Effexor Information

Effexor

Effexor/ Venlafaxine is in a new class of anti-depressant medications that affects chemical messengers within the brain. These chemical messengers are called neurotransmitters, and some examples are serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Neurotransmitters are manufactured by nerve cells and are released by the cells. The neurotransmitters travel to nearby nerve cells and cause the cells to become more or less active. Many experts believe that an imbalance in these neurotransmitters is the cause of depression and also may play a role in anxiety. Venlafaxine is believed to work by inhibiting the release or affecting the action of these neurotransmitters. Venlafaxine is available in an extended release formulation (Effexor XR).

Venlafaxine is prescribed for the treatment of depression, depression with associated symptoms of anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Effexor XR is approved for the treatment of adults with panic disorder.

What's inside Effexor

Recent Effexor Side Effects

Posted by mamamay144 9 days ago
Good morning to all, After reading so many of your comments against this drug I decided to go off of it cold turkey while staying on my Nutritional supplements this is day 2 and I am experiencing some dizziness and some nausea but I will not give up I will do what it takes to get this product out of my body and if any of you would like to do the same by trying some of the products that I'm on please e-mail me and I'd do my best to help my prayers go out to you all thank you for posting your comments it has helped me make the decision that I knew I needed to!!! In Health Mamamay144

Posted by kathyd67 11 days ago
I was put on Effexor XR 75mg and took it for 4 months ~ primarily to deal with a very violent traumatic event that happened to me. I doubt I was "depressed" I think it was post traumatic stress more. But anyway through traditional therapy with a wonderful caring therapist I was able to overcome the feelings of worthlessness and failure. I wanted to be off the Effexor because I am not a proponent of long term dependence on DRUGS!! I had NO sex drive and I really felt void of emotion ~ I didn't cry or have any outward emotion for almost the entire time I was taking the medication & also I had gained 20lbs and I have always been 120-125 lbs as I am 5'5" . I really wish my Dr. had explained that weaning off this DRUG would be so miserable - because I would have never taken it. He explained to me that I should take one 75mg capsule every other day for a week ~ then stop!!! Bad advise~ right away I felt the brain tremors- extreme body pain especially in my hips and legs ~ night sweats and I also experienced a rash that covered my arms and legs. I am off almost a week now & even though the withdraw symptoms are tapering off- it's not fair to put people through this unnecessarily ~ PLEASE INFORM PATIENTS!!! & I would not suggest anyone get yourself roped into taking this awful med- do your research beforehand and don't trust Physicians who's 1st allegiance is to drug companies!!!!

Posted by lynip 29 days ago
As a retired RN, left me share that effexor literally saved my life, I had tried numerous antidepressants ( prozac nearly killed me after just a few days) and finally I got onto effexor. It is a great drug but you must understand it well, it must be introduced gradually and weaned off gradually. It controls the serotonin function of the brain, even so I had regularly off days when established on this and it seemed to happen very 8-10 weeks, as regular as clockwork, in these periods I just didn't function at all, so my doc (great old world doctor) supplemented me with the lowest dose of Wellbutrin and I have been my old self without any functioning problems at all. I was on 300mg of effexor daily for 6 years and now I am weaned to 150mg daily and I still feel awesome. Not all drugs work for everybody so it is a bit of a trial and error game, the really great news is that as I wean down from effexor I'm getting horny again and my sex life is definitely improving.......whoopee.........which is what I'm getting more of these days....LOL

Effexor in the News

AAPM: Drug for Fibromyalgia Boosts Multiple Outcomes - MedPage Today
AAPM: Drug for Fibromyalgia Boosts Multiple OutcomesMedPage TodayMilnacipran is chemically similar to the antidepressant venlafaxine (Effexor). However, milnacipran has three times the power to inhibit norepinephrine ...and more »
Fri Feb 05 20:23:56 +0000 2010

Stopping antidepressants? Go slowly, avoid symptoms - Chicago Tribune
Chicago TribuneStopping antidepressants? Go slowly, avoid symptomsChicago Tribune... I was able to reverse the 'brain zaps' I had when stopping Effexor XR, and then I came off the Prozac slowly with no withdrawal symptoms. ...
Sat Jan 23 09:47:10 +0000 2010

James Cameron Is Making People Sad - PW-Philadelphia Weekly (blog)
PW-Philadelphia Weekly (blog)James Cameron Is Making People SadPW-Philadelphia Weekly (blog)... appallingly bad — suggesting to me that the world is collapsing into a sea of poor taste. Even then, I think the Effexor will keep working.and more »
Tue Jan 12 21:30:12 +0000 2010

Effexor Chemical Information

venlafaxine hydrochloride - A synthetic ethyl-cyclohexanol derivative used for the treatment of depression, Venlafaxine Hydrochloride is metabolized to O-desmethylvenlafaxine, which potentiates CNS activity. Both venlafaxine and its active metabolite inhibit neuronal reuptake of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. (NCI04)