Effexor XR & Eczema - Why? I am currently tapering off of Effexor XR. I was previously taking 300mg/day and, starting June, have been slowly tapering. I am now taking ~20mg/day. Every time I reduce my Effexor dosage, my mouth becomes itchy, swollen, red, and dry. I saw a dermatologist who said it was eczema, which I've had in other places before. I'm currently treating the eczema with hydrocortisone ointment. The dermatologist didn't really have an answer for what was causing the eczema, and couldn't tell me if it was the Effexor. I doubt the eczema is caused by my toothpaste or makeup, b/c I use those daily...but I only have eczema for 1-5 days after I change my Effexor dosage. The prescribing doctor...well, doctors...have been no help. Every doctor I've had while I've been on this has told me that "no one has side effects from this medication" and that I "shouldn't be experiencing any problems." The doctor who took me down from 300mg to 225 initially tried to take me all the way down to 150mg in one jump, but I found the "non-existent" side effects (brain zaps, nausea, irritability, agitation) inconsistent with my job. If it were up to him I'd have only taken two weeks to come off of this, and I don't doubt that would have been a disaster. Googling Effexor, withdrawal, and eczema does create a few hits. But no one seems to know why, or really understand why I want to know why. So, if you have any idea, I'd be interested in hearing it. Speculation is fine with me. This is mostly an academic curiosity...although my mouth would like to know.