Efexor (Venlafaxine) and Weight Gain

Hi Everyone,

I've been on and off Efexor (Venlafaxine) for the last 4 years now and whenever I'm on it I always put on a lot of weight.

When I'm on the Efexor I find I have these constant strong cravings for fatty and sugary foods that just aren't present when I'm off the meds. Unfortunately I've never had much willpower and 9 times out of 10 I give into the cravings.

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced the same problems with SSRIs and SNRIs?

The Doctor's have always tried to convince me that I'm exaggerating the effect that the medication is having, but whenever I come off the medication the pounds just drop off and I get back to my normal weight.
 

alltoomuch

Active member
I've been on Venlafaxine since the start of the year and haven't noticed any weight change, or craving for food. How long do you stay on it at a time?

I am also on Mirtazapine and did notice increased hunger when I started on it, but not anymore. Mirtazapine is commonly known to increase hunger, but for some that is good. At one stage I was hardly eating anything.
 
The longest I've been on it for at any one time is 3 years.

I was off it for 5 months beween Sept 06 and Jan 07.

In Jan 07 I was having huge anxiety problems but wanted to try something other than Efexor so the Doc tried me on Lexapro (Brand name, not too sure of the medical name). Anyway, I had a really bad reaction to that and after 4 weeks my anxiety was worse than ever. So the Doc recommended that I taper off the Lexapro and after I had done so I was put back on Efexor.

I wouldn't worry. If the Venlafaxine was going to give you cravings, it would have happened by now.
 

shynobody

Well-known member
yeah. that's typical of effexor users. i gained 20 lbs. this was my first medication (on it for like 8 yrs) so i didn't put the two together until i read another forum and pple complaining. i try to get off it, but can't because of the brain zaps.
 

Missy007

New member
yes

Effexor made me gain weight and have unusual cravings. I even started smoking on it and before I hated smoke. I had no problem getting off of it though. I guess it wasn't really helping much in the first place!
 
Effexor XR seems to make a lot of people lose cravings. I don't know if there is an alternate form of Effexor, but Effexor XR is the type I use. I just got back on it and I'm not sure, but I guess I have been eating quite a bit. I guess it's better to stay busy. I'm just getting back on it though, so I have to get past the sleepiness side effects before I know anymore. It has been up and down for me mood-wise, but food seems to help boost my mood. Before, I would get boosts of energy. I've experienced some of this. Maybe you just need to exercise more. Are your energy levels higher or lower since getting on effexor?
 

cure

Well-known member
I was on Effexor XR and gained weight but not because of it. I was just training hard at the gym.
 

Noca

Banned
The only med to ever make me gain weight was Zyprexa, and thats a good thing for me.
 

Emma

Well-known member
Lexapro made me fat, I can only eat half of what I used to now it's taking me ages to lose weight, but I supposed I'd rather be a bit fatter than miserable:confused:
 

Kustamogen

Banned
I was on Effexor for about 3 years...I fluctuated a lot....usually between the 200-225 mark (Im 6'3").....my natural weight is WAY less......I went off Effexor about 2yrs ago and I lost 55lbs.....yes 55lbs....in a matter of 2-3weeks.....I didnt change anything in my lifestyle so Im assuming it was all due to the drug.....Ive since gained 10lbs and am at my natural weight

so long story short....YOU GET FAT....but its worth it if it works for you....if I had to be fatter to feel better I definitely would! (ps: I had the worst withdrawals from friggin effexor....sat shaking in a chair for a month...literally didnt leave the room for weeks...sat there shaking....that blew)
 
I was on Effexor for about 3 years...I fluctuated a lot....usually between the 200-225 mark (Im 6'3").....my natural weight is WAY less......I went off Effexor about 2yrs ago and I lost 55lbs.....yes 55lbs....in a matter of 2-3weeks.....I didnt change anything in my lifestyle so Im assuming it was all due to the drug.....Ive since gained 10lbs and am at my natural weight

so long story short....YOU GET FAT....but its worth it if it works for you....if I had to be fatter to feel better I definitely would! (ps: I had the worst withdrawals from friggin effexor....sat shaking in a chair for a month...literally didnt leave the room for weeks...sat there shaking....that blew)

I don't know how this happened but when i came off Efexor I found I had a lot more energy and was a lot more optimistic. Also lost 46lbs. I noticed, while on the drug i was quick to bouts of anger but was usually emotionless at the strangest times...
Tried Lexapro too - think i became immune to the thing! Counselling must have helped - maybe i just needed somebody to talk to...
 
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