I was on Effexor for many years at 150 mg I told my doctor I wanted to go lower so he put me on 75 for about a year and then I had to have a step test that I could not take Effexor for 7 days before the test my doctor put me on 37.5 I went off at for the seven days before the test and I am now 6 weeks out with no side effects I am not going back on it