Full List of Effexor Side Effects

There are a lot of things that should be taken into consideration when you are first starting out with a new drug. This is usually going to be the important information regarding the drug like what you should and shouldn’t be taking with the drug, along with other things like when the drugs should be taken, whether or not they should be taken with food and how often the dosage should be administered. Finally, one of the most import things to remember to take into consideration when you are working with these drugs is that you are going to want to remember that the side effects that they can bring on can often be pretty serious. This is something that everyone should research as it could potentially affect anyone who is taking the drug. The drug in question here is Effexor, an anti-depressant drug that is used fairly commonly to treat things like depression, anxiety and OCD.

Remember that when you are talking about the Effexor side effects, you should remember that they are going to depend on a number of things. Everyone is a little bit different, and naturally everyone is not going to react to the drug in the same way the next person does. Although this may sound like a rather frightening prospect to some people, the differentiation between experiences in patients with Effexor (or any other pharmaceutical drug for that matter) is minimal, meaning that you should have a pretty good idea of whether or not something is going to happen to you. The things that dictate whether or not you will experience the Effexor side effects are factors like your age, your bodyweight, your past history with anti-depressant drugs and how you have reacted to similar drugs.
side effects of effexor

The first thing to notice about Effexor is that it is not the typical class of drug for anti-depressants which would be the SSRI class, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Instead, Effexor falls into the similar category of SNRI, or the serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. This puts in a different class than the average anti-depressant medication, and with it you are going to find different side effects to accompany it. Below we will cover the side effects that have been reported by those taking Effexor; first we will review the non-serious side effects of Effexor before moving on to the more serious ones.

Common Effexor Side Effects

  • Headache
  • Blurry Vision
  • Decreased Sexual Drive
  • Tiredness
  • Weight Loss
  • Anxiety
  • Upset Stomach

Now we are going to move on to the more serious side effects of Effexor that has been reported by those taking the drug. Remember that unlike the non-serious side effects of Effexor, the likelihood of these happening to you are extremely small. Still, the possibility is out there and everyone who is considering taking the drug is going to make sure they are well aware of it so that if it does happen, they will be able to identify that they are experiencing a serious side effect of Effexor. If this is the case for you, contacting your doctor or going to the hospital is going to be the wisest course of action; even if you don’t feel that you are in danger it is still something you should do to be safe.

Serious Side Effects of Effexor

effexor side effects

  • Trouble Breathing
  • Itching or Rash
  • Erratic Behavior
  • Swelling of Lips or Tongue
  • Chest Pain
  • Fainting
  • Hallucinations
  • Panic Attacks
  • Constant Migraines
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Aggressive Behavior
  • Suicidal Thoughts
  • Severe Mood Changes

Most of the serious Effexor side effects that are associated with the drug come as a direct result of an allergic reaction. If you have a history of being allergic to pharmaceutical drugs then this is something you will want to be extra careful about. Swelling near the area where the drug was administered (orally) is a good indication of an allergic reaction from the drug. Also having swelling along with itchiness will mean an allergic reaction in that area too. As stated previously, the importance of a serious Effexor side effect is not something that should be downplayed, as it could have some fairly serious implications for anyone who it happens to.

In the end it will be up to you and your doctor to decide if taking Effexor is the right thing for you. Although it can benefit your life in many different ways, Effexor is just like all other prescription drugs in the sense that you will experience some adverse side effects as well. After comparing the pros and cons of the drug, you should be ready to make a decision.