1. < Depression & Anxiety

Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Posted by richyrich @richyrich, Nov 2, 2016

I have been taking Effexor/Venlafaxine for years and tried to get off it a few times but each time I try to give up the chemical withdrawal symptoms are a horror story and I give up giving up. Anyone got any tips or tried and tested strategies? Thank you

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bookkie | @bookkie | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @ercoled57 "I would like to do it by smaller increments however the EFFEXOR XR are in capsule..." + (show)
@ercoled57

I would like to do it by smaller increments however the EFFEXOR XR are in capsule form and the smallest capsule size is 37.5 mg. The doctors won't order the regular Effexor since I've been on Effexor XR for so long. They said that switching from one to the other can be as difficult as tapering down.

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Can you ask your doctor or pharmacist to prescribe the proper amount in multiple capsules - so you would start with 4 x 37.5mg at one time to make up 150 and then taper down with the number of pills you take each time?

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1 reply
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @ercoled57 "I would like to do it by smaller increments however the EFFEXOR XR are in capsule..." + (show)
@ercoled57

I would like to do it by smaller increments however the EFFEXOR XR are in capsule form and the smallest capsule size is 37.5 mg. The doctors won't order the regular Effexor since I've been on Effexor XR for so long. They said that switching from one to the other can be as difficult as tapering down.

Jump to this post

@ercoled57
So actually your cutting by a specific milligram which makes the situation even worse than I thought. What’s going to happen as you get farther along in your taper the percentage of what is 25% now will increase which may increase any withdrawal symptoms. I agree switching over to the regular Effexor may come with some challenges and may take a couple, maybe more, weeks to get regulated but it seems more logical to do that than to jump off Effexor at 37.5 and then go to zero. I have little doubt that you will suffer more when you quit than if you convert.
Some members have reduced the beads in the capsule while others have converted it to a suspension.
Jake

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1 reply
ercoled57 | @ercoled57 | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @bookkie "Can you ask your doctor or pharmacist to prescribe the proper amount in multiple capsules -..." + (show)
@bookkie

Can you ask your doctor or pharmacist to prescribe the proper amount in multiple capsules - so you would start with 4 x 37.5mg at one time to make up 150 and then taper down with the number of pills you take each time?

Jump to this post

Was actually taking 150 mg (4 tabs) before tapering down to 112.5 (3 tabs).

REPLY
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @ercoled57 "I would like to do it by smaller increments however the EFFEXOR XR are in capsule..." + (show)
@ercoled57

I would like to do it by smaller increments however the EFFEXOR XR are in capsule form and the smallest capsule size is 37.5 mg. The doctors won't order the regular Effexor since I've been on Effexor XR for so long. They said that switching from one to the other can be as difficult as tapering down.

Jump to this post

Another option and the best one is to use a Compounding Pharmacy.
Jake

REPLY
1 reply
ercoled57 | @ercoled57 | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@ercoled57 So actually your cutting by a specific milligram which makes the situation even worse than..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@ercoled57
So actually your cutting by a specific milligram which makes the situation even worse than I thought. What’s going to happen as you get farther along in your taper the percentage of what is 25% now will increase which may increase any withdrawal symptoms. I agree switching over to the regular Effexor may come with some challenges and may take a couple, maybe more, weeks to get regulated but it seems more logical to do that than to jump off Effexor at 37.5 and then go to zero. I have little doubt that you will suffer more when you quit than if you convert.
Some members have reduced the beads in the capsule while others have converted it to a suspension.
Jake

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It is also all dependent on what my doctor will prescribe and what my insurance will cover. At first the insurance wouldn't cover the smaller tablets so I could taper down because I had been taking the 150 mg for so long. It took a special note from the doctor for them to approve it.

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1 reply
ercoled57 | @ercoled57 | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @jakedduck1 "Another option and the best one is to use a Compounding Pharmacy. Jake" + (show)
@jakedduck1

Another option and the best one is to use a Compounding Pharmacy.
Jake

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That is not covered by my insurance.

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Brightwings AKA Cute Susie | @brightwings | Sep 30, 2019

Hello Bright Wings here.
My 2 cents is I was on Effexor for around 33 years.
It was the last of 16 drugs I weaned myself off of.
I did not research.
I just went cold turkey.
I suffered a stroke , the drag your foot to the door, left arm tightly against chest with fist clenched, drooling kind of stroke.
Cause? Nightmares caused by withdrawal from Effexor.
No one would be able to tell I had the stroke cuz i am a do what ever it takes kind of girl.
Listen to these kind folks. I have been here 11/2 years.
They know what they are talking about.

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1 reply
ercoled57 | @ercoled57 | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @brightwings "Hello Bright Wings here. My 2 cents is I was on Effexor for around 33 years...." + (show)
@brightwings

Hello Bright Wings here.
My 2 cents is I was on Effexor for around 33 years.
It was the last of 16 drugs I weaned myself off of.
I did not research.
I just went cold turkey.
I suffered a stroke , the drag your foot to the door, left arm tightly against chest with fist clenched, drooling kind of stroke.
Cause? Nightmares caused by withdrawal from Effexor.
No one would be able to tell I had the stroke cuz i am a do what ever it takes kind of girl.
Listen to these kind folks. I have been here 11/2 years.
They know what they are talking about.

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Thank you!

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secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @ercoled57 "I am just starting my day 2 of tapering down from 150 mg to 112.5 Effexor..." + (show)
@ercoled57

I am just starting my day 2 of tapering down from 150 mg to 112.5 Effexor ER. I already have symptoms of sleepiness, problems with focus, and a tiny bit of anxiety. Any suggestions? I have an appointment to see a counselor this Friday and have started mindfulness meditation. Will go for a short walk on my morning break. I've been on this drug for well over 10 years. Was successful about 5 years ago to taper off from 300 mg to 0 then the side effects were so bad started back on 150 mg. Tried tapering off again a little over a year ago with no success. I'm trying a 3rd time and really want to do it! 3rd time's a charm?

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Taper slower. Don’t be a hero 🙂 if you want to stay at 112.5, stay for at least a month. This is some serious stuff and the withdrawal can be horrific.

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1 reply
secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Sep 30, 2019
In reply to @ercoled57 "That's the smallest increment that can be done with Effexor XR." + (show)
@ercoled57

That's the smallest increment that can be done with Effexor XR.

Jump to this post

What some folks do (me included) is to open up the capsules and take out five or so little beads for a month. Then 10, etc etc. when you get to about half the beads go ahead and get a smaller RX. Then open those caps up. Took me 18 months to ween off 37.5. Remember, as the dosage gets smaller, take out fewer beads at a clip. (Because percentage-wise, it’s a lot more at the smaller doses). But know this, you will be ok. I am weened off completely.

That being said, however, I am back on an anti anxiety and anti depression med. wish I didn’t need to, but c’est la vie.

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