"i had to restart effexor for the 4th time and it still works very well. my depression started to lift by the second week. the last time it took longer - about a month - before i felt any relief, it all depends. if the period of time before depression is one full of stress, longer, with many irritations, then it takes a little longer for effexor to work. this 4th time it was only a sudden stressful situation with my mother&#039;s health - she was diagnosed with cancer - that sank me into depression. somehow effexor worked again and i thank god for that. the side effects for me are almost not worth mentioning and exercise helps a lot. i feel like myself again and some joy of life is back. i first took effexor in 2005 and i&#039;m glad it still works."