I was prescribed Effexor, an initial dose of 37.5 mg. The physician assured me that he had never had difficulty weaning patients off if the medication proved not to be beneficial. Being a strong proponent of starting at the lowest dose possible I took 1/2 of the 37.5 mg for seven days. Lo and behold- side effects started with blurred vision, constipation, asthenia (loss of muscle strength), loss of coordination, headache, light stool. So........for the next two days took 1/2 of the 1/2 for three days......no withdrawal. I wonder if physicians would even prescribe this medication if they read all the threads that have been posted of the horrors of withdrawal. I have always been very sensitive to medications and their side effects so starting at the very very lowest dose has been my practice for many years.....perhaps its my metabolism, weight (93lb) and now age.