48 patient evaluations for Effexor XR

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Aug 23, 2008 (Started May 25, 2005)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: 112.5 mg Daily
Advice & Tips: I take all my medications with either a spoonful of yogurt, or rice pudding to make swallowing easier. My quality of life is much better, now that I seem to be in control with this medication for the emotional liability. Tried sever anti-depressants medications, but found this to work the best.
Cost: < $25 monthly

Aug 14, 2008 (Started May 25, 2005)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for emotional lability)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: 112.5 mg Daily
Cost: < $25 monthly
  • 0 helpful marks

Nov 19, 2010 (Started May 01, 2005)

  • Effectiveness
    Slight (for anxious mood)
  • Side effects
    None (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: 37.5 mg Daily
Advice & Tips: This medication was slightly helpful when added to the Trileptal that I had already been taking for a few months. I am on the lowest possible dose now and could probably stop taking it (it's been 4 years) but I'm reluctant to do so because of the very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms I experience (severe parathesia which feel like electric shocks, eventually causing muscle cramps). I'm also a bit scared that my mood would go back to the way it was 4 years ago. It's almost certainly the Trileptal that's fixed my problems, but since the Effexor is relatively inexpensive I've adopted an 'If it aint broke, don't fix it' attitude towards the situation. If that changes in the future I'll update.
Cost: $25-49 monthly

Feb 2, 2010 (Started May 01, 2005)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for anxious mood)
  • Side effects
    None (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: 37.5 mg Daily
  • 1 helpful mark

Jul 10, 2010 (Started May 10, 2009)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for major depressive disorder)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall) (nausea)
  • Adherence
    Usually
  • Burden
    A little hard to take
Dosage: 150 mg Daily
Advice & Tips: For the love of all that is good and holy do bnot stop taking suddenly. The withdrawal is absolute mindrape.
Side effects: nausea, nausea
  • 0 helpful marks

Jun 30, 2010 (Started Jan 15, 2008)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for major depressive disorder)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: 150 mg Daily
Advice & Tips: Makes you shaky at first but that goes away and, once you get the right dosage, it really is a life-saver (literally!).
  • 0 helpful marks

May 17, 2010 (Started Jan 14, 2008)

  • Effectiveness
    Slight (for depressed mood)
  • Effectiveness
    None (for anxious mood)
  • Side effects
    None (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Very hard to take
Dosage: 150 mg Daily
Advice & Tips: The only reason this pill is a burden to take is because they don't work any more. It is way past time when I need to switch to a different anti-depressant. Hopefully this week after I talk to pschyciatrist (ms).
  • 0 helpful marks

May 8, 2010 (Started May 07, 2010)

  • Effectiveness
    Major (for major depressive disorder)
  • Side effects
    None (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: 75 mg Daily
Advice & Tips: This drug really works!! I feel the flow of energy.
Cost: $100-199 monthly
  • 0 helpful marks

Mar 13, 2010 (Started Oct 15, 1996)

  • Effectiveness
    Slight (for also helped with hot flushes, as I had instant menopause from breast cancer treatment.)
  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for depressed mood)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall) (fuzzy head)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    A little hard to take
Dosage: 37.5 mg Daily
Advice & Tips: Speaking from a personal point of view, stress and major life change (including illness) can induce a chemical imbalance in the brain. I think there is too much emphasis placed on anti-depressants. They are certainly not to be used lightly - BUT if the need is there do not be worried about the 'stigma'. My Doctor has kept me on them for many years as I have had a few 'life traumas' and thought it was better for me to stay on them. They do help me to stay in control and not get too emotional.
Side effects: fuzzy head
  • 0 helpful marks

Feb 18, 2010 (Started Dec 17, 2009)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for depressed mood)
  • Side effects
    None (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: 225 mg Daily
  • 0 helpful marks

Feb 17, 2010 (Started Aug 01, 2008)

  • Effectiveness
    Moderate (for anxious mood)
  • Side effects
    Moderate (for Overall) (weight gain)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Very hard to take
Dosage: 37.5 mg Daily
Advice & Tips: It was oringinally prescribed for hot flashes, and it doesn't work at all for those and I having been gaining wt. every month, which I always had a problem gaining now I can't stop gaining weight.
Cost: $25-49 monthly
Side effects: weight gain
  • 0 helpful marks

May 5, 2009 (Started Jan 20, 2008)

  • Effectiveness
    Slight (for fibromyalgia)
  • Effectiveness
    Slight (for depressed mood)
  • Side effects
    Mild (for Overall)
  • Adherence
    Always
  • Burden
    Not at all hard to take
Dosage: 225 mg Daily
Cost: $100-199 monthly
  • 0 helpful marks
Last updated:
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