What are the most common side effects of Effexor?
Matthew Barrera
Updated on April 26, 2026
Nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, loss of appetite, blurred vision, nervousness, trouble sleeping, unusual sweating, or yawning may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor promptly.
What are the serious side effects of Effexor?
Serious side effects that have been reported with Effexor XR include:
- suicidal thoughts or behaviors*
- serotonin syndrome.
- high blood pressure†
- unusual bleeding.
- eye problems, such as closed-angle glaucoma.
- mania or hypomania.
- allergic reaction†‡
- low sodium in your blood.
Will side effects of Effexor go away?
Most of Effexor XR's mild side effects typically go away after a week or two of taking the medication. However, side effects related to sexual dysfunction and high blood pressure do not tend to go away with time.Why you should not take Effexor?
Effexor XR has a boxed warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A. Effexor XR has been linked to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and young adults who are ages 24 years and younger.Does Effexor make you gain weight?
A large proportion of patients treated with paroxetine, mirtazapine, and other antidepressants, such as venlafaxine (EFFEXOR®, EFFEXOR XR®), gain a significant amount of weight.Venlafaxine Review (Effexor) - Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and Safety - Doctor Explains
Is it better to take Effexor in the morning or at night?
You will usually take standard tablets twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. You will usually take slow release tablets or capsules once a day. You can take them at any time as long as you stick to the same time every day. If you have trouble sleeping, it's best to take it in the morning.Does Effexor cause hair loss?
The SSRIs fluoxetine,1,2 sertra-line,3 and paroxetine4 have been reported to cause hair loss in a very small minority of patients. To our knowledge, there has been only 1 report of hair loss associated with venlafaxine therapy,5 and ours is the first report of hair loss with both fluoxetine and venlafaxine.Whats better Zoloft or Effexor?
Is Effexor or Zoloft more effective? One study compared Effexor XR and Zoloft in the treatment of depression and found that both drugs had similar efficacy and similar effect on the quality of life, but that Zoloft had fewer side effects. Also, patients who took Effexor had an increased risk of high blood pressure.How do I know if Effexor is working for anxiety?
Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve.Is Effexor a strong antidepressant?
In a study on patients who suffer from major depression, the drug Effexor was more likely than Prozac or Zoloft to result in full recovery. Researchers suspect Effexor is more effective because it acts on two different brain chemicals that transmit messages and are thought to control mood.What is a good replacement for Effexor?
- Zoloft.
- Lexapro.
- Sertraline.
- Citalopram.
- Prozac.
- Wellbutrin XL.