Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

When I weened off Effexor I developed pulsatile tinnitus. I heard my heart beat in my ears. Among other strange things.

I still have lingering vertigo.

You mean if he agrees to the Prozac taper more slowly off the Effexor XR? Should he give me regular Effexor so I can cut the pills down? Can't cut the time release capsules.

It sounds like me and my doctor have to figure out how to get me off the Effexor XR safely and minimize withdrawal if that's possible.

The time release capsules can be pulled apart and the beads taken out. You literally count the beads and take out a small percentage for a couple weeks, then take out a little bit more. This way has been successful for most folks. Never ever go cold turkey even on the lowest dose!

Your doctor will probably learn something from you! But please, if you want to be successful, taper over a long period of time.

Yeah, my doctor seemed to think this could go quickly but it obviously can't and I have to tell him that. So I have to taper the last 75 milligrams a lot slower I guess. I think I got the headaches because it was just too much a shock for my system. That stuff is powerful drug.

I was worried about he Prozac affecting my liver but I just had my liver enzymes tested and they are OK. If I have to get off Effexor XR using the Prozac then I have to. I just hope my doctor doesn't give me a hard time about using the Prozac. I don't think he will though.

They don’t but they love to prescribe them. Worse than a benzo in my opinion.

From the experiences recounted on this forum, doctors routinely give/recommend to patients tapering schedules that are TOO FAST. Your doctor may be guiding you, but only you know how you feel; unless you're in a big hurry for medical reasons (i.e., Effexor is making your blood pressure spike dangerously, or you're pregnant), slow down–WAAYYYY down. You will know if you are tapering too fast–withdrawal symptoms are the big tip off.

I was only ever on 25mg regular-release Effexor/venlafaxine--it came as very small (approx 1/4 inch), flat, dry tablets; usually round, but occasionally my refills were 5-sided, or oval-shaped; color was usually pale pink/salmon, or yellow. These were all very easy to cut with a pill cutter. You could cut these into halves, quarters, or even smaller with a razor blade, or Exacto knife and mix-match to get smaller doses as you taper.

Folks have opened the capsules and counted/removed beads; it is tedious and is somewhat hit-and-miss as the number/sizes of beads within a capsule varies from capsule to capsule within a bottle of pills. Your doctor could specify a specific brand of capsule--@farm_mom found Teva had the most consistent size and number of beads within a capsule. See @sandij, or @doorman on how to count/throw out beads to taper.

A long time ago I was addicted to benzos but I had a doctor who knew how to get me off of them and he did but it was hard. Now I have doctor who gave me this Effexor XR who doesn't apparently have a clue to help me get me off of it and I'm going to be the one telling him how to do to by the advice I read on here. That is so sad. This doctor thinks I can go down from the 75 milligrams to 37.5 milligrams then to no milligrams and then I'm off of it. It's not that easy and I wish it were. They say the last 75 milligrams is the hardest to come off of and it really is.