Hi, I’ve been on 300mgs daily of venlafaxine for the last 15+ years. Six months ago I started reducing my dosage very slowly. I had no problems until I was down to 37.5mgs BUT, I started on that dose by taking 75mgs on alternate days. I think this is what catapoulted me into severe withdrawals. I have just bought the book: ‘The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines for Anti-depressants etc.’. (The ‘Maudsley’ refers to a very large hospital in England, U.K. which specialises in psychiatry). In this book it states that taking this stuff every other day can bring on withdrawal symptoms. It’s all to do with the chemical levels zooming up and down on the alternate days, (I think). Anyone thinking about reducing their venlafaxine, and who doesn’t have a doctor who is very experienced in this, should have a copy of this book. It’s very readable and is packed with information. It’s not cheap, I paid £45.00, but it’s worth every penny. It looks as though I am going to end up back on my full dose of 300mgs again, to hopefully get rid of these appalling withdrawals. Having stabilised, I then intend to try again, even more slowly, and not taking doses every other day. I wish you luck! Proceed more slowly than you think you need to; be in close contact with your doctor; stop reducing your dose if you get withdrawals, until you’ve stabilised; buy the book before you start.
Regards,
Zainah-Elizabeth Lovell

Hi there!

Right now I'm alternating between two different doses, suggested by my doctor. I'm alternating 225 mg and 187,5 mg for two weeks, because from 225 mg to 187,5 mg in one go was to fast for me (see post below).

I'm still unsure if this is not too fast, because I'm still experiencing quite some withdrawal symptoms, though they're less severe then before alternating.

Either way I'd suggest to taper off in the smallest steps possible to minimize withdrawal symptoms. I have 37,5 mg capsules (slow release), but maybe they're even lower dosages in capsules. I still have to look into that as well as the tapering strips.