Yes, it was a while, four years ago,before I was on any of my current pain medication, and yes it was Rite-Aid!
I think at that time there was a generic but not for the extended release.
I very much resented it. I was also very surprised that it persisted so long.

Many of us have to dance with the devil to some degree to navigate severe pain management and quality of life, and I am all for what works, at a cost that can be borne mentally, physically, financially. I was just really shocked at some of the issues with Effexor in particular and perplexed that the author of the AARP article endorsed it several times as a panacea. I do not want to discourage anyone from trying something which may relieve the severe pain Idiopathic suffers, but it is a drug that requires a very informed patient. I am often too opinionated.

Has anyone heard of it working for neuropathic pain? I could not find any real studies that were more than anecdotal. When my PCP prescribed it, the neurologist thought it was a strange although acceptable choice, but she had no interest in pain management.