"i started on this after trying most of the ssri&#039;s and mirtazapine. only the mirtazapine worked for my mood but i had horrific side effects with it so doctor suggested venlafaxine. i started on 37.5mg twice a day and got quite bad nausea for about a week. after that had gone it was great. my mood dropped a bit from being happy on mirtazapine to being on such a low dose of venlafaxine but now i&#039;m on 150mg a day it seems to be improving again. i&#039;m very careful not to miss a dose though from what i&#039;ve read about the withdrawal symptoms. this should be a long term medication for me as it works and i&#039;ve got no long term side effects."