Effexor XR and high blood pressure

[Erica U]

Has anyone else out there had problems with high blood pressure while on Effexor? I've tried a ton of different medications and it's the only one that's worked for me. My doctor doesn't want me to have to take blood pressure medication but I think a low dose will be ineffective (plus the pressure was up with the lower dose) and I'm really not interested in trying a new medicine. I know Cymbalta is the same type of med but it has the same side effects regarding blood pressure so it seems silly to even bother. If anyone else has been dealing with this problem please let me know.

[Anna77]

I'm on both Cymbalta and Effexor XR at the moment, but currently weaning off the Cymbalta, which I've been on for the past two years. I just had my annual physical last month and have really low blood pressure (healthy low though) but I don't remember the numbers. I never understood what they meant anyhow. I don't eat any meat though, so that could be a part of it. I still eat dairy, eggs, and on a really rare occation I have fish. I don't use any blood thinners like aspirin either.

I just do it because I like animals, not for health reasons or to guilt-trip other people about what they're eating or anything (I don't talk about it much at all, except that it's relevant here), but I was happy to see that end up happening as well.

Maybe your doctor would allow you to simply cut back on red meat or just make some slight changes in your diet instead of prescribing you more medication? I know we're all different, and I sure know that no meat isn't for everyone, but I also know how much of a pain more meds can be. I just thought I'd give that suggestion in case you might be open to it.:)

[Erica U]

Thanks for responding Anna :) I don't think diet changes will help because I've become a much healthier eater. I eat tons of whole grains, soy, and fruits and veggies and am not a big meat eater and don't eat lots of salt. Oh well. I'm hoping i'll adjust because changing meds really sucks.

[Jim C]

I have been on Cymbalta for about four months and now have very high BP readings, which previously were close to 120/80. Now I am reading 154/106. I can't identify any significant change (diet, lifestyle, etc.) that would cause this spike in BP. I am consulting my primary physician to investigate. Now, I am starting understand the various posts that I read about the drug causing a myriad of symptoms for other people. I hadn't experienced any until this popped up.

[Sylvia Texas]

I started on Cymbalta and have been on it for about 6 months. I now have really bad high blood pressure. That worries me alot. I am going to try a two week period to start weening away from cmybalta. Wish me luck.

Sylvia from Texas

Jim C wrote:

I have been on Cymbalta for about four months and now have very high BP readings, which previously were close to 120/80. Now I am reading 154/106. I can't identify any significant change (diet, lifestyle, etc.) that would cause this spike in BP. I am consulting my primary physician to investigate. Now, I am starting understand the various posts that I read about the drug causing a myriad of symptoms for other people. I hadn't experienced any until this popped up.

[Deb]

I have pre-hypertension, I believe, as a result of Effexor. It is the only drug that is really effective for me, however. I'm just now deciding what to do about this problem. I know the drug makes you retain fluid, so maybe my doctor could try a diuretic when I present this problem to her. Have you also gained a lot of weight on this drug as I have?

Erica U wrote:

Has anyone else out there had problems with high blood pressure while on Effexor? I've tried a ton of different medications and it's the only one that's worked for me. My doctor doesn't want me to have to take blood pressure medication but I think a low dose will be ineffective (plus the pressure was up with the lower dose) and I'm really not interested in trying a new medicine. I know Cymbalta is the same type of med but it has the same side effects regarding blood pressure so it seems silly to even bother. If anyone else has been dealing with this problem please let me know.

[salvatore]

i've been on effexor for about 3 weeks for anxiety/panic attacks. my bp had been fine until today. it has gone up. this never happened w/ paxil or celexa. will see my dr. this week and hopefully go back to one of the other meds that kept my bp normal. did some research and high bp is definetly a side effect of effexor for some people. had other side effects with it also. it seems very strong and my body doesnt seem to be tolerating it too well.

[SIMONE]

hi, i have been on efexor for the past 2 years and have high blood pressure too. I am on 300mg a day and blood pressure is now 146/104 I am getting a little worried but dont want to change from efexor because it really works for me. I had also put on weight but have recently started Tony Ferguson diet and have lost 6kgs in 3 weeks(feel great) apparently efexor slows metabolism hence the weight increase.....

[Marie]

Hi,i've been on Effoxor for about 6 months now and I have gained 10 pounds or so and I just found out my blood pressure is hign.. I really feel better on this medicine...but the other side effects aren't great.. I do hope I can stay on the medicine and fix the side effects.

[burnt_umber]

I've also been helped greatly by Effexor. I'm a physically healhty 35 y.o. female, 130 lb.(I used to be 115 lb. before Effexor!) Today I went to the Dr. and my bp is (ready for this?) 140/59 resting heart rate of 99!!!! The nurse thought the bp machine malfunctioned and took it a second time by hand- and was shocked that it was correct. It HAS to be the Effexor b/c I've always have very healhty bp. I'm freaked out!

[EPC]

I have always been in excellent health, have no history of high blood pressure in my family, I eat very healthy food... no junk food, lots of lean protein, chicken, fish, fresh veggies and fruits, whole grains and no salt. Within one month of taking Effexor 150 mg my blood pressure was 140/100. I have always had blood pressure on the lower end of normal. My resting heart rate is around 90- 93, which is very high for someone who exercises regularly. Just thought I'd offer my experience.

[Dan]

I have been on effexor xr for about 5 yrs. I always had a very good b.p. and no one in my family has a history. I only take 75mg but now my b.p. is around 150/90 give or take. I have checked it several times at night which may effect it some on a machine at walmart. I will do a morning check and also see my doctor. Heart rate is also fast.

[Lorain]

I have been on Cymbalta for about 3 months now. I am or was on a low dosage (30mg/day) until I saw my doctor today. First of all, my BP has always been around 90/60 to 117/70. The last several visit to different (specialist) doctors my BP has been running on the high side and I have been getting some sharp pains in my chest and I can feel my heart skip and speed up. I tried taking the Cymbalta at night but it seemed to make me very jittery and wide awake. I then switched it to the morning. Today my BP was 146/86...VERY HIGH! The only med that has changed is the Cymbalta!Nothing else in my life, diet, etc. has changed. I am 5'1", weigh 115. I have fibromylagia and problems with my spine (2 surgeries). I asked my doctor if the Cymbalta could be causing my high blood pressure, heart racing and chest pains. Not only did he say "NO", he then turned around and double the dosage! He is taking me from 30mg/day to 60mg/day! I just googled to see if anyone else was having similiar problems...and here I am..not alone! I do not think I will take the new dose and I think I will even do my own experiment and gradually wean myself off the Cymbalta! I just went off Lyrica because of terrible side effects. What is going on not only with these drugs but the FDA? I am sorry that we all are experiencing problems from this medication. I realize that there are probably thousands or more taking this med that are doing well and getting the results they where suppose to get. I guess we are not amongst them!
Thank you all for helping me to realize I was not alone!

[Kim]

I have been on a high dosage, 225 mg of Effexor RX for about 2 years and I recently saw a dramatic increase in my blood pressure - went to hospital when it was reading 190/114!. I have had high blood pressure in two pregnancies and gestational diabetes so I was a high risk for these in later life. Although the Effexor has been working, I have been told by my physician to reduce it gradually as you can't quit suddenly. I am now on blood pressure medication (2 kinds). I am scared to go off Effexor but I battle the worse condition of the risks associated with HBP. Don't have answers yet but in the same boat.

Lorain wrote:

I have been on Cymbalta for about 3 months now. I am or was on a low dosage (30mg/day) until I saw my doctor today. First of all, my BP has always been around 90/60 to 117/70. The last several visit to different (specialist) doctors my BP has been running on the high side and I have been getting some sharp pains in my chest and I can feel my heart skip and speed up. I tried taking the Cymbalta at night but it seemed to make me very jittery and wide awake. I then switched it to the morning. Today my BP was 146/86...VERY HIGH! The only med that has changed is the Cymbalta!Nothing else in my life, diet, etc. has changed. I am 5'1", weigh 115. I have fibromylagia and problems with my spine (2 surgeries). I asked my doctor if the Cymbalta could be causing my high blood pressure, heart racing and chest pains. Not only did he say "NO", he then turned around and double the dosage! He is taking me from 30mg/day to 60mg/day! I just googled to see if anyone else was having similiar problems...and here I am..not alone! I do not think I will take the new dose and I think I will even do my own experiment and gradually wean myself off the Cymbalta! I just went off Lyrica because of terrible side effects. What is going on not only with these drugs but the FDA? I am sorry that we all are experiencing problems from this medication. I realize that there are probably thousands or more taking this med that are doing well and getting the results they where suppose to get. I guess we are not amongst them!
Thank you all for helping me to realize I was not alone!

[Kelly]

Since I started taking Effexor (75mg) 4 months ago, my BP has gone from an average of 110/70 to current 150/90! No other changes - I pretty much follow a "South Beach" type diet, fast-walk 20min/5days/wk. At my last med checkup, Doc attributed BP to "aging" (i'm 59)- But I continue to think the timing is too coincidental. I hate to stop the meds, it feels so good to be "me" again, without the myriad of symptoms from anxiety & depression. It's a relief to read others with similar concern, feels good to share - THANKS!

[Jill]

Does anyone have any information regarding how long it takes to get your blood pressure and heart rate under control after weaning off of Effexor XR? My BP has been very high and I cannot get my resting heart rate below 100. I take 75 mg per day and am currently cutting back to 50mg. I'm just wondering if or how long these problems will continue once I'm completely off of the Effexor.

[GG Bonfield]

I have been on Effexor 112mg for chronic pain for almost 4 years and in the last few months I felt something wrong with my heart "pounding". I have had excellent BP all my life, now not good 150/90. I am stopping this drug. I did once before a little at a time. I am down to 75 mg./day. I have no idea how long it will take to regulate my blood pressure, but I am trying not to add extra worry to it, go one step at a time. I eat well, am in good health, I walk I dance, do yoga, I could improve by using less salt in my food for sure.
Take care everyone.

[Terry]

I have been on Effexor for only 4 weeks. My BP has skyrockted to 152 over 101. Going off, of course. It really never did anything for me. I was on Lexapro and Zoloft for short periods of time. They gave me severe diarrea. Any suggestions?

[Stephannie]

My blood pressure is really high on effexor. It was 144/110 yesterday. I want to come off it but dont really know what to go on next??? what can you take that doesnt effect your blood pressure?

[Ms_ Robinson]

If anyone has found information on how long the time release for each Effexor XR capsule is, I would appreciate the URL's. This is a great site, but I hope no one is adjusting their medicine or dosage based on these posts. That is extremely dangerous. In the office it was always said, "An attorney who represents himself has a fool for a client." That pertains to my health, also. I was diagnosed with chronic clinical depression 11 years ago after many years of a very stressful, long-hour job, and then the loss of my mother, my oldest son, and getting breast cancer, all within a few months. Evidently my depression was low grade for a lot of years before the diagnosis. Effexor XR has saved my life. I started on Effexor XR in 1998 at 150 mg per day and increased to 300 mg per day. Originally I took half in the morning and half in the evening. I could not sleep. My doctor agreed to try all in the morning. My sleeping improved. It was gradually increased to what I take now, 450 mg all in the morning. I am 62 years old so am low on energy anyway. But I get very tired (or perhaps depressed) late afternoon and have trouble going to evening events. So I am searching for more information on how long the "time release" takes so I can be informed before visiting with my doctor. Is it 6 hours, 8, 16? I have not found it yet. I do have slight high blood pressure and an increased heart rate. However, I do not exercise, am about 20 pounds overweight, and do not eat as healthily as I should. I take a very low dose medication for my blood pressure prescribed by my Internal Specialist and a low dose medication for my heart rate prescribed by my cardiologist (my Internal Specialist doctor sent me to her for the heart rate). I have made notes to check with my doctors to see exactly how much effect Effexor XR has on my blood pressure and heart rate. I will not assume, at this point, it is the sole cause of the Effexor XR.