Hey there,
I started taking Venlafaxine for anxiety a week ago. I'm only on 75mg but hate the tablets. All of the side-effects seem to take root: headaches, memory loss, dysfunction, nausea, sweats, nightmares, the list goes on.
Thing is, I've been reading people saying how fantastic/odd it is that they feel the effects/side-effects within four hours of taking the tablet. I usually start to feel drowsy and sick within half hour.
Is this normal?
If you are taking the immediate release tablets then yes, it is normal to feel the full force of the side effects within half an hour. For that reason I couldn't tolerate the tablets and switched to the venlafaxine XR extended release capsules. They are much better in terms of side effects, in fact, I got no side effects with these. Its because they are released slowly into the system rather than immediately with the tablets. You should ask your doctor about switching to the extended release capsules instead.
[quote:8b34072db3=\"Caitlin\"]If you are taking the immediate release tablets then yes, it is normal to feel the full force of the side effects within half an hour. For that reason I couldn't tolerate the tablets and switched to the venlafaxine XR extended release capsules. They are much better in terms of side effects, in fact, I got no side effects with these. Its because they are released slowly into the system rather than immediately with the tablets. You should ask your doctor about switching to the extended release capsules instead.
hello. i hope this problem has started to sort its self out for you. I take venlafaxine efexor xl 75mg which are slow realise though i would advice that the sickness and dizzyness does happen if you miss a dose. I find this the hard and am so glad I have found this site
take care xx 
Started taking these at the weekend (75mg immediate release) - prescribed by psychiatrist as Citalopram and Mirtazapine were no help to me.
Within half an hour they had me off my feet. Sick, dizzy and sweating. I had experienced only mild side efects from the other two AD's, nothing like this. Spoke to my own GP and he told me to break the pills in half and take half a tablet a day for the first week and see how I feel. So far ok, side effects have pretty much gone and I hope it stays that way.
This is my last shout with AD drugs. If these don't work, I'm not taking any more. :x
Good luck everyone.