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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 8 hours ago | Replies (6412)Comment receiving replies
Counting beads from capsules and splitting pills are regularly talked about in this discussion. We took the question of cutting pills to a Mayo Clinic pharmacist and this is what she had to say:
"Each patient should consult their clinician for individualized recommendations for tapering off antidepressant medications. Tapers should be individualized with consideration for the specific medication to be tapered, current dose, how long they have been taking the medication and other factors based on the clinicians expertise.
In some cases tablets may be split. Capsules should never be split. Removal of beads from capsules to accomplish titration is not a recommended method of tapering. Taper schedules can extend for several weeks if the patient's situation requires a slower taper. Tapers are sometimes shortened in the case of adverse effects or other patient factors. You can read more about antidepressant withdrawal here https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/antidepressant-withdrawal/faq-20058133."
I agree with the experiences shared by many members on this forum. Take the time to taper slowly. Advocate for this need with your physician. To support your discussion with your doctor, you may find the points made in this discussion and New York Times article helpful:
- Patients are teaching doctors online about antidepressants https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/patients-are-teaching-doctors-online-about-antidepressants/
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@colleenyoung
Hello Colleen,
I believe your pharmacist needs to check into hotel reality.
Her opinion is fine provided we lived in a perfect world with perfect doctors with excellent advice who cared about patients suffering but unfortunately that’s not the case.
Bottom line is that the manufacturer doesn't know proper taper schedules and neither do many doctors. Patients shouldn't have to cut pills, remove beads or make suspensions. But what choice do patients really have? The doctors don't follow proper depression system guidelines when prescribing these medications. The pharmacist the doctors the nurses all medical professionals need to look at this issue through the patients eyes but they don't. As I write this reply I am in the emergency room waiting to see the doctor to get some seizure medication which I forgot this morning and I am spending some time over here on the California coast celebrating my cousins birthday. The problem is they are trying to give me generic seizure medication which lowers my seizure threshold. They claim the medicine is the same but it's not, the bioavailability of the drug is different. They’re trying to tell me I won’t have a seizure and that really infuriates me. I told each one of them there statements are irresponsible and I told each one that none of you can predict a seizure but it just goes to show the mentality of some of the medical professionals that we patients run into every single day. They’re not the ones that may have a seizure that could be fatal or suffer withdrawal effects coming off various types of medications.
I apologize for the rant but I know what happens to me and what has happened to many other people at the hands of doctors. I am lucky to be alive today because of the irresponsible prescribing actions of some medical professionals.
Although I have a lot of respect for most medical professionals, I have none for those who are incompetent?
Sorry again for getting carried away,
Jake