"been taking for 3.5 years.  total godsend when i first started during a depression; i felt a calmness i&#039;d never felt before.  got the weight loss side effect, &amp; eventually managed to drop the 70 lbs. that i&#039;d gained from other mental meds (karma!).  starting side effects were hard: was nauseous 1st week &amp; felt like someone had kicked my butt; the successive titrations over the next few months were the same, minus the nausea, lasting a week or less.  side effects afterwards: i&#039;ll occasionally get pins &amp; needles in fingers, slight name/word recall issues but no serious case of the stupids unless i go above 150mg, &amp; constant thirst/ dry mouth. only 8 stars cuz i&#039;m not sure it&#039;s working anymore (possibly cuz pharmacy switched brands)."