"i have been taking effexor xr for about 8 years after suffering a serious mental breakdown. this medicine has given me back my life.  having said that the uk government have recently told all doctors to prescribe the generic version. there is a huge difference, i began suffering terrible headaches, and anxiety again. after speaking to my consultant psychiatrist i am now back on effexor with all the nasty symptoms gone. there really is no substitute for the real thing."