medication the other day, but it seems like it's taking a while for the rash to go away. How long is Effexor in your system for?"
Withdrawal and Effexor - Rushing Sounds, Blood Pressure
"I am currently going off Effexor and onto Zoloft. I experience a 'rush' in my ears, am so very tired, and my blood pressure rocketed to 150 to 180 when I'm used to or usually around 110."
Withdrawal and Effexor - More Depressed
"I stopped taking Effexor a little over a month ago because it really wasn't helping me at all. Just for about the past week, I've been really down and depressed. I was pretty much taking the meds for anxiety and never had problems with depression before. Does anyone know if this could be caused by going off the Effexor even though I've been off it for a month and is this going to go away?"
Withdrawal Symptoms and Effexor - Hallucinations
"Has anyone halluicinated while withdrawing off Effexor XR? If so, how long does it last?"
Withdrawal Symptoms and Effexor
"I only used Effexor for 4 days. About 1 and a half months after I stopped, my vision is still very wierd. I feel constantly drunk. I have constant headaches. Before this medication I never had headaches in my life. Also I have the ringing in my ear. Is this normal? And if so when will it stop?"
Withdrawal Symptoms and Effexor - Brain Zaps
"I have been trying like hell to get off Effexor. I was on 225 mgs but had to get off this drug because of the side effects. I was on the drug for a year and I have tappered down to 37.5 every second day. But those Brain ZAPS - they drive me crazy. Any idea how long they will last? Yesterday was so bad I broke down and took a 37.5 mg to stop them."
Withdrawal Symptoms and Effexor - Worse Vision and Brain Shocks
"I stopped taking Effexor about 3 weeks ago and I'm doing pretty well. Went through the 'brain shocks' and all of that horrible stuff but most of it's subsided. One thing I have noticed is that my vision seems to be a bit worse since I stopped the Effexor. Does anyone know if this is a usual side effect from the withdrawal?"
Effexor (venlafaxine)
Discussions about side effects from the forum community at Nancy Schimelpfening's About Depression site.
Venlafaxine (Effexor) - Side Effects
Includes common side effects, less common side effects, when to call the doctor, withdrawal side effects, and overdose effects. From Kimberly Bailey & Marcia Purse, About Bipolar.

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