Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Hi all, There has been a lot of discussion in this thread about tapering off and stopping Effexor and other antidepressants. We sought the input of a Mayo Clinic pharmacist and here what she had to say:

"Most antidepressants should be tapered before discontinuing. Patients should check with their healthcare provider for discontinuation recommendations. Taper directions can depend on the reason for discontinuation, the particular antidepressant being discontinued, the current dose and other patient-specific factors. Abrupt discontinuation of venlafaxine is more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms and relapse than many other antidepressants because of its short half-life. Likewise, strategies for switching between antidepressants require similar consideration from a care provider. Here at Mayo Clinic, we pharmacists work together with physicians to help determine the best strategies for each patient.

Patients may decide to discontinue their antidepressants for a variety of reasons. Some people feel better after taking an antidepressant and may feel they don’t need it anymore. The course of antidepressant therapy varies. Some people have lifelong mood symptoms that can be alleviated with antidepressants. Others may have difficult times in their lives where treatment is required while they work through the situation and/or find other mechanisms to alleviate symptoms. A clinician can help patients determine the appropriate treatment course based on patient history, symptom severity and other patient-specific factors.

Some patients may experience side effects. Management of side effects depends on their severity, expected duration, other options and patient-specific factors. For example, many patients experience stomach upset when starting antidepressants, but this is usually short-lived, and the benefits of continuing treatment usually outweigh the risk of stopping the antidepressant or having the same effects with another anti-depressant.

“Cold turkey” discontinuation of venlafaxine can cause agitation, sweating, fatigue, nausea, restlessness, tremor and relapse of depression. A slow taper is recommended, and tapering may need to be adjusted based on patient-specific factors listed above and for patient response to the taper.

Genetics play a major role in our response to venlafaxine. People with poor 2D6 metabolizer status may not respond to venlafaxine and thus may not be subject to the same withdrawal symptoms as those who were metabolizing the drug properly. Routine genotype testing is not routinely recommended but could explain lack of response to venlafaxine and certain other medications. Mayo Clinic offers this type of pharmacogenetics testing that can be ordered by our providers. For more information see: http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/center-for-individualized-medicine/

The most important thing to remember is that each patient is different and may respond differently to the same treatment. We have to communicate openly with our healthcare providers to get the most from our medications. Sometimes this entails some trial and error, but it is worth getting the right therapy in the end.

You can read more about Pharmacogenomics in this article https://www.seattletimes.com/life/wellness/depressed-genetics-affect-how-drugs-work/."

Has anyone had genetic testing that altered their treatment plan or improved their condition?

Hey guys. Yep, Effexor withdrawal is brutal. I wasn't even trying to get off of it; the pharmacy just ran out and had to order more. I'd run out of other antidepressants (Wellbutrin, Celexa) before and it didn't really bother me so I didn't think much of it. Oh, boy, was I wrong... I shattered my ankle a while ago and had 4 surgeries in 5 years. Consequently, I was taking a lot of different opioids at a certain point and they gave me some withdrawal meds to ease transitions. I can tell you that the same meds they prescribe for opioid withdrawal will help with Effexor withdrawal. None of them are controlled substances, so they should be simple for your doctor to prescribe. They include anti-nausea meds, and meds to control cramping and high blood pressure. (The specific ones they gave me were Dicyclomine, Clonidine, Hyoscyamine, and Toradol for pain.) If you live in a state that has legalized marijuana, I also recommend some CBD drops. (CBD, unlike THC, has no psychoactive properties. It's the "relaxing" side of marijuana rather than the "high" side, and you can buy edibles that contain only CBD.) Your local dispensary can offer advice on dosages.

I’m new here. Have read almost every post trying to get help getting off Effexor ER.
It was prescribed to me for hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.
I started at 37.5 mg for 2 weeks with no relieve so dr upped my dose to 75 mg and that actually helped a lot and my life felt great for about 1month then slowly quit working and now the only thing I get from it are side effects which include worse sweating, nausea, so tired I can barely function and just don’t feel like doing anything. It is all I can do to get ready for work and all I think about all day is coming home and laying down. I have zero energy and zero quality of life.

At first I thought it was menopause symptoms just getting worse but after researching I now think the Effexor is contributing to some of it.
I have only been on this med for about 8-10 weeks so hoping getting off it won’t be so bad.

My plan i started today is didn’t take one today but plan to take 37.5 every other day for a week then one every 3-4 days for a week then one a week then stop.
Does this sound reasonable?
My dr put me on a HRT today and acted like stopping the Effexor was no big deal when she saw how long I’d been on it.
Any advice is truly welcome!

Thanks for reading this. I know it’s lomg.

Lukekee

I’m new here. Have read almost every post trying to get help getting off Effexor ER.
It was prescribed to me for hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.
I started at 37.5 mg for 2 weeks with no relieve so dr upped my dose to 75 mg and that actually helped a lot and my life felt great for about 1month then slowly quit working and now the only thing I get from it are side effects which include worse sweating, nausea, so tired I can barely function and just don’t feel like doing anything. It is all I can do to get ready for work and all I think about all day is coming home and laying down. I have zero energy and zero quality of life.

At first I thought it was menopause symptoms just getting worse but after researching I now think the Effexor is contributing to some of it.
I have only been on this med for about 8-10 weeks so hoping getting off it won’t be so bad.

My plan i started today is didn’t take one today but plan to take 37.5 every other day for a week then one every 3-4 days for a week then one a week then stop.
Does this sound reasonable?
My dr put me on a HRT today and acted like stopping the Effexor was no big deal when she saw how long I’d been on it.
Any advice is truly welcome!

Thanks for reading this. I know it’s lomg.

Lukekee

I’m new here. Have read almost every post trying to get help getting off Effexor ER.
It was prescribed to me for hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.
I started at 37.5 mg for 2 weeks with no relieve so dr upped my dose to 75 mg and that actually helped a lot and my life felt great for about 1month then slowly quit working and now the only thing I get from it are side effects which include worse sweating, nausea, so tired I can barely function and just don’t feel like doing anything. It is all I can do to get ready for work and all I think about all day is coming home and laying down. I have zero energy and zero quality of life.

At first I thought it was menopause symptoms just getting worse but after researching I now think the Effexor is contributing to some of it.
I have only been on this med for about 8-10 weeks so hoping getting off it won’t be so bad.

My plan i started today is didn’t take one today but plan to take 37.5 every other day for a week then one every 3-4 days for a week then one a week then stop.
Does this sound reasonable?
My dr put me on a HRT today and acted like stopping the Effexor was no big deal when she saw how long I’d been on it.
Any advice is truly welcome!

Thanks for reading this. I know it’s lomg.

Lukekee

I’m new here. Have read almost every post trying to get help getting off Effexor ER.
It was prescribed to me for hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.
I started at 37.5 mg for 2 weeks with no relieve so dr upped my dose to 75 mg and that actually helped a lot and my life felt great for about 1month then slowly quit working and now the only thing I get from it are side effects which include worse sweating, nausea, so tired I can barely function and just don’t feel like doing anything. It is all I can do to get ready for work and all I think about all day is coming home and laying down. I have zero energy and zero quality of life.

At first I thought it was menopause symptoms just getting worse but after researching I now think the Effexor is contributing to some of it.
I have only been on this med for about 8-10 weeks so hoping getting off it won’t be so bad.

My plan i started today is didn’t take one today but plan to take 37.5 every other day for a week then one every 3-4 days for a week then one a week then stop.
Does this sound reasonable?
My dr put me on a HRT today and acted like stopping the Effexor was no big deal when she saw how long I’d been on it.
Any advice is truly welcome!

Thanks for reading this. I know it’s lomg.

Lukekee

I’m new here. Have read almost every post trying to get help getting off Effexor ER.
It was prescribed to me for hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.
I started at 37.5 mg for 2 weeks with no relieve so dr upped my dose to 75 mg and that actually helped a lot and my life felt great for about 1month then slowly quit working and now the only thing I get from it are side effects which include worse sweating, nausea, so tired I can barely function and just don’t feel like doing anything. It is all I can do to get ready for work and all I think about all day is coming home and laying down. I have zero energy and zero quality of life.

At first I thought it was menopause symptoms just getting worse but after researching I now think the Effexor is contributing to some of it.
I have only been on this med for about 8-10 weeks so hoping getting off it won’t be so bad.

My plan i started today is didn’t take one today but plan to take 37.5 every other day for a week then one every 3-4 days for a week then one a week then stop.
Does this sound reasonable?
My dr put me on a HRT today and acted like stopping the Effexor was no big deal when she saw how long I’d been on it.
Any advice is truly welcome!

Thanks for reading this. I know it’s lomg.

Lukekee