Effexor Side Effects

Several different side effects can occur with the use of Effexor. Common side effects include nausea, headache, drowsiness, and dry mouth. Uncommon side effects of Effexor, occurring in less than 1 percent of people, can include seizures, liver problems, or hair loss. Serious side effects that you should report to your healthcare provider include aggressiveness, chest palpitations, and difficulty sleeping.

Effexor Medicine

Effexor Side Effects: An Introduction

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Effexor^® (venlafaxine hydrochloride). However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. If side effects with Effexor do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.

(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Effexor. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Effexor side effects with you.)

Common Side Effects of Effexor

Effexor has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials.

In these studies, side effects are always documented and compared to side effects that occur in another group of people not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.

Based on these studies, the most common side effects of Effexor include:

Nausea -- in up to 58 percent of people
Headache -- up to 26.1 percent (see Effexor and Migraine Headaches)
Drowsiness -- up to 23 percent
Dry mouth -- up to 22 percent (see Effexor and Dry Mouth)
Dizziness -- up to 23.9 percent
Insomnia -- up to 22.5 percent (see Effexor and Insomnia)
Nervousness -- up to 21.3 percent
Loss of appetite -- up to 17 percent
Body weakness -- up to 16.9 percent
Sweating -- up to 19.3 percent
Constipation -- up to 15 percent
High blood pressure (hypertension) -- up to 13 percent
Ejaculation problems -- up to 12.5 percent (see Effexor Sexual Side Effects)
Anxiety -- up to 11.2 percent
Shakiness (tremors) -- up to 10.2 percent
Diarrhea -- up to 8 percent
Yawning -- up to 8 percent
Chills -- up to 6.8 percent
Vomiting -- up to 6.8 percent
Indigestion (dyspepsia) -- up to 6.7 percent
Impotence (erectile dysfunction or ED) -- up to 6 percent (see Effexor and Impotence)
Blurred vision -- up to 6 percent.

Other common Effexor side effects (occurring in 1 to 6 percent of people) include but are not limited to:

A decreased sex drive (libido)
Infections
Flushing (redness of the skin, especially the face)
Gas
Weight loss (see Effexor and Weight Loss)
Weight gain (see Effexor and Weight Gain)
Abnormal dreams
High cholesterol
Agitation
Confusion
Unusual thoughts
Increased urination
Taste changes.

(Effexor Side Effects Continued: Page 2)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;

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