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To those of you who take/have taken Effexor and thier Pharm Reps?

I would like to personally thank Wyeth and thier amazing drug "Effexor" used for depression. I have been on it for 5 years and am now trying to wean myself slowly off of it. This so called "drug" has caused the worst possible side effects that I've ever encountered in my life. As i was happy when I was on it at the amazing price of 50 bucks a month with insurance ($180 without it), life was ok, so it made my hard earned money totally worth the expense every month before I found about the nasty effects it causes when you try to get off of it. I love the brain shocks, insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, rapid heartbeat and all the other crap I have been enduring over the past two weeks that Wyeth does not tell you on thier Effexor website. And to the beloved Pharmaceutical Reps that sell this drug to Dr's. Thanks for 5 great years of "chemical happiness" by blowing the seritonin levels in my brain through the roof. Way to go Wyeth, an expensive drug that really does your patients well!!

Public Comments

1. I understand your pain, as I have friends who have tried to wean themselves off many different SSRIs etc and have felt the the side effects you are describing. But as a person who works in pharmaceuticals, I am sorry to say that all of the side effects you have mentioned are actually listed in the patient information/package insert that should come with your medication. Please have a look at the following link: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm?fuseaction=Search.Label_ApprovalHistory#apphist Type in effexor, click on effexor again, go to label information and you should be able to get the current approved product information for this product. This is the FDA site that lists the relevant labeling for all prescription drugs. In the effexor labeling, it has a section on Discontinuation of Treatment. I think the huge problem is that doctors don't spend much time with their patients talking about EVERYTHING that is in this product information. It is a very useful tool for patients, doctors and pharmacists and I suggest having a read. Wishing you good thoughts - hope you are feeling better soon.
2. i was on effexor xr 75 mg for a little over a year and now it has been 2 years since i stopped taking it because of the side effects i didnt have any trouble weening off after a year but i would much rather deal with bi-polar effects then side effects from pills.
3. I know how you feel. Effexor is one of the worst for withdrawal symptoms (i think its second only to Paxil). I tried 4 different antidepressants till i found one that was right for me. Dont worry - it will get better. the symptoms wont last too much longer. If you decide to go back on meds, ask your doctor for an antidepressant with a long half life. These are easier to come off (and also dont make you feel crappy if you forget to take one). Prozac has a pretty long half life. And Lexapro and Zoloft are not to bad either.