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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (6299)Comment receiving replies
I have been on effexor since 2015 . I was put on it without being informed of anything about it and have been trying to get off ever since. My doctor won't help me so I am fixing to go cold turkey. It's getting more depressing being on it than it's worth. I have read what everyone has posted and all great if you have a doctor willing to help. Good luck to you all.
Replies to "I have been on effexor since 2015 . I was put on it without being informed..."
Do NOT go cold turkey! It's dangerous! Very, very slowly decrease the dosage. Very slowly!
Careful Come off it s l o w l y
Going cold turkey is dangerous. I talked to a pharmacist and she suggests reducing dose by 37.5 mg every week. U can ask them to fill your Rx in doses of 37.5 mg. Still get some side effects but minimal.
I know your post is about Effexor But I'd like to remind all , other meds are just as, or more dangerous such as Xanax. My pharmacist did but after I' had gotten very sick / I was taken to the ER with 300 BP & very sick ! Thought I was having a stroke. ER MD said' Xanax is only to be taken occasionally. I think lots of doctors have NO clue about how devastating these drugs can be to some folks. Now I fear them STill on Xanax sadly When I went off Prozac I had NO withdrawal ... wish I had stayed on it. Hate being 'addicted' to Xanax .
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@fallenangel13
I'm a Volunteer Mentor with Mayo Connect and as such am not a medical professional. However, I'm concerned that you are thinking of going off Effexor cold turkey. This drug carries very strong and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Even though your doctor won't help you, your pharmacist may be willing to help. My pharmacist saved me a lot of pain by helping me withdraw from Gabapentin a year ago when my pain doctor wouldn't help.
Read through the previous posts on Mayo Connect and you will find that people who have successfully withdrawn from Effexor have had to go very slowly to do so. Also, some people have been put onto another antidepressant without the bad side effects of Effexor, for a period of time. Then they have been able to withdraw from their new medication more easily.
I hope you can learn from other's experiences with the withdrawal from Effexor. Please stay with us on Mayo Connect as you proceed your withdrawal process and let me know how you're doing physically and emotionally.
Gailb
Volunteer Mentor