[LonesomeTonight]

I've been on Effexor XR for about 6 weeks now, starting at 37.5 mg for about 4 weeks (had a lot going on so was nervous to increase) and now at 75 mg. I take it around 8 am. Particularly since going up to 75 mg, I find that around 11:30 or 12, I get an overwhelming feeling of sleepiness. Like to the point where I'm about to doze off typing at the computer. This lasts for maybe an hour or two, though I still feel fuzzy-headed for another hour or so.

The thing is, I also seem to be having some insomnia at night. My p-doc said to take the Effexor in the morning. But I'm wondering if it could actually work better to take it at night. Has anyone tried taking it at night? Just thought I'd check here before asking her (my appt. isn't for a few weeks, though I could always call).

Otherwise, not much in the way of side effects, and it's definitely helping with the depression, somewhat with the anxiety.

Thanks!

I took Effexor XR for about 5-6 years and I took it at night. It made me very sleepy, but I think it's more usual for people to take it in the morning. I also was taking 375 mg/day because it takes around that much for it to work for fibromyalgia pain. I don't know if that makes any difference as to what time of day it's better to take it.

I hope your p-doc is checking your blood pressure with the Effexor.

[kiwi33]

I have been on Effexor XR (150mg/day, taken in the morning, for about seven years) and have not noticed any insomnia effects.

As far as my hypertension is concerned, that was diagnosed before Effexor but nothing has changed - my GP checks it every few months when I pick up a new prescription for my hypertension meds.

[LonesomeTonight]

Thanks for the responses! My BP hasn't been checked yet, but I actually have a gyno exam coming up, so I think they check it then. My BP is usually pretty low (and even stayed fairly low when I was pregnant), so I think my p-doc was less concerned about it. I'll definitely check in with her about it though.

[Road_to_recovery]

Oh wow when I took it, I had sleepless nights and insomnia. It seemed to send me into a manic state.

[Danny Leary]

Originally Posted by Road_to_recovery

Oh wow when I took it, I had sleepless nights and insomnia. It seemed to send me into a manic state.

Same boat here. It didn't make me manic, but it did make me feel insomnia. It even made me feel kind of jittery, sort of like too much caffeine. If anything, it was the opposite of sedating. Just goes to show how people respond differently to meds.

I think if you (OP) ask your doctor about trying to take it in the morning rather than night (or vice versa) I see no reason why they wouldn't be open to the idea. It doesn't hurt to try, see how it goes.