I've been on it for about a year, so I can't remember all the side effects I first had, but one suggestion would be to take it right before you go to bed. That's what I do, then I don't feel anything. I used to get nauseuous, but now that I take it right before bed, I don't. Especially if your on an XR, it would work good. Hope that helps, a little bit.

I'm reluctant to speak to these types of concerns. There are so many issues related to medicines, health issues, foods, allergies, alcohol, etc.

A first line of defense is to call your pharmacy. If they are closed, contact your local hospital for info. If the symptoms are severe consider a walk in clinic and speak to a nurse or doctor.

The best advice I can give you and something I do very often is call the pharmacist where you picked up the medicine. They are there to help and answer questions as well as fill the prescription. They will tell you the side effects and put your mind at ease. I can tell you that when I have started some meds in the past I did get headaches. Call the pharmacy when you can and ask them about the other problems you are having.

I could not get thru the free sample packs of Effexor XR... the continuous headaches became so severe that I told the doc that I don't care what the pharmacuiticals are pushing as the flavor of the month, if someone is not suicidal when they start it, they will be within five days.

I just can't take SNRIs like effexor... SSRIs work best on me.

this is what the drug book says about side effects:
CNS: Somnolence, dizziness, insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, tremor, dreams.
CV: Vasodilation, hypertension, tachycardia.
Dermatoligic: Sweating, rash, pruritus.
GI: Nausea, constipation, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting, dyspepsia, dry mouth, flatulence.
GU: abnormal ejaculation, impotence, urinary frequency.
Other: Headache, asthenia, infection, chills, Chest pain.

Dont know if that helps at all but its what I can give..

I take about 300 mg a day now and been talking them for over 4 years. I had side effect (not nice) for about a month, then all was fine. If they persist, go back to your doc: they may just not be right for you. I hope you find something that helps you.

had no side effects, been on 300 for a year

I was on it a couple years ago but didn't have any side effects. Hope they ease up for you

I have been on them about 4 months now. I've been thru all the side effects.. even some of the rare ones but they all passed as time went on. Give it time if you can stand it. DO NOT stop cold turkey. The withdraw is positively brutal.

hi ashlee03

I dont know how long you have been on effexor or if it is the regular or he XR. Anyway all the side effects listed could drive one crazy, so it is very possible that early on the first few weeks or so you can experience any, all or none of the listed effects.

I do remember the headaches and nausea but they went away no prob.

Taking meds at night are tricky due to sleep issues.

you got a lot of good advice on this board and I hope you feel better soon.

I don't remember any of those symptons when i started. The only problem I have ever had was that it increased my blood pressure.

I'm on Effexor, and I had some side effects in the very beginning, but it settled itself after a few weeks.

Getting OFF of this drug was very, very difficult for me. Many of those symptoms Ashlee describes...like having the flu and feel achey and headachey. The good thing is this is a good drug and helped me when I had depression/anxiety but when it resolved, I felt addicted to Effexor. Not a good thing.

I should probably clarify a couple of things about where I'm at with the Effexor. I'm on Effexor XR and only taking 37.5mg/daily in the morning, because I'm also taking Lexapro.

Second, I have been on this for about two months now, but I noticed it took awhile for it to begin working for me.

Finally, I have epilepsy, so I can tell that the anti-depressants are fighting against the anti-epileptic drugs, and I have tried many anti-depressants in the past that had little side effects, but they did not work. So, maybe this is causing the splitting headaches and other side effects as well.

Ouch, I'm just not sure what to do; go off of this stuff and have suicidal thoughts and be more depressed so I can have less seizures and side effects or stay on it and have more seizures. Thankfully I'm getting the VNS soon, and I just pray that this will be an answer since I have tried nearly 10 anti-depressants and close to 10 anti-epileptic medications!

Ashlee, discuss your options with your doctor. There are many, many drugs and options that can be looked at. Sounds like this isn't the right drug "cocktail" for you. It is all trial and error unfortunately. Giving the doctor this information will help him/her figure this out. Let us know how it goes.