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As promised, my successful tapering off Effexor (Venlafaxine)
Below you will find the tapering plan that I used to successfully wean myself off Effexor (Venlafaxine). Feel free to share this with your doctor If you would like. I researched and came up with this plan, which was approved by my doctor, although she thought I could probably have weaned myself off sooner. But the reality is that we all have differing tolerance levels for tapering and weaning off this powerful drug from our bodies. Some people can taper faster, but usually not those who have been on this drug for years (like myself, since October 2002). I tapered off EffexorXR 150mg capsules about 5 years ago down to 75mg, and was on that maintenance dosage for a couple of years until I started weaning off the 75mg a year ago in April 2019. As of October, 2029, I’ve been withdrawal symptom free, but I still have occasional periods of anxiety when triggered. But I realize these waves of anxiety will soon pass, and I cope by deep breathing, taking a walk, having a cup of chamomile tea, etc. Cutting my exposure to watching upsetting news has really helped a lot as well. These days I seek things that bring joy and peace in such a turbulent world. Wishing you all a successful weaning off this powerful drug.
Weaning off Venlafaxine XR 75mg (Effexor-(extended release)capsules:
Weaning plan off plan that worked for BSS:
1. Inform your doctor you are tapering down from 75 mg Venlafaxine and ask them to prescribe 37.50 tabs to help with tapering doses (1/2 dosage down from 75 mg Venlafaxine capsules). The tabs are easier to cut into halves and quarter dosages than counting out beads from the capsules.
2. Begin your taper only after you are on a non-withdrawal symptomatic dosage level. If you were having w/d symptoms at 75 mg, you’ll need to go back to the level at which you were symptomless and stay there for 2-3 weeks before deceasing to a slow taper. NOTE: after successfully tapering from 150mg Venlafaxine down to 75mg for a month, I was unable to tolerate a drop cold turkey from a daily dosage of 75mg down to 37.50mg (50%) without having bothersome withdrawal symptoms of dizziness, brain fog, brain zaps, and nausea. So after researching various tapering plans, I came up with a slower tapering schedule my body could tolerate to finish the tapering from 75mg to 37.50mg, and then on to complete the tapering. Your body may even need slower tapering, so adjust according.
3. Week 1-2: Take 75mg caps MWFSu; take 37.50mg tab on alternate days Tu,Th, Sa. At the end of week 2, if you only have relatively mild to no withdrawal symptoms, proceed to week 3. IMPORTANT: If you have intolerable symptoms, adjust to a slower tapering schedule by adding an additional 1/2 tab on the alternate days (or take a total of one and a half 37.50 tabs on alternate days). You’ll then have to tweak the rest of your tapering schedule. If all goes well, proceed with week 3.
4. Week 3-4: Cut a few 37.50 tabs in half with a pill cutter or exacto knife blade to create quarter pieces. Take 37.50mg tab on MWFSu and take 3/4 tab on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa.
5. Week 5-6: Take 3/4 of a tab MWFSu, and take 1/2 tab on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. If only mild symptoms, proceed to week 5.
6. Week 7-8: Take 1/2 tab on MWFSu; and take 1/4 tab on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. If no symptoms, continue to week 7.
7. Week 9-10: Take 1/4 tab on MWFSu; and take 1/8 tab (cut 1/4 tabs in half) on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. *Notice the quartering of doses into crumbs now...very important to keep small dosage tapering to remain withdrawal symptom free.
8. Week 11-12: Take 1/8 tab crumb on MWFSu; take none on alternate days Tu, Th, Sa. *If skipping alternate days produces symptoms, stay on 1/8 tab crumbs for a couple of weeks before alternating skip days for a couple of weeks.
You’ll find that this schedule may have to be tweaked for you by extending the time you stay on a taper...possibly up to 3-4 weeks before beginning a new tapering down. It all depends on how you tolerate the first two weeks.
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@mecsamer, many members mention feeling sensations like "brain zaps" as they taper off selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). They are more likely to happen if one tapers too fast or stops abruptly, which is why a slow tapering schedule is recommended.
You can read more about brain zaps here:
- What to Know About Brain Zaps During Antidepressant Withdrawal https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/brain-shakes
Are you currently tapering off Effexor?
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1 ReactionI wish you all only the best of the best. I do want to share that if it were not for effexor, and sertraline, I would not be alive, able to function, learn or be a parent, or almost finished completing my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. No lie. Ive been on it since 1985. Ive been hospitalized, inpatient, locked wards only, more times than I can count, and was weaned off, so other modalities could be tried, with unfortunately no success. I was 14 when I started Effexor. Im 53 June 6th, have 3, gorgeous, now young twenty-somethings children, and outside of my biological family, i adore everything about being alive. I give thanks for each sunrise, sunset, each breath and beat of my heart. I was severely abused, neglected and ritualistically tortured as the recepticle for an unmedicated schizophrenic mother and absent father. No sibs thank god. This occurred from birth through age 18. I will have Major Depressive Disorder and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder until the day I die and I hope that day is a loooooooong time off. I can say that now ... but without the 2 meds I previously stated, and the tons and tons of therapy i have had, and will continue to have, I could never have said those words. I was unable to say them years ago. I am glad that those of you who want to get off of venlafaxine are able to do so, while still able to live life without constant flashbacks, list time, or uncontrollable morbid depression. Your bodies/brains do not require it to live and have functional lives. That is awesome. Just know that there are some persons, whose brains and bodies need it to exist and contribute to life and take proper care of themselves and their loved ones too. -mary
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3 ReactionsWow, Mary! Thank you for sharing this! I am so glad that the medicine has worked for you especially after what you have been through. I just don’t think it was the right medicine for me. So glad to know that you are here to tell your story, and thank you for sharing. You are not alone.
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3 ReactionsI went cold turkey, and the zaps were maddening for about two weeks. This was followed by about two weeks of gradually diminishing symptoms, and within a month it resolved itself. I wouldn't recommend it, but for me, the drug had caused a flip. I'd been on it for about twenty years and it worked for a while, but the last five were a nightmare of suicidal depression and uncontrollable rages, and no other emotions. I just faked it that I was OK, because I didn't want anyone to know (although the anger couldn't be hidden). The depression has been lifelong, but the anger was new and had started to threaten my marriage. Within a few days, even as the head zaps hit me relentlessly, the depression subsided and the rages simply went away. I did subsequently shift to different class of meds, and I do think they're helping. But getting off Effexor was the key turning point for me, and I feel like the suffering was worth it. I'm 100% convinced the drug had flipped me, and my psychiatrist feels it's likely the case. Within two weeks I went from monosyllabic at counseling sessions to fully opening up. My counselor noticed a dramatic change, as did my psychiatrist, and most importantly, my wife. Our marriage is no longer on the rocks.
That said, I basically went against medical advice, and I wouldn't suggest others follow my path unless they're really determined and absolutely need to get off of the drug. And they should probably talk with their provider, which I didn't do. I wasn't expecting the outcome I've had when I quit it. I did it in anger. But that's what happened. It clearly wasn't treating my depression, and as it turned out, it was fueling it to maximum level. I had been hospitalized last year on the edge of suicide. I no longer even experience the impulse and wonder why I ever felt it. I cannot tell you how good it feels to be out of that place. It was hard as hell to quit, but I'll never touch that stuff again.
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3 ReactionsMy doctor had prescribed venlaflexine for anxiety and menopause 75mg but I did not start. It sounds like this med can give you too much withdrawal symptoms later?
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1 ReactionAmen to that. Knowing what I know now, I would not have taken venlafaxine for hot flashes umpteen years ago, as I have been unable to get off the drug after two attempts. A third attempt is in my future. Among side effects is a loss of interest in sex. I was warned by my pharmacist, but I never imagined I would be on the drug long-term. I would try every anxiety-lowering trick in the book before resorting to this drug. (Anxiety brings on hot flashes, which I guess is why it was prescribed.)
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1 ReactionI just started this journey of tapering for the second or third time. I'm going to do my best to stick with it. This was my first night of reducing from 50mg to 25mg, and then I take my normal 50mg during the day. I woke up a bit panicky. I feel not myself. Will my body adjust to this new dosage or will the entire journey be this way?
so glad to find other to talk with. I had been on Effexor XR off and on for over 26 yrs. been off this time for 5 months now. had to come off because it had stopped working and was causing lots of depression and anxiety of its on now. I could not get off it on my own had to go to a place in Sedona AZ ,ATMC, to do a detox program to get off, ended up counting the beads to get off without passing out constantly. now Im seeing a Neurologist that is doing neuropath work on me to help heal my receptors and help with brain zaps and ears ringing and light headedness. it messed my physical up badly trying to get cortical levels back now also. i'm praying a lot and trying to be patient so I don't have to go on a bridge drug( really don't want to do that) so many side effects, loss of desire to do most ANYTHING, every 3rd day I have lots of tears too,
and the worse is with cortisol levels off I wake up in fight or flight everytime i wake up.
Anyone else have any information on how long it may take to get receptors to heal?
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1 ReactionBless you my friend. So proud that you have found your way. what a great job you have done and worked so hard.
I have no problem with meds. just the one I was on stopped working.im not truly functioning well yet in society but, I know God has a plan and I will get back to my life. thank you for sharing your story .
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2 ReactionsIt would be helpful for you to read earlier posts on this topic. Experts recommend a tapering schedule of no more than 10%, waiting for your body to adjust (i.e., to be sure you are not suffering withdrawal effects), and then tapering ten percent of the remaining dosage, a waiting period again, and so on. Every body is different, so you'll have to experiment to learn what works for you. Good luck.
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