Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

What book are you referring to please?

The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines: Antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, Gabapentinoids and Z-drugs, by Mark Horowitz and David Taylor, published 2024. It is excellent. You can find a lot of the information online by doing a search for "Mark Horowitz." If you would like for me to provide links directly to you, please let me know.

Thank you! No I am sure I can find with his name.

I been going through the same thing . I’m three weeks into being off the Effexor and I get brain zaps and crying episodes . I will never ever take Effexor again . Benedryl helps with the brain zaps , yet it’s getting better . I would never ever recommend this Medication to anyone . Severe withdrawal.

Thank you … One month off Effexor XR and I’m feeling much better. Still some brain zaps , yet they are a lot less .

I see your post is from 5 yrs ago so hope you still check in. I have only taken 37.5xl 6 times and I want off of it. I have been reading all these posts as my Dr. is out of town and my plan is to take 1/2 the capsule and see how that goes.

I wish you the best on getting off this medication. I was on it for 13 years. The withdrawal symptoms from it are awful. Crying a lot , moody, extremely agitated. Headaches , not to mention Brain Zaps. I took 2 Benedryl daily until the brain zaps were much better.,Today is one month without Effexor . I’m feeling like myself other than the headaches .

He everyone! I’ve been on 300 mg of Venlafaxine for about 8+ years and because I’m tired of the side effects (brain zaps, distressing dreams, sweating, etc.) my medical doctor and I decided to try to wean me off this drug. I can’t say I condemn this med, it’s just got some troublesome issues for some of us. My weaning program is reduction by 37.5 mg for about 2 weeks to a month and then a further reduction of 37.5 for the next 2 weeks to a month and so on.

Did anybody experience nausea and committing after the first4 days of reducing dosage?

Venlafaxine is a drug, and, as a drug, it can create not only addiction, but also and definitely physical dependence, you can't just stop venlafaxine and hope that you will be magically ok, you have to do tapering, and consult with a psychiatrist, I have just stopped consuming venlafaxing after a slow tapering, I was taking 1/4 of 75 mg of venlafaxine (1 pill), which is already have to cut, one week in and I'm still taking paracetamol (pill for the headsche) (here in uruguay), but, ince I did tapering,since I gradually reduced my consumption of the pill, my withdrawal effects hasn't prevented me from sleeping or working as I always should, I just have a headache if not taking paracetamol, the headache is becoming less painful as each day passes, so that's a very good sign

based on my experience, it's just patient tapering, slowly reducing the amount you consume, once you make a reduction, keep with that reduction until you feel normal (well), only then continue with the reduction process until you realize you aren't consuming it anymore, consult with your psychiatrist