"i began taking effexor after coming off of paxil. i did not like the weight gain and sexual side effects from the paxil. the effexor does not do either of those to me even though i have heard some people complain about it. it has also vastly improved my mood and depression. i have been using it combined with depakote for the past few months and i feel much better then i have in years. my current dose is 150mg a day."