Expert: Robert Borucki - 8/6/2004

Question
My dr put me on Effexor XR for anxiety. Will I most likely gain weight? I actually need to lose weight, not gain! Also, do you know if it will interfere with my birth control pills?

Thanks

Answer
Effexor XR will not interfere with birth control pills.  Also, unlike the SSRI's (Prozac, Lexapro, Paxil and others), Effexor XR does not typically cause increase in appetite or cause weight gain.  Hopefully, it will help you without causing untoward side effects.

Hope this helps....