Venlafaxine for Hot Flashes User Reviews

• KEKEN...
• January 21, 2014

"I had a total hysterectomy last year, and I hadn't felt like myself since February 2013. My doctor suggested that I try Venlafaxine, and all I have to say is, this drug has saved my life! I was having severe hot flashes and mood swings. I was at a point where I didn't know how I was going to continue living like this. I felt like I was losing my mind, and no one could help me. Venlafaxine has stopped all my menopausal symptoms. This drug has saved my marriage, my sanity, my life! I thought I was all alone until my doctor said I was not alone, and she put me on a 2-week trial of Venlafaxine 37.5mg. And as I said before, I finally feel like myself again! :-)"

• Casper
• January 4, 2020

"I have been taking 37.5 venlafaxine for almost 2 years. I was put on it as I was having terrible night sweats. They ended almost immediately. I have never been depressed so I don't know how that works. It helped with my dieting as I am not as hungry as I used to be. I take it in the morning and have no side effects. I am in my 70s."

• Mommy...
• July 27, 2014

"I went to my OB-GYN after experiencing a very emotional year with family and work, then started hot flashes! Thankfully, my OB-GYN was wonderful and didn't think I was crazy. She prescribed 75 mg Effexor (generic venlafaxine), much cheaper too. I saw improvement in hot flashes and mood within 2 days. I am on week 2 and feel more like my old self, minor hot flash symptoms, lost 4 pounds, and I don't feel the need to eat everything in sight! First week I did experience sleepiness and yawning, but that has gone away and I am alert and feeling good!"

• New...
• March 27, 2012

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "After having my ovaries removed, the hot flashes were so bad - one every hour or so - that I could not get a decent night's sleep. The doctor had said if the flashes got bad that I could try this antidepressant. I did not need that or so I thought. After a month, I said okay I'll try it. I have been on the lowest dose for about 8 years now. Am I done with the hot flashes - I don't know and don't want to find out. And the side benefit for me is that it also took the edge off of stress and worrying. I recommend every woman who can't take hormones and has hot flashes to try this. I have had no side effects, but I did have a loss of appetite. Just make sure your doctor checks your liver functions yearly."

• tutti...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2014

"After suffering from extreme hot flashes, night sweats, and overwhelming anxiety that I really thought was just me and my lot in life, my cousin told me about her doctor giving her Effexor. I made an appointment and now take 75mg. I am a different person! Sometimes I have to look in the mirror to be sure it is me. It took me years to discover I can feel good!"

• TeTee
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2014

"I have been on Effexor 37.5 mg for three months for Hot Flashes. After my first bedtime dose, I was feeling lightheaded and a little jittery the next morning, but those symptoms went away after three days. Before Effexor, I would wake up several times a night due to the Hot Flashes. I am a totally different person and a pleasure to be around. I am dating again after a two-year hiatus, and the medication has not affected my sex drive."

• MsSonia
• April 1, 2012

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I had hot flashes every 2 hours. My face would turn beet red, my glasses would fog up, and always at an inappropriate time. Took my first dose of Effexor 37.5mg, my hot flashes are basically nonexistent. Mood is also awesome now."

• Flapj...
• June 20, 2014

"I've had intense hot flashes for 12 years. In addition to HRT (which worked fabulously during the 5 years I was on it), I tried Zoloft, Prozac, Remifemin, and Estroven with varying degrees of unspectacular success. So didn't expect much from Effexor, but within days of starting daily 37.5 dose, my hot flashes all but disappeared. Really, it's amazing. I've only been on it two weeks, so here's hoping it'll be effective for the long haul, which at this point, after 12 years, is looking like it will be the rest of my life. Geez, thanks, mom..."

• Thank...
• January 28, 2010

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "My ob/gyn recently recommended Effexor to treat my menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, anxiety, mood swings) after having my ovary removed. I was skeptical because I have been treated with antidepressants in the past and the side effects were horrendous. I also suffer from GAD and SADD, but because I am such a wimp about taking pills, I have tried to tough it out. I was willing to try anything to help me get better. It has only been a week at the 37.5 dose, and I already notice a difference. Hot flashes are gone, I don't fly off the handle at everything and everyone, I am laughing, I can concentrate, I worry less, and am generally more calm. Side effects are minimal. A little spacey at times! Loss of appetite (which is good for an overweight woman). LOVE THIS MEDICINE!"

• foxy...
• February 13, 2013

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I have been on Effexor 37.5 for 2 weeks now. It immediately stopped ALL hot flashes for 2 days. Since then, I have occasional, very mild hot flashes. My doctor told me to check in with her after 3 weeks. I may ask about increasing the dosage to 75. I was a little drowsy at first, then realized I was also taking an allergy medicine with a side effect of drowsiness so I stopped the allergy medicine. I agree with others, my mood is better, and also, my hair has more body and not so limp anymore. It must be a result of not sweating so frequently and severely from the hot flashes. I haven't noticed any other side effects. I wish I would experience a loss of appetite, that would be nice."

• Fineone
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 22, 2016

"Effexor XR is effective in low dose for hot flashes. Sadly the doctors follow the guidelines presented by the pharmaceutical companies for dosing and everyone is different. DO NOT take 75 mg a day! . LOW DOSE is effective for both hot flashes and mild depression . I mean open up the capsule, count out 10 of the small balls of medicine and take that daily. After 2 weeks less effective and can increase to 15 to 20 balls a day. Track HFs on a calendar. Never stop without tapering down! COUNTER WITHDRAWAL WITH VALIUM, XANAX, ATAVAN, any benzos will do. These will stop brain jolts or vertigo withdrawal symptoms!!!! This med Iis strong. If this dosnt work for you, you can always increase. With my plan you can avoid withdrawal completely!"

• DennyY
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 30, 2012

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I was put on Effexor 37.5 for hot flashes. I had uterine cancer and went into very fast menopause. After trying to live with the hot flashes for about 6 months, I asked for help. Effexor has been wonderful. I am now able to sleep through the night. I really only have a hot flash when I forget to take my medicine."

• angmc
• February 4, 2012

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Effexor XR works great for hot flashes, not to mention it elevates your mood as a bonus. I do recommend the extended release as the side effects are fewer. I have no hot flashes now at all. I recommend it to anyone who does not want to take hormones."

• kma
• December 22, 2014

"in 2005 at age 61, I had breast cancer. 32 radiation treatments later and it was decided NOT to prescribe a post-cancer med because of continuing menopausal hot spells oncologist prescribed Venlafaxine 75mg two times a day. as an RN I kept a hair dryer in my locker for when my hair would become drippy wet during hot spells. it is now 2014 and I do not experience the hot spells any longer! My moods are totally better and more positive...I know it sounds weird, but if I miss a dose, my mood plummets. Once, while on a trip, I had a terrible reaction when I ran out of my prescription and went without Venlafaxine for 3 days! The doctor knew immediately I was in withdrawals. Yucky spaced-out symptoms."

• MamaB
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2019

"I've been on the 37.5 mg dose for 3 weeks now and it has been a life changer. I am sleeping at night again instead of being woken up every half hour with hot flashes. I have wayyy more energy, the post cancer fatigue is resolving and I'm feeling like I'm getting my life back. I don't know that people understand the impact that those hot flashes have on your quality of life. Some minor nausea, a bit of sleepiness, but I take it faithfully at 8:00 PM at night so the affects are too bad. Did I say how much better I'm sleeping...oh....and can wear sweaters to work again."

• Lynne
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2019

"Started taking 37.5mg Effexor (same time every morning) one week ago for severe day and night hot flashes. Had minimal nausea and dizziness for the first two days, and now nothing. My daytime hot flashes are completely gone with the venlafaxine (they were every couple of hours all day long) and my night sweats/flashes are almost completely gone as well. I have had the last two nights without a single flash and have slept great! I tried everything possible over the counter and "natural" but the Effexor is the only thing that has truly worked and worked fast for those hot flashes"

• Relie...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2016

"I was suffering from hot flashes, night sweats, and irritability - symptoms of menopause. The hot flashes were happening several times a day and were becoming unbearable. My doctor recommended Venlafaxine since I had a strong history of breast cancer in my family. The hot flashes disappeared the day I began taking the medication! My only side effects were a lot of yawning (which lasted about a year). About 6 months after beginning the medication, the hot flashes began to return (although not as often as before). My doctor increased the dose and I have been fine for over a year now. This medication really works for me! My husband loves it too because he says I'm back to my "old self" again - not irritable!"

• nanny...
• June 19, 2008

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I have been suffering with hot flushes and insomnia since I entered menopause. I have been miserable until a friend who suffers the same told me she was on Effexor with great success. I am on the lowest dose (37.5) and my hot flashes have decreased by at least 80% and I am sleeping at least 5 hours a night now. I have just started taking it so I hope this isn't just a honeymoon period. I recommend any menopausal woman suffering with symptoms to give it a try. I had no idea this was a cure."

• Joop
• June 27, 2016

"I am a women of 45 years old and have been going through menopause early. In the past summer I started with anxiety, and terrible hot flushes which was effecting my life. I went to my gp who referred me to the Jeans Hailles clinic. Best thing I have ever done. Due to my mother having severe osteoporosis and breast cancer in the past, HRT was out of the question. The doctor suggested anti depressants. I started taking venlafaxine about 4 months ago and the hot flushes has just about disappeared. I have some side effects including yawning and worst of all a little constipated but all in all my confidence in myself has improved so much."

• Honey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2016

"The first night I took the pill my hot flashes stopped. It's been a god-sent I was having hot flashes several times throughout the day and all throughout the night. Until I took the Effexor 37.5. I haven't had any side effects."

• FIND...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 28, 2016

"My Dr prescribed this, along with other meds, for hot flashes due to perimenopause. I read up, at the time did not find anything too alarming. What I SHOULD have been researching was the WITHDRAWAL process for this drug. If I'd read that 1st, I would have asked for a different treatment route. FIRST, it didn't help the hot flashes. So last week, after starting at 37.5 and upped to 75,6 months ago, my Dr. advised to quit. COLD TURKEY. No tapering, he didn't appear alarmed, no big deal. My last dose was a Wed morn. Friday morning awoke with a KILLER throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea. Tried to manage OTC with Excedrin, Benadryl. After vomiting and visual delays, meclizine helped. Pupils were, and still are, PINPOINT(out of space)"

• briti...
• January 18, 2015

"Absolutely effective. Had been having hot flashes for about 6 months and they were increasing not only in intensity but also in frequency. The final straw came when I was out with my daughter, 19, and she said 'your face is all sweaty.' Since I have started taking Venlafaxine, I can say the hot flashes have almost completely disappeared. I feel so much better. I do have a problem sleeping and am not sure if that is related to the medicine."

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2012

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "I have been on Efferor XR for years to treat depression. I was on Premarin for a couple years following a hysterectomy but due to my family history and the stroke risks related to taking Premarin, I discontinued that medicine - only to experience hot flashes. They weren't half as bad as I expected until I had a few days lapse in taking my Effexor! The frequency and intensity of my hot flashes increased extensively. I was having the flashes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes apart and they were ten times worse! I had little sleep and even less patience! Some may call it a coincidence, but I'm certainly going to pick up my Effexor on time from this day forward!"

• bakwmn
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 18, 2013

Effexor XR (venlafaxine) "Efexor has been instrumental in controlling my hot flashes and my mood. The only drawback I find is when I have a lapse; besides the hot flashes getting worse; is brain-zaps, they are annoying but I learned that they are not dangerous. Also the generic is not as effective for me as the brand name. I highly recommend it."

• banch...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2017

"When my gynecologist prescribed Venlafaxine for menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, little did I know that it is actually an antidepressant. Not only did my hot flashes completely vanish, but I feel generally calmer and at ease (not us anxious or uptight about things). However, this may also just be from finally getting a good night's sleep. Certainly, this medication has improved the quality of my life!"