Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

@njoys
The place in Holland is Cinderella therapeutics. cinderella therapeutics. Thank you for mentioning that option as well as the compounding pharmacy.
Unfortunately, doctors often refuse to write a prescription to a compounding pharmacy for whatever stupid reason, Also, insurance companies don't usually pay for compounded drugs. I go to a sterile compounding pharmacy to get an injection medication and my insurance doesn't pay a dime towards that which is very expensive.
Best of luck to you,
Jake

I understood alternate days are a very bad idea
Have you considered using liquid for and reducing smaller doses
It is not slow release so necessary to take twice daily

I found that if I didn’t have skip days but instead took a smaller dose every day.
Example; taking 1/2of the 37 mg dose every day instead of 37 every other day is MUCH better.
I hope this helps. Hugs.

Ps. I just opened the capsule a poured out half. Easy peasy.

Thank you for your encouragement. Unfortunately, I have a 37.5 extended release tablet-- not the capsule. I have a message in to my doctor though and am curious if she could order the capsule for me. How long did you take 1/2 of the 37mg? I am seriously considering just going off of it altogether, but also know this is probably not a good idea. Everything I read says, "don't rush it." Thanks again for your encouragement and input.

You could go off of it but…you could possibly have a very sick day.
I am actually down to pouring out a few dippy dots from the capsule onto the tip of my finger. Getting off of this is hell.

I have tried several times to be “done” but I end up with the feeling of my eyes not being connected to my brain, so delayed visual tracking and thus, a sick stomach.
It is gross. I am particularly sensitive to titration from antidepressants.
The best of luck to you.
It won’t hurt to try just going off of it, you may be just fine as most people are. You can always take one later than normal if you feel too crummy.
P.s. you can break your pill in half. I do that all the time as well. If you need you can use a pill cutter or use a kitchen knife to snap it.

@sunshinerin
Just to let you know a potential danger of stopping all at once.
When lady had a stroke when she stopped cold turkey, although she was on a larger dose and seizures are another possible withdrawal effect.
Best of luck with your taper,
Jake

I'm doing decently coming off venlafaxine after many years. Here's my biggest problem: I fall asleep okay but wake up literally dripping in vinegary sweat. If I wake up slightly while turning over I can feel it dripping. It's gross and the absolute worst part. I can deal with the minor nausea and brain zaps. Does anyone have any solutions for the sleep sweating? Please? Cause at this point I'm thinking of wrapping my bed in plastic LOL

Here is a summary which might prove helpful for some: https://www.madinamerica.com/2024/08/maudsley-deprescribing-guidelines-taylor-horowitz/

This is the liquid form
Of Venlafaxine which allows you to lower does by small amounts

I am currently tapering off a combination of Bupropion 150 MG and Venlafaxine 75 MG, which I have been taking for about five years. Before that, I tried several other medications, including Lexapro and Zoloft. I haven’t gone cold turkey, but I am navigating this process without a doctor’s supervision. Getting off Bupropion wasn’t too difficult, but discontinuing Venlafaxine, as many have warned, is proving to be much more challenging. I’ve reduced my doses, and now in my third week, I’m experiencing disruptions like brain zaps, lethargy, and anger.

The reason I’m undertaking this journey is personal. I believe some people genuinely need medications, but I also think they can sometimes serve as a crutch, with doctors readily prescribing them. We’ve become a society that alleviates our problems with drugs rather than confronting them directly.

That’s why I’m making this change; I want to regain control of my life. We all face difficulties—some more than others—and I’ve endured the loss of ten close individuals over the past fifteen years, alongside various financial and relationship challenges. I refuse to depend on medication for the rest of my life.

I look forward to emerging from this experience healthier and more in control. I’ve learned a lot from the posts I’ve read and truly appreciate the struggles each person is going through or has overcome. Every journey is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Ultimately, it comes down to what is best for you.