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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 15 hours ago | Replies (6415)Comment receiving replies
I posted a few weeks ago about weaning off Effexor after being on it for 10 years. I believe I was wrongly given these when menopause began and hormones were knocking me around! I’m now on 75 mg and saw my doc, spoke to my pharmacist my counsellor and the docs recommendation is to take 75mg one day then 37.5 the next day for at least a month. After a month I need to Check in how it’s going and then continue on to the next stage. I’m excited to start this but not looking forward to the withdrawals. I’m healthy, no other issues so I’m so ready for this now. Wish me the best for my journey, I will report back on my progress.
Replies to "I posted a few weeks ago about weaning off Effexor after being on it for 10..."
@searchgirl
Good Morning,
I have also been on various dosages of Effexor for more than 10 years.
This past November I decided it was time to reduce the amount I have been taking for the last 4 or 5 years.
Effexor has been the one med that has worked for me, so I have no intention of going off completely, I just want to be on what I consider to be a reasonable amount.
I was on 75 mg tablets, 2 in the am and 2 in the pm (total of 300 mg at day).
Now, I do take tablets.
I no longer take capsules.
As I said, I began in November and based on what I read about weaning, I came up with the following method.
So far, so good.
I started with the pm dosage:
I cut one pill into 1/4s and took away only one of those 1/4s.
(PM dose was 1-3/4 pills)
I took the reduced amount every other day for 3 weeks.
I felt fine so I went on to take the new dosage (1-3/4 pills) every evening for 3 weeks.
Next, I took away another 1/4 of the pill.
(PM dose went to 1-1/2 pills)
I took the new reduced dosage every other night for 3 weeks.
(1-3/4 pills and 1-1/2 pills)
I felt fine so I took the new dosage for 3 weeks (1-1/2 pills).
Next, took away another 1/4 pill.
(PM dose went to 1-1/4 pills)
I took the new reduced dosage every other night for 3 weeks.
(1-1/2 pills and 1-1/4 pills)
I felt fine so I took the new dosage for 4 weeks.
Although I wasn't getting any withdrawal, I did feel a little different, so I stayed on this dosage a little longer.
I am now on 1 pill in the evening.
This was my first goal.
I've been on this dosage for several weeks.
I will probably NOT start to reduce my PM dosage until after the summer, although I am not 100% sure.
I have hopes to do several things while my grands are off from school and I don't want to take a chance of not feeling well.
So, if I was confusing (after all it is around 3am) I will summarize what I am doing:
I reduce one pill 25%.
I alternate the older dosage with the newer reduced dosage every other day for 3 weeks.
If I feel fine, I take the newer reduced dosage every day for 3 weeks.
If I feel fine, I take away another 25% and follow the same pattern.
I hope this helps....
Good luck!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)
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@searchgirl
I would ask the doctor how much success he’s had discontinuing Effexor that way. I never would discontinue a medication like Effexor on an every other day basis but that’s not to say it won’t work. I do know your chances of withdrawals will be less the slower your taper. You also need to keep in mind how long you’ve been taking it. You shouldn’t expect to get off it as quickly as someone whose been on it a short time. After 10 years what’s the rush? Slow and steady will be your best friends.
Wishing you luck on your taper.
Jake