"i took this medicine for about 18 months.  after about a year i noticed i had really gained weight... 17 pounds during my time on effexor. so i decided to stop taking this and switch to something else.  after just four days,  i feel thinner,  my clothes fit better.  i think i was that rare 1% that gained weight on this med. it is otherwise wonderful.  worked great on my anxiety with no other annoying side effects... but 17 pounds was annoying enough!"