"i have been on effexor for 15 years 150mg per day except for a 1 year period ending about 6 months ago.  it is very effective for me.  it made me tired when i first started it, but it was worth sticking through that.  for my time not taking it, i was on zoloft which didn&#039;t work as well.  effexor has kept me from depression but it does other things for me.  first, it reduces my inattentiveness to near nothing.  therefore, i am very productive at whatever i do.  second, it greatly reduces anxiety.  stress does not cripple me any longer while on this medication.  

going off the medication has a weird withdrawal symptom that isn&#039;t painful, it&#039;s just odd.  do not go off the medication without a doctor assisting."