Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

So hard to find the one that might help. I have to say Efexor got me out of that black hole and l am tapering off after about 11 years. Not sure if is going to go well. I am very teary at the moment but l have a son who is at an all time low at the moment so it isn't the best time to do it.
Very sad to see him suffering.

Hold off on your taper until things become more stable. Don’t increase your dose just don’t taper down for a while.

I had to go back to 37.5 and within a day l felt stronger and the zaps stopped. I will have to stay on them for a while l can see. I must say EFEXOR really does keep me in quite a good place but l would prefer not to have to use it.😢🙄

Don’t beat yourself up. Do what’s best for you. If your miserable stay on the lowest dose possible.

Hello there! If you are in a good place and have no issues with taking Effexor (especially such a low dose), are you sure you want to quit? I weened off 37.5 over the course of 18 months. Once I was completely off for 6 miserable months, I am back on meds. Not Effexor, but Seroquel and Zoloft. Not much difference. Well, actually, I’m maintaining a pretty good place, but not quite as good as I was while on Effexor.

What I’m saying is, life is short. None of us is perfect. Whatever gives you happiness, I say go for it!

But all that being said, listen to Sears and don’t beat yourself up. Take it slow. And meditation really helped me through those 6 awful months 🙂

You will be fine.

Not sure if you’re still here or not, but I highly highly recommend acupuncture. And meditation. Nothing fancy or woo woo. If you see an acupuncturist that has a ton of bells and whistles don’t be impressed. If you find an old guy or gal that does it (safely) out of a cheap office, that’s been doing it for years, that’s who you want. Seek out folks who see acupuncturists for recommendations. It’s real. It kept me from needing back surgery and helped me through tapering off meds.

Also, insurance should pay for a big chunk of it.

Don’t give up.

Hello. Anybody knows if Venlafaxine XR can be dissolved in water for tapering purpose??, or is only for the IR presentation??

@andy1962
I believe that someone posted instructions on how to do that but it was quite a while back. Maybe a Moderator or Mentor can retrieve the post for you.
Good luck,
Jake

You can check with your doctor to see if s/he will prescribe a different version of Venlafaxine (tablets, regular-release, different dosage strength, etc.), or give you a script that you can take to a compounding pharmacist to have tapering doses made.

In May 2019, @notaround posted that Venlafaxine XR did not dissolve in water.

My post 8/15/18: Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology recommends dissolving a tablet in 100 mL of juice, discarding 1 mL [you could control the taper as you wish by discarding a different amount and reducing at a different interval] and drinking the rest. After 3 days, 2 mL can be discarded, etc."—https://www.mdedge.com/psychiatry/article/103869/depression/venlafaxine-discontinuation-syndrome-prevention-and-management

In this article, different tapering methods are described and might be helpful to you (although they are specifically for benzodiazepines)—
https://www.benzoinfo.com/benzodiazepine-tapering-strategies/

trying to wean off 75 mg venlafaxine right now. Brain zaps and tinnitus are really hard. Last dose was last Thursday..so 6 days ago. Started with every other day then every 2 then 3 then 4. Now off 6. Very hard. My dr, gave me a script for Lexapro to take after 4 days but I don't want to start another drug. Experiencing gastro problems and severe balance and anxiety problems but I'm really going to persevere.